On the heels of the news that RELI Group has appointed Juanita Wilson as Client Relationship Executive, looking to leverage this seasoned federal healthcare leader’s over 30 years of service in government, and first-hand experience navigating the complexities of relationship management, federal acquisitions and policy execution, we caught up to learn more.
Foundational Roots Guiding a Purpose-Driven Team
I bring more than 30 years of federal service and senior leadership expertise in relationship management, healthcare acquisition strategy and program execution. I have led multi-billion-dollar federal portfolios, spearheaded complex procurements, and built trusted relationships across government and industry. My foundational roots are as an acquisition professional, and in that field, you learn to wear many different hats and to be resilient. These skills are even more important in today’s fast-paced and unpredictable environment, where adaptability is paramount. What I have enjoyed the most over the course of my career is building bridges to orchestrate high-performing partnerships with robust expertise to tackle tough problems. I think the best solutions and innovative ideas are a natural outgrowth of purpose-driven teams where everyone is contributing, and they truly care about the client’s mission and ultimately the person who is directly impacted by policies and their implementation.
Drawn to a Commitment of Better Serving the Public
I have known RELI Group since the company’s inception and have observed their methodical and adaptive mindset over the last decade. I have always valued Mohammad’s work ethic, servant leadership and vision for growth. Some key tenets of a successful company are integrity and its ability to consistently provide solutions, and I’ve experienced this firsthand as a previous customer. It was time to challenge myself with something new, and I was drawn to RELI’s commitment to helping agencies accomplish their mission to better serve the public, which aligns with my personal philosophy.
This is a very exciting time to be at RELI, as we are a growing mid-tier company in the midst of a constantly changing landscape. We’re able to bring operational agility and a more collaborative approach that is tailored to our customers’ needs. RELI understands the value of receiving ideas from the collective team, and this fosters an atmosphere where you can truly thrive.
Over the course of my career, I’ve learned that trust and credibility are at the heart of any strong partnership. I have built a wide network of partners across the public and private sectors. Since I have been on the other side of the table, I am able to act as the “voice of the customer” and provide keen insight to RELI Group as we build tailored strategies and approaches to address the most challenging problems. My perspective will help guide decisions on industry trends, regulatory shifts and best practices to stay ahead.
Understanding Pain Points, Priorities and Objectives
As a leader recognized for delivering results in health policy execution and acquisition innovation, I understand the customers’ pain points and am able to map their priorities and long-term objectives. I will help strengthen the company’s growth and success by ensuring proposed solutions support the customers’ mission and align with agencies’ mandates and budgets. With a thorough understanding of the acquisition lifecycle, I can help position RELI early in the procurement process to shape solutions that allow greater flexibility to the customer. I believe it’s important to keep your hand on the pulse and garner regular customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.
Acclimating to Acquisition Reform in Real-Time
There is increased oversight and scrutiny that is reshaping the budgetary environment. Therefore, contracting efficiencies, audits and performance reviews are ramping up. As a result, we need to be able to put ourselves in the customer’s shoes and develop solutions that are focused, innovative and cost-efficient. Due to the resource constraints of our federal partners, we need to be flexible in procurement timelines that may initially take longer despite the push for more expedited methods. On the flipside, one of the biggest challenges faced by federal and private industry will be acclimating to acquisition reform and streamlined contracting methods in real time. I will focus on assisting customers as they navigate and leverage these changes, and work within RELI to ensure our approaches are structured to fit these procurement models.
The Opportunity Behind Untapped Resources
Partnerships are critical in this fast-paced environment, when pivoting and adaptability will better serve the customer. Establishing and nurturing these partnerships should be ongoing, not just in response to a solicitation. I have always been an advocate of working with small businesses and non-profit organizations as a way to utilize untapped resources, and I think RELI Group serves as an inspiration to many small businesses as a testament to the success that is possible when a business is firmly grounded and stays true to their vision. Industry engagement provides opportunities to collaborate, and having a wide array of expertise across your partners helps to broaden your pipeline. I look forward to hearing from businesses who have done some research about RELI’s portfolio of work and come to the table conveying how their expertise can enhance our ecosystem of speed, innovation and compliance.
Growing with Purpose
I’m excited to be part of a company that is not only growing, but doing so with purpose. RELI’s mission-driven approach and collaborative culture create an environment where we can truly make an impact – for our clients, our partners and the citizens they serve. I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to build innovative solutions, strengthen partnerships and help shape strategies that support RELI’s continued success and our customers’ evolving needs.
About Juanita Wilson
Juanita Wilson serves as the Client Relationship Executive at RELI Group, bringing more than 30 years of federal service and senior leadership expertise in relationship management, healthcare acquisition strategy and program execution. A trusted business advisor in Medicare policy and government contracting, Juanita spent most of her career at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where she led multi-billion-dollar portfolios supporting Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and landmark legislation like the No Surprises Act and Inflation Reduction Act. She is recognized for driving acquisition innovation, fostering strong partnerships between government and industry, and advancing opportunities for small businesses and individuals with disabilities. Juanita’s extensive background in leading complex federal contracting portfolios and fostering collaboration between agencies and industry enables her to strengthen partnerships, guide strategic initiatives, and help RELI deliver mission-driven solutions that advance clients’ priorities in program modernization and fraud, waste, and abuse prevention.
