Janice A. Jackson
Janice Jackson is an accomplished IT professional with extensive experience in IT management, computer operations, and process enhancement, currently serving as an IT Specialist at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Throughout her career, Janice has excelled in roles that span system deployment, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT project management, leveraging her technical expertise to optimize operations, strengthen security, and lead high-performing teams. Her previous experience includes key positions at FEMA, the IRS, and Northrop Grumman, where she managed complex IT projects, disaster recovery planning, and enterprise system support.
Janice’s academic background includes a Master of Science in Applied Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity, as well as a Master of Science in Computer Forensics, both from George Mason University. She also holds multiple certifications in cloud technology and IT security, including AWS Serverless Storage and CompTIA Cloud+. Her military experience has instilled in her a disciplined, results-driven approach to problem-solving, project execution, and leadership in high-stakes environments.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail, strategic mindset, and ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively, Janice is highly regarded as a dedicated and reliable professional. She combines her technical skills with strong leadership capabilities, making her an asset in both federal and enterprise IT environments. Her career reflects a consistent focus on improving operational efficiency, implementing innovative solutions, and mentoring teams to achieve excellence.
• The George Washington University- M.S.
• Defense of Freedom Award
• George Washington
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to everything I’ve experienced throughout my life, which has shaped my skills, resilience, and determination.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always remain focused, keep pushing forward, never give up, and remember that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to keep an open mind and not set rigid expectations for how things should unfold.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is balancing speed with compliance. In the federal IT space, there is strong pressure to modernize quickly—especially around cloud adoption, automation, and AI—while still meeting strict security, acquisition, and governance requirements. Navigating that tension requires not just technical knowledge, but a solid understanding of policy, contracting, and stakeholder management.
Another challenge is organizational change. Many teams are still transitioning from traditional waterfall approaches to agile and DevSecOps ways of working. The tools are often in place, but the mindset shift takes time. As a Scrum Master and IT Project Manager, I see this as an opportunity to coach teams, improve cross-functional collaboration, and help leadership understand how agile principles can coexist with federal oversight.
At the same time, there are significant opportunities. Cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud, combined with automation and data-driven decision-making, are enabling agencies to deliver more reliable and scalable solutions than ever before. There is also a growing recognition of the value of strong project management, clear metrics, and continuous improvement. Professionals who can bridge technical teams, business needs, and executive leadership are well positioned to make a real impact right now.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, strong communication, charisma, being a team player, and connecting well with people.