Leadership in government and technology requires not only innovative thinking but also a deep commitment to public service. Today’s guest, Paola Santana, exemplifies these qualities as she shares her journey from law and politics to becoming a trailblazer in government technology.
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Paola Santana is a lawyer, public procurement expert, and serial tech entrepreneur who is revolutionizing government systems. As the founder and CEO of Glass, she is pioneering G-commerce, a new way for governments to procure goods and services. Her prior experience includes co-founding Matternet, a company leading the way in drone logistics networks. Under her leadership, Matternet worked with the White House, U.S. Congress, and NASA to establish the first U.S. drone regulations, leading to the first drone delivery platform authorized for permanent operations over a populated city.
In this episode, host Barry O’Reilly invites Paola to discuss her remarkable journey, from her early career in law and government to her groundbreaking work in technology. Paola offers insights into the challenges and opportunities of transforming public systems through entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of agility, data-driven decision-making, and the crucial role of small businesses in economic development.
Key Takeaways:
- Holistic Approach to Innovation: Sustainable change in government systems requires integrating public and private sector strategies, emphasizing agility, and leveraging technology.
- The Importance of Small Businesses: Small businesses are the backbone of economic development. Empowering them through government procurement can lead to more dynamic and effective public services.
- Procurement as a Catalyst: Effective procurement is essential for materializing government initiatives. It’s not just about contracts; it’s about ensuring that public funds are spent in ways that truly reflect the needs and priorities of the community.
- Embracing Technology: The future of procurement lies in the intersection of e-commerce and government processes. Leveraging data and AI can make government procurement more efficient and aligned with public policy goals.
Additional Insights:
From Law to Tech: Paola’s transition from law and public service to tech entrepreneurship highlights the power of interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex public sector challenges.
The Role of AI in Procurement: AI and data analytics are crucial in making government procurement more transparent and efficient, ensuring that public funds are used effectively to meet community needs.
The Value of Persistence: Paola’s journey shows that persistence and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom can lead to breakthroughs, even in highly regulated sectors like government procurement.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Download free innovation map
00:41 – Introduction to Paola Santana
02:5 – Paola’s Career Clarity and Influence
The first thing is that for the level of clarity that someone like me has, where I’ve always known or carved moments to get very clear on where I wanted to go…”
07:26 – Transition from Law to Tech
“I love this saying attributed to Steve Jobs: You can only connect the dots looking backwards.”
21:24 – Founding Glass and the Importance of Transparency
“Glass is literally the name that came very intuitively to me, and I’ve been unpacking what the name of Glass means.”
22:39 – Contrasts Between Public and Private Sectors
“Entrepreneurship is grueling. Like, you know, you either have results or you don’t.”
47:29 – Small Businesses and Economic Development
“The future of procurement is not procurement. The future of procurement is e-commerce.”
