Welcome to Federal Credit Fridays! The U.S. government is one of the largest lenders and credit guarantors on earth. Its portfolio is estimated at over $3.6 trillion, as measured by loan assets and the face value of loan guarantees. The government uses credit for a wide variety of policy missions, including housing, higher education, small businesses, rural and urban economic development, infrastructure, and export promotion, among others. This podcast will familiarize you with the vast world of federal credit, and we hope that you’ll learn about similarities and differences between these programs as well as the importance of their work to achieving policy missions within the framework of public-private collaboration.
In this episode of Federal Credit Fridays, host Anthony welcomes back Sarah Cunningham, now a partner at Summit. Sarah shares her insights on navigating policy changes, reflecting on her extensive experience across federal, state, and local levels. She emphasizes the importance of effective change management—highlighting the need for clear communication, collaboration, and continuous feedback to successfully implement new policies.
Sarah recounts her experiences during major crises, such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 financial crisis, where she helped develop innovative federal credit solutions. These included implementing partial claim payments to support disaster survivors and facilitating capital infusion to stabilize the student loan market. She emphasizes that times of disruption present opportunities for innovation and improving efficiency.
Looking ahead, Sarah discusses the future of federal financial management. She predicts a growing emphasis on public-private partnerships and the increasing role of technology—particularly artificial intelligence—in enhancing efficiency and managing risks. She stresses the importance of using data to inform policy decisions and ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.
Throughout the conversation, Sarah underscores the value of understanding both policy goals and the operational realities of federal programs. Her unique perspective, shaped by her transition from the public to the private sector, allows her to offer practical advice for policymakers and career staff alike.
Tune in to hear Sarah’s valuable lessons on driving meaningful change, managing complex federal credit programs, and preparing for the future of government financial management.
I hope you enjoy today’s conversation. Listen below and let us know what you think!