OPM’s tech-friendly director steps down

Kiran Ahuja, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director, known for her advocacy of federal tech modernization and efforts to strengthen the federal tech workforce, is set to leave her position in the coming weeks. Serving as the longest-tenured OPM director in over a decade, Ahuja’s three-year tenure saw significant initiatives under her leadership.

Confirmed by the Senate in June 2021, Ahuja was the first South Asian American and the first Asian American woman to lead OPM. During her time, she was instrumental in implementing several key policies, including the introduction of a $15 minimum wage for federal workers, banning the use of non-federal salary history in determining pay for federal jobs, and launching a new data strategy plan. As part of the Biden administration’s focus on AI, Ahuja also contributed to enhancing the federal government’s tech workforce. She played a role in the AI and tech talent task force aimed at supporting hiring related to the President’s executive order on AI technology. Under her guidance, OPM authorized direct hire authority for AI-related positions and outlined incentives for attracting and retaining AI talent in the federal sector.

The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon.

If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.