Falls Church, Virginia – Aug 29, 2025. In Episode 84 of the Association for Federal Enterprise Risk Management’s (AFERM) Risk Chats podcast, Norbert Howard, Federal Practice Lead at 11th Hour Service, joined Tom Brandt, a respected ERM practitioner, to explore how risk professionals can make enterprise risk management (ERM) more agile, adaptable, and valuable across government.
Hosted by Paul Marshall, the conversation dove into the current state of ERM, the challenges federal agencies face amid leadership transitions, staff turnover, and shifting priorities, and—most importantly—the opportunities to reimagine risk management for greater impact.
ERM at a Crossroads
Both guests acknowledged that ERM programs have faced turbulence in recent months, with budget constraints, staff cuts, and program consolidations impacting many agencies. Yet Howard emphasized that these conditions only heighten the need for ERM:
“As the world has become more complex for agencies, ERM is one of the tools that keeps them on track to achieve their goals and deliver on mission. The value is clear—we just need to communicate it more effectively,” said Howard.
Rather than retreating, Howard and Brandt urged risk leaders to embrace an agile ERM approach, deploying risk tools in smaller, faster, and more targeted ways to meet the needs of leaders under pressure.
This perspective underscores 11th Hour Service’s reputation for innovation and thought leadership in the federal risk management community. By helping agencies pivot toward nimble, data-driven approaches, the firm positions ERM not as bureaucracy but as a critical enabler of mission success.
Preparing Leaders for What’s Ahead
Howard also drew on his government and private sector experience to stress the importance of making ERM real for stakeholders:
“You need a way to see in the dark. ERM provides that insurance, helping leaders prepare for risks they can’t eliminate but must anticipate,” he noted.
With scenario planning, predictive analytics, and continuous monitoring, ERM practitioners can help agencies navigate restructuring, policy shifts, and unexpected crises. These insights echo 11th Hour Service’s broader commitment to clarity, collaboration, and accountability in government operations.
A Thought Leader’s Role in Government Transformation
At 11th Hour Service, ERM is not simply about compliance, it’s about empowering federal leaders to make informed, resilient decisions. Howard’s reflections on Risk Chats highlight the firm’s broader mission: to bring innovative, practical solutions to government at moments of transition and change.
As agencies face a risk-rich environment, Howard’s message is clear: out of risk comes opportunity. By reimagining ERM as agile, adaptable, and actionable, risk professionals can not only safeguard government programs but also unlock their full potential for impact.
🎧 Listen to the full podcast: Risk Chats featuring Norbert Howard and Tom Brandt
Episode 84: Agile ERM by AFERM Risk Chats
About 11th Hour Service
11th Hour Service is a trusted Global Professional Services Provider serving government and commercial clients. The firm offers customized solutions based on proven results that focus on advancing an organization’s ability to achieve its mission. The 11th Hour Service culture was built on integrity, empowerment, and our commitment to continuous improvement and being result-driven. The firm’s experience spans nearly 20 years and is focused across several domains, including enterprise risk management, analytics and automation, financial management, human capital development, information and systems management, and value chain management. Go to 11thhourservice.com for more info.
