Anne Marshall, former director of engineering and data science at the U.S. Digital Service, discusses her recent resignation sparked by disagreements over staffing cuts and the direction taken by the Department of Government Efficiency. She shares her views on how Dogecoin reflects broader challenges in tech within government. Marshall emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary teams in addressing systemic issues and advocates for integrating tech experts to reform and enhance government operations and services.
Anne Marshall's resignation from the US Digital Service was driven by concerns over staffing cuts that compromised the organization’s mission to improve American lives.
The shift in leadership has created challenges for USDS, sparking the rise of civic tech startups focused on delivering impactful government services amidst procurement reform needs.
Deep dives
Resignation Motivated by Mission Integrity
The recent resignation of a prominent figure from the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) was driven by concerns regarding the organization's capacity to serve its mission. Initially drawn to USDS by the potential for significant societal impact, the individual felt that recent leadership decisions compromised the agency's ability to improve the lives of Americans. The firing of key personnel, particularly in areas critical to effective project management such as design and procurement, disrupted the multidisciplinary approach that USDS relied upon. This shift not only threatened the organization's efficacy but also its foundational commitment to delivering essential services like Medicare to millions.
Ineffective Leadership Decisions
The leadership changes under the new Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) were marked by abrupt and indiscriminate firings, lacking a thoughtful assessment of organizational needs. The former director highlighted that technical and non-technical roles were treated the same in interviews, illustrating a fundamental misunderstanding of the contributions that disciplines like data science bring to government projects. This reflected a broader challenge where the new leadership failed to recognize the importance of a cohesive, well-rounded team essential for executing government contracts and projects effectively. Consequently, these decisions raised concerns about the future capacity of USDS to support agency partners and impact American citizens positively.
Opportunities for Civic Tech Evolution
The conversation unveiled a hopeful perspective on potential shifts in the digital landscape for government services, particularly the rise of civic tech startups formed by disaffected professionals. Many individuals leaving agencies like USDS share a strong desire to continue serving the American populace, fostering discussions about innovative avenues to pursue external projects that prioritize public benefit. However, the challenge remains in determining how to effectively transition this enthusiasm into actionable initiatives, as the complexity of government operations can be daunting for outsiders. The emphasis on the need for procurement reform and agile practices highlights an opportunity for these emerging entities to create structures that enhance government efficiency while ensuring underserved populations receive the attention they deserve.
Anne Marshall resigned from her role as director of engineering and data science at the U.S. Digital Service last month. The decision followed staffing cuts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. “This is not the mission I came to serve,” Marshall wrote on LinkedIn at the time. On POLITICO Tech, Marshall tells host Steven Overly about her decision to leave and what she thinks everyone is missing about DOGE.