Welcome to RELI Group’s Leadership Spotlight series! In this series, we’ll delve into the background, passions and philosophies of some of Team RELI’s best and brightest minds. Each post includes the same five questions, offering a comprehensive glimpse into the folks that make RELI great.
In today’s Leadership Spotlight, meet Christopher Nutter, Program Director at RELI Group. Chris brings more than 20 years of experience driving operational performance and ROI for complex cyber programs. Chris draws on his expertise in risk management, process improvement and team empowerment to strengthen cyber operations and advance mission success.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that influenced your path in government contracting?
Rather than a single pivotal moment, my career has been shaped by experiences that emphasized the importance of clarity, trust and purpose. Starting in the military, I saw firsthand how people excel when they understand why their work matters. This carried through to my civilian roles, from managing large-scale emergency exercises to leading offensive cybersecurity programs. In every setting, empowering teams with clear direction and trust has proven essential. At RELI, I brought this same mindset to help an already talented group of professionals work even more effectively together, fostering alignment, encouraging ownership and reinforcing that it’s okay to “fail forward” as long as we stay mission focused.
What drives your passion for working in government contracting?
Government contracting is fundamentally about trust. It’s not solely measured by metrics or margins but by our role as stewards of critical missions that impact people’s daily lives. Our work makes a profound difference and recognizing that helps us navigate daily challenges with a sense of purpose.
What motivates me every day is knowing that our work supports essential government services and strengthens the programs people count on. Whether advancing cybersecurity or improving how teams deliver on mission needs, I am passionate about creating environments where people can thrive and where our collective efforts lead to meaningful, lasting impact.
How do you approach leadership and team building?
Empowerment is at the core of my leadership philosophy. Inspired by the book Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet, I believe in trusting my team and encouraging them to take ownership. When individuals understand the “why,” they can effectively determine the “how,” leading to meaningful impact.
At RELI, I focus on building leadership at every level. Through regular touchpoints, we discuss everything from contract types and cost controls to customer satisfaction. At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about alignment. When individuals understand their role, believe in the mission and feel equipped to succeed, you don’t just get compliance, you get commitment. That’s how I build teams. And that’s how we build impact.
What innovations or trends in the government sector excite you the most?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a significant and exciting trend in the public sector. After years of incremental changes, we’re now witnessing a rapid transformation. While this shift brings challenges, especially from a cybersecurity perspective, it also offers immense opportunities.
One trend that particularly energizes me is the rise of AI-driven data platforms, such as the shift from legacy tools like SAS to platforms like Databricks. AI enables agencies to manage and analyze vast amounts of data, deriving insights at the speed of mission need. AI’s potential extends far beyond chatbots; it can revolutionize backend optimization, code development, operational data efficiency, governance evaluation, and more. Embracing AI allows us to modernize systems and better serve our customers’ missions.
Can you discuss a project or initiative you’re particularly proud of?
I’m particularly proud of the foundational work I’ve done at RELI to align and empower our teams. Upon joining, I recognized an opportunity to strengthen how we worked across contracts and aligned to shared goals. By launching weekly leadership touchpoints and clarifying priorities and performance expectations, we created space for our talented teams to not only deliver for customers but also contribute more broadly to RELI’s growth and success. This has helped foster a more connected, engaged culture where individuals are empowered, understand the bigger picture and embrace the value of working together toward mission and business outcomes.
