Leadership
Faizan Zia
Founder, President & CEO
Faizan Zia is the Founder, President & CEO of Connsci. Faizan started his career working in sales/business development for various technology companies, ultimately working his way up to senior leadership positions in Product Management, Product Marketing and Training & Enablement. Faizan received his B.S. in Public Health, with a Minor in Organizational Leadership from The University of Maryland, College Park, and also obtained an MBA from The University of Maryland Global Campus. Faizan also holds various certifications in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Learning & Development and Product Management.
With over 18 years of Information Technology and Government experience, Faizan founded Connsci in 2017, with a mission to support organizations with their IT needs by delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions. Throughout his career, Faizan has received numerous accolades and has consistently been recognized as a top performer by his peers, clients and partners.
In his personal life, Faizan loves spending time with his family and friends. Faizan is also an avid foodie and likes to explore new cuisines from different geographies across the globe. Faizan is passionate about contributing to and making a change in his community and is involved in various children’s and health causes, due to the health challenges he experienced as a child. Faizan works with many non-profits, hospitals and children’s health organizations to support their missions and impact the lives of those in need. Faizan is also involved in various workforce development programs in the DC Metro Area that serve unemployed and underemployed individuals by helping them obtain or advance their careers in Information Technology.
Sean Kelley
Partner, Health
Sean W. Kelley is the Partner for the Health line of business for Connsci, bringing a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors. With over 25 years of IT expertise, Sean has demonstrated a consistent ability to lead, innovate, and drive growth across diverse industries. Sean’s career includes notable roles in the Senior Executive Service (SES) at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency. He is an accomplished P&L Leader (COO) who has successfully managed operations in both small enterprises and Fortune 500 companies, consistently delivering results and steering organizations towards their strategic goals.
Before joining the federal government in 2012, Sean served an illustrious 20-year career in the US Navy, where he retired and served honorably. His tenure in the Navy was marked by a series of pivotal IT positions within Navy Medicine. He served as the CIO for the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Comfort during critical humanitarian missions and disaster relief operations, including the Haitian earthquake response. He also held roles as the CIO for Navy Medicine Corporate Headquarters, Director of Navy Medicine's first Enterprise IT Program Management Office, and IT Manager for the Attending Physician to Congress (OAP).
Sean's leadership extends beyond his government service. He has been instrumental in developing Health IT and cybersecurity offerings for various companies, leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience to create innovative solutions. His expertise has made him a sought-after independent board member and executive advisory board member for several private and public healthcare and cybersecurity companies. Additionally, he has a long-standing commitment to non-profit organizations, contributing his skills and insights to their boards.
Mr. Kelley is a Fellow of the American College of Health Data Management, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and a Project Management Professional (PMP). These certifications reflect his dedication to maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence and staying at the forefront of industry advancements. Sean's strategic vision, operational acumen, and unwavering commitment to innovation have made him a respected leader in the IT and cybersecurity communities. His diverse experience and proven track record continue to drive Connsci's growth and success, ensuring that the organization remains at the cutting edge of technology and strategic development.
Jason Washington
Vice President, Health IT Portfolio
Jason Washington is the Vice President of the Health IT Portfolio for Connsci, bringing over 27 years of experience as a Health IT Executive in business development, capture management, system engineering, and healthcare IT. As the Vice President of the Health IT Portfolio at Connsci, he leads strategic initiatives to advance Health Technology solutions for Federal Agencies. With a strong background in Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, Cybersecurity, and Program Management, Jason has played a key role in developing and implementing large-scale Healthcare IT programs, ensuring interoperability between Federal and Military Health systems. His expertise in contract acquisition, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise solution design has contributed to the successful execution of numerous Federal projects.
Before joining Connsci, Jason held leadership roles at Sparksoft Corporation, Vecna Technologies, ASRC Federal, SeKON, and Deloitte, where he managed business development and technical operations for Federal Health IT programs. His work has encompassed everything from overseeing Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance to leading software development teams and securing multi-million-dollar contracts. He has a proven track record in proposal execution, team leadership, and fostering strategic partnerships to drive growth. His ability in navigating complex federal procurement landscapes and delivering innovative IT solutions has positioned him as a trusted leader in the industry. Jason’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing Healthcare IT, ensuring seamless interoperability, and strengthening Cybersecurity frameworks across Government Health systems. His expertise in managing technical teams, negotiating teaming agreements, and driving Digital Transformation has made a significant impact on Federal Healthcare modernization efforts. With a foundation in Systems Engineering and business development, he continues to lead Connsci’s Health IT initiatives, shaping the future of Government Health Technology solutions.
Lauren Masi
Vice President, Defense
Lauren Masi is the Vice President of Defense for Connsci, bringing over 20 years of experience in federal business development, program management, and strategic growth. She specializes in expanding Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence portfolios, leading high-performance teams to deliver innovative IT and operational solutions, that make sense to support the mission. As a solution-focused business and operations executive, Lauren has developed new and established programs, divisions, and congressionally mandated initiatives for the DoD and small to mid-sized businesses. She has been instrumental in growing national and global programs, driving high-visibility strategic initiatives for federal agencies. Notably, she led the development of a Gold Standard Program for the DoD, setting a new benchmark for operational efficiency and long-term mission impact.
An active Pennsylvania State University alumna and association life member, Lauren holds Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and IT Service Management (ITIL) certifications. Her experience as both a contractor and civilian for the DoD has strengthened her ability to navigate processes, people, procurements and deliver innovative solutions, positioning her as a trusted leader and advisor in the industry.
Lauren's professional accolades and achievements reflect her commitment to serving others, prioritizing people, and paying it forward—principles that guide her approach to both life and business. In addition to her professional career, she has been actively involved in volunteer activities, dedicating her time to supporting veterans' organizations, mentoring young professionals, and participating in community outreach programs focused on physical wellness and mental health.
Salman (Sal) Rana
Vice President, Chief Health Tech Officer
Salman (Sal) Rana is the Vice President and Chief Health Technology Officer at Connsci, bringing a wealth of experience in healthcare data exchange and interoperability. Throughout his career, Sal has focused on the design, architecture, and implementation of HL7, X12, and custom interfaces for both public agencies, including the CDC and VA, and private-sector innovators such as Orion Health and Medecision. He also honed his expertise as an interface engineer at Alamance Regional Hospital—recognized as one of the “most wired” hospitals within North Carolina’s Cone Network.
Most recently, Sal led groundbreaking technology initiatives at HHS/ACF, where he advanced Health IT, AI integration, and social care interoperability. A Lean Kanban expert, he has guided teams in deploying full-stack health information exchanges nationwide. Sal’s passion lies in leveraging Health IT to address interoperability challenges across the U.S. healthcare landscape.
He holds a BSBA in Management Information Systems from Auburn University and studied French Culinary Arts and Management at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.