FOUNDER & CEO

Kara D. Ryles is the Founder and CEO of Contracting Intelligence Group (CIG), a boutique consulting firm that helps federal agencies and contractors navigate the complexities of acquisition, compliance, and workforce development. With nearly two decades of experience in federal contracting, Kara brings deep expertise and an insider’s understanding of how to move missions forward through smart, strategic procurement.

Before launching CIG, Kara held senior leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, where she led large teams, managed multimillion-dollar acquisition portfolios, and helped shape national contracting policies. She’s known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to translate complex acquisition requirements into real-world solutions.

As CEO, Kara guides CIG’s strategy and operations while building partnerships and mentoring the next generation of acquisition professionals. She’s passionate about making government work better—whether that means helping agencies meet their goals or supporting vendors in delivering high-impact results.

Kara earned her MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and her Bachelor’s in English from Spelman College. She brings a strong sense of purpose and people-first mindset to everything she does—and she’s on a mission to raise the bar in federal contracting.

VP, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Laurice Lockhart Sosa is the Vice President, Co-founder, and Chief Operating Officer of Contracting Intelligence Group (CIG), where she drives operational execution, delivery excellence, and internal culture. With over 18 years of federal acquisition and leadership experience—including senior roles at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Laurice brings strategic foresight and proven expertise to CIG’s mission-driven consulting services. As COO, she leads strategic planning, internal program development, and brand identity efforts, ensuring daily operations are aligned with the firm’s long-term vision. Laurice is instrumental in shaping CIG’s high-performance culture and in advancing initiatives that support both private sector clients and government agencies. Her leadership is grounded in a deep understanding of federal procurement, program services, and transformational change, making her a catalyst for sustainable growth and meaningful impact.

VP, STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT & INDUSTRY

Donna Griffith is the Vice President of Strategic Engagement and Industry Relations of Contracting Intelligence Group (CIG), where she focuses on cross-functional strategic goals, external visibility, industry positioning, and relationship-building. With over 20 years of federal acquisition and leadership experience, Donna brings a collaborative approach to strategic alignment and operational focus from an acquisition perspective. As a Vice President, Donna informs brand strategy, outreach direction, and executive communication priorities, ensuring CIG is well-positioned for growth through trusted relationships and public presence. Donna contributes to shaping and communicating CIG’s value proposition by identifying high-impact partnerships that support both private sector clients and government agencies. Her expertise in federal procurement policy, purposeful engagement, and multi-level communication, make her a key component for ensuring CIG services remain relevant to the businesses we support.

VP, STRATEGIC ACQUISITION SOLUTIONS

Umetria Dickson is a strategic federal acquisition leader with almost 25 years of experience driving mission success across defense, civilian, and academic sectors. As Vice President of Strategic Acquisition Solutions at Contracting Intelligence Group (CIG), she leverages her expertise in policy innovation, acquisition training, and workforce development to help clients optimize procurement strategies and scale impact.  She designs scalable training programs, micro-learning tools, and regulatory-aligned resources, equipping clients and professionals to navigate the FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific procurement challenges.  

Prior to joining CIG, she served in various acquisition positions where she developed a proven record for optimizing timelines, budgets, and stakeholder alignment. She has held executive leadership roles at DHHS/ACF, USASOC, and NASA. 

Holding an MBA and BS in Accounting, Umetria merges regulatory expertise with adult learning principles to transform complex policies into actionable strategies—ensuring CIG and its clients stay agile, compliant, and mission-ready.