The purpose of the Virginia Tech Center for Public Administration and Policy (CPAP) Roundtable Series for Leadership and Administration is to bring together the leading scholars, practitioners, students, and others for a stimulating conversation focusing on the exchange of ideas that will advance the knowledge and understanding of leadership in public administration through the sharing of research and experiences. For this particular roundtable session Dr. Colleen Woodard led a panel discussion with Beryl Radin, professor of public administration at American University, and Janet Hill, former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, on the topic “Leading, Organizing and the Stand-up of DHS.” During this roundtable, Janet Hill discussed some of the challenges the Department of Homeland Security faced at its start and how the department was able to overcome them. Beryl Radin also offered her expertise in public administration and the creation of federal departments.