Mohammad Elias is the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of RELI Group, a government contracting firm. With over two decades of experience in federal IT and strategic program delivery, he held senior roles at CMS, where he led efforts to implement mission-critical programs and modernize health IT systems. Mohammad also co-founded the Elias & Sultana Foundation, which supports underserved communities through grants for food, shelter, and education.

Many entrepreneurs aspire to build businesses that make a meaningful impact while achieving financial independence, but this goal requires navigating complex industries, attracting talent, and establishing credibility in competitive markets. How can founders grow without losing sight of their mission and values?

According to IT and government contractor Mohammad Elias, focusing on trusted relationships, deep domain expertise, and a narrow initial target market can accelerate growth. He emphasizes the importance of delivering exceptional performance to earn repeat opportunities, noting that mentorship and strategic partnerships accelerate early growth. Leaders should also develop empathy and leverage personal and professional experiences to guide their company culture.

In today’s episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney sits down with Mohammad Elias, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of RELI Group, to discuss how he built a mission-focused government contracting business. Mohammad talks about his charity work, how he pursued entrepreneurship while risking stability, and RELI Group’s value proposition in the government contracting industry.