Lessons from Local Leaders:

Mary Toxey and Sarah Absher

From Foster Care to Federal Contracts: How Two Sisters Built a Mission-Driven Tech Company

When you meet Mary Toxey and Sarah Absher, you immediately sense the strength, purpose, and integrity that define both their leadership style and the company they co-founded, Basis Path. As two of three owners of a women and veteran-owned IT services firm serving the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and the intelligence community, their story is anything but ordinary.

Breaking the Mold from the Beginning

Mary and Sarah are not only sisters—they’re triplets. Born into a family of nine and raised in foster care, they learned resilience early. Their decision to join the military was a turning point.

“We wanted more for ourselves. We didn’t want to settle for our circumstances,” Mary explained.

For Sarah, who became a mother at 18, and Mary, who found her potential during basic training, the Air Force offered stability, structure, and the realization that leadership and technical excellence could go hand in hand. It also provided the educational tools and confidence that would later guide them through building a business in one of the most competitive sectors in the country.

From the Bigs to Building Their Own

After military service, both sisters transitioned into roles at major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and SAIC. But when budget cuts and cultural shifts left them seeking more meaningful and flexible environments, they joined a small IT company that, unfortunately, didn’t meet their standards.

Rather than complain, they acted.

“We decided to take everything we learned—what to do and what not to do—and build a company we’d actually want to work for,” said Mary.

With their third co-founder Joseph Ponson, they launched Basis Path, a company built on values: mission alignment, people-first leadership, and steady, intentional growth.

Culture That Actually Cares

Basis Path isn’t just another government contractor—it’s a workplace where employees matter. With a staff of 50+ and growing, the company is committed to high performance and high retention. Their model includes:

• Individualized career development for junior, mid-level, and senior team members
• Clear communication and mentorship channels, with multiple managers for support
• Intentional contract selection, choosing work they and their team are passionate about
• Flexible placement, ensuring people are matched with projects they actually enjoy

“We don’t just match resumes to job descriptions,” Sarah said. “We match people to the work that excites them.”

Scaling Without Losing Integrity

In a field where fast growth and cutthroat competition are common, Mary and Sarah take a different approach: steady, sustainable progress.

“Slow and steady wins the race,” Mary shared. “We care about mission and integrity, and that takes time—time to recruit the right people, train them well, and place them where they’ll thrive.”

Their strategy is working. Basis Path has doubled its contract base in recent years and earned a reputation for top-tier performance and reliability—thanks to their carefully curated team and commitment to excellence.

Women Leading in Tech—With Confidence and Kindness

As women running a tech company in a traditionally male-dominated space, Mary and Sarah are vocal about one key ingredient: confidence.

“We see it in interviews—women tend to downplay their skills. We want them to know they can own their experience, ask for what they’re worth, and still be kind,” Sarah emphasized.

Their advice to other women in IT or cybersecurity? Be yourself. Be confident. And don’t let traditional expectations box you in.

Legacy, Leadership, and the Long Game

Mary and Sarah built Basis Path not just as a business—but as a legacy. They want to show others, especially those from non-traditional backgrounds, that success doesn’t come from following someone else’s path. It comes from knowing your values, staying mission-focused, and lifting others as you rise.

“Every so-called failure has led to something better,” Mary reflected. “We’re proof that you can start with nothing and still create something meaningful, sustainable, and full of impact.”

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To learn more about Basis Path or to connect with Mary and Sarah’s team, visit www.basispath.com.
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