Chris Coleman is the eGovernment Services Manager at Chesterfield County, Virginia, where he leads award-winning efforts to modernize digital services, improve accessibility and enhance the community’s online experience. He also serves as an At-Large Director on the National Association of Government Web Professionals, helping shape the future of digital government nationwide.

Nikhil is a leader in digital transformation, advocating for user-centric, accessible technology. Overseeing Georgia's AI program, he focuses on responsible applications that enhance workforce capabilities and public service. Recognized as a top innovator, he is a sought-after speaker and recipient of multiple awards, including Atlanta Business Chronicle's "40 Under 40." Nikhil holds master’s degrees in Human-Computer Interaction and Visual Communication.

As a kid growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, Santi witnessed the near collapse of the national government and the general disillusionment of national politics, along with creative and unconventional approaches to solve issues at the local level. Those experiences developed a lifelong passion for making government more efficient and effective for citizens. Santi joined the City of Boston as Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to help push forward Mayor Wu’s vision of building a government that earns the trust of its people.
As CIO, Santi oversees the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) and a team of nearly 150 employees. DoIT provides and maintains mission-critical technologies for the City’s more than 18,000 employees and hundreds of thousands of constituents. 
In the last few decades, DoIT has been an enabler of progress in Boston. Santi’s goal is to create a new chapter in that history so that DoIT can continue to be an engine of transformation in the service of residents and employees. Through data science, statistics, and human-centered design, Santi will empower his staff to deliver more dignified experiences for residents and optimize the role of government. He also plans to leverage the City’s relationships with academia, local industries, and civic organizations to make sure big decisions reflect the many voices of Boston.

President, e.Republic

Dustin Haisler is the President of e.Republic - the nation's leading state and local government data, media, and events company - and the parent company of Government Technology, Governing, and the Center for Digital Government. He is also active in the academic and research community, serving as co-lead of the Center for Public Sector AI, an Eisenhower Fellow (2019 Zhi-Xing Program), board member of the Good Governance Worldwide Academic Journal, and Program Faculty for the Certified Public Management Program (CPM) at Texas State University.
As the former Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Assistant City Manager for the City of Manor, Texas, Dustin quickly built a reputation as an early innovator in civic tech. He pioneered government use of commercial technologies not previously used in the public sector, including open innovation, Quick-Response (QR) barcodes, crowdsourcing, and gamification. Recognized as one of the nation’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers for government technology, he was also named a Business Transformation 150 Leader by Constellation Research. His work has been featured in Wired, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, the Today Show on NBC, The Economist, CNN, Fortune, and Citizenville by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Most recently, Dustin has led initiatives to help public sector agencies safely adopt and integrate artificial intelligence technologies through public speaking, research, training, expert testimonies, and the development of AI tools.
Dustin graduated Magna Cum Laude from LeTourneau University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and has conducted research with universities around the globe on incubating next-generation technologies in government, including the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford University and the University of Trento, Italy. He is a frequent speaker and expert advisor who collaborates with Fortune 500 companies, investors, government agencies, academia, startups, and non-profits worldwide on the global govtech market, public sector technology trends, and artificial intelligence development.

Payam is a seasoned cybersecurity executive and academic, currently serving as the Cyber Risk & Governance Chief for the State of California. With a robust background in information security management and risk governance, he leads statewide initiatives to protect sensitive data and enhance cybersecurity resilience. His academic role as an adjunct professor at California State University Sacramento allows him to shape the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Payam’s extensive expertise spans various domains including access control management, incident response, and security architecture design. He is known for his innovative approach, having initiated California’s AI risk management strategy. Payam holds multiple degrees, including a Ph.D., in Technology and Innovation Management with a specialization in Cybersecurity. His commitment to continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-evolving landscape set him apart in his field.

Troy serves as the Chief Information Officer for the Health and Human Services Group at the State of Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology. With an impressive tenure spanning three decades, Troy has cultivated a rich background that bridges various sectors, from agriculture and the military to academia, commercial world & state government.
Guided by a passion for both mentorship and learning, Troy is a visionary in Information Technology. His hands-on approach to system design and development has paved the way for building reliable, scalable applications. Additionally, his adeptness at managing complex projects, even under tight deadlines, is testament to his commitment to excellence. Throughout his career, he has effectively led diverse teams, comprising systems analysts, database architects, technical analysts, test analysts, and end-user support specialists.
At the heart of his expertise is Troy's unique ability to blend technology with human-centric insights. His deep-seated interest in operations, combined with his understanding of its interplay with technology, forms the bedrock of his educational journey. Yet, it's his profound appreciation for the human elements in business and their intrinsic tie to technology that truly fuels his enthusiasm.
In his pivotal role as the CIO, Troy wears many hats. He engages directly with agency partners and clients, striving to comprehend their technological aspirations. This, in turn, enables him to craft, coordinate, and deliver integrated tech solutions that resonate. Troy proudly identifies as an innovator, and his flexibility, adaptability, and results-driven approach are evident throughout his illustrious career. Above all, he embodies passion and dedication, attributes clearly mirrored in his professional journey.

Suma serves on Mayor Mike Johnston’s cabinet as the Chief Information Officer for City and County of Denver.
Nallapati served as Global CIO at Insight most recently and as chief digital officer at both Dish Network and Everbridge. Previously, she held positions at TeleTech, Catholic Health Initiatives and the State of Colorado.
Nallapati is fiercely passionate about advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the technology industry. Her experience includes work with the Blind Institute of Technology, LadyCoders, Girls Who Code and other Women in STEM programs. She was named Power 50 Women in 2023 and 2019 Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by The National Diversity Council, 2018 CIO of the Year by CTA among others. She holds a Master’s degree in Nuclear Physics and Kellogg’s Chief Digital Officer Certification. She has made Colorado her home for the past 25 years

Christian brings a unique combination of technology expertise, business acumen and leadership with 30 years’ experience serving a variety of industries, the public sector, the Olympic Movement and the world’s highest profile major events.
While Christian was in middle school, his family purchased their first computer - a Kaypro II running the CP/M OS - and he quickly learned how to do homework assignments using WordStar 2000 and VisiCalc. As a teen he worked in his father's computer business, servicing IBM PC clones and Atari STs and managing networks and databases, launching a career in IT.
While working for IBM, Christian was presented with an opportunity to serve as HRIS Manager for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. He led the implementation of the first web-based technologies used in Games history to select, train, uniform, feed and deploy thousands of volunteers and paid staff.
Since then, Christian has served 10 Olympic and Paralympic Games editions and, more broadly, the major events industry. He has held numerous leadership roles from IT Director to Deputy CEO, and worked in various functional areas, including technology, human resources, volunteer management, knowledge management, learning and development, and centralized planning and project management (PMO).
In 2024 Christian joined the State of Utah as the Director of AI in the Division of Technology Services. In this role he oversees all AI implementations in the executive branch of state government. Christian led the statewide rollout of generative AI office productivity solutions along with the establishment of the DTS AI Factory, designed to help agencies streamline the ideation, initiation, piloting and deployment of AI solutions.
Christian lives in Sandy, Utah, USA with his wife of 35 years, Lynn. They have four grown children.

Steve is the Deputy Executive Director at DIR. He has served the State of Texas as a House of Representatives staffer and with three agencies before coming to DIR. Steve has over 20 years of experience working with governments and international organizations at the state and national level in areas such as: governmental relations; communications; management and leadership; and strategic initiatives. He has a bachelor’s degree from Miami University with a double major in Philosophy and Political Science.

Divya Rathanlal is the Interim Deputy Chief Information Officer for the City of Austin. She is a key driver of the City’s AI adoption strategy, advancing initiatives that move beyond experimentation to deliver real-world impact. Her leadership is grounded in aligning emerging technologies with business priorities, public trust, and long-term value. She brings a pragmatic lens to AI implementation—ensuring solutions are not only innovative, but also operationally sustainable, ethically deployed, and responsive to community needs.
Divya also leads Austin’s Digital Services division, where she spearheads cross-functional efforts to modernize service delivery and elevate the resident experience. She continues to serve as a bridge between technology and policy, guiding executive teams through the complexities of AI integration in government.

Archie Satchell is the CIO for Palm Beach County, Florida, where he is dedicated to enhancing customer service and driving continuous organizational improvement.
With a distinguished career spanning 40 years, Archie has held key executive leadership positions, including CIO, deputy CIO and director of application development. He consistently fosters collaborative partnerships across local government, non-profit entities and educational institutions to establish a resilient and secure infrastructure optimally utilizing public resources.
Archie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwood University. He is an active member of professional associations, such as the Florida Local Government Information Systems Association (FLGISA), the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), the National Association of Counties (NACo) Telecommunications & Technology Committee, County Technology Advisory Council, IT Standing Committee and Future Technology Committee – demonstrating his commitment to professional development and industry best practices.

Secretary of Technology, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Jason Snyder is the Secretary and Commonwealth CIO of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security. He was previously the Chief Technology Officer at Harvard University. He has more than 30 years of information technology experience in government, higher education and the private sector.
He has worked at Harvard for almost ten years, as a Program Director for Identity & Access Management, as Managing Director of Architecture and Engineering, and as Chief Technology Officer since 2015. He served as Chief Technology Officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the duration of Governor Patrick’s tenure, and prior to that spent 13 years in the private sector at CSC Consulting Group. He's a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and lives in Reading.

Teri Takai is Chief Programs Officer, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. She worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 years in global application development and information technology strategic planning. From Ford, she moved to EDS in support of General Motors. A long-time interest in public service led her to the government sector, first as CIO of the State of Michigan, then as CIO of the State of California and, subsequently, the CIO of the U.S. Department of Defense, the first woman appointed to this role. She then served as the CIO for Meridian Health Plan.
Teri is a member of several industry advisory boards. She has won numerous awards including Governing magazine’s Public Official of the Year, CIO Magazine’s CIO Hall of Fame, Government Technology magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers, the Women in Defense Excellence in Leadership Award and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.