Bay Area Digital Government Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

The Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

We hope you can join us at the 2025 Bay Area Digital Government Summit, where public sector IT leaders come together to innovate, connect, and shape the future of digital government.

– Ed Miranda, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Director, Information Technology Department

The Bay Area Digital Government Summit is a great place to connect and work with other public sector IT leaders. This gives us an opportunity to share new solutions, best practices and discuss what’s next in public sector technology. I hope you can join us!

– Khaled Tawfik, Chief Information Officer, City of San Jose

Speakers

Saby Waraich

Saby Waraich

Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County Community College  

Recognized by Thinkers360 as a Global Thought Leader and Influencer in the Top 10 for Project Management and Business Strategy, and in the Top 50 for Leadership, Saby Waraich is not just a speaker—he's a practitioner in the trenches every single day. Delivering keynotes and workshops that are as inspiring as they are practical, Saby marries actionable insights with a captivating storytelling style. His mission is not just to inspire but to equip you with the strategies needed to excel personally and professionally.
A veteran in driving change and fostering innovation, Saby offers a unique perspective backed by real-world experience. Whether on stage or virtually, his energetic and engaging approach provides the tools you need to stand out as a leader, build trust, and ultimately drive better results. Don't just listen to a speech; gain a professional edge from someone who's living it.

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John Matelski

John Matelski

Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Prior to joining the Center, Matelski served for 25 years as an Information Technology & Security executive for municipal (City of Orlando, FL) and county government (Gwinnett County, GA), most recently retiring from DeKalb County, GA after 12 years of service.  John’s duties included executive management of all information technology and security resources and systems that support operations and drive innovation throughout the County enterprise. As DeKalb County CIO, he oversaw more than 100 employees serving ~800 million residents.
Matelski graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Computer Information Systems and has been a Certified Government CIO since 2011.  Matelski has a proven track record of leadership in the public and private sectors, utilizing innovation and resourcefulness with a proven ability to build a compelling vision and move an organization toward it. Matelski rebuilt DeKalb County, GA’s technology capabilities from the ground up, helping lead to 8 straight years of recognition as a top 10 winner of the Center for Digital Government annual Digital Counties Survey.  
John has won numerous awards including Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers, State of Georgia CIO ORBIE Award Finalist, and the Computerworld/Smithsonian Laureate Award for Information Technology.  During his tenure with DeKalb County, Matelski was also very active in technology leadership roles with the National Association of Counties (NACo), having served as Chair of the IT Standing Committee, Vice Chair of the Telecommunication & Technology Committee, and Vice Chair of the County Technology Advisory Council.

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Agenda

Tuesday, August 19

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

9:20 am Pacific

Keynote – Have You Ever Jumped from an Airplane? (The Journey of Delivering a Complex Project in the Public Sector)

Large-scale public-sector technology projects are complex, often requiring IT leaders to address technical debt and legacy issues before envisioning future advancements. Launching new projects involves evaluating everything from the RFP process to relationship management, and regulatory compliance. Join Saby Waraich as he shares actionable insights from his journey of transforming a struggling digital transformation project into a success. Discover the strategies he employed to overcome these challenges and understand the true essence of jumping out of an airplane' in the context of leading successful digital transformations.

Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County College

10:20 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

10:50 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Balancing Innovation and Responsibility in AI Adoption

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing government operations, offering new efficiencies and capabilities. How can agencies adopt AI while maintaining security, compliance, and public trust? This session will explore practical AI use cases and strategies for overcoming skepticism through preparedness and upskilling. Industry leaders will share insights on responsible implementation, helping attendees navigate the evolving landscape of AI adoption.

Incident Response: Beyond the Immediate Crisis

A cyber incident can disrupt government operations, but what happens after the initial response? How can agencies collaborate across municipalities to strengthen recovery efforts and mitigate future risks? This session will examine the responsibilities and obligations following an incident, focusing on collective response planning and risk management. Our speakers will share ideas for coordinated recovery, ensuring public sector IT teams can effectively navigate post-incident challenges.

Strategic Approaches to Infrastructure Modernization

Modernizing IT infrastructure in the public sector demands strategic decision-making. What are the best collaborative measures? From cloud vs. on-prem solutions to cost management and compliance, agencies must align technology investments with organizational goals. This session explores successful modernization use cases, and governance frameworks that ensure accountability, while maintaining service continuity.

11:50 am Pacific

Lunch

12:50 pm Pacific

Bits and Bytes

1:20 pm Pacific

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:30 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Data Governance in Action: Policies, Regulations, and Access

Data governance is evolving, and it’s important to stay ahead of shifting regulations and compliance requirements. How can government organizations develop a shared understanding of data layers while adapting to change? This session will explore key aspects of data governance, including legal perspectives and best practices for managing data access status. Panelists will provide insights into maintaining transparency, security, and accountability, sharing practical strategies for ensuring privacy and compliance.

Developing Tomorrow’s IT Leaders

Leadership in public sector IT requires more than technical expertise; it demands vision, mentorship and the ability to inspire teams. What does it take to become an effective leader? This session will explore the realities of IT leadership, from career progression and education to motivating teams and fostering innovation. Our experts will share insights on upskilling, reskilling, and mentoring aspiring leaders. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for shaping the future of public sector IT.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Hosted by a panel of Bay Area CIO’s.

2:30 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:50 pm Pacific

General Session – The Government Experience Revolution: Reimagining Personalized Government Delivery

Constituents today expect the same level of seamless, personalized service from government that they receive in the private sector. The Government Experience Revolution is transforming how agencies deliver services—moving from one-size-fits-all approaches to data-driven, user-centric experiences. This session will explore how governments are leveraging AI, digital identity, and advanced analytics to anticipate citizen needs, streamline interactions, and build trust through personalization.

John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

3:30 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

4:00 pm Pacific

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Walnut Creek Marriott

2355 N Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-934-2000

Get Directions To
Walnut Creek Marriott

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Ali Amanth Mir
Deputy Chief Information Officer
City & County of San Francisco

Naveed Ashraf
Chief Innovation Officer & IT Director
City of Vallejo

Ahsan Baig
Chief Information Officer
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit

Kathleen Boutte Foster
Chief Information Officer
City of Sunnyvale

Herman Brown
Chief Information Officer
District Attorney's Office
City & County of San Francisco

Savita Chaudhary
Chief Information Officer
City of Fairfield

Tim Flanagan
Chief Information Officer
County of Solano

Dan Fruchey
Chief Information Officer
County of Sonoma

Gaurav Garg
Chief Information Officer
City of Santa Clara

Teri Gerhardt
Chief Technology Officer
City of Cupertino

Adam Kostrzak
Chief Information Officer
City of Hayward

Michael Makstman
Chief Information Officer & Head of Department of Technology
City and County of San Francisco

Liza Massey
Chief Information Officer
Marin County

Ed Miranda
Chief Information Officer & IT Director
City of Newark

Darren Numoto
Chief Information Officer
City of Palo Alto

Matt Reeves
CTO
City and County of San Francisco

Marc Shorr
Chief Information Officer
County of Contra Costa

Sandy Stier
IT Director
Santa Clara Social Services
County of Santa Clara

Khaled Tawfik
Chief Information Officer
City of San Jose

"Sandy" Sanford Taylor
IT Director
City of Fremont

Mario Vallejo
Chief Information Officer
Cit of Union City

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: August 19, 2025

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

Contact Information

For registration and general assistance contact:

Kathy Simpson
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1394
E-mail: ksimpson@erepublic.com

For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

Walnut Creek Marriott

2355 N Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-934-2000