Name: California Government Innovation Summit 2025
Start: 2025-08-27T08:00
Location: SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

Overview

Innovation in government begins with bold vision and flourishes through collaboration. With roots dating back close to four decades, the California Government Innovation Summit is the flagship gathering where state leaders—from technologists to program directors—and their industry partners transform ideas into impact. Uniting diverse perspectives and emerging technologies with human-centered approaches, participants gather around solutions that enhance the lives of 40 million Californians. At the Summit, breakthrough thinking meets practical implementation, driving California's continued leadership in digital government innovation.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The Office of Data and Innovation is excited to gather the most innovative leaders in the State to share best practices and examples of the transformational work we are doing at the California Government Innovation Summit. Through keynotes, presentations, and networking, you will hear firsthand how the State is innovating to create a more efficient, effective, and engaged government that produces better outcomes for Californians.

– Jeffery Marino, Director, California Office of Data and Innovation

Speakers

Nick Maduros

Secretary, Government Operations Agency, State of California

Nick Maduros was appointed Secretary of Government Operations by Governor Gavin Newsom in March of 2025, elevated to the role after serving as Director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
During his tenure at CDTFA, Maduros administered 42 tax and fee programs for the State of California. Together with his team of 4,000 tax professionals, he was responsible for collecting more than $96 billion in public revenue annually. Maduros focused on fairly and efficiently administering CDTFA’s many tax programs. Through better use of data and operational improvements, Maduros and his team cut the cost per dollar of revenue by 25% and held spending more than $100 million below authorized levels in each of the last two fiscal years.
Prior to his appointment at CDTFA, Maduros served in the Obama Administration as chief of staff of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). At the SBA, he managed a team of 3,000 employees in 70 offices, an $871 million annual operating budget and the agency’s $120 billion loan guarantee portfolio. Under his leadership, the SBA achieved record highs in small business lending, growing the agency’s flagship loan program by 25% to $24.1 billion, and met the women-owned government contracting goal for the first time in history. 
Earlier in his career, Maduros worked as an attorney and advised leading nonprofit organizations and corporations on a range of public policy challenges. He is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School. A native of Stockton, California, he now lives in Davis with his wife and three young daughters.

Jeffery Marino

Director, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Jeffery Marino was appointed Director of the California Office of Data and Innovation in January 2024. He began his state service in April 2020, working as a volunteer on the COVID-19 Data Insights Working Group, playing a pivotal role in developing a digital engagement program that increased the equitable delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine to underserved communities. He was hired as ODI’s Deputy Director for Service Innovation, leading the UX Design and Engineering practice, and was most recently Deputy Director of Strategy, overseeing government and legislative affairs teams, as well as communications and ODI’s training division, CalAcademy.
Jeffery’s team at ODI is focused on enabling statewide innovation through human-centered design, driving data-driven decision making, and upskilling the state workforce in the skills they need to provide equitable and exceptional services to all Californians.
ODI’s portfolio of work includes partnering on dozens of projects to create machine learning tools and AI-enabled workflows that improve efficiencies, while empowering state teams to use data and analytics to create better outcomes.
During his leadership, ODI has played a pivotal role in the Governor’s priorities including the Executive Order on Generative AI at the state, supporting survivors of the LA Wildfires through user research and responsive UX design, and the launch of the ODI’s first-in-the-nation deliberative democracy program, “Engaged California.”
Prior to answering the call to public service, Jeffery built data communications and thought leadership programs at Redfin and ZipRecruiter. He is a seasoned data journalist, known for his coverage of the housing affordability crisis and the Great Recession.
A proud graduate of two California state universities, Jeffery has a Master’s degree in critical theory and comparative literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He lives in Sacramento with his wife and son.

Jennifer Pahlka

Author, Senior Fellow, Niskanen Center / Federation of American Scientists, Founder, Code for America

Jennifer Pahlka is the author of Recoding America, and a pioneer in making government work for people in the digital age. Ezra Klein called her book “one of the best policy books I have ever read.” And “the book I wish all policymakers would read.” Jennifer is a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and the Federation of American Scientists and a senior advisor to the Abundance Network.
In 2010, Jennifer Pahlka founded Code for America and led the organization for ten years. In 2013, she took a leave of absence to serve as U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama and helped found the United States Digital Service. She served on the Defense Innovation Board, started by the late Ash Carter, under Presidents Obama and Trump. 
At the start of the pandemic, she also co-founded United States Digital Response, which helps government meet the needs of the public with volunteer tech support. Presently, she serves as the organization’s board chair.
She received the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 2018. Also, Wired named her one of the 25 people who has most shaped the past 25 years. She serves on the boards of US Digital Response, America’s Frontier Fund, and the Volcker Alliance.
Jennifer is a graduate of Yale University and lives in Virginia with her husband, Tim O’Reilly.

Brittany Allen

Senior Analytics Engineer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

With 9+ years in data, including being the first data hire at ODI, Brittany loves being a builder and teacher. She has built data models that empower her team and other teams across the State to make informed decisions. She also applies her analysis and visualization skills to help teams measure and optimize performance of State websites.
Brittany has trained 100+ people from students learning python and data analytics to State staff learning analytics engineering and other professionals looking to make a switch to the data field. When she is not diving into datasets, you can find her camping under the stars, going with the flow of a river, or indulging any one of her many interests and hobbies!

Monica Bobra

Principal Data Scientist, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Monica Bobra serves as the Principal Data Scientist at the California Office of Data and Innovation, as appointed by Governor Newsom. She leads data science teams with partner departments to develop novel approaches to improving safety, sustainability, and decision-making. Monica was previously a research scientist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Stanford University, where she used petabyte-scale datasets taken by NASA observatories to predict spaceweather and its impact on society. She received a B.A. in Astronomy at Boston University and M.S. in Physics at the University of New Hampshire.

Jamie Butler

Director of Solutions Architecture, Amazon Web Services

Jamie Butler serves as the director of solutions architecture for education as well as state and local government (EDU/SLG) at Amazon Web Services (AWS) where he leads a team of technical professionals who help EDU/SLG customers across the United States improve their citizen, researcher, and learner services on their cloud journey through technical expertise, guidance, and best practices.
Prior to AWS, Jamie spent over 15 years working in Higher Education as a C-suite executive to address opportunities and challenges facing the education community. He holds a BS in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA with a specialty in Technology Management from UC Davis Graduate School of Management. In addition, he is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), holds several AWS Certifications, and serves on the board of directors for several non-profit education focused institutions.

Efrain Cornejo

Chief, Business Operations Branch, Center for Health Care Quality, Department of Public Health, State of California

With a robust career in public health administration, comprehensive expertise in business operations, and a diverse skill set encompassing public relations, marketing, multicultural outreach, project management, and community leadership, Efraín Cornejo currently serves as the Chief of the Business Operations Branch (BOB) at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Mr. Cornejo plays a pivotal role in supporting CDPH's mission and strategic plan through expert leadership within the Center for Health Care Quality (CHCQ). CHCQ is responsible for regulatory oversight of over 14,000 licensed health care facilities by conducting periodic inspections and complaint investigations to assure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. CHCQ is the largest center in CDPH with over 1,700 employees in 17 District Offices which also supervises over 300 Los Angeles County enforcement agents.
His extensive background includes significant leadership contributions for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Metro Chamber, the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and the California Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, Mr. Cornejo gained extensive higher education experience as Manager of Community Outreach for DeVry University, where he honed skills in public relations, public policy, marketing, multicultural outreach, project management, event planning, and community leadership.
Mr. Cornejo significantly contributed to the implementation of the Covered California's Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), he also managed key relationships with top health insurance agencies in the Individual and Family Plans space, leading to substantial enrollments. His dedication continued at DHCS, where he managed the Health Homes Program, coordinating care for high-utilization patients.

Scott Capulong

Chief Information Officer, Department of Tax and Fee Administration, State of California

Scott serves as the Chief Information Officer for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), where he oversees the department’s technology environment and infrastructure supporting 40 tax and fee programs that collectively generate over $96 billion in revenue. Prior to this role, Scott was the Project Director for the Centralized Revenue Opportunity System (CROS), a major enterprise transformation initiative that modernized the department’s legacy systems. He has also held several leadership roles in application development and project management throughout his career.

Anne Crew-Renzo

Chief Innovation Training Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Anne Crew-Renzo is the Chief Innovation Training Officer and head of CalAcademy at the California Office of Data and Innovation. This is her first role in public service, and she brings more than twenty years of experience in the education and non-profit space as an educator, administrator, and leader.
Under her leadership, CalAcademy was founded in January 2024 and has helped train over 5,000 state employees in innovation skills like plain language, human-centered design and product approach.
She leads a team that designs and delivers high-quality training content to support ODI’s customer-facing projects and help state department partners attract, upskill and retain a future-ready workforce.
Anne has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s College of California and a Master’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Jessica Crone

Management Analyst II, IT Division, City of Rancho Cordova

Jessica Crone is a Management Analyst II in the IT Department at the City of Rancho Cordova, where she leads projects in software implementation, configuration, and digital innovation. With a keen interest in leveraging technology to improve government efficiency, Jessica actively promotes AI literacy and practical applications in the public sector. She shares insights on crafting effective AI prompts to enhance productivity and streamline workflows in the workplace.

Deven Dharm

Managing Director, Deloitte

Deven is an entrepreneurial technology leader with over 20 years of experience in shaping information strategy, leading enterprise application development, and building insights-driven organizations across public sector and commercial domains.
He currently leads Deloitte’s Data and AI portfolio for State and Local Government clients and serves as the strategic Data and AI platform leader for the State of California. Deven specializes in Artificial Intelligence—including Generative AI—and Machine Learning, and has been at the forefront of activating GenAI through hands-on Innovation Labs and Workshops for multiple state agencies.
He brings a unique blend of deep business insight and technical expertise, driven by a passion for helping government organizations become more efficient, data-driven, and impactful.

Adam Dondro

Agency Information Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, State of California

Adam Dondro was appointed Director of the Office of Technology and Solutions Integration (OTSI) of the California Health and Human Services Agency on May 18, 2022. He also continues to serve as the Agency’s Chief Information Officer (AIO) to which he was appointed in 2017.
Adam has spent the last 15 years in a variety of roles across California government. Prior to his current roles, Adam served as the first Assistant Director of Horizontal Integration for the California Department of Social Services where he focused on integrating all health and human service programs to provide the best overall experience for the people of California and providing whole person care. Prior to that, Adam was the Assistant Secretary for External Affairs at the California Department of Technology. Before joining the Executive Branch, Adam spent 5 years working for the California State Assembly, both as a policy consultant as well as a consultant for the Assembly Budget Committee.
While in the legislature Adam realized his passion for improving government operations. He has spent his career since then driving efforts to help programs across the state meet people where they are, provide them with the services they need, and create better outcomes for all Californian’s. And in the California Health and Human Services Agency he found his home in using that passion to support California’s most vulnerable people and families and striving to make California a healthy, vibrant, inclusive place to live, play, work, and learn.
Adam has undergraduate degrees in psychology and political science from the California State University, Chico, and a master’s in public administration from the University of Southern California (USC).
Outside the office, Adam is supported by his amazing wife and two daughters. He loves playing soccer, running, hiking and generally anything outdoors.

Joe Forte

Senior Vice President, US Public Sector, NICE

Joe Forte brings with him over 25 years of experience in the U.S. Public Sector market. He has held leadership positions with AT&T, Cisco, WWT and VMware covering Federal, State and Local government as well as Education. Joe also has extensive experience leading business strategy relating to Cloud and AI platform transitioning. Joe is also an executive Board member of Operation Song, working to help veterans and their families cope with PTSD and related issues.

Rita Gass

Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, City of Rancho Cordova

Rita Gass is the Technology & Innovation Officer for the City of Rancho Cordova, where over the past 18 months she has spearheaded the city’s digital transformation roadmap. In this role, she has led enterprise cloud migrations, strengthened cybersecurity defenses, piloted AI-driven citizen services, and launched smart-city pilots that enhance public safety, mobility, and community engagement. Prior to her current post, Rita served as Chief Information Officer in California state government—most notably at the Employment Development Department and the Secretary of State—where she led multimillion-dollar system modernizations, bolstered cybersecurity defenses, and delivered customer-centered, data-driven solutions during surges in digital service demand. A nationally recognized leader in public-sector technology, she brings deep expertise navigating complex regulatory environments and forging collaborative partnerships between government and industry. At the CA Government Innovation Summit, Rita will share best practices for driving innovative, impactful, secure digital change across today’s evolving public-sector landscape.

Ajit Girn

Chief Information Officer, Employment Development Department (EDD), State of California

As the Chief Information Officer of the Employment Development Department (EDD), Ajit leads the modernization and strategic direction of the IT Branch, overseeing critical systems that facilitate the disbursement of billions of dollars in Unemployment Insurance (UI), Disability Insurance (DI), and Paid Family Leave benefits. With over 20 years of IT experience spanning both public and private sectors, Ajit is dedicated to leveraging technology to drive innovation and improve services that profoundly impact the lives of Californians.
Ajit is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and ITIL Expert, with an MBA and a bachelor's degree in engineering. His leadership drives the advancement of EDD’s Unemployment Insurance (UI), Disability Insurance (DI), workforce, and tax collection systems under the EDDNext initiative. Committed to operational excellence, he delivers measurable outcomes that align with and enhance the agency's mission to serve Californians effectively.

Fredrick Gomez

Agency Chief Information Officer, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California

Fredrick is a proud Air Force veteran who attended the Community College of the Air Force, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Arizona State University, where he completed his studies in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology before beginning his IT career. His IT experience and educational background, which support his 24-year career, include earning his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification, Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) certification, Networking+, Computer Associates A+, and Computer Systems/Applications certifications.
His IT career began in 2000 in the private sector, where he held various positions of increasing responsibility for several companies, including Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Army Corps of Engineers, Dunmore Homes, and Verizon, before joining the state as a consultant with the Office of Systems Integration in 2007. He was recruited as the Infrastructure Lead and Supervisor at the California Employment Development Department. Subsequently, he served as the Infrastructure Chief at Caltrans before being appointed CIO and IT Director for the California Public Utilities Commission. He later returned to Caltrans as the IT Strategy Management Office Chief.
In June 2024, he joined the California Department of Food & Agriculture and was appointed to the Agency Chief Information Officer and Director over the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD). Fredrick is a State’s IT Leadership Academy graduate and a recipient of the Outstanding Leadership award. He feels honored to have worked in both the public and private sectors. His journey has provided him with valuable experience and fostered strong working relationships. He finds fulfillment in collaborating with stakeholders, building strategic partnerships, delivering exceptional customer service, providing innovative solutions, and cultivating a one IT concept of cohesive and productive teams.

Mike Hussey

Executive Director, State Industry, Oracle

Mike Hussey is an industry executive director for state and local strategy for Oracle Government and Education. Mike has 25 years of leadership experience with the State of Utah where he served as CIO and the executive director for the Department of Technology Services. As CIO, Mike was a transformative leader who applied technological advances available in the market. Mike led the state’s cloud journey and digital transformation efforts, created the state’s first cyber center, and formed the state’s first innovation fund.
Mike has been recognized as a “Top 25 Doer, Dreamer and Driver” in the public sector.

John Jackson

Senior Sales Engineer, Comcast Business

John Jackson is a seasoned technology professional with almost 30 years of experience delivering innovative network solutions across Government, Healthcare, Education, and Enterprise sectors. As a Senior Sales Engineer at Comcast Business, he excels in addressing complex business challenges through strategic, value-driven network designs. John is known for building strong relationships that foster customer engagement and drive revenue growth. His expertise lies in aligning technical solutions with business goals, ensuring clients receive tailored, impactful outcomes. John is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Technology with a focus on Information Technology Administration and Management and earned his MS in Industrial Technology from Purdue University as well.

George Karayannis

Segment Leader, Schneider Electric

George Karayannis currently serves as Public Sector Segment Lead at Schneider Electric. George has more than 30 years of leadership in sustainable energy solutions, complex systems, and emerging technologies. George most recently led Honeywell’s North American Smart Cities team where his team helped public sector customers define, design, finance, and deploy transformational sustainability, decarbonization, fleet electrification and resilience solutions integrating energy, mobility, water, social equity, and the built environment. George has also led the smart city team at Panasonic, the Lockheed Martin smart grid team, and IoT teams at AT&T and leading-edge wireless startups.
George has served as an elected council member and as an ICBM Launch Crew member in the US Air Force, has authored a book on the ISO 37120 global standard for Smart City indicators, and restored a 100-year-old opera house. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, a master’s degree in business from Case Western Reserve, and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Logan Lemming

Solutions Consulting Leader, Palo Alto Networks

Logan is an experienced technology leader in Public Sector guiding several sales and engineering teams, he has consistently demonstrated a record of success. Logan has a passion for technology as a tool to transform how we do business, learn, and tackle life's obstacles. One of his missions is to see that people are free to leverage the vast power of technology for good and eliminate the fear that anonymous cyber attackers present.

Joseph Morris

Chief Innovation Officer, Center for Digital Government

Joseph Morris is the chief innovation officer for the Center for Digital Government and a national keynote speaker on issues, trends and drivers impacting state and local government and education. He has authored publications and reports on funding streams, technology investment areas and public-sector priorities, and has led roundtables, projects and initiatives focused on issues within the public sector. Joe has conducted state and local government research with e.Republic since 2007 and knows the ins and outs of government on all levels. He received his Bachelor of Arts in government and international relations from the California State University, Sacramento.

Jeff Oboyski

Assistant Commissioner, Licensing, Department of Real Estate, State of California

Jeff Oboyski began his career with the Department of Real Estate (DRE) in 2005, and has served in a number of roles during his 20-year tenure at DRE. Currently, as DRE's Licensing Chief, and member of the DRE's executive team, Mr. Oboyski is responsible for the overall management and operations of DRE's statewide Licensing Division, including the Examination Administration, and Education and Research sections.
Mr. Oboyski earned as Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento, and currently resides in Rocklin, California, with his wife Dominique, and his two children Makena and Wade.

Enrique Parker

Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Resources (CalHR), State of California 

Enrique Parker is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the California Department of Human Resources, leading the organization’s IT strategy and operations with over two decades of experience. He has a proven track record in driving innovation and transformation and improving operational efficiencies. Enrique holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master’s in Information Assurance. At CalHR, he focuses on advancing digital transformation, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering continuous improvement, ensuring that CalHR delivers on its mission.

Guy Pensa

Senior Technology Evangelist, Portage Cybertech

With over 30 years of experience in the informatics field, Guy Pensa is a highly regarded Solutions Architect, Sales Engineer, Certified Technical Trainer, Mentor, and Subject Matter Expert in internet-hosted technologies and solutions. He has successfully solved a wide range of business challenges through his technical expertise. His knowledge spans various areas, including data management, directory services, identity services, integration services, messaging services, network services, operating systems, and security services—all hosted over diverse network architectures and communication protocols. 
Guy has also developed and managed a successful software services company, delivering cutting-edge technical solutions to international Fortune 50, 100, 500, and 1000 companies. His solutions often leverage open-source software to address complex business problems. 

Caroline Smith

Chief Transformation Officer, Office of Critical Services, Department of Technology, State of California

Caroline Kyungae Smith is an expert in systems design, change management, and digital transformation-- all experiences that she brings to her role as Chief Transformation Officer at California’s Dept of Technology. With 10+ years of experience in systems thinking and human-centered design, she helps executive leadership identify and fix product and operational inefficiencies by designing fit-for-purpose solutions.
As an ICF-certified executive coach from the Hudson Institute, Caroline also coaches leaders and teams on systems-awareness and the use of wide-angle empathy to enact large-scale change that improves costs, productivity, and customer experience. Her previous experience with public service and understanding of vast, complex systems, comes from her time at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the U.S. Digital Service in Washington, DC. Caroline helped modernize parts of the mainframe Medicare payment system by identifying business and people processes that could be automated and moved to the cloud--without disrupting daily operations.
With a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from Northwestern University, Caroline began her career in journalism. Drawing on strong observation, interviewing, and qualitative analysis skills she honed as a reporter, she eventually pivoted into user research and strategy.

Michael Sullivan

Content Strategist, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Michael joined the California Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) in 2020. He focuses on improving service delivery through content. Michael was on the team that wrote California's plain language equity standard. He then helped make training to help state staff use plain language in their work. Over 5,000 people have taken this training. He has worked on high-profile state websites like covid19.ca.gov, climateaction.ca.gov, and ca.gov/lafires.
Michael has been a content designer for over a decade. He began his public service at UC San Diego where he wrote about educational technology. He also worked at TurboTax writing in-product help content.

Serenity Thompson

Deputy Director, Digital Services Division, Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California

Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Serenity Thompson leads Digital Services at the California DMV—one of the largest public service operations in the country. She oversees the strategic direction, design, and optimization of DMV’s digital service ecosystem, including DMV.ca.gov, mobile, kiosks, intranet, and AI-driven interactions.
Serenity brings over 20 years of experience spanning public and private sectors, having led digital innovation, product design, and global marketing for major brands before transitioning to public service. At the California Lottery, she helped deliver record-breaking revenues for public education. At DMV, she champions user-centered design, product thinking, and inclusive digital access to modernize how Californians interact with government. She earned her MBA from the University of San Francisco and her BA from UC Santa Cruz. Serenity holds certifications in Policy Design and Delivery, Human-Centered Design, AI, and Project Management, and continues to mentor emerging leaders in technology and public service.

Daniel Villasenor

Deputy Director, Communications, Governor’s Office, State of California

Daniel Villaseñor serves as Deputy Director of Communications for California Governor Gavin Newsom. Daniel helps lead government communications for the world’s fourth largest economy. During his time with the Newsom Administration, he has organized whole-of-government crisis communications strategy in the face of natural disasters including the LA fires, helped secure victory for key Administration priorities, managed multi-million-dollar website builds and advanced the Governor's goal to reinvent government communications to better serve the people of California.
Previously, he was Communications Director for California Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Robert M. Hertzberg. Prior to working for Senator Hertzberg, Daniel launched and led the digital practice at Randle Communications, a leading public affairs and public relations firm in Sacramento. At Randle, he managed accounts spanning statewide associations confronting the top issues facing California including health care, behavioral health and housing.

Blaine Wasylkiw

Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer, Department of Technology, State of California

Blaine Wasylkiw serves as the Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer for the State of California, helping lead the California Department of Technology’s efforts to drive forward-looking digital services across state government. With a background in web development, digital strategy, and public-sector innovation, Blaine has spent over two decades bridging technology and user-centered service delivery. Since joining CDT in 2020, he has played a key role in modernizing the state’s digital presence and continues to focus on improving ease of access to state digital services for all Californians.

Matt Zhou

Assistant State Chief Data Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, Government Operations Agency, State of California

Matthew currently serves as the State’s Assistant Chief Data Officer at the Office of Data and Innovation, where he previously served as the Data and Analytics Governance Lead since 2023. In his role, Matthew helps steer and deliver the statewide data strategy for CA, as well as support the development of data standards and policy on key initiatives like Governor Newsom’s Executive Orders on Equity and GenAI. Prior to joining state service, Zhou worked in the private sector where he occupied senior engineering leadership roles at Peloton, the New York Times, and VillageMD, and was a Tech Policy Fellow for the Aspen Institute. He earned a MPH degree in Health Informatics from Columbia University and a BA in Anthropology from Northwestern University.

View Speakers

Agenda

Wednesday, August 27
8:00 am Pacific	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Ballroom A2 – A6
9:00 am Pacific	Opening Remarks Ballroom A1 Nick Maduros, Secretary, Government Operations Agency, State of California Jeffery Marino, Director, Office of Data & Innovation, State of California
9:15 am Pacific	Keynote – Designing Products, Redesigning Government Ballroom A1 Government struggles to meet the needs of the public because it's still largely operating in an industrial-era model. Updating the operating model requires more than just adoption of new technology, but product thinking can serve as a valuable lever for institutional change. Drawing on lessons from the front lines of public sector reform, we'll talk about how the product mindset can help California meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Jennifer Pahlka, Author, Senior Fellow, Niskanen Center / Federation of American Scientists, Founder, Code for America
10:15 am Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Ballroom A2 – A6
10:45 am Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Responsible AI: Frameworks, Partners, and First Steps Ballroom A7 As AI and GenAI tools gain traction, agencies need more than curiosity; they need clear frameworks to guide responsible use. In this session, our panel will share how they approach AI adoption with ethics, accountability, and practicality in mind. We’ll discuss enabling internal pilots, identifying the right partners, setting up guardrails, and monitoring for unintended impacts. Whether you're just starting or refining your approach, this session offers actionable steps to move forward with confidence and care. Moderator: Adam Dondro, Agency Information Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, State of California Vera Zakem, Chief Technology Innovation Officer for State of California, Department of Technology, State of California Matt Zhou, Assistant State Chief Data Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Design from the Inside Out: Human-Centered Innovation for Internal Teams Ballroom A8 Human-centered design isn’t just for public-facing services, it’s a powerful approach for improving internal processes, systems, and culture. This session will discuss how departments are using design thinking strategies and visioning exercises to engage internal stakeholders, surface real needs, and co-create better solutions. Through practical use cases, panelists will share how this approach helps build trust, align teams, and drive innovation that works for the people doing the job. Learn how to bring empathy, creativity, and collaboration into your agency’s internal transformation efforts. Moderator: Fred Gomez, Agency Information Officer, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California Caroline Smith, Chief Transformation Officer, Office of Critical Services, Department of Technology, State of California Anne Crew-Renzo, Chief Innovation Training Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Digital Identity and Trust: Modernizing for Security and Service Ballroom A9 As digital services expand, managing identity and protecting constituent data have become central to both security and public trust. In this session panelists will discuss how they're modernizing digital identity systems, improving access while strengthening safeguards and stacking layers of data protection and access controls. Learn how agencies balance usability and privacy, coordinate across departments, and build trust by treating identity and information protection as core to service delivery and not just compliance. Moderator: Serenity Thompson, Deputy Director, Digital Services, Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California Logan Lemming, Solutions Consulting Leader, Palo Alto Networks Ivy Teng Lei, Chief Digital Strategy Officer, Office of Digital Services, Department of Technology, State of California Rapid Response: Innovation in LA Fire Recovery Ballroom A10 When wildfires devastated Los Angeles in early 2025, California's government rapidly launched the CA.gov/LAfires platform to provide real-time recovery data and connect survivors with essential services. Join us to hear from government IT and business leaders about how they collaborated across agencies to deliver an integrated Disaster Recovery Center experience both in-person and digitally. Learn how they overcame logistical hurdles, integrated data systems, and prioritized user needs to support over half a million Californians in record time. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how urgency, empathy, and innovation came together to serve the public when it mattered most. Moderator: Joe Morris, Chief Innovation Officer, e.Republic Scott Gregory, Deputy Director – Technology, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, State of California Koji Kumpulainien, Deputy Director, Service Innovation, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Blaine Wasylkiw, Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer, Department of Technology, State of California Delivering Better Government: Service, Feedback, and Impact Ballroom A11 Today's residents expect services that are easy to find, simple to use, and responsive to their needs. This session explores how agencies are improving customer experience through smarter service design, better accessibility, and continuous feedback loops. Join us to learn how digital tools and improved processes are helping teams understand user needs in real time and how that insight is turning into action that streamlines services, builds trust, and delivers real impact. Moderator: Jeff Oboyski, Assistant Commissioner, Licensing, Department of Real Estate, State of California Joe Forte, Senior Vice President, NICE Enrique Parker, Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Resources, State of California Guy Pensa, Senior Technology Evangelist, Portage Cybertech Daniel Villasenor, Deputy Director, Communications, Governor’s Office, State of California
11:45 am Pacific	Lunch Ballroom A1
12:45 pm Pacific	Bits and Bytes – What’s Next in Tech? Private Sector Insights for Public Sector Strategy Ballroom A1 As emerging technologies reshape the way we live, work, and govern, public-sector IT leaders are under pressure to not just keep up—but stay ahead. What trends are worth watching? Which innovations will deliver the most value? And how can agencies prepare now for what’s coming next? In this dynamic session, leading private sector technology experts will share their perspectives on the future of tech - from AI and automation to cybersecurity, digital services, data strategy, and beyond. Learn what’s around the corner - and how to align today’s decisions with tomorrow’s demands.
1:15 pm Pacific	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:30 pm Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Practical AI: Small Wins, Big Impact Ballroom A7 AI doesn’t have to start with massive investments or enterprise-wide overhauls. In this session our panel shares examples of small, manageable AI use cases that made a meaningful difference. From automating routine tasks to improving service delivery, these stories show how departments can start now with the tools and teams they already have. Discover how to identify low-risk, high-value opportunities, get started without a big budget, and build momentum for broader innovation. Moderator: Fred Gomez, Agency Information Officer, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California Jamie Butler, Director of Solutions Architecture, Amazon Web Services Scott Capulong, Chief Information Officer, Department of Tax and Fee Administration, State of California Joe Durante, Chief Technology and Innovation Strategist, Dell Technologies Inc. Rita Gass, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, City of Rancho Cordova Innovation Under Pressure: Lessons from the Front Lines Ballroom A8 When a crisis hits, governments don’t have the luxury of long timelines or perfect plans. This panel features public sector leaders who led rapid innovation efforts in response to urgent challenges, often building solutions on the fly, working across agency lines, and partnering with the private sector to meet the moment. Hear how they cut through red tape, aligned fast-moving teams, and turned crisis into a catalyst for change. These real-world stories offer practical takeaways on collaboration, agility, and turning pressure into progress. Moderator: Ajay Gupta, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California Ajit Girn, Chief Information Officer, Employment Development Department, State of California Mike Hussey, Executive Director State Industry, Oracle Jarrett Krumrei, Lead Product Manager, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Get Innovation Ready Ballroom A9 AI is quickly becoming a tool that can reshape how government serves the public. But readiness isn’t just a tech issue. It requires coordination across IT, operations, and leadership. This panel explores how different departments are preparing for AI, from modernizing infrastructure and data practices to building cross-functional buy-in. See how agencies are aligning strategy, people, and policy to responsibly integrate AI and set the stage for long-term impact. Moderator: Hayley Figeroid, Deputy Director, Strategic Initiatives, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Efrain Cornejo, Chief, Business Operations Branch, Center for Health Care Quality, Department of Public Health, State of California Deven Dharm, Managing Director, Deloitte George Karayannis, Segment Leader, Schneider Electric Inder Preet Singh, Deputy Division Chief–Transformational Mobility, Division of Traffic Operations, Caltrans Design for All: Accessibility, Language Access, and Inclusive Innovation Ballroom A10 With the WCAG 2.1 compliance deadline approaching, agencies are under pressure to make digital services more accessible, understandable, and inclusive. Join us for a discussion on how organizations meet accessibility standards, adopt plain language practices, expand language access, and explore where AI can support these efforts. Learn how to build more equitable digital experiences and why accessibility isn’t just a requirement, but a driver of better government for everyone. Moderator: Adam Dondro, Agency Information Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, State of California Daron Go, Digital Content Manager, Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs Division, Department of Tax and Fee Administration, State of California Michael Sullivan, Content Strategist, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Beyond Contracts: Nurturing Public–Private Collaboration Ballroom A11 Strong public–private partnerships can accelerate innovation, but they require the right conditions to succeed. Our panelists will share how they nurture meaningful collaborations between the public sector and industry through clear communication, shared goals, and the right tools and ecosystems. You’ll also discover what private sector partners are looking for from the state, what makes a partnership work, and how to build trust, transparency, and value on both sides. Whether you're looking to launch a new initiative or improve existing relationships, this session offers practical insight into making partnerships work. John Jackson, Senior Sales Engineer, Comcast Business Rezha Falollahi, Senior Account Manager, Equinix Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Ballroom A Pre-Function Moderator: Jason Perdue, National Conference Director, Government Technology Jeffery Marino, Director, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Sarah Soto-Taylor, Deputy Secretary for Business Transformation and Strategic Development, Government Operations Agency, State of California
2:30 pm Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Ballroom A2 – A6
3:00 pm Pacific	Lightning Rounds 1: Innovation in Action: Emerging Tools, Smarter Teams, Better Services From quantum computing to AI prompt engineering, these 25-minute lightning rounds showcase how California’s public sector is embracing innovation not as a buzzword, but as a set of practical, people-centered strategies. Hear how agencies are adopting emerging technologies, building internal capacity, and collaborating across departments to deliver smarter, faster, and more responsive government services. Whether it’s streamlining processes, empowering staff, or partnering for progress, these talks offer real examples of innovation in motion. Quantum Computing 101 Ballroom A7 Quantum computing is moving from theory to possibility, and its future intersects with AI in surprising ways. In this lightning talk, we’ll break down what quantum is, why it matters, and what government should watch for as the field evolves. Trelynd Bradley, Deputy Director, Innovation & Emerging Technologies, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, State of California Dr. Jeannette M. Garcia, Technical Program Director, Strategic Geographies and Research Outreach, IBM Quantum Using Hyperautomation to Supercharge Efficiency Ballroom A8 Hyperautomation goes beyond basic task automation to connect AI, robotic process automation, and analytics for end-to-end efficiency. In this lightning talk, we’ll share how it’s being used to streamline processes, reduce manual work, and reimagine service delivery without massive budgets or long timelines. Ajay Gupta, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California Using Data Science to Drive Innovation Ballroom A9 Not all AI is Gen AI. AI practices like machine learning and data science can drive massive improvements at a low cost. What does applied data science look like in government? In this lightning talk, hear from state teams about their data science projects that helped improve services, streamline decisions, and deliver better outcomes for Californians. Monica Bobra, Principal Data Scientist, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Nina D’Amato, Chief Technology Strategist, Lenovo Darren Pulsipher, Chief Solution Architect, Intel Prompt Engineering 101 Ballroom A10 As generative AI becomes more common in government, prompt engineering is emerging as a key skill and component of AI efficiency. In this lightning talk, we’ll discuss how agencies can train staff to use AI tools effectively and responsibly, understanding the possibilities and limits of GenAI. Jessica Crone, Management Analyst II, IT Division, City of Rancho Cordova Building Together: How ODI Supports Innovation Across Government Ballroom A11 California’s Office of Data & Innovation (ODI) is more than a team. It’s a resource for departments ready to try new approaches. In this lightning talk, hear how ODI collaborates with other agencies to tackle complex problems, test new ideas, and build capacity for lasting innovation. Hayley Figeroid, Deputy Director, Strategic Initiatives, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Brittany Allen, Senior Analytics Engineer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Sarah Sachs, Principal User Experience Researcher, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California
3:30 pm Pacific	Lightning Rounds 2: Innovation in Action: Emerging Tools, Smarter Teams, Better Services From quantum computing to AI prompt engineering, these 25-minute lightning rounds showcase how California’s public sector is embracing innovation not as a buzzword, but as a set of practical, people-centered strategies. Hear how agencies are adopting emerging technologies, building internal capacity, and collaborating across departments to deliver smarter, faster, and more responsive government services. Whether it’s streamlining processes, empowering staff, or partnering for progress, these talks offer real examples of innovation in motion. Quantum Computing 101 Ballroom A7 Quantum computing is moving from theory to possibility, and its future intersects with AI in surprising ways. In this lightning talk, we’ll break down what quantum is, why it matters, and what government should watch for as the field evolves. Trelynd Bradley, Deputy Director, Innovation & Emerging Technologies, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, State of California Dr. Jeannette M. Garcia, Technical Program Director, Strategic Geographies and Research Outreach, IBM Quantum Using Hyperautomation to Supercharge Efficiency Ballroom A8 Hyperautomation goes beyond basic task automation to connect AI, robotic process automation, and analytics for end-to-end efficiency. In this lightning talk, we’ll share how it’s being used to streamline processes, reduce manual work, and reimagine service delivery without massive budgets or long timelines. Ajay Gupta, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California Using Data Science to Drive Innovation Ballroom A9 Not all AI is Gen AI. AI practices like machine learning and data science can drive massive improvements at a low cost. What does applied data science look like in government? In this lightning talk, hear from state teams about their data science projects that helped improve services, streamline decisions, and deliver better outcomes for Californians. Monica Bobra, Principal Data Scientist, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Nina D’Amato, Chief Technology Strategist, Lenovo Darren Pulsipher, Chief Solution Architect, Intel Prompt Engineering 101 Ballroom A10 As generative AI becomes more common in government, prompt engineering is emerging as a key skill and component of AI efficiency. In this lightning talk, we’ll discuss how agencies can train staff to use AI tools effectively and responsibly, understanding the possibilities and limits of GenAI. Jessica Crone, Management Analyst II, IT Division, City of Rancho Cordova Building Together: How ODI Supports Innovation Across Government Ballroom A11 California’s Office of Data & Innovation (ODI) is more than a team. It’s a resource for departments ready to try new approaches. In this lightning talk, hear how ODI collaborates with other agencies to tackle complex problems, test new ideas, and build capacity for lasting innovation. Hayley Figeroid, Deputy Director, Strategic Initiatives, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Brittany Allen, Senior Analytics Engineer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Sarah Sachs, Principal User Experience Researcher, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California
4:00 pm Pacific	Best of California Awards Ballroom A1
5:00 pm Pacific	Networking Reception in the Pre-Function Ballroom A Pre-Function
5:40 pm Pacific	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

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1401 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
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Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Sharon Allen
Deputy Director, Sales & Marketing
California State Lottery
State of California

Trelynd "Tre" Bradley
Deputy Director of Innovation & Emerging Technologies
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
State of California

Chad Bratton
Chief Information Officer
Office of Data & Innovation
State of California

Scott Capulong
Chief Information Officer
Department of Tax & Fee Administration
State of California

Kevin Cornish
Chief Information Officer
Covered California
State of California

Robin Cortez
Communications
Office of Data and Innovation

Jessica Crone
Management Analyst II
IT Division
City of Rancho Cordova

Adam Dondro
Agency Chief Information Officer
Health and Human Services Agency
State of California

Hayley Figeroid
Deputy Director, Strategic Initiatives
Office of Data and Innovation
State of California

Rita Gass
Chief Information Officer
Employment Development Department
State of California

Ajit Girn
Chief Information Officer
Employment Development Department
State of California

Fred Gomez
Agency Chief Information Officer
Department of Food and Agriculture
State of California

Scott Gregory
Deputy Director, Technology
CalFIRE
State of California

Ajay Gupta
Chief Digital Transformation Officer
Department of Motor Vehicles
State of California

Sergio Gutierrez
Chief Deputy Director
Office of Data & Innovation
State of California

Megan Kirkeby
Deputy Director of Housing Policy Development
Department of Housing and Community Development
State of California

Jeffery Marino
Deputy Director
Office of Data & Innovation
State of California

Steve Nash
Chief Information Officer
Fair Employment & Housing
State of California

Jeff Oboyski
Assistant Commissioner, Licensing
Department of Real Estate
State of California

John Ohanian
Chief Data Officer; Director, Center for Data Insights & Innovation
Healh & Human Services Agency
State of California

Brad Pacheco
Deputy Executive Officer, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
CalPERS
State of California

Enrique Parker
Chief Information Officer
Department of Human Resources
State of California

Hong Sae
Chief Information Officer
City of Roseville

Sarah Soto-Taylor
Undersecretary
GovOps
State of California

Ivy Teng Lei
Chief Digital Strategy Officer
California Department of Technology
State of California

Serenity Thompson
Deputy Director of the Digital Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
State of California

Rob Trojan
IT Consulting Unit Chief
Deptment of Finance
State of California

Daniel Villasenor
Deputy Director, Communications
Governor's Office
State of California

Blaine Wasylkiw
Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer
Department of Technology
State of California

Rami Zakaria
Chief Information Officer
County of Sacramento
Sacramento County

Vera Zakem
Chief Technology Innovation Officer
Department of Technology
State of California

Industry Representatives

John Carr
Field Sales Manager
Google Cloud

Jason Fedota
Client Relationship Executive
Deloitte

Cheryl Gardner
Account Executive
Dell Technologies

Chris Gohl
Account Executive
SHI International Corp.

Jason Green
Regional Manager
Oracle

Marques Holmes
National Director, SLED
Equinix

Miriam Ingenito
Account Relations Director
KPMG

Peter Kazaryan
Account Executive
NICE

Michelle Law
Director, Government & Education Sales
Comcast Business

Jerry Lucas
Director of Sales
Ciena

Kevin Munoz
Director, Technology Sales
IBM

Craig Russell
Account Executive
State & Local Government
Schneider Electric

Amanda Zvolanek
Account Executive
Amazon Web Services

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: August 27, 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.

This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

Contact Information

Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:

Tabbie Pegoda
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1411
E-mail: tpegoda@erepublic.com

Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!

Heather Earney
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

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California Government Innovation Summit 2025

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Nick Maduros

Secretary, Government Operations Agency, State of California

Jeffery Marino

Director, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Jennifer Pahlka

Author, Senior Fellow, Niskanen Center / Federation of American Scientists, Founder, Code for America

Brittany Allen

Senior Analytics Engineer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Monica Bobra

Principal Data Scientist, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Jamie Butler

Director of Solutions Architecture, Amazon Web Services

Efrain Cornejo

Chief, Business Operations Branch, Center for Health Care Quality, Department of Public Health, State of California

Scott Capulong

Chief Information Officer, Department of Tax and Fee Administration, State of California

Anne Crew-Renzo

Chief Innovation Training Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Jessica Crone

Management Analyst II, IT Division, City of Rancho Cordova

Deven Dharm

Managing Director, Deloitte

Adam Dondro

Agency Information Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, State of California

Joe Forte

Senior Vice President, US Public Sector, NICE

Rita Gass

Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, City of Rancho Cordova

Ajit Girn

Chief Information Officer, Employment Development Department (EDD), State of California

Fredrick Gomez

Agency Chief Information Officer, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California

Mike Hussey

Executive Director, State Industry, Oracle

John Jackson

Senior Sales Engineer, Comcast Business

George Karayannis

Segment Leader, Schneider Electric

Logan Lemming

Solutions Consulting Leader, Palo Alto Networks

Joseph Morris

Chief Innovation Officer, Center for Digital Government

Jeff Oboyski

Assistant Commissioner, Licensing, Department of Real Estate, State of California

Enrique Parker

Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Resources (CalHR), State of California

Guy Pensa

Senior Technology Evangelist, Portage Cybertech

Caroline Smith

Chief Transformation Officer, Office of Critical Services, Department of Technology, State of California

Michael Sullivan

Content Strategist, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Serenity Thompson

Deputy Director, Digital Services Division, Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California

Daniel Villasenor

Deputy Director, Communications, Governor’s Office, State of California

Blaine Wasylkiw

Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer, Department of Technology, State of California

Matt Zhou

Assistant State Chief Data Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, Government Operations Agency, State of California

Agenda

Wednesday, August 27

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom A2 – A6

9:00 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

Ballroom A1

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote – Designing Products, Redesigning Government

Ballroom A1

10:15 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom A2 – A6

10:45 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Resources (CalHR), State of California 