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Overview

View photo highlights of the California Public Sector CIO Academy 2024 here.

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Program Guide - click to download 

 

The California Public Sector CIO Academy brings together current and emerging senior-level technology leaders and the partners that serve them. This invitation-only event provides a space for leaders to collaborate and address the most important policy, management and leadership issues surrounding the future of digital government. Contact us if you’d like to join the conversation!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The Sacramento Convention Center will host this year’s Public Sector CIO Academy—which is expected to be bigger and better than ever! I’m looking forward to seeing you and the hundreds of IT leaders and professionals from across government and the private sector who will exchange ideas and discover technology advancements that are making public services more accessible, efficient, equitable, and secure for everyone.

– Liana Bailey-Crimmins, CA State CIO & Department of Technology Director

Speakers

Liana Bailey-Crimmins

Liana Bailey-Crimmins

State Chief Information Officer and Director, Department of Technology, State of California

Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Liana Bailey-Crimmins state CIO and director of CDT in June 2022. Director Bailey-Crimmins, who has been serving as state chief technology officer and CDT’s deputy director of the Office of Technology Services since early 2021, has more than 30 years of state government technology experience.
In these pivotal roles, she is tasked with improving technology performance as an investment in California’s future and advises the governor on the strategic management of the state’s technology resources. She provides the administration with best approaches to implement state technology-related strategic plans, policies, standards, and enterprise architecture.  She is also working to close the state’s digital divide as chair of the California Broadband Council and Middle-Mile Broadband Advisory Committee.
Director Bailey-Crimmins’ public service includes executive positions as chief information security officer at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, where she led and oversaw the team responsible for protecting the private data of nearly 2 million CalPERS members and a $400 billion investment portfolio. She also served as CalPERS’ chief health director and its chief information officer. Before joining CalPERS, she was the information technology director and CIO of California Correctional Health Care Services and project director of the California Information Technology Infrastructure Project.

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Guy Kawasaki

Guy Kawasaki

Chief Evangelist of Canva and host of Remarkable People podcast

Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, author of Think Remarkable, and host of the Remarkable People podcast. He was the chief evangelist of Apple, Mercedes Benz brand ambassador, and trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation. He has also written The Art of the Start 2.0, The Art of social media, Enchantment, and twelve other books. Kawasaki has a BA from Stanford University, an MBA from UCLA, and an honorary doctorate from Babson College.
https://guykawasaki.com/

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Matt Abrahams

Matt Abrahams

Professor, Podcast Host, Author, Speaker, and Martial Artist

Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. He received Stanford GSB’s Alumni Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching students around the world.
https://mattabrahams.com/

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Phaedra Boinodiris

Phaedra Boinodiris

Global Consulting Leader for Trustworthy AI, IBM

A fellow with the London-based Royal Society of Arts, Boinodiris has focused on inclusion in technology since 1999. She currently leads IBM Consulting’s Trustworthy AI Practice, she is the IBM AI Ethics Board focal for all of IBM Consulting, serves on the leadership team of IBM’s Academy of Technology and leads IBM’s Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence. She is the co-author of the book ‘AI for the Rest of Us’. Boinodiris is a co-founder of the Future World Alliance, a 501c3 dedicated to curating K-12 education in AI ethics. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in AI and Ethics at University College Dublin’s Smart Lab. In 2019, she won the United Nations Woman of Influence in STEM and Inclusivity Award and was recognized by Women in Games International as one of the Top 100 Women in the Games Industry as she began one of the first scholarship programs in the United States for women to pursue degrees in game design and development.

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Thomas Boon

Thomas Boon

Chief Information Officer, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), State of California  

Thomas Boon is the Chief Information Officer of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). Boon leads the successful GO-Biz technology team known for the development of the California Business Portal, the California Competes Tax Credit Application, and the California Film and Television Tax Credit Application. Cloud First principles have enabled the GO-Biz technology team to be a leader in the modernization of digital services for Californians. The California Business Portal was developed with the California Information Technology Leadership Academy in 7 months. The California Competes Tax Credit Application and the California Film and Television Tax Credit Application are essential to the online submission, review, and award of over $500 million in tax incentives to businesses and film production companies in California. In 2018, Boon led GO-Biz to become one of the first State of California offices to implement cloud-based desktop computers for its entire staff. Being able to work from anywhere on any device proved to be very valuable during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Previously, Boon served as the Application Architect for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2009 to 2013, where he was also a lead software developer from 2001 to 2009 and an associate programmer from 1997 – 2001. Boon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of San Diego and has served as a Program Coach and Program Advisor to the California Information Technology Leadership Academy.

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Chad Bratton

Chad Bratton

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

Chad Bratton currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for the Office of Data & Innovation (ODI). As Chief Information Officer, he is responsible for IT and security operations for ODI's office and cloud platforms. Chad is passionate about improving service delivery within state IT operations, with over 10 years of IT experience in both the public and private sector. Chad was the co-founder of Survival Servers LLC, where he worked full time from 2012-2015 before joining the state.
Chad previously served as Head of Information Technology for ODI where he procured and implemented ODI's critical IT infrastructure and systems to support engineering and administrative operations for a brand new department. Chad led the implementation of Google Workspace and MacOS for ODI, bringing in a new and innovative approach to state IT operations. In a prior role as DevOps Engineer and Digital Services Consultant with the California Department of Technology, Chad implemented improvements for critical services and was focused primarily on establishing continuous integration and deployment pipelines, and high availability architecture for ca.gov and other state websites.
Chad is a graduate of California State University Sacramento, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Management Information Systems and is a Certified Scrum Master (CSM).

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Jennifer Chan

Jennifer Chan

Chief Information Officer, California State Lottery

Jennifer Chan is the CIO for the California State Lottery. Prior to joining the state in 2010, Jennifer served as an IT consultant in the private sector providing project management, Independent Project Oversight Consulting (IPOC), Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V), and business analysis services on projects for numerous state and local county departments and agencies. From 2010 to 2012, she worked at the Board of Equalization in the Project Management Office and the Enterprise Architecture Office. Since 2012, she has served in various management and executive leadership positions at the California Department of Technology, Employment Development Department, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture overseeing all aspects of IT functions including technology governance and technology operations. Jennifer holds a Master of Business Administration from the California State University, Sacramento, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Psychology from the University of California, Davis.

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Shaw-chin Chiu

Shaw-chin Chiu

Managing Client Partner, IBM

Shaw-chin leads IBM's consulting portfolio for state, local, and education agencies in California. She brings 18 years of extensive experience in global business transformation, digital innovation with emerging technologies, such as AI, analytics, and blockchain, process re-engineering, and organizational/change management. She has supported clients in the Government, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Consumer and Retail Industries spanning North America, Europe, APAC and Latin America. She had the pleasure of serving the state early on in her career as an HR Business Partner at the California Judicial Council.
Some of her notable achievements at IBM included infusing design thinking methodologies to drive more human-centricity through “IBM Garages,” and IBM’s blockchain-based COVID digital credential platform. She graduated with an MBA in Finance, Marketing, and Health Sector Management from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a BA in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of CA, Berkeley. Shaw-chin is also a published author of a book dedicated to the power of working mothers called, "Integrating Me in Motherhood: A Mom's Guide to Preventing Burnout and Unleashing Her True Essence."

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Brenda Bridges Cruz

Brenda Bridges Cruz

Deputy Director, Special Projects, Department of Technology, State of California

Brenda Bridges Cruz was appointed by Governor Newsom in November 2022 as the Deputy Director over Special Projects at the California Department of Technology. She is part of the CDT Directorate and works on various initiatives that require statewide departmental collaboration and involvement as well as CDT internal strategic initiatives.
Ms. Bridges Cruz has 26 years of technology and management experience in the private and public sectors combined. She worked at multiple state departments on large integration projects around legacy modernization, and enterprise initiatives related to application development, quality assurance, data management and analytics, project management, strategic planning and organizational change management.
Ms. Bridges Cruz holds a B.A. in Political Science from Valdosta State University, Georgia along with numerous IT certifications. She is a graduate of the Sacramento State Continuing Education Leadership for the Government Executive (LGE) program and is a CIO Academy IT Leadership Award recipient.

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Tristan Cormier

Tristan Cormier

Chief Information Officer, Secretary of State, State of California

Tristian Cormier is a charismatic technology executive in leading-edge IT management and strategy. With over 20 years of experience in IT Infrastructure Operations for the State of California, Tristian has established himself as a visionary leader known for his strategic vision and transformative initiatives. As Chief of the Information Technology Division (CIO) at the California Secretary of State (SOS), Tristian has oversight for directing the most complex multi-functional responsibilities, specifically, program development, technical and production support, and administrative functions. He is responsible for aligning technology investments with agency objectives, ensuring that IT initiatives contribute directly to the organization's growth and success. Tristian's leadership style is characterized by his ability to inspire and empower teams to achieve their full potential. He fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, enabling his teams to tackle complex challenges. Prior to the Secretary of State, Tristian served dual roles as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Office of Tax Appeals (OTA). Before OTA, Tristian served as technical support in Network Engineering and Operations. Tristian attended California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), earning his Bachelor's Degree in Business. Outside of his professional pursuits, Tristian is passionate about mentoring the next generation of technology leaders. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and volleyball. Tristian was a three-time All-American (Sacramento State) and All-State (American River College) volleyball player.

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Kevin Cornish

Kevin Cornish

Chief Information Officer, Covered California, State of California 

Kevin joined Covered California as Chief Information Officer in 2020, where he is responsible for the strategic direction for CalHEERS, California’s health benefit exchange platform, as well as Covered California’s enterprise technology and digital initiatives.  Prior to Covered California, Kevin held multiple technology leadership roles in healthcare, higher education, and high tech across a diverse portfolio of private-sector companies.  Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Information Processing from the University of California, San Diego.

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Tonya Digiorno

Tonya Digiorno

Chief Information Officer, El Dorado County

Tonya has been a public servant since the beginning of her career in 1994, dedicating 23 years with the State of California prior to moving to serve as the Information Technology Director at the County of El Dorado in 2019.
As a self-motivated and result driven individual, Tonya continues to contribute to Public Service, providing leadership to successfully deliver secure, cost effective and efficient systems.  She continues to set personal goals to leverage her in-depth knowledge of Relationship Management, System Development Life Cycle, Project Management Methodologies, and Organizational Change Management.  Along with her strong communication and organizational skills to support business leaders, she strives to promote continuous growth, process improvements and positive change.

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Maisha Dottery

Maisha Dottery

Chief Information Officer, Department of Community Services and Development, State of California

Maisha Dottery, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the California Department of Community Services and Development, assumed her role in July 2021, spearheading transformative growth in information technology. Under her strategic leadership, she established a sustainable model for IT services, capital planning, and talent acquisition, advancing the Department's mission-critical work.
A visionary Executive CIO, Maisha champions a collaborative ethos encapsulated by her motto: "We Over Me." This principle underscores her commitment to teamwork, both within the organization and with external partners. Her leadership style fosters a culture valuing diverse perspectives, encouraging innovation, and driving operational excellence.
Beyond her executive role, Maisha, an adjunct professor, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of IT professionals. Active in the broader IT community, she serves on the executive council for the Public Sector Network and contributes to California's Public Sector CIO Academy Conference.
Under Maisha's guidance, CSD gained acclaim for its cutting-edge rapid project delivery, exemplified by the $1.5-billion 2023 California Arrearages Payment Program (CAPP). CAPP, a testament to lean systems agile principles, and collaborative innovation, effectively delivers services to citizens in need.
Maisha's extensive experience in large-scale automation projects reflects a strategic vision and a commitment to innovation. Her leadership, marked by the tagline "We Over Me," inspires positive change, leaving an indelible mark on both her organization and the broader IT community.

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Chi Emodi

Chi Emodi

Deputy Director, Department of Technology, State of California

Chinyere ‘Chi’ Emodi was appointed Deputy Director and Chief Project Officer for the Office of Statewide Project Delivery at the California Department of Technology in 2021. She is a state technology veteran with several senior-level positions under her belt, including Director of Application Services at the Los Rios Community College District and CIO of FI$Cal’s Information Technology Division. Emodi also spent five years as CDT’s Principal Data Processing Manager.

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Scott Ercoline

Scott Ercoline

IT Specialist II, Incarcerated Population & Community Communications Support, Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, State of California

Scott is new to State service, having just joined the Incarcerated Population and Community Solutions Communication Team within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in November 2023. As a Senior Project Manager and Business Analyst, he leverages over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, acquired through roles at companies including Microsoft and Washington Mutual Bank. Scott's expertise encompasses cross-functional leadership, strategic planning, service operations, and business intelligence, complemented by various program and project management methodologies such as Waterfall, Scrum, and DevOps. Scott earned his Management Information Systems (MIS) undergraduate degree and completed an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program at Washington State University. In addition, he also holds PMP, CSM, ITIL, and AWS Cloud Practitioner certifications. In his free time, Scott enjoys serving as a volunteer fly fishing instructor with Project Healing Waters, backpacking, and travel.

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Don Foley

Don Foley

Chief Information Officer, Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Information Management, Department of Toxic Substances Control, State of California  

Don Foley comes to DTSC with over 25 years of experience in information technology from both private and public sectors. He most recently served as Chief over the Innovative Technology Solutions Branch at the Department of Social Services (CDSS), supporting enterprise applications and services. Prior to CDSS, Don worked for the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in various roles supporting the California Natural Resources Agency Multi-Tenant Data Center and State Water Project (SCADA) environments. He’s worked in various industries including health care, banking, and IT consulting, holding multiple positions such as Enterprise IT Project Director, Network and Security Manager and consultant. Over his career, Don obtained industry certifications such as PMP, ITIL, CSM, CCNP, CNA and MCSE.
Don is inspired daily by his family and the people around him. Don is native to Guam, USA and moved to Sacramento, CA in 1984. The people around Don will say he is a champion in the concept of “Teamwork makes the Dream work.” He focuses on culture and promotes collaboration and employee engagement.

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Pam Haase

Pam Haase

Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives

Prior to her 2021 appointment as Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives, Pam Haase served as CDT’s Chief of Statewide Technology. She joined CDT in 2006 as the Account Director in Customer Engagement and held other state positions with the departments of Conservation, Water Resources and Correctional Health Care Services. Previous to her roles in state government, Haase worked in private management consulting for Price Waterhouse.

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Katie Hagen

Katie Hagen

Director, Department of Industrial Relations, State of California

Katie Hagen was appointed to the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) by Governor Gavin Newsom in March 2020.
Director Hagen has a long civil service career, spanning 25 years in various leadership capacities where she held a variety of roles – but with a consistent focus on supporting and educating employers and workers on their obligations and rights in the workplace. Director Hagen served as chief deputy director at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, deputy director of operations at the California Department of Human Resources, chief of human resources at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, deputy director at California Correctional Healthcare Services and assistant deputy director at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Director Hagen also served as adjunct faculty at the University of San Francisco for more than a decade teaching public administration, leadership communication and human resources administration. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of San Francisco.

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Crystal Holcomb

Crystal Holcomb

Deputy Director, Department of Technology, State of California

Crystal Holcomb is the Deputy Director for the Office of Professional Development at the CA Department of Technology (CDT). With over 23 years of state government experience, and more than 20 years in technology, Crystal has led multiple high performing teams always focused on providing top notch customer service. Her leadership experience includes workforce development, customer engagement, change management, project management, application development, Service Desk, and IT procurement. She is passionate about making a positive impact on California and serving others.
Crystal has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the CA State University, Sacramento. She is also a proud graduate of ITLA Class 22. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family at sporting events, or anything outdoors.

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Miriam Barcellona Ingenito

Miriam Barcellona Ingenito

Undersecretary, Government Operations Agency, State of California

Miriam Barcellona Ingenito was appointed Undersecretary of GovOps by Governor Gavin Newsom in August 2022.
Ingenito was the first Director of the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal) since its formal recognition as the Department of FI$Cal in July 2016. She began her tenure at FI$Cal in September 2015 with the benefit of 20 years of public policy experience in California State government.
Her range of expertise includes legislative, fiscal, administrative, and environmental issues. Miriam served as the Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control from 2013 to 2015. Previously, she served as the Deputy Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency from 2011 to 2013, Deputy Director of Legislation at the California Department of Finance from 2009 to 2011 and as a principal consultant for the California Senate Committee on Appropriations from 2001 to 2009.
Additionally, she held positions in policy and analysis at the California Resources Agency and the California Legislative Analyst’s Office. Miriam received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Francisco, and her master’s degree in public policy from the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago.

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Jacob Johnson

Jacob Johnson

Deputy Director, Chief Information Officer, Department of Rehabilitation, State of California

Jake Johnson is Deputy Director of the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). He is a member of DOR’s executive leadership team. He serves as a voice for assistive technology, accessibility, employment, and independence in the information technology arena, including with CalHHS Agency, California Department of Technology, Department of Finance, CIO peers, information technology providers, and information technology stakeholders throughout state government. He provides executive oversight to DOR’s ITSD, leading approximately 65 managers and staff who provide support in Database Administration and Applications Development, Project Management and Administration, Software Quality Assurance, Web Services, Technical Support Services and Assistive Technology, Field Support, Infrastructure Services, and Information Security and Privacy.
Mr. Johnson has been legally blind since birth and is a former DOR consumer. He has been with DOR since 2012, and most recently, serving in an acting role as Deputy Director and CIO since July 2022. Prior to his current role, he was the Customer Service and Administration Branch Chief in ITSD. Previous roles at DOR include managing the Applications Development, Software Quality Assurance, Web Services, and Accessible Technology Services functions. Before joining DOR, Mr. Johnson worked for Franchise Tax Board as an Information Security Specialist and for the Department of Finance as Enterprise Budget Systems Technical Lead. He has a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Linguistics, a master’s degree in education, and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional. He is a graduate of the California IT Leadership Academy and Sierra Health Foundation Leadership Program.  He has served as President of the Association of California State Employees with Disabilities (ACSED) and remains active in the State’s civil rights community as a member of ACSED and the Asian Pacific State Employees Association.

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Jared Johnson

Jared Johnson

Deputy State Chief Information Officer and Chief Deputy Director

Jared Johnson’s career spans nearly 30 years of public technology service beginning as an IT analyst at the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency. He devoted 15 years at FTB, holding various management positions. In 2021, Johnson brought his technical and administrative experience to CDT where he served as Deputy Director of Data Center Support Services before receiving his current appointment to help guide and optimize CDT programs and services.

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Stephanie Jones

Stephanie Jones

Assistant Chief, Incarcerated Population & Community Communications Support, Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, State of California

Stephanie Jones is celebrating her 30th year working for the State of California. She currently serves as the Assistant Chief of the Incarcerated Population and Community Solutions section of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. She manages teams responsible for supporting applications used by the incarcerated people and their friends/families as well as all communication between the incarcerated and their loved ones outside institutions. Her teams engage stakeholders throughout the organization as well as working directly with the incarcerated population to ensure that the technologies used meet their needs. She enjoys process improvement, discovering new ways to deliver services, and helping her team achieve their goals and reach their potential. Stephanie has a BA in Psychology and a MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology that she relies heavily on in her job as an IT manager. In her free time, she loves to travel, spend time watching her boys play sports, and all things Disney.

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Marcie Kahbody

Marcie Kahbody

Deputy Secretary, Agency Chief Information Officer, California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) 

Marcie Kahbody currently serves as the Agency Chief Information Officer (AIO) for the California Transportation Agency (CalSTA). In this capacity, Marcie oversees information technology (IT) responsibilities for all of CalSTA’s Boards, Offices, Commissions, and Departments (including DMV, Caltrans, CHP, High Speed Rail, and others). With over 31 years of public sector experience in IT, Marcie possesses a record of proven outcomes as a collaborative leader, directing highly technical teams and successfully implementing enterprise transformation initiatives and programs. Marcie focuses on fostering collaboration, building effective teams, encouraging two-way communication, and providing mentorship. She believes in the strength of diversity, building relationships, finding innovative approaches to updating policies, and is passionate about cultivating up and coming leaders. Marcie believes that success begins with a People First foundation and has championed it throughout her career.

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Dave Krause

Dave Krause

Deputy Chief Information Officer, Covered California, State of California  

David Krause is the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Covered California. He is responsible for oversight of Enterprise Applications, Program and Project Management, Enterprise Data and Analytics, and the CalHEERS product team. David has had many IT roles in his career, but he has been focused on business relationship management, strategic planning, and process improvement in recent positions. Having earned an English degree from Sacramento State, David also brings a love of storytelling to his roles as a means to communicate with IT audiences more effectively.

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Koji Kumpulainien

Koji Kumpulainien

State Web Services Manager, IT Manager II, California Department of Technology, State of California 

Koji currently serves as CDT's (Department of Technology) Web Services manager, providing leadership for statewide digital service design, front-end development, accessibility, analytics, domain name registration, and the state web publishing system. Starting as a student assistant, he has worked for the state of CA his entire career and has over 15 years of experience in the civic technology domain. He also facilitates and leads the state's Digital Web Services Network, a community of practice for all web and digital services teams. 

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Jason Lally

Jason Lally

Deputy Director, Data Services and Engineering, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California  

Jason Lally has more than a decade of experience in the use of civic data including data management, analysis, visualization, and engineering. He currently serves as the Deputy Director for Data Engineering and Services with the Office of Data and Innovation, a department of the State of California. He works with his team to help departments across the State adopt modern data infrastructure and Data Operations practices. Before joining the State, he was the Chief Data Officer of the City and County of San Francisco. There he drove efforts to make open data and dashboards available about the County’s pandemic response. He also worked with his amazing team to plan and implement comprehensive, automated reporting for PPE inventory and distribution. Prior to the pandemic, Jason helped operationalize the City’s data strategy under the first CDO of San Francisco, setting up processes that were copied the world over for managing an open data program.

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Brian Lee

Brian Lee

Senior Chief Principal, Strategy Consulting, Delegata

Brian Lee led Delegata's transformation management practice for ten years and now specializes in strategic planning and the development of leadership teams for effective strategy management.
Brian has over 25 years of experience in business and IT organizations in state government, international government, healthcare, biotech, banking, finance, manufacturing, and transportation. He is a gifted facilitator who taps into collective wisdom by actively listening to diverse perspectives to bridge the gap between people, business, and technology. Brian has a successful history of partnering with senior business and technology leaders to design and implement the changes that will deliver the transformations that realize the intent of the strategic plan.
Prior to joining Delegata, Brian operated his own OCM consulting practice serving clients such as Genentech, Siemens, Charles Schwab, Kaiser Permanente, Bank of America, State of Louisiana, State of New Mexico, State of Alaska, and Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.

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Lloyd Levine

Lloyd Levine LinkedIn

National Senior Executive, State Government Strategy, T-Mobile

Lloyd Levine is a former member of the California State Legislature where he served as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce. Currently, Mr. Levine serves as T-Mobile for Government’s National Senior Executive for State Government Strategy and is a Senior Policy Fellow at the University of California, Riverside School of Public Policy.
As a Legislator, Mr. Levine established himself as one of California’s leading experts in energy, telecommunications, and technology policy. Mr. Levine’s desire to accelerate the deployment of broadband technology led him to author and pass the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act (DIVCA), which changed the way video and telecommunications companies were regulated, bringing statutes into par with the current technologies. He also successfully authored legislation streamlining and expediting the process of siting high-speed communications equipment on state property, and legislation changing the way school districts can procure technology.
Mr. Levine served as a member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Broadband Taskforce and was a Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the California Emerging Technology Fund. Mr. Levine currently serves as a Founding Member of the Advisory Board for the UC Riverside School of Public Policy, where he and the school’s Dean, Anil Deolalikar, co-founded the Center for Technology, Policy and Society.
Through his work and academic publications, Mr. Levine has earned a reputation as a nationally recognized leader in government technology and policy, including recently being named “one of the 40 most thought-provoking innovators in New York city and state” by the prestigious New York City & State magazine. Mr. Levine has appeared on television and radio programs across the country and has been published and cited widely in print media, with articles published in everything from daily newspapers to legal publications. Mr. Levine has also served as a panelist and keynote speaker at energy, and technology conferences around the world, and been a guest lecturer in many universities and law schools.
As a Senior Policy Fellow, Mr. Levine has multiple peer reviewed articles and book chapters on technology, utiliites, broadband and the digital divide and the intersection with government. Currently, Mr. Levine working on an edited book volume on the intersection of technology and government. Titled, “Technology vs. Government: The Irresistible Force Meets the Immovable Object it will be out later this year.
Mr. Levine currently resides in Sacramento with his wife, Emmy award winning KCRA Anchorwoman Edie Lambert and their two children.

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Calvin McGee

Chief Information Officer, Department of Real Estate, State of California

Calvin McGee II has over three decades of experience in information technology, with a distinguished 25-year track record in IT management across both the public and private sectors. As a proud alum of California State University, Sacramento, Calvin holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and an MBA, credentials that have underpinned a career marked by innovation, leadership, and a profound commitment to leveraging technology to drive organizational success.
Currently serving as the Chief Information Officer for the California Department of Real Estate, Calvin has a rich history in IT leadership roles, including significant tenures within California state government. Notably, Calvin's expertise has been instrumental in transforming and leading initiatives that significantly enhanced service delivery and operational efficiency.
A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Calvin is known for his pragmatic and results-focused approach to technology services, consistently delivering solutions that enhance business outcomes while optimizing cost-effectiveness. Calvin's leadership extends beyond IT management to encompass comprehensive enterprise programs, organizational restructuring, and change management.

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Kim Mirabella

Kim Mirabella

Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Sales, Verizon

Kim Mirabella serves as the Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Sales for Verizon Public Sector Federal and SLED and oversees the development, design and capture of strategic opportunities as well as a new team focusing on Fixed Wireless Access.
Kim’s tenure at Verizon spans 26 years and includes a variety of roles within Enterprise and Government sales, Fios consumer sales, Verizon Lean Six Sigma and marketing. In her previous role, Kim served as the Director of Southeast Government Sales within the Public Sector team, focused on state and local government, public safety, K-12 and higher education. She started her career serving wireline customers, selling IP networking, voice/data networks, security, managed services, advanced comms and more.
In 2021 Kim was honored with the Verizon Credo Award for her work in delivering excellence for our customers, employees, shareholders and society. She worked with various law enforcement partners ahead of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, FL to make sure all aspects of Verizon were ready for the big game. Kim has been instrumental in enabling hybrid learning for thousands of students through Verizon's Distance Learning program and delivery of affordable wireless solutions.
Kim is a Tampa, FL native and graduate of the University of Tampa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and a minor in Marketing. Kim is also active in volunteerism and leads volunteer initiatives at Verizon. She founded the “Ladies Boardroom” in 2020 which serves to mentor and develop women seeking to improve business acumen and overall career development. As a Hispanic woman, Kim celebrates diversity. As part of Kim’s responsibilities, her term leads the small diverse business partners focusing on partnerships with small, diverse, women, minority and disabled owned businesses.
Kim remains active in her local community serving on the Board of Directors for the Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

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Kristin Montgomery

Kristin Montgomery LinkedIn

Chief Information Officer and Director of Enterprise Information Services, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, State of California  

Kristin is the CIO and Director of Enterprise Information Services for CDCR. She provides leadership for the continued development and management of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment throughout CDCR. Prior to taking the role of Director she was the Deputy Director of Operations and Support at CDCR. In this role she managed all the enterprise infrastructure functions including network services, storage/server services, telephony management, radio management, and active directory management.
Prior to CDCR, Kristin served as Controller at California Public Employees’ Retirement Fund (CalPERS). She managed all functions in the Financial Reporting and Accounting Services Division, which included accounts payable, accounts receivable, cashiering, pension and health accounting, investment accounting, financial reporting, and treasury management.
Kristin has more than 20 years of experience in the investment, financial, and pension industries. Before joining CalPERS she worked as a consultant, providing technology and change management services for accounting, investment, and enterprise-wide pension projects.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) operates all State adult prisons and juvenile facilities, oversees a variety of community correctional facilities, and supervises all adult and juvenile offenders, including adults released to parole supervision. Their mission is to facilitate the successful reintegration of individuals back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment. CDCR is one of the largest State departments, with over 57,000 employees and a $14 billion total annual budget.

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Stephen Pieraldi

Stephen Pieraldi

Distinguished Technologist, HP Inc.

Stephen Pieraldi is a security expert who works comfortably in both hardware and software. Stephen has designed advanced Machine Learning-based detection systems and highly secure mobile to cloud-based protection systems. An internet search will highlight many of Stephen's accomplishments.  His unique capabilities are now being used at HP, as a Distinguished Technologist, while continuing to teach at U.C. Berkeley.

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Cathilea Robinett

Cathilea Robinett

Chief Executive Officer, e.Republic

Cathilea is Chief Executive Officer of e.Republic, where she oversees operations for the company’s award-winning media platforms: Governing, Government Technology and Emergency Management. Cathilea also oversees e.Republic’s websites, conferences and events, and its national research and advisory groups: the Center for Digital Government, the Center for Digital Education and the Governing Institute.
In 2014 Cathilea directed the launch of the Governing Institute’s Women in Government Leadership Program, an innovative initiative that encourages future generations of women to participate in public service.
Cathilea is a frequent speaker for government and education organizations worldwide, including the United Nations, Harvard University, the State Legislative Leaders' Foundation, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, and the World Congress on Information Technology. She has been quoted frequently in publications including the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Forbes and others.
Cathilea is a recipient of NASCIO’s National Technology Champion Award for her outstanding contributions to advance public sector information technology innovation. She is also the winner of an Outstanding Women Leadership Award from the Sacramento Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and is a Greater Sacramento Business Hall of Fame Laureate.

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Hong Sae

Hong Sae

Chief Information Officer, City of Roseville

Hong Sae is renowned for his leadership in advocating for diversity, innovation, and effective leadership within government technology sectors. His core mission revolves around maximizing organizational efficiency through a keen focus on People, Process, & Performance. As a seasoned Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Executive, Sae's impact spans across various key positions, including influential roles in the MISAC (Municipal Information Systems Association of California), the Sacramento CIO/CTO Leadership Forum, and the California State CIO Advisory Workgroup. An honor graduate of Rutgers' Certified Government Chief Information Officer Program, Sae brings over 30 years of experience in pivotal CIO roles across distinguished institutions.
Hong Sae's outstanding career is decorated with prestigious awards and recognitions, including the 2023 California Public Sector CIO Leadership Award, the 2023 Oncon Top 10 CIO/CTO Icon Award, and being named a Top 10 CIO by Government CIO Outlook Magazine in 2022. His efforts in the City of Roseville have been instrumental in earning accolades such as a Top 10 Digital Cities and Top 10 IT Team globally, alongside 2024 awards for Best CitiBot AI Ambassador Chatbot and Best KnowBE4 Cybersecurity Training Campaign. These are all testament to his leadership and vision for a more inclusive, efficient, and secure future in public sector technology; and to inspire and influence the future technology leaders, furthering the advancement of our critical field.

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Luc Sou

Luc Sou

Division Chief, Project & Business Management, Department of Transportation, State of California

Luc Sou has served the State of California for over 15 years and is currently the Project and Business Management Division Chief within the Information Technology (IT) Program. In this capacity she ensures the delivery of IT projects valued at over $150 million to support the informational infrastructure of the state’s transportation system. Her leadership portfolio and duties include identifying project improvement needs and maintaining quality assurance. She is responsible for IT staff operations, resource allocation, procurement processes, recruitment, project delivery, and strategy management. She has created new partnerships with universities to bring Caltrans recruiting efforts to the next level. She has led the Caltrans IT Culture Evolution and inspired culture champions across IT to come together and build a culture vision and articulate behaviors to bring Caltrans values to life in everyday interactions. She is passionate about strengthening diversity, utilizing innovative and creative approaches to difficult problems, and cultivating up-and-coming leaders.

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Crystal Taylor

Crystal Taylor

Division Chief, IT Strategy Services, California Department of Health Care Services

Appointed in March 2022, Crystal Taylor serves as Chief IT Strategy Officer and Chief of the Information Technology Strategy Services Division within the Enterprise Technology Services at DHCS. With nearly two years in this pivotal role, Crystal has been a driving force in implementing strategic changes, enhancing programmatic efficiency, and delivering exceptional business value, exemplifying leadership in public sector technology management. In her current role, Crystal is instrumental in guiding department-wide IT leadership, orchestrating the development and execution of enterprise-level product modernization and architecture strategy, managing a vast portfolio of projects, and delivering comprehensive IT administrative services. Her efforts are central to DHCS's commitment to strategically modernize its technological infrastructure and services in support of the programmatic needs of DHCS.
More broadly, Crystal career spans over 18 years with the State of California, marked by various impactful, high visibility leadership positions and a track record of successfully managing complex strategic initiatives. Crystal has excelled as Chief of the Product Branch within DHCS's Medi-Cal Enterprise Systems Modernization Division, served as Assistant Director and Acting Deputy Director of the California Project Management Office at the California Department of Technology, Information Technology Manager for Franchise Tax Board’s Systems Engineering and Access Management Section within Technology Services Division, Budget Officer for the Franchise Tax Board’s entire fiscal portfolio, and Fiscal & Policy Analyst for the California Legislative Analyst’s Office. In these roles, Crystal directed state project portfolios, developed and implemented project management processes and tools, managed technology operations, modernized technology systems, testified to the Executive Branch and Legislative Committees on state programs and budgets, and oversaw the day-to-day operations of state offices.  Crystal holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Lafayette College and two Master's Degrees from Princeton University in Public Affairs and Urban & Regional Planning.

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Blaine Wasylkiw

Blaine Wasylkiw

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

Blaine Wasylkiw is California's Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer within the California Department of Technology. Before being appointed to this role, he was the Chief Web Officer for the state of California. In both his previous and current positions, he plays a key role in state government's digital transformation and supporting the recently launched California State Digital Strategy.

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Tommy Wenzlau

Tommy Wenzlau

Talent Leader, Talent Pipeline Programs, CHQ, Human Resources, IBM

Tommy Wenzlau is the Talent Leader for IBM’s Talent Pipeline Programs including New Collar Initiatives and University Programs.
In this role, he is helping IBM and the IT Industry reorient the labor market - and organizational talent models – to be skills-first. His team is focused on creating more open and equitable pathways to employment for all regardless of background. He manages IBM’s USDOL Registered Apprenticeship Program, Returnship Programs (Tech Re-Entry), and P-TECH hiring programs, as well as University Internships. In support of this mission, Tommy represents IBM externally on several boards: he is the chair of the Consumer Technology Association’s Apprenticeship Coalition, the chair of the Business Roundtable’s Multiple Pathways Initiative’s Metrics committee, and the co-chair of OneTen’s Skills-First Working Group.
Tommy has spent the last 14 years with IBM. Prior to this role he spent 5 years building out the AI business within IBM. He was the HR Leader for IBM’s Data & AI organization and before that, he helped launch IBM’s Watson Group as its first Talent Leader.
Tommy grew up in Southern California, and recently relocated back to Los Angeles after living in the Northeast for 15 years. His family makes wine on the Central Coast and he is a certified sommelier and all around wine snob. Tommy is also a soccer fan and big supporter of Arsenal FC.

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Jefferson Willoughby

Jefferson Willoughby

Chief Information Officer, California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board

Jefferson Willoughby serves as the Chief Information Officer at the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. His tenure has benefitted from over 25 years of technical experience in network, data center and managed service development prior to joining California State government. Under his leadership, CUIAB recently undertook and launched a major modernization project for appeals processing.  Jefferson received his Master’s degree from Sacramento State University and has served as both class coach and advisor for the IT Leadership Academy. 

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Quentin Wright

Quentin Wright

Chief Information Officer, Department of Technology, State of California   

Wright began his career with the state in 1994 as an IT manager for the Department of Motor Vehicles, a position he held for 24 years, with one two-year break. In 2005, he left DMV and moved to CDT. He worked at what was then Teale Data Center until 2007, returning to the DMV in 2007 and remaining until his promotion to the deputy directorship for IT for the Office of Traffic Safety in 2018.
In May 2018, Wright was named Deputy Director and CIO for Technology and Administration for the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), whose mission is “to effectively and efficiently administer traffic safety grants while fostering partnerships to deliver innovative programs that reduce traffic deaths, injuries and economic losses.” Wright held that position for just under two years before being named to the CDT position in March.
Wright has held various positions in Enterprise Architecture, Program Supervisory, and IT Technical and Management classifications. He is also a graduate of the 25th Information Technology Leadership Academy (ITLA), one of several career-development programs that the state offers. He’s also a member of the Sacramento Blockchain Code Forum.

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Agenda

Monday, March 18

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom A2 – A11

9:00 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

Ballroom A1

Liana Bailey-Crimmins, State Chief Information Officer and Director, Department of Technology, State of California

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote – Murder Your Mediocrity

Ballroom A1

Guy’s speech distills the wisdom of his book, Think Remarkable, and invites you to build a foundation, implement your aspirations, and uplift others as you make a difference. Drawing from the lives of extraordinary individuals like Steve Wozniak and Jane Goodall as well as Guy's own experiences with Apple, Canva, and Mercedes Benz, this presentation will inspire you to challenge the ordinary, embrace your ohana, and live a life that is remarkable.

Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist of Canva and host of Remarkable People podcast

10:15 am Pacific

Featured Speaker – Delivering Responsible and Ethical AI in the State of California

Ballroom A1

Curating AI responsibly is a leadership imperative and a sociotechnical challenge that requires a holistic approach. How can you lead your team in deploying and scaling ethical AI across your agency or enterprise? There are many elements required to earn people’s trust, including making sure that your AI model is accurate, auditable, explainable, fair and protective of people’s data privacy. This session will discuss some key steps you can employ in making sure the AI models procured, developed and deployed by the state of California better reflects and supports the diverse communities that the state serves.

Phil Bertolini, Senior Vice President, Government Technology

Phaedra Boinodiris, Global Consulting Leader for Trustworthy AI, IBM

11:00 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom A2 – A11

11:30 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

The Art of Cultivating Leaders

Meeting Room 1/2

Effective leadership can often times be measured by how well one prepares others to lead. Identifying and further developing the next generation of leaders is an important function for continuous innovation and organizational success. How, then, do current leaders refine their own skills through the cultivation of a rich tapestry of skills among their teams? This panel will explore practical strategies to recognize emerging leaders while providing the necessary support and space for mutual growth. Speakers from diverse state departments will share their perspectives and practice in this important art of cultivating leaders.

Moderator: Kevin Cornish, Chief Information Officer, Covered California

Ken Ballew, Section Chief, CalPERS

Josias Caveto, IT Supervisor II, Department of General Services, State of California

Kunal Shah, Healthcare Transformation Leader, Principal, Deloitte

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

The Expanding Realm of Today’s CIO

Meeting Room 3/4

Explore how today's public sector CIOs transcend traditional IT roles to become strategic business leaders. This session will explore the skills and strategies necessary for CIOs to influence organizational culture, drive innovation, and lead digital transformation efforts.

Moderator: Maisha Dottery, Chief Information Officer, Department of Community Services and Development, State of California

Thomas Boon, Chief Information Officer, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, State of California

Shaw-chin Chiu, Managing Client Partner, IBM

Don Foley, Chief Information Officer, Department of Toxic Substances Control, State of California

Calvin McGee II, Chief Information Officer, Department of Real Estate, State of California

Michael Rockenstein, Director, Consulting Services, CGI

Quentin Wright, Chief Information Officer, Department of Technology, State of California

Collaborative Strategies from Private and Public Sector Leaders

Meeting Room 6/7

Unlock the potential of cross-sector knowledge exchange in this thought-provoking session. Discover how the public sector can glean valuable lessons from the private sector's experiences and strategies. Explore innovative approaches, best practices, and actionable insights that transcend traditional boundaries. Join us as we uncover a wealth of opportunities for public sector improvement, inspired by the dynamic world of private enterprise.

Moderator: Jefferson Willoughby, Chief Information Officer, Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, State of California

Chris Apostolopoulos, Field Account Executive, Dell Technologies

Amar Hariharan, Chief Information Officer, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California

Lloyd Levine, National Senior Executive for State Government Strategy, T-Mobile

Rosanna Nguyen, Chief, Information Technology Consulting Unit, Department of Finance, State of California

From Tech to Leader: Mastering the Leadership Transition

Meeting Room 5

Transitioning from a technical role to a leadership position brings new challenges and opportunities. This session offers insights into developing the necessary leadership skills that go beyond technical knowledge. Discover how to leverage your tech background to create a unique leadership style, how to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders, and how to inspire and manage teams for innovation and growth. We'll cover the essential skills and mindset changes required for tech professionals to ascend into leadership roles, ensuring they can effectively guide strategic decision-making transformation.

Moderator: Marcie Kahbody, Agency Information Officer, Department of Transportation, State of California

Lynn Chan, Assistant Deputy Director, Enterprise Applications Branch Chief, Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California

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

Wing Lee, Chief, Server Infrastructure and Identity Management Office, Department of Transportation, State of California

Mike Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer, Department of Transportation, State of California

Nadean Shavor, Chief Information Officer, Franchise Tax Board, State of California

Future-Proofing Leadership

Meeting Room 8

Explore how IT leaders can develop a comprehensive succession plan that extends beyond immediate leadership changes. Discover strategies for identifying and nurturing potential leaders at all levels, ensuring a talent pipeline that supports long-term organizational sustainability. Learn how to integrate professional development, mentorship, and knowledge transfer into your succession planning.

Moderator: James Donkin, Senior Cloud Architect, California State Lottery

Jennifer Chan, Chief Information Officer, California State Lottery

Gary Christofferson, Director, Solution Engineering, VMWare

Ajit Girn, Chief Information Officer, California Employment Development Department

12:30 pm Pacific

Lunch

Ballroom A1

1:30 pm Pacific

General Session – Embracing Change as Fuel for a People-Centric Future

Ballroom A1

In a world where change is the only constant, the evolution of technology and the cultural shifts around it have become nearly synonymous, jointly reshaping our work, and expanding what's possible. This transformation challenges us to embrace change as a continuous force in our work and the lives of Californians. In the midst of this ever-changing landscape, how can we ensure that our leadership remains visionary, empathetic, and steadfast in our mission to serve Californians? As change becomes a permanent backdrop for innovation and service, we are called to lead with adaptability, ensuring that every technological evolution enhances our capacity to uplift and empower the communities we serve.

Moderator: Cathilea Robinett, Chief Executive Officer, e. Republic

Katie Hagen, Director, Department of Industrial Relations, State of California

Kim Mirabella, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Sales, Verizon

2:15 pm Pacific

Networking Break

Ballroom A2 – A11

2:45 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Unlocking the Power of a Diverse Team

Meeting Room 1/2

Recognizing team diversity as a force for both personal fulfillment and organizational success is fundamental. How can we cultivate teams where the distinct backgrounds, perspectives, and skills of each member become instrumental in driving achievement and innovation? What steps can we take to embrace and harness the untapped potential within diverse teams, making this diversity a core aspect of the organization's ethos? Learn to weave an inclusive and dynamic mindset into daily leadership practices, transforming diversity from a concept into a powerful, everyday reality.

Moderator: Jennifer Hilliard, Vice President, Human Resources, CGI

Chi Emodi, Deputy Director and State Chief Project Officer, Office of Statewide Project Delivery, Department of Technology, State of California

Crystal Taylor, Division Chief, Information Technology Strategy Services, Department of Healthcare Services, State of California

Lawrence Troxler III, Head of Talent, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Mastering Executive Presence

Meeting Room 3/4

The art of mastering executive presence is an essential skill for leading effectively in the public sector. This session will guide you on how to present yourself with authority, engage in impactful communication, and build strong relationships. Gain insights into balancing assertiveness with empathy, enhancing your ability to lead with conviction while being attuned to the needs of your team and the communities you serve.

Moderator: Mike Driessen, Vice President, Government Technology

Christine Blake, Product Manager, Health and Human Services Agency, Center for Data Insights and Innovation, State of California

Michael Muth, Deputy Director, Project Management Division, Health and Human Services Agency, Office of Technology and Solutions Integration, State of California

Sam Silva, Chief Information Officer, Office of Technology Services, Department of Pesticide Regulation, State of California

Breaking Barriers: Overcoming a Fixed Mindset in IT Leadership

Meeting Room 6/7

This session addresses the challenge of moving beyond a fixed mindset to embrace continuous learning and adaptability in IT leadership. Discover techniques to foster a growth mindset, enabling you to view challenges as opportunities and foster innovation within your teams. Learn how embracing change and uncertainty can lead to more effective problem-solving and a culture of perpetual learning and improvement.

Moderator: Nick Beard, Senior Quality Manager, Department of Technology, State of California

Santiago Asuncion, Information Technology Manager I, Department of Tax and Fee Administration, State of California

Envision 2026: Building the Future

Meeting Room 5

How do we serve the people through a government that leverages California’s role as a global leader in emerging technologies? In this session we will dive into what it means to operationalize the partnership between the business and technology of government to realize the speed of IT-led business change for the benefit of the people of California. We will discuss the values that inspire the technology community to position and reinforce California’s role as a world leader. Join the discussion and contribute to the development of California Statewide Technology Strategy as we “Envision 2026” and work together Building the Future.

Moderator: Liana Bailey-Crimmins, State Chief Information Officer and Director, Department of Technology, State of California

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

Jared Johnson, Deputy State Chief Information Officer, Department of Technology, State of California

Brian Lee, Senior Chief Principal, Strategy Consulting, Delegata

3:45 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom A2 – A11

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

Tuesday, March 19

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments

Ballroom A2 – A11

9:00 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

Ballroom A1

Miriam Barcellona Ingenito, Undersecretary, Government Operations Agency, State of California

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote – Communicate with Clarity: Mastering Digital Dialogues

Ballroom A1

Rising technology leaders face the “curse of knowledge,” challenging our ability to engage and inform stakeholders effectively. How can we bridge the gap between complex information and stakeholder comprehension, ensuring our communications are clear and impactful across all mediums? Learn techniques to alleviate speaking anxiety, boost audience engagement, and deliver your message with clarity and confidence. In this interactive keynote, you'll master the art of transforming the technical into compelling narratives that drive understanding, collaboration, and action, enhancing communication across all platforms.

Matt Abrahams, Stanford GSB Lecturer in Strategic Communication, Think Fast Talk Smart Podcast Host, and Think Faster, Talk Smarter Author

10:15 am Pacific

General Session Panel – Women Lead the Way

Ballroom A1

Discover how women leaders are revolutionizing the public sector technology space in California. This session shines a spotlight on their pivotal role in driving innovation, aligning technology with business goals, and fostering high-performing teams. Join an esteemed panel of female trailblazers as they share their insights and strategies for success in the evolving world of technology. Gain inspiration from their journeys and learn key takeaways for empowering the next generation of women in tech.

Moderator: Cathilea Robinett, Chief Executive Officer, e.Republic

Liana Bailey-Crimmins, State Chief Information Officer and Director, Department of Technology, State of California

Brenda Bridges-Cruz, Deputy Director of Special Projects, Department of Technology, State of California

Marcie Kahbody, Agency Information Officer, Department of Transportation, State of California

Kristin Montgomery, Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, State of California

11:00 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom A2 – A11

11:30 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Passing the Baton: CIOs Mentoring the Next Gen CIOs

Meeting Room 1/2

Pair up with government CIOs for quick lightening rounds of discussion. This is your opportunity to meet face-to-face with current technology leaders to receive general words of wisdom on how to move up in your career. This small group gathering allows you to exchange information on achieving similar goals and growing and surviving in today's ever-changing world of technology. The best leaders cultivate the next wave of leaders- don’t miss this engaging and interactive session!

Thomas Boon, Chief Information Officer, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, State of California

Chad Bratton, Chief Information Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Jennifer Chan, Chief Information Officer, California State Lottery

Tristian Cormier, Chief Information Officer, Secretary of State, State of California

Chad Crowe, Chief Information Officer, Department of Social Services, State of California

Tonya Digiorno, Chief Information Officer, El Dorado County

Maisha Dottery, Chief Information Officer, Department of Community Services and Development, State of California

Don Foley, Chief Information Officer, Department of Toxic Substances Control, State of California

Amar Hariharan, Chief Information Officer, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California

Calvin McGee II, Chief Information Officer, Department of Real Estate, State of California

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

Hong Sae, Chief Information Officer, City of Roseville

Jefferson Willoughby, Chief Information Officer, Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, State of California

Quentin Wright, Chief Information Officer, Department of Technology, State of California

Attracting and Retaining California’s New Workforce

Meeting Room 3/4

The evolution of IT skills is swiftly changing, coupled with the emerging working culture of Gen Z. As state leaders, how do we attract and shape the future workforce? We will explore strategies and unique opportunities for attracting, nurturing, and retaining California's future workforce. The IT landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, offering a unique opportunity to redefine how we serve California. Be part of the change!

Moderator: Crystal Holcomb, Deputy Director, Department of Technology, State of California

Scott Ercoline, IT Specialist II, Incarcerated Population & Community Communications Support, Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, State of California

Stephanie Jones, Assistant Chief, Incarcerated Population & Community Communications Support, Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, State of California

Luc Sou, Division Chief, Project & Business Management, Department of Transportation, State of California

Tommy Wenzlau, Talent Leader, Talent Pipeline Programs, CHQ, Human Resources, IBM

Metrics that Matter: Creating a Culture of User-Centric Success

Meeting Room 6/7

How do Government leaders move from supporting day to day operations to meaningful user centered capabilities and services that address the needs and experiences of Californians. Explore strategies to implement outcome-based goals and initiatives, create metrics to measure business value realization, and deliver unique and innovative solutions that align with public expectations and perceived value. Understand how to capture the real value and impact of your IT projects and ensure they contribute meaningfully to the needs, satisfaction, and well-being of the people we serve.

Moderator: Yee Luk, Data Infrastructure Chief, Office of Technology & Solutions, State of California

Jacob Johnson, Deputy Director, Chief Information Officer, Department of Rehabilitation, State of California

Jason Lally, Deputy Director of Engineering & Services, Office of Data & Innovation, State of California

Annemarie Senior, Managing Director, KPMG

Riskovation Unleashed: Cultivating Innovation & Embracing Risk

Meeting Room 5

Understand the delicate balance between mitigating risk and fostering innovation in IT leadership. This session will provide insights into creating a culture where calculated risks are welcomed as a part of innovation. Discover strategies for encouraging 'two-way' thinking that allows for reversible and flexible decision-making, fostering a dynamic environment where success and innovation go hand in hand.

Moderator: Mike Marshall, Agency Information Officer, Environmental Protection Agency, State of California

Jamie Butler, Director of Solutions Architecture, Amazon Web Services

Sonia Huestis, Deputy Director, Customer Services Division, Department of Motor Vehicles, State of California

Phong Khanh Huynh, Innovation Leader, Principal, Deloitte

Dave Krause, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Covered California

12:30 pm Pacific

Lunch

Ballroom A1

1:15 pm Pacific

General Session – Leaping into Leadership: Committing to Bold Moves

Ballroom A1

Navigating the chasm between knowing our path and walking it is one the most formidable challenges in life and leadership. It's about taking the leap off the precipice and into the realm of action—elevating ourselves, empowering our teams, and embracing bold choices that push us outside our comfort zones. Through interactive discussions, personalized goal setting, and collaborative problem-solving, you’ll learn that none of us are alone in this journey, and we have more in common than you might think. We'll explore how our shared experiences and common goals can be a source of strength as we identify and commit to the transformative actions that will forge our leadership legacy. Join us to step confidently into your next big leap and embrace the bold moves that will mark your journey in leadership.

Corey Bruins, National Conference Director, Government Technology

2:00 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom A2 – A11

2:30 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Managing in the Next Industrial Revolution

Meeting Room 3/4

As we stand on the precipice of the next Industrial Revolution, leadership is undergoing a seismic shift. Emerging technologies are reshaping not only our tools but the very essence of effective leadership. How can leaders adeptly navigate their organizations through this era of rapid technological change? What are the pivotal strategies for adapting to and fully harnessing the potential of these technological advancements? In this session, we will explore the profound impact of the next Industrial Revolution on leadership. It's an opportunity to cultivate adaptability and foresight in the face of technological innovation. Join us to discover how today's leaders can not only embrace these challenges but also transform them into opportunities for unparalleled growth and success.

Moderator: Chad Bratton, Chief Information Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Eyal Darmon, North America Public Service GenAI Lead, Accenture

Scott Gregory, Deputy Director of Technology, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, State of California

Jennifer Ott, AIML Lead for Public Sector, UI Path

Stephen Pieraldi, Distinguished Technologist, HP Inc.

Amplifying Impact: Telling the Tech Story

Meeting Room 6/7

This session focuses on the art of telling the IT story, highlighting the importance of marketing successes both within your organization and to external stakeholders. Learn how to use accessible language to explain complex technical concepts, emphasize outcomes over jargon, and translate technological capabilities into tangible benefits. Discover techniques for crafting compelling success stories that demonstrate the power and impact of your IT initiatives.

Moderator: Heather Pettit, Chief Information Officer, Judicial Council of California

Robyn Fleming, Manager, AT&T

Jamel Jones, Manager, Information Technology, Judicial Council of California

Lloyd Levine, National Senior Executive for State Government Strategy, T-Mobile

David Noronha, Chief Information Officer, Department of Insurance, State of California

Helio Rodriguez, Section Chief, Department of Toxic Substances Control, State of California

John Yee, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Judicial Council of California

Powered by Purpose: Human-Centered Technology

Meeting Room 5

In an era where technology continually reshapes our world, the true north remains improving the lives of our residents. How can we steadfastly keep our focus and steer our teams to guarantee that technological developments truly benefit the people we serve? Hear insights on how to ensure that our work is deliberate, user-centric, and squarely aimed at uplifting the communities we are dedicated to. Explore strategies and successes that place this principle at the forefront and drive meaningful technological progress and improvements to digital services.

Moderator: Blaine Wasylkiw, Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer, Department of Technology, State of California

Reymund Dumlau, Director, Google Public Sector, SLED West

Koji Kumpulainien, State Web Services Manager, Department of Technology, State of California

Isaac Vallee, Chief Technology Officer, Department of Toxic Substances Control, State of California

No Silly...EI not AI

Meeting Room 8

Join leaders as they discuss how emotional intelligence is used to build the culture of their teams and how it correlates with their team's engagement. Leaders discuss how to manage relationships and how emotional intelligence helps them navigate these interpersonal relationships successfully. Leaders provide feedback on how to improve leadership competencies, such as communication, change management, conflict management, and influence.

Moderator: Kristin Montgomery, Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, State of California

Moderator: Katy Piatanesi, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group

Chad Crowe, Chief Information Officer, Department of Social Services, State of California

Lee Parkinson, Account Executive, Armis

Michelle Peregrine, Human Capital Services Leader, Deloitte

Quentin Wright, Chief Information Officer, Department of Technology, State of California

3:30 pm Pacific

Awards Welcome Reception

Ballroom A Lobby

4:00 pm Pacific

CIO Academy Awards Program and Closing Reception

Ballroom A1 and Lobby

5:30 pm Pacific

End of Conference

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

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

1401 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-5291

Get Directions To
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Liana Bailey-Crimmins
State Chief Information Officer & Director
Department of Technology
State of California

Ben Bonte
Chief Information Officer
Industrial Relations
State of California

Thomas Boon
Chief Information Officer
Governor's Office of Business & Economic Development
State of California

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

Brenda Bridges Cruz
Deputy Director, Special Projects
Department of Technology
State of California

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

Jennifer Chan
Chief Information Officer
California State Lottery
State of California

Kevin Cornish
Chief Information Officer
Covered California

Michael Crews
Chief Information Officer (Acting)
Office of Emergency Services
State of California

Chad Crowe
Chief Information Officer
Department of Social Services
State of California

Maisha Dottery
Chief Information Officer
Health & Human Services Agency, Community Services & Development
State of California

Don Foley
Chief Information Officer
Department of Toxic Substances Control
State of California

Amar Hariharan
Chief Information Officer/Acting AIO
Department of Food & Agriculture
State of California

Crystal Holcomb
Deputy Director
Department of Technology
State of California

Wesley Major
Chief Information Officer
Department of Finance
State of California

Mike Marshall
Chief Information Security Officer
Environmental Protection Agency
State of California

Calvin McGee
Chief Information Officer
Department of Real Estate
State of California

Kristin Montgomery
Chief Information Officer
Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
State of California

Kanuri Murty
Chief Information Officer
FI$CAL
State of California

Rosanna Nguyen
Chief, Information Technology Consulting Unit
Department of Finance
State of California

David Noronha
Chief Information Officer
Department of Insurance
State of California

Robert O'Brien
Chief Information Officer
California Correctional Health Care Services

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

Heather Pettit
Chief Information Officer
Judicial Council of California
State of California

Jonathan Porat
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Technology
State of California

John Roussel
Chief Information Officer
Public Health
State of California

Hieu Truong
Chief Information Officer
Office of Tax Appeals
State of California

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

Rachel White
Chief Information Officer
Air Resources Board
State of California

Jefferson Willoughby
Chief Information Officer
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board
State of California

Quentin Wright
Chief Information Officer
Department of Technology
State of California

Rami Zakaria
Chief Information Officer
Sacramento County

Industry Representatives

Reid Allen
Managing Partner
Complex Solutions
Verizon

Dorothy Amaro
Head of SLED Sales
Google Cloud

Chris Apostolopoulos
Field Account Executive
Dell Technologies

Troy Arajs
State & Local Government, Digital Solutions
Adobe

Todd Bacon
Vice President & Technology Managing Director
State of California
IBM

Jeff Beck
Account Director
VMWare

Sejla Begic
Managing Director, Client Relationships Executive
Deloitte

Phil Calzadilla
US SLED Sales Leader
UiPath

Shaw-chin Chiu
Managing Client Partner, State of California
IBM

Brandon Cortijo
Field Account Manager
HP Inc.

Tony Driver
Principal Sales Executive
Amazon Web Services

Erik Ellner
Account Executive
Juniper

Graeme Finley
Managing Director
Accenture

Robyn Fleming
Sales Manager
AT&T

Jason Green
Regional Manager
Oracle

Dustin Hall
Director, Sales Engineering
Comcast Business

Todd Jerue
Senior Director, Account Relations
KPMG

Jay LaValley
Director
Government Sales
Verizon

Lloyd Levine
National Senior Executive for State Government Strategy
T-Mobile

Megan Panson
Vice President, State & Local Government
CGI

Lee Parkinson
Account Executive
Armis

Jon Restani
Enterprise Account Manager
Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Dan Santangelo
Senior Principal Strategist
Inspire Value
ServiceNow

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Contact Information

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

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

Venue

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

1401 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-5291