Jason Barth is a strategic executive with over 20 years of professional experience leading human resource management and operations. He has a significant record of success in workplace strategy, talent acquisition, talent management, performance optimization, benefits and compensation, and employee relations. Jason’s career spans notable roles in various industries, where he has consistently demonstrated his ability to manage complex HR functions and drive organizational change.
Jason holds an MBA from Loyola University Chicago and has completed advanced leadership certifications from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania. Known for his tactical vision and ability to drive meaningful organizational change, Jason is passionate about mentoring emerging HR professionals and contributing to the broader HR community, making him a respected and influential leader in his field.
Currently, Jason serves as the Chief People Officer for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, where he partners with leadership to implement HR strategies that enhance efficiency and support agency objectives.

Christopher Britten, proudly serves as the Group Chief Information Officer for the Department of Innovation and Technology's Public Safety Sector. With a remarkable five-year stint as the CIO for the State of Illinois and more than two decades of IT expertise, Chris is a well-seasoned professional in the realm of Information Technology.
In his present role, Chris plays a pivotal role as the bridge between Public Safety agencies in Illinois and the Department of Innovation and Technology. His strategic acumen comes into play as he navigates the intricate landscape of IT needs to bolster all the agencies within the Public Safety sector.
Chris firmly believes that technology is the key to the State's ability to serve the citizens of Illinois more efficiently and effectively in the future. This visionary approach underscores his commitment to leveraging technology for the greater good.
Chris holds a degree in Computer Information Systems from Clark Atlanta University, he further fortified his knowledge base with an Executive Master of Business Administration from Purdue University and obtaining his Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Chris has a deep-seated passion for aiding children in need and mentoring youth. He currently serves as the Board President of You Matter 2, an organization that empowers young individuals to engage in philanthropy and give back to their community. He is also an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a distinguished African American fraternity dedicated to community service and mandated programs.

At Google Cloud, I spearhead collaborations with forward-thinking government agencies and higher education institutions to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and fundamentally transform public service delivery. Leveraging the secure and powerful Google Cloud Platform, I specialize in educating on the ways cutting-edge Cloud and Generative AI technologies help them exceed the evolving expectations of diverse stakeholders. My approach begins with deep listening, enabling me to architect and implement outcome-driven strategies focused on our clients' critical objectives. I am committed to building enduring, trusted partnerships that deliver win-win results. My leadership and proven execution consistently advance Google's mission and the vital work of the governments and schools we serve.

Ken Haycraft is an experienced learning and development leader with over 20 years of driving talent strategies across industries including government, manufacturing, technology, higher education, and professional services. He currently serves as the Director of Learning and Development for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, where he leads initiatives to build leadership capacity, foster a culture of continuous learning, and prepare the workforce for the future.
Ken has led enterprise-wide efforts in talent development, performance management, and succession planning, consistently applying a values-based and data-informed approach. He is passionate about empowering internal talent and developing the leadership and behavioral skills that enable individuals and teams to thrive in dynamic environments.
He holds a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University and a Bachelor of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from Western Illinois University.

David Heineman has over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, with the last 10 years in management roles. David joined the State in July 2000 and is currently the Chief Information Officer at the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. He has previously served in roles as a developer, team lead and manager for several State agencies.  Known for his authentic connection, insightful communication, and results-focused approach, David partners with individuals and teams to bring meaningful change and solutions to those who he serves.

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.

Jenifer L. Johnson has 25 years of experience in state and local government in Illinois, with the last 20 years in senior management roles. Jenifer joined the DoIT team in June 2019 and is currently the Chief of Staff. She previously served as DoIT Chief Administrative Officer, as General Counsel at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and as Corporation Counsel for the City of Springfield. She received her J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law and her B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Amy Lally serves as the Manager of Leadership Development at the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, where she leads initiatives to build leadership capacity across the agency. A certified executive coach, master facilitator, and organizational consultant, Amy brings over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership development and a deep expertise in human behavior and organizational dynamics.
Amy’s career has included roles in organizational development, leadership and team coaching, and executive consulting. She holds credentials as an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and a Board Certified Coach through the Center for Credentialing and Education. She also holds a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Behavior and is certified in multiple assessment tools, including MBTI®, TKI®, FIRO-B®, MSCEIT™, and EQ-i 2.0®.
Known for her authentic connection, insightful communication, and results-focused approach, Amy partners with individuals and teams to uncover blind spots, cultivate self-awareness, and drive meaningful behavioral change.

M.C. Neal has led a brilliant career leveraging his deep knowledge and passion for utilizing technology to propel government operations forward. Over the course of his close to 20-year career, M.C. ascended from an entry-level help desk technician to his current position as the Chief Information Officer for Champaign County, where he is responsible for the overall planning, organizing, and execution of all I.T. functions for the 10th largest county in the State.
Recognizing that technology’s success is deeply intertwined with the strength and motivation of the people behind it, M.C. has spent the last decade cultivating environments where individuals feel valued and inspired to reach their full potential. His leadership style is people-centric, centered on building positive workplace cultures that prioritize open communication, foster collaboration, and emphasize the support, growth, and overall well-being of his team.
When not working, M.C. loves to spend time with his wife and two kids, binge-watch TV shows, and make feeble attempts at being an amateur photographer.

Pat Nolan is DoIT’s forthcoming Acting Deputy Secretary and a Commissioner on the Illinois Budgeting for Results Commission. He is currently transitioning from his role as Chief of Staff at the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). Prior to his work in state government, Pat worked in community organizing and higher education data science. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and public policy from the University of Chicago and Georgetown University, respectively, and a bachelor’s in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago.

Rachel Pevey is the GCIO over Child and Family Services & Advocacy supporting the Department of Public Health, Department of Juvenile Justice, Guardianship & Advocacy, Department of Children & Family Services, and the Department of Early Childhood.  She brings over 25 years of IT leadership experience across public health and public safety sectors. Most recently, she served as CIO for the Illinois Department of Public Health, where she led major modernization efforts.

With over 28 years in IT and Customer Service experience, she is a strategic leader at the intersection of technology, customer experience, and client agency collaboration, responsible for developing, planning, and managing the customer service experience for over 65 Agencies, Boards, and Commissions receiving IT services from DoIT. These services include IT Service Desk, IT end user goods and services provisioning and support, change management, knowledge management and Quality Assurance leading customer success, service delivery, and assisting agencies realize the full value of their technology investments with the development of enterprise and agency-level reporting to provide insight into service request trends and incident response performance.

Omar Sandoval is the Chief Information Officer for Government Technology, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Prior to joining the Center, Omar was the Director of Information Technology for the Naperville Park District.
Omar has won numerous awards which include a Distinguished Services Award, by the Naperville Jaycees; Four Under 40 Achievement Award, presented by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce which recognizes young who demonstrate excellence based on leadership in the community, business leadership, and career and life balance. Government Technology magazine honored Omar with awards for Technology Innovations in the Park District Operations and Citizens categories; Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers and a Leadership Innovation Award for his efforts in assisting his own organization and others to start eSports leagues during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Omar earned his Master of Science degree in Business Analytics with a concentration in Business Administration from Benedictine University. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage in the Computer and Information Technology department.

Lori Sorenson serves as the Chief Technology Officer for the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology. In this role, she is responsible for delivering reliable, secure, customer centric IT solutions and serves as a policy advisor for broadband issues. Lori has more than 25 years of experience in IT. She earned her Master of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Springfield and a Bachelor of Science degree at Illinois State University.

Jason Thoron is a seasoned talent acquisition and human resources leader with a strong background in public sector recruitment and a passion for building high-performing teams. As the Talent Management Director at the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), he leads strategic initiatives to drive the recruitment, engagement, and retention of top-tier tech talent for the State of Illinois.
With over 25 years of experience across government, higher education, and hospitality, Jason has worn many hats—ranging from recruiter to general manager, director of sales, and college director. His leadership includes launching innovative recruitment campaigns, overseeing employee engagement programs, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. His approach blends strategic thinking with a people-first mindset, aligning talent strategies with broader organizational goals.
Jason holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources and is driven by a commitment to cultivating mission-driven workplace cultures. He thrives on the challenge of helping both people and organizations succeed. Outside of his professional role, Jason draws inspiration from impactful educators and mentors, crediting much of his leadership philosophy to those who have championed growth and resilience throughout his journey.

As National Conference Director for Government Technology magazine, Jackie produces, manages, and emcees government IT conferences throughout the country. With over 20 years in the SaaS and Tech arena, Jackie proudly brings strategy, project management, operational excellence, and production together to streamline the efforts of live national events. For 15 years Jackie has worked within the greater Chicago market, while also planning and producing events throughout the US, Canada and Europe. 
Jackie is a proud member of GMIS Illinois, active with Chicago Innovation (FKA Chicago Innovation Awards), and is also known for dedicating countless hours volunteering and fundraising for non-profits including Surge for Water, Hephzibah Children's Association, SheSays Chicago, and Naperville Safety Town.