Illinois IT Leadership Forum 2024 Banner

Overview

The IT Leadership Forum brings together current and emerging technology leaders with the industry partners that support them. This invitation-only event provides a space for leaders to collaborate while addressing 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

Speakers

John Register

John Register

Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, Persian Gulf War veteran, TEDx Motivational Speaker

John Register is a two-time Paralympian, Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, Persian Gulf War veteran, and TEDx Motivational Speaker. He embraced a “new normal mindset” in becoming an amputee following a misstep over a hurdle while training for the 1996 Olympic Games, after participation in two consecutive Olympic trials.
An Oak Park, Ill. native, Register discovered how to “amputate his fear of disability” and founded the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Military Sport Program in the early 2000s. He launched a book titled: 10 Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success, as business leaders return to work with their staff amid stressful circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic and the recent unrest in our urban cities.
Register teaches business professionals through his “Hurdling Adversity” speeches and podcasts to “amputate fear and embrace their new normal,” as they discover “stories within themselves.”
He finds that “it is the personal stories that inspire teams more profoundly with greater impact.”
Register is a four-time All-American graduate of University of Arkansas. He served six years in the U.S. Army—including in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and in active-duty with the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program—winning nine gold medals in the Armed Services Competition and two World Military Championships.
Register had his left leg amputated after a misstep over a hurdle changed his life. Register hyperextended his knee and severed the popliteal artery. He started swimming to aid in his recovery, made the U.S. Paralympic Team in 1996, and later won a silver medal in the long jump—as he set an American record—and sprinted to fifth in the 100 meters and 200 meters at the U.S. Paralympic Games in Sydney.
Register resides in Colorado Springs, CO with his wife Alice. The couple have three children - John Jr., Ashley, and Ronald.

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Stacey Caster

Stacey Caster

CEO and Founder, North Executive Advisor

Throughout her impressive and diverse career, Stacey Caster has earned a reputation for being a forward-thinking leader, business consultant, executive coach, and workshop facilitator. Possessing an innate understanding of people, businesses, and systems that she has continued to develop throughout her 25+ year career, Stacey has been recognized for her innovative approach to organizational structure, management, and leadership development. At the core of her work, she was responsible for increasing the value and performance of senior leaders, c-level executives, organizations, and teams and for delivering the necessary support to help businesses run smoothly. Stacey is an accomplished and well-respected speaker, consultant, and engaging business coach. She’s also an accomplished business leader specializing in technology and business operations. Stacey is constantly driven to transform obstacles into opportunities and challenges into possibilities for her clients.
Stacey was chosen by LA Weekly as one of the “Top 10 Leadership Coaches to Watch in 2024” and a 2023 RISE Mentor of the Year. In addition, she is an ICF Certified Executive Coach, a Certified Master Facilitator, and a Genos Emotional Intelligence Certified Practitioner.

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Tracy-Ann Palmer

Tracy-Ann Palmer

CEO and Founder, Corporate Athlete Academy

Tracy-Ann is a seasoned, well-rounded, executive leader with 25+ years of global transformation experience and deep expertise across all areas of the business. She is a catalyst for change and a savvy, courageous leader who is unafraid to tackle difficult challenges. Optimistic in the face of uncertainty, Tracy-Ann is able to skillfully navigate through ambiguity and stay ahead of the market. She is a stellar relationship builder and inspirational leader who creates diverse, resilient teams that consistently exceed growth targets. Tracy-Ann develops bold leaders through passionate, empathetic mentorship. With a pioneer mindset, she develops winning cultures and empowers people to deliver value beyond their own expectations. Tracy-Ann is a celebrated motivational speaker, executive coach known for accelerating growth in the face of adversity, exceptional entrepreneurial success, and visionary leader.
Tracy-Ann is a 2023 Stevie Award Winner – Women Executive of the Year, a CRN Executive Mentor of the Year, a CRN Inclusive Leader Award recipient, a Channel Futures Top 20 Cloud Channel Leader, a CRN Female Executive of the Year and Role Model of the Year finalist, and a CRN Power 100 recipient three years in a row for The Most Powerful Women of the Channel. Tracy-Ann is also the Founder of the “We Build Character” non-profit executive leadership mentoring program.

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Jason Barth

Jason Barth

Chief People Officer, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology, State Of Illinois 

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.

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Jason Bowen

Jason Bowen

Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois 

Serving as Statewide Chief Information Security Officer, Jason drives positive cybersecurity outcomes for residents and visitors that leverage resources delivered by agencies across the State of Illinois. By building relationships and maximizing value provided through Federal - State - Local partnerships, Jason strives to promote and implement a unified cybersecurity strategy while providing tactical support where needed. As a public servant, he’s honored to lead a talented cybersecurity team dedicated to serving our residents and neighbors in the accomplishment of this mission.

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Chris Britten

Chris Britten

Group Chief Information Officer, Public Safety Group, Department of Innovation & Technology, State of Illinois

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.

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John Cecala

John Cecala

Google Public Sector, State Government Advocate

John is an award-winning government technology advocate at Google Public Sector, dedicated to empowering governments with Google-inspired innovation. With 20+ years of experience, he understands the unique challenges government agencies face across people, process, and technology. John has been recognized for his work by StateScoop 50 with the Industry Leadership of the Year award. John is passionate about championing solutions that help agencies achieve their desired outcomes.

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Sanjay Gupta

Sanjay Gupta

Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois 

Sanjay Gupta serves as the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) and the State Chief Information Officer. Sanjay leads the agency’s strategic IT planning and service delivery to 35 State of Illinois Agencies and over 80 boards, commissions, and offices throughout the State, representing nearly 60,000 users.
Previously, Sanjay served in the Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer roles for the U.S Department of Justice and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) respectively. His modernization of SBA’s technology enabled it to process more than $1 trillion in economic assistance for the nation’s largest economic recovery effort.
He demonstrated the “art of the possible” in the public sector by delivering modernization, new cybersecurity models, collaborative standardization and innovative solutions that have informed policy updates. He also served on the Board of the Technology Modernization Fund (of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget), overseeing a $1 billion fund to modernize government IT and cybersecurity.
Appointed by Governor Pritzker in June 2023, the Illinois Senate confirmed Sanjay’s appointment in May 2024 as the State Chief Information Officer and Secretary of DoIT.

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Troy Horton

Troy Horton

Health & Human Services Group CIO, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

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

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Jenifer L. Johnson

Jenifer L. Johnson

Chief of Staff, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

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.

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Lora McDonald

Lora McDonald

Group Chief Information Officer, State of Illinois 

Dr. Lora McDonald is an accomplished and well-rounded IT professional that truly seeks to be the sunshine in everyone’s rainbow as articulated best by the late Maya Angelou. With over 30+ years of experience in various settings and positions including the private sector as well both County and State level opportunities, Dr. McDonald displays her knowledge and expertise through assisting others whether that is mentorship, teaching, or general leadership. Throughout her career, Dr. McDonald has dived headfirst into solving complex challenges with her ability to create innovative solutions. She has served as a key player who assisted the organization’s growth along with creating impeccable relationships with consumers and peers alike. Also, a scholar and self-proclaimed lifelong learner, Dr. McDonald has earned multiple degrees including a BA in Finance, MBA in Human Resources, MS in Information Systems Management and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration. In addition to learning, she believes that we all need to work together to expand our horizons with making sure inclusion is at the forefront.

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Brandon Ragle

Brandon Ragle

Deputy Secretary and Deputy State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois 

Ragle brings 30 years of service in state government, serving in various roles supporting the Department of Corrections, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and Department of Insurance. Ragle spent the past two decades in information technology and joined the DoIT team in the role of Deputy Chief of Enterprise Applications in May 2016 where he was later promoted to Chief of Enterprise Applications in May 2019. In July 2022, Ragle assumed the role of Assistant Secretary of DoIT and subsequently served as interim Secretary from January to June 2023.
In June 2023, Ragle was appointed as the Deputy Secretary of DoIT and Deputy State CIO receiving Senate approval for the position in May 2024.

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Sultan Raziuddi

Sultan Raziuddi

Group Chief Information Officer, State of Illinois 

Sultan Raziuddin works with TVG-Medulla, LLC as a Vice President of Information Technology, executive. Sultan is a healthcare veteran with over 25 years of experience of which 17 plus years with GE Healthcare IT leading global Health IT, Enterprise IT Operations, P&L Operations, Strategic Planning and other Consulting Services. Sultan practices Lean Six Sigma methodologies as a trained Black Belt.
Sultan brings a unique blend of Enterprise IT, health IT, Marketing, Senior Management and Hospital experience from real world to the class room to stimulate intellectual excitement and encourage the culture of collaborative and innovative discussions with students.
Sultan earned his Master’s in Healthcare Informatics & Administration from Northwestern University, Chicago and Masters in Computer Sciences from Illinois Institute of Technology, IIT Chicago and Bachelors in Electronics Engineering Technology from DeVry University. Sultan enjoys reading and holds a large collection of books in his kindle.

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Mary Reynolds

Mary Reynolds

Education Group Chief Information Officer, State of Illinois  

Mary Reynolds serves as the Education Group Chief Information Officer for the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology.  In this role she facilitates services and communication with education agencies, and advocates on behalf of innovative STEAM initiatives that improve outcomes for students.  For over 40 years, Mary has served in a variety of policy development roles in and around state government focused on issues related to youth, education, juvenile justice, and technology.  Previously, Mary served for 12 years as an elected school board member of a small unit school district and has been an active community volunteer.  Her three adult children are all engaged in STEAM careers.   

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Bill Roth

Bill Roth

Chief of Enterprise Application Services, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois   

Bill joined DoIT in 2022 as part of a nearly four-decade career where he rose through the ranks of IT technical development, database administration, applications architecture, project/program management, and senior leadership over application development, implementations, and operations in the human services domain in multiple states. He presently serves as the Chief of Enterprise Applications Services for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology where he leads multiples teams providing services and solutions to the state agencies supported by DoIT. The scope of EAS spans system engineering with .Net and interfaces, the MS Power Platform, the State’s Adobe AEM web platform, Salesforce, ServiceNow, legacy Enterprise Systems, DoIT Audio-Visual services, and helpdesk services for EAS.

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Omar Sandoval

Omar Sandoval

Chief Information Officer, Government Technology

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.  

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Evelyn Sanguinetti

Evelyn Sanguinetti

Sr. Siting Advocacy Manager, T-Mobile 

Evelyn Sanguinetti is an American attorney and human rights advocate who served as the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, becoming the first Latina Lieutenant Governor in the United States.  In her 20+ years in public service, Evelyn has earned a reputation of being an impactful coalition-builder, problem-solver and change-agent. Presently, Evelyn is a Senior Siting Advocacy Manager at T-Mobile where she advocates for the prompt delivery of T-Mobile’s network before units of local government.

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Sarjoo Shah

Sarjoo Shah

Executive Director, Public Health Services, Oracle 

Sarjoo is a business and information technology (IT) leader with over 30 years of experience in Public and Private sector leadership and executive roles. His expertise in building and leading teams with focus on innovation and customer service are proven from his role(s) as the HHS CIO for the State of Oklahoma, Deloitte, SAIC and NTTDATA. Sarjoo specializes in understanding the complex problems that face State and Local entities and providing innovative and transformational solutions to meet and exceed the expectations of business users.   
Sarjoo held various other positions, State CTO, PMO Director and Treasurer within the executive committee of the American Public Human Services Association IT Solutions Management (APHSA-ISM) for several years.
Sarjoo currently holds the position of Industry Executive Director, State and Local Government focusing on developing strategy for Health and Human Services (HHS) transformation using Oracle Cloud.  

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Lori Sorenson

Lori Sorenson

Chief Technology Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois

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.

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Jackie White

Jackie White LinkedIn

National Conference Director, Government Technology

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.

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Agenda

Tuesday, June 25

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom Pre-Function

9:00 am Central

Opening Remarks

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom

Sanjay Gupta, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois

9:10 am Central

Keynote – Transform Adversity into Advantage: How to Conquer Life's Hurdles

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom

The world has become more difficult, and the challenges are bigger than ever. Adopting a “new normal mindset” is necessary to empower your team to navigate the challenges and opportunities through a contextual model to overcome adversity. How will you manage uncertainty? Is your team ready to embrace change? This session will provide a powerful and interactive message of resilience and perseverance that will inspire you to see change as an opportunity for growth.

John Register, Inspirational and Motivational Speaker, Author, and Two-Time Paralympic Silver Medalist

10:10 am Central

General Session: Leading Through Change from Those That DoIT

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom

Change is all around us. From the evolution of technologies we use, to the ways we must reinvent our approach to combating cyber threats, all the way to organizational change management, there are various levels of change IT leaders are facing regularly. In general, the public sector tends to be “risk averse;” however, to progress and remain relevant with the times, it often requires “prudent risk taking.” How do leaders become comfortable with “prudent risk taking” to drive progress? When do we start leaning into change as a positive part of innovation, instead of something that leaves us vulnerable? Join this session to hear from top DoIT’s leaders who have successfully navigated complex challenges and helped their agencies come out on top.

Sanjay Gupta, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois

Lori Sorenson, Chief Technology Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois

10:55 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom Pre-Function

11:20 am Central

Concurrent Sessions

The Role of Communication in Building Business Partnerships

Sapphire Ballroom

Building the right relationships makes all the difference. One of the most important parts of being a leader is the ability to effectively communicate with multiple stakeholders at every level, including your superiors, constituents, colleagues at other agencies, your team, and elected officials. Aligning IT initiatives with business strategies is crucial in today's evolving landscape. As your communication style gets more effective, you gain stronger relationships. In IT specifically, stories can be an excellent way to connect with stakeholders and customers to help them see the benefit of the solutions you’re providing. How do you transform your thoughts and ideas into stories that grab your audience’s attention? Does this work with the population you serve, or the team you manage? This session will share tips on how to become a master storyteller and make your communication more impactful in all aspects of leadership.

Moderator: Jackie White, National Conference Director, Government Technology

John Cecala, State Government Advocate, Google Public Sector

Chris Britten, Group Chief Information Officer, Public Safety Group, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

Mary Reynolds, Education Group CIO, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

Mike Scott, Chief Information Accessibility Officer, Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

The Evolving Role of a Tech Leader in a Changing Workforce

Ruby Ballroom

The scope of today’s public sector IT leader transcends traditional tech responsibilities. Gone are the days when we focused solely on IT infrastructure and processes. Now, an IT leader must understand the changing workforce and the need to balance business expertise and operational excellence. How do we stay in alignment with the broader mission and vision of the organization while taking on an understanding of the business needs of the agency? What skills should we cultivate for our playbooks to help prepare the future leaders of the organization? This session explores what it takes to lead in IT today and offers tools and strategies for remaining relevant.

Moderator: Omar Sandoval, Chief Information Officer, Government Technology

Bill Downing, Chief Enterprise Architect, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

Bill Roth, Chief of Enterprise Applications Services, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

Sarjoo Shah, Executive Director, Public Health Services, Oracle

Lori Sorenson, Chief Technology Officer, Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

12:15 pm Central

Lunch

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom

12:45 pm Central

Bits & Bytes – Strategic Management and Tactical Planning: Where Do They Meet?

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom

When taking a leadership role, one of the first critical decisions that must be made is to lead strategically, or tactically. Some believe that a strategic approach will serve as the compass that will guide an organization through any variety of circumstances that it encounters. Can we afford to allow ourselves to keep our heads down on a tactical focus without a strong strategy in place first? How do we think beyond our current position to identify state-wide commonalities and crossovers in our workflows? Are we thinking tactically about the task at hand, or are we looking at the work through the lens of the strategic plan? If you have ever found yourself thinking that you are too busy to be strategic, this session may offer a fresh perspective. Listen as DoIT leaders share real-world examples of how strategic management styles have promoted greater efficiency in tactical functions.

Jason Bowen, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois

Brandon Ragle, Deputy Secretary and Deputy State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois

1:15 pm Central

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:35 pm Central

Concurrent Sessions

Future Proofing with a Solid Succession Plan

Sapphire Ballroom

Identifying and nurturing talent within our teams is a critical function of leadership. Recognizing and cultivating emerging leaders is one piece of the puzzle, but how do we set them up for success? Have we spent enough time clearly defining the skill sets that emerging leaders will need to acquire to move into leadership when the next opportunity becomes available? Are current leaders putting enough emphasis on creating internal playbooks to help incoming leaders understand the “why” behind the processes they will inherit? What can we do to help smooth out the bumps for future transitions in our agencies? This session will cover best practices for creating a solid playbook that future teams will depend on for years to come.

Moderator: Jackie White, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Jason Barth: Chief People Officer, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology, State Of Illinois

Jenifer L. Johnson, Chief of Staff, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

Evelyn Sanguinetti, Sr. Siting Advocacy Manager, T-Mobile For Government

From Team Member to Leader: Mastering the IT Leadership Transition

Ruby Ballroom

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. How do you leverage your tech background to create a unique leadership style? What are the most effective ways to communicate with non-technical stakeholders? How are others able to inspire and manage teams not only tactically, but for innovation and growth? In this session we will cover the essential skills and mindset changes required for tech professionals to thrive in leadership roles, ensuring they can effectively guide strategic decision-making transformation.

Moderator: Omar Sandoval, Chief Information Officer, Government Technology

Troy Horton, Health & Human Services Group CIO, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois

Lora McDonald, Group Chief Information Officer, State of Illinois

Sultan Raziuddin, Group Chief Information Officer, Government & Public Employees, Department of Innovation & Technology, State of Illinois

2:35 pm Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom Pre-Function

3:00 pm Central

General Session – Featured Speakers – Navigating Leadership with CLARITY

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom

It’s no secret that work in the public sector is rewarding. It’s also no secret that conditions to get this rewarding work done can be difficult with teams feeling like there’s never enough money, people, or time. How do current and future leaders cultivate skill sets that allow them to withstand and recover from the daily challenges presented? In this engaging workshop, you’ll enhance your leadership toolkit with the CLARITY framework. You’ll leave with an action plan to implement for immediate results all while enhancing your capacity for resilience!

Stacey Caster CEO and Founder, North Executive Advisor

Tracy-Ann Palmer, CEO and Founder, Corporate Athlete Academy

4:00 pm Central

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Diamond/Emerald Ballroom Pre-Function

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

4:30 pm Central

End of Conference

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

Crowne Plaza Springfield - Convention Center

3000 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 529-7777

Get Directions To
Crowne Plaza Springfield - Convention Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Jason Barth
Head of Human Resources and Talent Management
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois

Albert Coll
Chief Administrative Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois

Sanjay Gupta
Chief Information Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois

Jenifer Johnson
Chief of Staff
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois

Brandon Ragle
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois

Lori Sorenson
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois

Registration Information / Contact Us

Contact Information

2025 Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

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

Venue

Crowne Plaza Springfield - Convention Center

3000 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 529-7777