The Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!
Join the Kansas Office of Information Technology Services for its 6th Annual Kansas Digital Government Summit, where you can explore innovative ideas and discover the potential of new technologies. Bringing together public sector participants from all four corners of the state, the Digital Government Summit explores everything from digital equity and generative AI to workforce talent, Internet of Things and more. Join us as we look to the future of digital government in Kansas.
– Jeff Maxon, Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas
Thursday, August 7 |
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8:00 am Central |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area |
9:00 am Central |
Welcome RemarksJeff Maxon, Chief Information Technology Officer, State of Kansas |
9:15 am Central |
Keynote – Transform Adversity into Advantage: How to Conquer Life's HurdlesThe 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 – Women in IT: Pushing Boundaries and Shaping the FutureBack by popular demand, this inspiring session features a dynamic panel of accomplished women in IT who are driving innovation, inclusion, and transformation across the public sector. Discover how they’ve navigated challenges, embraced mentorship, and exemplified inclusive, empowering leadership. Be inspired by how they are breaking barriers and shaping the future of technology! Anne Madden Johnson, Deputy Information Technology Officer, Office of Judicial Administration, State of Kansas Tanya Rodriguez-Heffel, Chief Technology Officer, Office of Information Technology Services, State of Kansas Randi Stahl, Chief Information Officer, City of Topeka |
10:50 am Central |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
11:20 am Central |
Concurrent SessionsPreparing for AI: Governance, Data, and Practical ApplicationsWe can’t prepare for AI without first preparing our data. As AI and emerging technologies evolve at a rapid pace, state and local governments must balance innovation with practicality, governance, and risk. This session will explore real-world AI applications, data governance strategies, and budget-conscious approaches to adoption. Attendees will gain insights into distinguishing hype from impactful use cases, ensuring responsible implementation, strengthening data governance, and preparing for the operational impacts of these technologies. Moderator: Kimberly DeWitt, Chief Data Officer, Office of Information Technology Services, State of Kansas John Able, Systems Administrator, City of Dodge City John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas Future-Ready WorkforceAs the nature of work evolves rapidly, government IT organizations must proactively prepare their workforce for the future. This session will focus on identifying the digital skills essential for tomorrow’s leaders, effective succession planning, and strategies to cultivate and attract the next generation of IT talent. Discover how to build a resilient, future-ready team equipped to meet emerging challenges and drive innovation. Adrian Guerrero, Director of Operations, Kansas State Board of Nursing Alex Wong, Chief Information Technology Officer, Judicial Branch, State of Kansas Strengthening State - Local Partnerships in Government ITEffective collaboration between state and local governments is essential for delivering seamless public services and driving digital transformation. This session explores strategies to build strong partnerships, align priorities, and leverage shared resources to overcome challenges. Discover how fostering collaboration can enhance innovation, improve efficiency, and better serve communities across jurisdictions. The Honorable Steven Ebberts, Chief Judge, 3rd Judicial District, Shawnee County Greg Gann, IT Business Solutions Group Director, Division of Information Technology, Sedgwick County Tony Sage, Chief Information Officer, City of Overland Park |
12:20 pm Central |
Lunch |
1:10 pm Central |
Bits and Bytes - Digital AccessibilityEnsuring digital accessibility is a vital responsibility for government agencies, focused on delivering equitable access to services for individuals with disabilities and digitally underserved communities. This session will highlight the ADA Title II rule and the alignment of state policies with federal standards, outlining requirements to make government programs, services, and activities fully accessible. Attendees will gain insights into universal design, assistive technology compatibility, and actionable strategies for achieving compliance ahead of the critical 2026 deadline. |
1:25 pm Central |
Short BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions. |
1:30 pm Central |
Concurrent SessionsCrafting Effective Cyber Exercises to Engage Stakeholders Strengthen ResilienceCyber tabletop exercises (TTEs) are powerful tools for preparing organizations to respond to security incidents, but crafting an effective exercise requires strategy. This session will explore the best practices for designing and conducting TTEs, engaging end-users and stakeholders in cybersecurity, and aligning IT and business priorities. Through real-world examples, attendees will gain insights into running impactful simulations, equipping smaller jurisdictions for ransomware response, and developing an incident response plan from scratch. Moderator: John Godfrey, Chief Information Security Officer, State of Kansas Keeping Our Head in the CloudsAs governments continue evolving their cloud strategies to boost scalability, agility, and cost efficiency, understanding the path forward is more critical than ever. This session explores the latest trends, technologies, and approaches shaping public sector cloud adoption, including strategies for managing cost, ensuring security, and maintaining control. Whether you're planning a move to the cloud or optimizing your existing environment, gain insights to align your strategy with where the cloud is headed. Leadership Strategies: Forging One Team for the FutureStrong leadership in government IT goes beyond technical expertise—it requires effective communication, unified teams, and a culture of mutual respect between IT and business partners. This session explores how to build resilient, future-ready teams by addressing burnout, developing leadership pipelines, and navigating diverse communication styles to foster collaboration and accountability. Attendees will gain practical strategies to lead with impact, inspire engagement, and support sustainable performance across diverse, multi-faceted teams. Michael Mayta, Chief Information Officer, City of Wichita Sara Spinks, Director, Office of Information Technology Services, State of Kansas Exclusive Briefing for Industry PartnersHosted by: State of Kansas |
2:30 pm Central |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
3:00 pm Central |
General Session – Kansas Department of Labor’s Successful Modernization StoryThe Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has achieved a major modernization milestone by migrating its unemployment system to the cloud, unlocking access to advanced AI tools that have driven a 99.9% success rate. Amber Shultz, Secretary of Labor, State of Kansas |
3:40 pm Central |
General Session – The Government Experience Revolution – Reimagining Personalized Government DeliveryConstituents today expect the same level of seamless, personalized service from government that they receive in the private sector. The Government Experience Revolution is transforming how agencies deliver services - moving from one-size-fits-all approaches to data-driven, user-centric experiences. This session, presented by the Center for Digital Government, will explore how governments are leveraging AI, digital identity, and advanced analytics to anticipate citizen needs, streamline interactions, and build trust through personalization. Zach Patton, Chief Editor, Content Studio, e.Republic |
4:15 pm Central |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors. |
4:45 pm Central |
End of Conference*Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
1717 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, KS 66612
(785)431-8379
John Able
IS Coordinator
Dodge City
Thomas Bunton
Chief Technology Officer
Kansas State University
Evan Burt
Chief Information Security Officer
Kansas Judicial Branch
Nelson Casteel
Operations Section Chief
Emergency Management
Shawnee County
Allie Denning
Director, Legislative Affairs
Department of Health and Environment
State of Kansas
Kimberly DeWitt
Chief Data Officer
Office of Information Technology Services
State of Kansas
Col. Janet Dial
Director of Intelligence and Information Technology
Kansas National Guard
Greg Gann
IT Business Solutions Director
Sedgwick County Government
John Godfrey
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Information Technology Services
State of Kansas
Adrian Guerrero
Director of Operations
Board of Nursing
State of Kansas
Tanya Heffel
Chief Technology Officer
Office of Information Technology Services
State of Kansas
Shelia Johnson
Chief Experience Officer
Office of Information Technology Services
State of Kansas
Kelly Johnson
IT Procurement Manager
Department of Administration
State of Kansas
Kyle Lord
Director of IT
Division of Fiscal and Administrative Services, Department of Education
State of Kansas
Tom Mai
Chief Information Officer
Highway Patrol
State of Kansas
Jeff Maxon
Chief Information Technology Officer
Office of Information Technology Services
State of Kansas
Mike Mayta
Chief Information Officer
City of Wichita
Erin McGinnis
Director of Statewide Cyber Collaboration & Preparedness
Information Security Office
State of Kansas
Gilberto Oliva
Deputy Chief Information Officer
City of Wichita
Tony Sage
Chief Information Officer
IT Department
City of Overland Park
Amber Shultz
Secretary of Labor
State of Kansas
Sara Spinks
Director
Office of Information Technology Services
State of Kansas
Randi Stahl
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology Department
City of Topeka
Alex Wong
Chief Information Technology Officer
Kansas Judicial Branch
Joe Lanfranca
Account Manager - SLED
Fortinet
Katrina Lewison
Enterprise Principal Account Manager
Amazon Web Services
Open to Public Sector only.
Registration - Free
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
For registration and general assistance contact:
Jasmin Tetzlaff
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1308
E-mail: jtetzlaff@erepublic.com
For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:
Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:
Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com