Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Peter Loo, Chief Information Officer, County of Los Angeles

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles

Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against You

In moments when challenges feel insurmountable, and the odds are stacked against us, how do we find the will to fight—and win? In this powerful and energizing talk, Jessica O. Matthews shares how the most groundbreaking innovations often emerge from struggle, uncertainty, and adversity. Drawing from her own journey as a pioneering entrepreneur and inventor, Jessica explores how resilience, creativity, and relentless problem-solving can transform even the toughest setbacks into opportunities for impact and growth. This session will help you reframe challenges as opportunities for breakthrough innovation, develop resilience during moments of struggle, and uncover determination to keep fighting for transformative solutions.

Jessica Mathews, Chief Executive Officer, Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

AI in Progress: What’s Working, What’s Stalling, What’s Next?

Where is your agency on the AI journey? And what’s standing in the way? In this interactive session, IT leaders will share their own AI strategies, pilots, and lessons learned, while inviting audience members to bring their examples, questions, and challenges to the table. Whether you're testing AI tools, building business cases, confronting roadblocks, or trying to define success, this session is your space to compare notes and move the conversation forward. Join your peers to explore AI readiness assessments, ROI expectations, and what it really takes to go from pilot to practice in government.

Moderator: Erica Patterson, Vice President of Events, Government Technology

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles

Doing More with Purpose: Smarter Tools, Stronger Teams, Better Outcomes

When budgets tighten and expectations rise, how can public sector IT leaders keep delivering without overextending their teams? This panel explores how agencies are responding to financial constraints by investing in smarter systems, refining critical processes, and empowering people by leveraging AI and automation. Panelists will share real-world strategies for building strong business cases, partnering with vendors, and modernizing workflows that support their workforce. This session offers a clear-eyed look at how to position IT as a value driver in today’s resource-challenged environment.

Delivering Large-Scale IT Projects: L.A.’s Playbook

IT leaders share lessons from recent large-scale digital initiatives; from modernizing 311 systems and launching citizen service apps to overhauling legacy platforms. The discussion explores how shifts in public expectations shape project scope and execution. The discussion will cover project management, setting realistic timelines, coordinating across departments, engaging stakeholders, and managing change. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and insights to inform future IT efforts along with a candid look at what it takes to deliver major tech projects.

Accessible by Design: Getting Digital Services Ready for Everyone

With WCAG 2.1 deadlines approaching, public sector agencies are working quickly to ensure digital services are accessible to all users. In this panel, IT leaders share how they’re tackling audits, prioritizing fixes, adapting legacy systems, and embedding accessibility into workflows. Learn how teams are overcoming resource constraints, aligning with policy, and building more inclusive services on time and at scale. Whether you're early in the process or refining your strategy, this session offers practical, tested approaches from peers in the field.

Mirian Avalos, General Manager, Department of Internal Services, County of Los Angeles

Leah Oliver, Chief Technology Officer, Ventura County Employees' Retirement

Lunch

Bits and Bytes

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

The Trust Crisis: Cybersecurity in the Age of AI

How do you defend public trust when threat actors are faking your voice, your image, and your authority? As generative tools become more accessible, agencies face a new wave of threats: deepfakes, synthetic media, and AI-powered misinformation campaigns designed to sow chaos and erode public trust. This session explores the growing intersection between AI and cybersecurity, examining how bad actors exploit new technologies and target vulnerable populations.

Getting Ready for AI: The Data Challenge in Government

Is your agency’s data ready for AI? As departments race to adopt AI tools, many are realizing that the real challenge isn’t technology, it’s the data behind it. Poor data quality, fragmented systems, and unclear guidelines can stall even the most promising AI initiatives. In this panel, IT leaders will discuss how they’re tackling these foundational issues to ensure their data is accurate and AI-ready. From modernizing governance to breaking down silos and aligning data strategy with mission outcomes, this session offers practical guidance for turning today’s data problems into tomorrow’s AI potential.

Moderator: Chris Pailma, Chief Data Officer, County of Los Angeles

Ideas to Impact: Building an Innovation Mindset

Innovation in government starts with mindset, not just technology. This panel features public sector IT leaders sharing how they encourage staff to identify problems to solve, test solutions, and bring new ideas to life. Learn how agencies create space for experimentation, decide when to build or buy, and turn promising ideas into lasting improvements. Whether you're starting an innovation initiative or looking to spark creativity in your team, this discussion offers practical ways to make innovation part of everyday work.

Danny Inukai, Chief Information Officer, Natural History Museum

Deepak Budwani, Assistant Department Leader/Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Public Defender, County of Santa Barbara

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session – GovTech Radar for 2025 - A Look at the Future of GovTech

As technology reshapes the public sector, staying ahead of the curve is more critical than ever. The CDG GovTech Radar for 2025 provides a forward-looking analysis of the key trends, innovations, and disruptors set to define the next wave of government technology. From AI-driven automation and digital identity to next-gen cybersecurity and the rise of composable government services, this session will unpack what’s on the horizon. Join us for an exclusive look at the technologies that will drive efficiency, security, and citizen engagement in the year ahead—and how agencies can prepare to lead the future of GovTech.

John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

End of Conference

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