Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Platinum Ballroom Lobby and Platinum Ballroom E

Opening Remarks

Platinum Ballroom D

Peter Loo, Chief Information Officer, Los Angeles County

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer and General Manager, City of Los Angeles

Keynote – Decoding the Brain: The Science Behind Decision-Making

Platinum Ballroom D

In the high-stakes arena of leadership, every decision you make matters. Good decision-making hygiene helps you make smarter, faster, and more impactful decisions that lead to better outcomes for everyone. But how do you harness this necessary skill? This keynote explores the interplay between behavior, organizational culture, and decision-making strategies, unveiling how your mindset and actions shape outcomes at every level. Discover the six pillars that form a robust framework for effective decision-making: self-awareness, self-regulation, self-care, self-motivation, ownership, and stress control. Through insights from cutting-edge research, you’ll gain practical tools to navigate complex situations, make sound decisions under pressure, and foster a culture of thoughtful and strategic leadership. What will you decide?

Dean Gialamas, Chief Leadership Officer and Keynote Speaker

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Platinum Ballroom Lobby and Platinum Ballroom E

Concurrent Sessions

The IT Leadership Playbook: Inspire, Motivate, Empower

Platinum Ballroom FG

Effective leadership hinges on the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower teams to excel. Creating a culture where teams feel confident to solve problems, make decisions, and thrive, ensures long-term success for individuals and the organization. How do you build self-reliant and high-performing teams? Let’s find out! This session equips you with actionable strategies to foster trust, promote autonomy, and empower teams to take ownership of their work while clarifying the distinctions between inspiration, motivation, and empowerment.

Moderator: Leah Oliver, Chief Technology Officer, Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association

Jessica Freeman-Wong, Assistant Chief Information Officer | Applications Division, Information Technology, City of Pasadena

Change? Bring It On! Building Unstoppable Teams

Platinum Ballroom H

Change is inevitable, but navigating it successfully requires strategy, empathy, and preparation. How do you empower teams to thrive during ever-evolving circumstances? This session explores how government leaders can manage resistance, foster adaptability, and prepare both internal teams and external partners for transformation. Discover practical frameworks and lessons learned to create a culture of change, leveraging tools like AI and targeted training to ease transitions.

Majida Adnan, Assistant Auditor Controller, Chief Information Officer, Department of Auditor Controller, Los Angeles County

Eduardo Magos, Assistant General Manager of the Applications Bureau, Information Technology Agency, City of Los Angeles

Bridging Generations: Building Trust, Innovation, and Success in a Hybrid Workforce

Platinum Ballroom I

The government workforce presents unique challenges and opportunities, with institutional knowledge retiring and new generations stepping in. This session explores how IT leaders can navigate these shifts by fostering a culture of trust, innovation, and adaptability. Learn strategies for effective succession planning, creating opportunities that attract and retain younger talent, and establishing clear expectations in hybrid work environments. Discover how to build psychological safety, incentivize innovation, and successfully manage a diverse, multi-generational team in today’s dynamic workplace.

Lunch

Platinum Ballroom D

Leadership Highlights: AI Reality Check - Leading Through the Hype

Platinum Ballroom D

Artificial intelligence offers transformative opportunities—but leadership is key to unlocking its full potential. How do you strategically prepare, govern, and implement AI initiatives? This panel of leaders will offer candid stories of successes and lessons learned while providing valuable advice to help you understand what it takes to lead successful AI projects.

Moderator: Roozan Zarifian, Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Resources, Los Angeles County

Peter Loo, Chief Information Officer, Los Angeles County

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer and General Manager, City of Los Angeles

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

AI Like You Mean It: Leading Tech Transformations

Platinum Ballroom FG

Building on earlier discussions of regional AI successes, this session dives into the "how" of AI adoption in government. Where do you begin? How do you engage the right teams and stakeholders? You’ll leave with practical guidance on enabling AI responsibly, engaging stakeholders effectively, and demonstrating the value of AI solutions in the unique context of government.

Jonathan Behnke, Chief Information Officer, City of San Diego

The Growth Blueprint: Professional Development That Delivers

Platinum Ballroom H

Professional development is more than a checkbox—it’s a cornerstone of a thriving and engaged workforce, and it must be done strategically to be impactful! What are the best ways to incorporate professional development conversations based on the diverse needs of your people? When should you offer cross-training opportunities? How do you encourage a learning culture? How do you measure success? This session discusses actionable insights to intentionally foster professional growth, develop future leaders, and create an environment where every team member has the tools to succeed.

Moderator: Gary Carter, Director of Information Technology, City of Carson

Phillip Leclair, Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology, City of Pasadena

From Oh No to On Point: Crisis Messaging Secrets

Platinum Ballroom I

Effective communication during challenging times is essential for maintaining trust, ensuring clarity, and driving swift action. This session examines strategies for navigating crises, from cyber incidents to broader emergencies, through effective communication. Learn how to leverage playbooks and runbooks to guide your response, implement procedural excellence for consistent messaging, and adapt communication methods across tools and multimedia platforms.

Timothy Lee, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Los Angeles

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Platinum Ballroom Lobby and Platinum Ballroom E

Team Building – The Leadership Challenge: A Public Sector Trivia Showdown

Platinum Ballroom D

Curious to see how your knowledge stacks up? Can you effectively collaborate under pressure? Dive into this lively, team-based trivia game where leaders join forces to answer questions on governance, policy, emerging tech, and the pressing issues shaping government today. This isn’t just about winning - it’s about networking, sharing expertise and maybe…just maybe - you might learn something new. Whether you’re looking to meet new people or strengthen existing partnerships, this session offers a unique chance to learn and engage with peers from across the public sector. Are you ready to challenge yourself and lead your team to victory?

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Platinum Ballroom Lobby and Platinum Ballroom E

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

End of Conference

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