Sunil Asija is an accomplished leader in the realm of human resources, renowned for his strategic vision and dedication to fostering a thriving workplace culture. Serving as the Director of Human Resources for Oakland County, he spearheads initiatives that empower employees and drive organizational success. With a career spanning over two decades, Sunil has honed his expertise in various facets of sales, human resource management, change management, and higher education. His dynamic leadership style emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
Asija has more than 15 years of experience in creating and implementing traditional and e-learning methods, which includes fifteen years as an adjunct professor and. also certified through Prosci's Change Management Program – a global, research-based change management certification.

Craig Brown is the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Westland. As head of the City’s Department of Innovation and Technology, he is responsible for all aspects of Information Technology services for the City of Westland. As he would say, “If it touches electricity, then we are responsible for it.” During the past 9+ years with the City of Westland, Craig has capitalized on over 25 years in various customer service driven industries to help facilitate and grow all aspects of technology service to the City’s 85,000 residents and staff from a service-oriented point of view and delivery. Every decision made by his department is geared to maximizing the ability of City staff to work efficiently in delivery of their products to the residents and to provide the forward thinking, sustainable solutions residents need now and in the future. He is always looking for new opportunities in technology to provide better, smarter, more cost effective ways to serve the City.
Currently, Craig holds multiple degrees and industry certifications, including a Bachelor’s in Technology Management. He is the chairperson for the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center cybersecurity program advisory panel and a member of the Center’s advisory panel for the game design and programming program. He facilitated the City of Westland’s win of the Citywork’s Exemplary User Award for Excellence in Online Practice in 2018, Mi-GMIS 2023 Organizational Project of the Year award, and the 2023 Mi-GMIS Citizen Impact Project of the Year award. He has presented or moderated at various events including the Cityworks National Conference, Cityworks Michigan Chapter Roundtables, Michigan Digital Government Summit, and Michigan IT Leadership Forum. Craig believes that connecting people within the IT space is vital for everyone's continued success within this career path and strives to help promote that philosophy whenever possible.9

Tom Cantrell is the Business Relationship Manager for the Michigan Department of Management and Budget (DTMB) managing the IT support for the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. He has worked for the State of Michigan for more than 25 years including stints with MDOT, the Client Service Center, the Michigan Business One Stop, Agency Services for Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and the Secretary of State (MDOS). Tom has worn a variety of different hats for DTMB including help desk manager, quality assurance manager, business analyst and testing manager, development manager, and manager of IT support services. Prior to working at DTMB, Tom aspired to be a journalist and sometimes finds himself wondering how he went from dreams of covering the Detroit Lions or Michigan State Spartans, to managing technology resources and projects for the State of Michigan. He spends much of his free time writing or learning about Presidential history. Do not get him started talking about Chester Arthur.

Jonathan Carroll is the Midwest Regional Executive for State Government Strategy at T-Mobile. Before taking on this role, he served as a four-term State Representative in the Illinois General Assembly from 2017-2024. While in the General Assembly, Jonathan secured approximately $10M in capital funding for community infrastructure, catalyzing substantial progress and elevating the district's infrastructure. His legislative record includes making Illinois a leader in food allergy safety & training, improving education, humanely treating animals and a bipartisan universal 72-hour waiting period for all gun purchases. During his time in the legislature, he would regularly work with both sides of the aisle for the betterment of the state.
Jonathan was involved on several key committees including Executive, General Appropriations, Cybersecurity, Consumer Protection, Police and Fire, Townships & Counties, Cities & Villages, Insurance, Public Utilities and Gaming.
Before entering politics, Jonathan was a Special Education teacher serving children with learning and social/emotional disorders. After leaving the classroom, Jonathan founded Carroll Educational Group and IEP Experts supporting young learners driven by innovative strategies and a proactive approach to addressing challenges. Jonathan's commitment to educational support services, including specialized offerings in Special Education advocacy and consulting, showcases his deep sense of responsibility to the community.
Jonathan attended DePaul University earning an undergraduate degree in Communication and a Master of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University in Education. Away from work, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his two children and Cavapoo Theo, watching sports (especially the Cubs and Bears), cooking and fishing.

Laura Clark serves as the chief information officer (CIO) for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB), directing the state's technology and digital security efforts, as well as continuing a DTMB's the chief security officer, overseeing operations for the state agency that provides information technology, business and administrative services to Michigan's residents, businesses, state agencies, state employees, and retirees.
As chief security officer for the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Laura Clark brings a unique blend of strengths that include leadership, vision, and strategic and tactical planning, along with the ability to promote collaboration at all levels to support high-level, critical statewide projects to successful completion.
As chief security officer, Clark is responsible for Michigan Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Services and the deployment of their resources. Through her effective leadership, her team can ensure that critical processes are audited, reviewed, and designed for maximum effectiveness, and that structures for all cybersecurity and infrastructure protection are effectively delivered and operationalized throughout the enterprise.

Kim Crawford works for the State of Michigan, Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, Agency Services as an Acting General Manager.  Kim has three decades of Information Technology experience in the public and private sector with a solid track record of successfully managing large-scale multiyear technology projects along with strategic leadership and delivery of day-to-day operations to ensure business information technology requirements are met.  Kim and her team currently support the Mi. Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, Mi. Dept. of Education, Center for Educational Performance and Information, Mi. Dept. of Civil Rights, and Mi. Civil Service Commission.  Kim has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems from Walsh College. In 2018, Kim achieved Business Relationship Management Professional certification. 

Heather Frick is the Agency Services Director at the Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Heather leads the Agency Services Division, which delivers enterprise-wide technology supporting the 20 State of Michigan Departments, state employees and digital services to Michigan residents driving digital transformation and innovation.
With a proven track record of leadership supporting critical, high-level statewide projects to successful completion, Heather brings a unique background spanning the legal, finance and IT fields to her role along with critical experience in strategic planning, organizational change management and executive leadership. Prior to joining DTMB, Heather worked for 13 years serving in a variety of senior executive positions including Deputy Treasurer, Executive Director of the State Tax Commission and Chief Operations Officer for the Michigan Department of Treasury. Heather spent the first half of her career in private practice as an attorney, representing a broad range of clients in complex contract, tax, and corporate matters. Heather leverages her legal and finance expertise to navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape governing technology implementations.
Heather is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Denison University and holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) from The Ohio State University. Heather believes in the power of collaboration and innovation to drive positive change both within government and our communities.

As General Manager in the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB), Ms. Galeazzi is accountable for all Information Technology services provided to the Department of Attorney General, the Executive Office of the Governor, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Transportation. She oversees IT strategic planning and governance of IT investments, with a keen focus on fostering innovation and harnessing new technologies to achieve strategic business objectives. With more than 25 years’ experience in driving digital transformation, Ms. Galeazzi has held senior executive, and IT program management positions. Ms. Galeazzi serves as a mentor with the Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT) Foundation, and she volunteers as a mentor in DTMB. She is the recipient of the Governor’s Coins for Leadership, Excellence and was also recognized with a State Leadership of the Year award. Under her leadership, Michigan received two national IT Recognition Awards by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). Ms. Galeazzi holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management of Information Systems (MIS).

Elizabeth Klobucher is a leader in Accenture’s Midwest Talent and Organization practice with cross-industries expertise, including the public sector. Elizabeth has honed her talent expertise in areas of organizational transformation, change management, and employee development. She is passionate about the intersection of humans and technology, with a deep understanding of the power of individuals to drive innovation and optimize skills to create sustainable transformation.
Elizabeth holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Industrial / Organization Psychology. Additionally, she is an active member of the Alzheimer’s Association, IL Chapter, Illinois Women Conquer ALZ, and a visiting member of the People, Process, Culture Advisory Board for the University of Wisconsin – Stout.

Brian Pillar is a General Manager for the State of Michigan, Department of Technology, Management and Budget with his teams providing support to the Michigan Department of Corrections, the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Brian’s core values are: the strength of the teams; customer service; Innovation; Security; and Business Value.
Brian is an alumnus of Michigan State University and began his professional career working for one of the university’s IT departments where he drove a major network operating system modernization project. He then pursued opportunities at a small, but global, software development company where he led the IT Operations teams in their journey to the public cloud. In 2018, Brian joined the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, accepting his present role in 2021. Since joining the State of Michigan, Brian has been passionate about driving modernization towards cloud friendly platforms and services.

Art Thompson is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Detroit, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT). Prior to this appointment, Art served as the Director of Public Safety and Cyber Security for DoIT. Art is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Supply Chain Management. He has over fifteen (15) years of technical experience with the public safety environment and managing both union and non-union employees across multiple areas.

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.