Ohio IT Leadership Forum 2025
Overview
The IT Leadership Forum is a premier event designed for current and emerging public sector IT leaders to explore technological advancements that drive government innovation. The forum emphasizes leadership development, offering participants valuable opportunities to enhance their professional skills, engage in peer networking, and collaborate on strategies to improve public services through technology. 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!
Ohio is a leader in embracing technological advances to drive innovation in government. Our partnerships across state and local government are key to our success in capitalizing on technology to enhance systems that serve as critical links for Ohioans seeking to start or grow businesses, obtain services, and thrive in our state. Just as technology evolves, so must leadership. Join us again this year at the IT Leadership Forum to take advantage of valuable networking, leadership skills development, and continued collaboration that will keep our momentum going well into the future.
- Katrina Flory, Chief Information Officer, State of Ohio
Speakers
Mary Kelly, PhD
Former Commander, US Navy
Mary Kelly is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and spent over twenty years on active duty in intelligence and logistics. She retired from the Navy as a commander. She has master’s degrees in history and economics, and a PhD in economics. Mary has more than twenty years combined teaching experience at the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Hawaii Pacific University. She has extensive experience in business coaching, management, economics, government, organizational leadership, communication, organizational growth, teamwork, strategic planning, human resources, customer service, time management, and project development. Mary has written thirteen books on leadership, productivity, business planning, and personal finance to help people and organizations at all levels. Mary Kelly has published more than 500 articles and is a frequent guest on media programs. She was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame in 2020.
Holly Drake
State of Ohio Chief Information and Security Officer, Office of Information Security and Privacy, Ohio Department of Administrative Services
Holly Drake is the Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Ohio and leads the Office of Information Security and Privacy which supports the state’s productivity, innovation, and organizational mission to provide secure services to all Ohio citizens. Ms. Drake brings extensive experience managing cybersecurity and privacy solutions in complex public and private sector organizations. She previously served as the Deputy Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor for CyberOhio within the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. As a member of the CyberOhio team, she drove cybersecurity governance and technical maturity to protect Ohioans and their state government from today's complex information security and data use challenges. Before coming to state government, Ms. Drake served as Chief Privacy Officer at The Ohio State University where she built a bespoke privacy program from scratch and led the cybersecurity governance teams responsible for policy, training, vendor risk, disaster recovery, and data governance. In the private sector, she worked in the insurance and financial services industry where Ms. Drake developed and ran cyber and privacy compliance programs.
Kirk Herath
Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor and Chair, CyberOhio, Governor’s Office, State of Ohio
Kirk Herath is currently Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted’s Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor and Chairman of CyberOhio, the State of Ohio’s Cybersecurity Advisory Board. His role spans coordinating and enhancing the State of Ohio’s cybersecurity capabilities, working with local governments to prepare and remediate cyber-attacks, and helping to build a modern cyber workforce.
Kirk is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at both Ohio State’s Moritz School of law and Cleveland State’s Cleveland-Marshall Law School. He retired as VP, Associate General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer for Nationwide after 32 years.
Kirk is Past President and past board member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, and he served on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee from 2005 to 2011.
Kirk is admitted to the Ohio Bar.
Jasmine Ramaradjou
Chief Information Officer, Department of Public Safety, State of Ohio
Jasmine Ramaradjou is the Chief Information Officer at the Department of Public Safety, State of Ohio. Department of Public Safety includes Ohio State Highway Patrol, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Emergency Management, Ohio Homeland Security, Emergency Medical Services, Office of Criminal Justice Services, Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Ohio School Safety Center and Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
Jasmine is a thought leader and has extensive experience gained through her careers in Academics, Healthcare and Government. She has a broad educational background with degrees in Computer Science and Life Sciences. She has served on several national/federal IT committees and now serves in the Technology Advisory Council for the State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, two children and a dog.
Kimberly Roy Wilson
Director, Information Technology & Services, City of Cleveland
Kim Roy Wilson has spent her career of 28 years focusing on technology in the public sector. She has hands-on as well as management experience in every aspect of technology. Kim has developed the political acumen to interact with a range of constituents – from executives, technical professionals, and legislators to administrative and support staff, and vendors.
In her current role as Director of Information Technology & Services, Kim oversees several high impact strategic initiatives(Citywide- Human Resource Information System, Licensing $Permitting System, CyberSecurity Program, Cloud Migrations, SmartCity Technology Implementations), and day to day operations. Before this role, Kim held the previous roles of Deputy Commissioner, Project Manager and Network & Telecom Engineer.
Kim is a proud graduate of John Carroll University as well as Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban affairs, Leadership Academy, XXII and the Cleveland Management Academy, Cohort #1. In her free time, she enjoys, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Mark J. Smith
Chief Information Officer, Department of Job and Family Services, State of Ohio
Mark began service as Chief Information Officer at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in July of 2021. The department is responsible for supporting Ohio’s workforce and unemployment programs, along with the programs for cash assistance, food assistance, and child support. The agency is also responsible for the end-point support of 17,000 users in 180 county departments, administering the above statewide programs. Prior to joining JFS, Mark served as the Chief Operating Officer at OIT in the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. Over the course of a 30+ year career in state service, he has also held leadership positions at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Ohio Office of Budget and Management. Mark lives in central Ohio and is a graduate of Franklin University.
Agenda
Thursday, May 29 |
|
8:00 am Eastern |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit AreaHayes Ballroom Foyer |
9:00 am Eastern |
Opening RemarksHayes Ballroom ABCKatrina Flory, State Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio |
9:15 am Eastern |
Keynote – Charting Your Course: A Global Perspective on Team Development and LeadershipHayes Ballroom ABCIn today’s dynamic landscape, leaders must remain attuned to emerging trends and stay ahead of new developments to effectively guide their teams through times of transformation. What valuable insights can we glean from how governments and organizations worldwide approach challenges? And how does this impact our work in the public sector? This session explores pressing topics such as change management, the role of Artificial Intelligence in our daily lives, and strategies for upskilling your teams. In her timely keynote address, Dr. Mary Kelly offers actionable takeaways, helping you assess your current position on the ever-evolving tech roadmap and how to empower your team with necessary tools for progress. Mary Kelly, PhD, Former Commander, US Navy |
10:15 am Eastern |
General SessionHayes Ballroom ABC |
10:45 am Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaHayes Ballroom Foyer |
11:15 am Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsEvolving as a Leader: Develop, Elevate, SustainHayes Ballroom DStrong IT leadership isn’t just about today’s work - it’s about building a lasting foundation for the future. How can you evolve as a leader? In this session we will learn strategies for visionary goal setting, succession planning, and coaching programs. Join us to discover how you can foster innovation and position your organization for long-term success. Moderator: Anupam Srivastava, Chief Information Officer, Department of Administrative Services, Office of Information Technology, State of Ohio Brian Hernandez, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information Technology Services, Department of Youth Services, State of Ohio Kimberly Roy Wilson, Director, Information Technology & Services, City of Cleveland Storytelling: Communication with ImpactHayes Ballroom EStrong communication is a cornerstone of effective IT leadership - whether articulating a vision, securing buy-in from executives, or guiding teams through change. This session will explore how to sharpen your storytelling skills to convey complex technical concepts, build trust, and drive action. Join us to learn strategies for effective communication in both times of stability and crisis, and how to imbue the next generation of tech leaders with strong storytelling skills. Brittaney Carter, Chief Information Officer, Department of Children and Youth, State of Ohio Holly Drake, State of Ohio Chief Information and Security Officer, Office of Information Security and Privacy, Ohio Department of Administrative Services Jeff Swan, Chief Infrastructure Services, Department of Administrative Services, Office of Information Technology, State of Ohio Next in Line: Cultivating Emerging LeadersMeeting Room 20Great IT leadership doesn’t happen by chance, it is intentionally cultivated. This session explores how to identify emerging leaders and create opportunities for their growth through career development, strategic team dynamics and mentorship. Learn how to build confidence in future leaders, leverage their strengths, and create a culture that fosters leadership at all levels. Moderator: Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology Trevor Cansler, Chief Technology Officer, Franklin County Data Center Tina Chubb, Chief Information Officer, Department of Insurance, State of Ohio Kirk Herath, Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor and Chair, CyberOhio, Governor’s Office, State of Ohio Venu Pallerla, Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce, State of Ohio |
12:15 pm Eastern |
LunchHayes Ballroom ABC |
1:15 pm Eastern |
Short BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions. |
1:30 pm Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsThe Ohio Digital Academy Update: What We’ve Learned and Where We’re GoingHayes Ballroom DOne year later, how has the Ohio Digital Academy advanced its mission to build a strong IT workforce pipeline? This session provides updates on key successes, challenges overcome, and lessons learned in training and employing early-career IT professionals. Hear firsthand how the Academy is shaping Ohio’s future workforce, meeting the evolving demands of technology and cybersecurity, and driving innovation in both the public and private sectors. Expanding the Talent Pool: Recruiting Skilled IT ProfessionalsHayes Ballroom ETo reflect the needs of an evolving workforce and ensure innovative solutions, government must explore diverse talent pools to build strong teams. This session will cover strategies for attracting skilled professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Join us to learn how you can tap into a variety of talent sources and build an inclusive recruiting strategy that makes your organization a top choice for tech professionals seeking meaningful opportunities. Kaylee Beard, PHR, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Office of Talent Management, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio Kassy Franz, Chief People Officer, People / Partner Experience, Franklin County Data Center Sadie Sekerak, Talent Acquisition Manager, Office of Employee & Business Services, Department of Job and Family Services, State of Ohio Stepping Up: Turn Hesitation into LeadershipMeeting Room 20Fewer and fewer people are showing interest in stepping into leadership roles - how can we change that? Join us to explore strategies for making leadership more appealing by highlighting the intangible rewards, career growth, and long-term impact of frontline supervisory roles. In this session, you'll walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your leadership pipeline and learn practical approaches to inspire and develop the next generation of IT leaders. Moderator: Mark J. Smith, Chief Information Officer, Department of Job and Family Services, State of Ohio Sam Orth, Director of Technology, City of Columbus Jasmine Ramaradjou, Chief Information Officer, Department of Public Safety, State of Ohio Shawn Robinson, Chief Information Officer, Department of Development, State of Ohio |
2:30 pm Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaHayes Ballroom Foyer |
2:55 pm Eastern |
General Session – The Leadership Challenge: A Public Sector Trivia ShowdownHayes Ballroom ABCJoin us for a fun and engaging session where we’ll put your knowledge to the test with an interactive trivia game! Our panel of experts will be on stage, not just to weigh in on the answers, but to share their insights, experiences, and wisdom along the way. This session will be a perfect mix of learning and laughter - highlighting key themes from the event while keeping things lighthearted and engaging. Don’t miss this chance to reflect, gain new perspectives, and wrap up the day on a high note! Host: Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology |
3:45 pm Eastern |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaHayes Ballroom FoyerNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors. |
4:15 pm Eastern |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
Renaissance Columbus Downtown
50 North Third Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 228-5050
Renaissance Columbus Downtown
Advisory Board
Government Representatives
Eric Bess
Chief Information Officer
Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services
State of Ohio
Tina Chubb
Chief Information Officer
Department of Insurance
State of Ohio
Holly Drake
Chief Information Security Officer/Privacy Officer
Department of Administrative Services, Office of Information Technology
State of Ohio
Katrina Flory
State Chief Information Officer
Department of Administrative Services, Office of Information Technology
State of Ohio
Adam Frumkin
Chief Information Officer
Franklin County Data Center
Franklin County
Kirk Herath
Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor
Office of the Governor
State of Ohio
Brian Hernandez
Chief Information Officer
Department of Youth Services
State of Ohio
Nathan Huskey
Chief Information Officer
Department of Health
State of Ohio
Andy Johnson
Chief Information Officer
Cuyahoga County
Kurt McDowell
Chief Information Officer
Legislative Information Systems
State of Ohio
Raivo Murnieks
Chief Data Officer
Department of Administrative Services, Office of Data and Efficiency
State of Ohio
Sam Orth
Director of Technology
City of Columbus
Kannan Ramanujam
Chief Application Services
Department of Administrative Services, Office of Information Technology
State of Ohio
Jasmine Ramaradjou
Chief Information Officer
Department of Public Safety
State of Ohio
Shawn Robinson
Chief Information Officer
Department of Development
State of Ohio
Kimberly Roy-Wilson
Commissioner
Information Technology Services
City of Cleveland
Charles See
Deputy Chief of Staff, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Education Technology
Department of Higher Education
State of Ohio
Parvinder Singh
Chief Information Officer
Ohio Secretary of State
State of Ohio
Mark Smith
Chief Information Officer
Department of Job and Family Services
State of Ohio
Anupam Srivastava
Chief Information Officer
Department of Administrative Services, Office of Information Technology
State of Ohio
Jeff Swan
Chief Infrastructure Services
Department of Administrative Services, Office of Information Technology
State of Ohio
Sean Ware
Director
Enterprise Technology Solutions
City of Cincinnati
Industry Representatives
Vadivel Kumaran Pandian
Associate Director
Accenture
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: May 29, 2025
This is an invitation-only event, open to Public Sector only. For more information or to request an invitation, please contact Timiko Watkins.
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
Contact Information
To RSVP and for general assistance contact:
Timiko Watkins
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1314
E-mail: twatkins@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