Name: Ohio IT Leadership Forum 2026
Start: 2026-05-28T08:00
Location: Renaissance Columbus Downtown

Overview

The Ohio IT Leadership Forum is where tomorrow’s government leaders grow today.

This invitation-only gathering brings together state and local IT executives, emerging leaders, and visionary thinkers for candid conversations on the future of public-sector technology. Focused on leadership development, innovation, and strategy, the Forum goes beyond the tech to address the people, policies, and practices shaping digital government. Through peer exchange and practical sessions, participants gain the insights, relationships, and skills needed to lead their organizations and communities into the future.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Ohio is committed to using technology to strengthen how government works and serves our communities. Our progress comes from strong collaboration between state and local tech leaders who are modernizing the systems Ohioans rely on to start businesses, access services, and grow here at home. As technology continues to evolve, thoughtful leadership and strategy are key. The IT Leadership Forum is a great chance to connect with peers, share ideas, and build the partnerships that will shape the future of government technology in Ohio.

- Katrina Flory, Chief Information Officer, State of Ohio

Speakers

Robert “Cujo” Teschner

Founder & CEO, Vmax Group

After decades of leading high-performance F-15 and F-22 teams as a fighter pilot, Fighter Weapons School Instructor, and Squadron Commander, Cujo concluded that the principles that allow leaders to lead well are universally applicable. Cujo also determined that businesses need to improve their leadership development to thrive in a continuously disruptive environment. Furthermore, he firmly believes that American businesses are the backbone of an economy that helps keep America strong.
And so Cujo is now on a mission: he’s actively helping organizations build leaders who can win in disruption to help keep our economy strong. The most important part of his mission is helping leaders harness the upside of positive, forward-focused accountability to become the best they can be.
Cujo has authored or co-authored three #1 bestselling books to support his mission. He’s built an incredible team of former fighter pilots and US Navy SEALS who have together delivered hundreds of workshops, keynotes, and breakout sessions, helping businesses of all sizes embrace real teamwork by practicing meaningful, effective, forward-focused accountability.

Michael Carmack

Chief Information Officer, Department of Education and Workforce, State of Ohio

Michael Carmack is Chief Information Officer for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. His 30-year career in the government IT sector includes roles as a programmer, database administrator, business intelligence expert, and IT operations leader. As a CIO, Michael’s focus is on modernizing government technology and processes so that services are aligned with the expectations of Ohio’s citizens; and he believes the advent of generative AI creates exciting new pathways to achieve that goal.

Remard Colston

InnovateOhio Platform Administrator, DAS OIT, State of Ohio

Remard Colston is the InnovateOhio Platform Administrator and responsible for managing the State’s Customer Experience team. The Customer Experience (CX) team establishes the strategy and manages operation for the State’s User Experience and Digital Identity functions.
He previously served as the Service Owner and PMO lead for the Ohio Administrative Knowledge System (OAKS), the State’s ERP application, where he was responsible for driving the business strategy and providing oversight of all projects.
Prior to joining the State, he worked in IT consulting focusing on implementing technology solutions for public sector clients.
Remard earned a bachelor's degree in MIS from the University of Notre Dame. He is a certified Project Management Professional, Scrum Master and ITIL 4 Managing Professional.

Adam Frumkin

Chief Information Officer, Franklin County Data Center

Adam Frumkin is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in developing, directing, and executing business transformation and strategic initiatives. He has a proven track record of collaborating with executives to provide clarity in strategic decision-making while leveraging technology to drive business process improvements.
Adam’s expertise spans various critical areas, including strategic planning, cultural and organizational development, emotional intelligence, process reengineering, enterprise system implementations, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
Currently, Adam serves as the CIO for the Franklin County Data Center. In this role, he is a trusted advisor and leader who provides strategy and solutions to all County agencies, Boards, and Commissions representing the 1.4 million residents of Franklin County.
In addition, he currently serves as:
Vice Chair for the NACo County Technology Advisory Committee (C-TAC)
Subcommittee Vice Chair of the NACo Telecommunications and Technology Steering Committee (Infrastructure and Security)
Member of the NACo Information Technology Standing Committee
Member of the NACo Veterans and Military Services Advisory Council
Fusion Learning Partners Board of Directors
Leadership Council Chair to the Public Technology Institute (PTI) Executive Committee
Steering Committee Member – Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition
Steering Committee Member – Franklin County Community Information Exchange
Recognition:
2024 StateScoop – Local Smart County Executive of the Year
2023 Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers by Government Technology
2021 StateScoop – Local Smart County Executive of the Year
2021 Columbus Business First – BizTech Executive of the Year
In addition to his leadership roles, Adam is an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University and teaches the PTI Certified Government Chief Information Officer program through Rutgers University, where he shares his expertise with the next generation of IT leaders.

Kitty Hollingshead Mancil

Director, Office of Talent Management, DAS, State of Ohio

Kitty Hollingshead Mancil, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is Director of the Office of Talent Management for the State of Ohio. Kitty has a diverse and in-depth perspective into Statewide government operations through her experience at the Ohio Department of Taxation, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. In her current role, she leads the State’s Talent Management programs including Classification and Compensation, Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, and Learning and Talent Development. In this role, Kitty is energized by the opportunity to impact multi-faceted talent management at an enterprise scale. Kitty is also an MBA graduate of Franklin University and is a certified Senior Human Resources professional through HRCI and SHRM. She welcomes connections on LinkedIn

Asim Mansuri

Managing Director, Accenture
Asim Mansuri, Managing Director, Accenture 

Asim is a senior leader in Accenture’s Software &Platform Engineering practice. He is passionate about driving change and adoption of new technologies and transforming teams to deliver on the promise of technology. Passion that he applies every day to finding and applying solutions to the challenges our clients face.
Asim has more than 20 years of experience solving business challenges by applying the right technologies - leading projects from discovery and solution through delivery and support. He has worked in a variety of industries and domains - from a connected medical device platform to an oil futures trading platform. He enjoys leaning on these experiences to build strong teams that can take on the biggest challenges and deliver results.
As a trusted advisor, he helps clients mobilize teams to overcome the inertia of legacy systems and deliver new business value focused capabilities at an accelerated pace.

Susan Sinclair

Senior Manager, Human Services AI Solutions Lead

Susan Sinclair is a leader in AI solutions for Accenture’s Human Services practice, bringing nearly two decades of experience helping government agencies modernize and better serve their communities. Her work focuses on translating emerging capabilities like artificial intelligence (AI) into practical solutions that deliver real impact.  Susan is deeply passionate about the role technology can play in strengthening human services to improve outcomes, equipping employees with the tools they need to do their best work and support those in need.

Aman Singh

Managing Director, Public Sector Account Lead for the States of Ohio and Illinois

Aman Singh is Accenture's Client Account Lead for the States of Illinois and Ohio. In this role, he is passionate about serving his Public Sector clients – those who serve others by bringing the best of Accenture to the State, leveraging the Firm's broad and deep industry and technology capabilities, including implementation of large-scale modernization projects for public service programs, GenAI, robotic process automation, cloud migration, and other leading technologies that allow Accenture's clients to better serve their residents. Aman has led mission-critical programs that matter to Ohioans since 2013. Driven by a strong commitment to helping people across the state, he led the implementation of Ohio Benefits, the state’s integrated eligibility system that helps families access SNAP, cash assistance, Medicaid, and Child Care. Aman also helped launch Ohio's COVID-19 Vaccine Management Solution and is now leading Ohio’s cloud and Salesforce modernization efforts to better serve communities. He also leads Disease Surveillance work for the State of Illinois. Aman lives in the Columbus, Ohio area with his wife and three children, and loves biking, including Columbus' annual Pelotonia fundraiser, running, golf, horseback riding, and spending time with his family.

Jeff Swan

Chief, Infrastructure Services, Office of Information Technology, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio

As Chief of Infrastructure Services, Jeff Swan leads the Infrastructure Services Division of the DAS Office of Information Technology.
Jeff oversees data center operations, which includes the Network, Storage, Servers, Mainframe, Cloud Brokerage and Engagement, Office 365, Identity Management, Customer Service Center, Business Relationship Management, ServiceNow, and Desktop Services teams. Jeff’s focus is on customer engagement and delivering service, support, and solutions to state agencies. He provides leadership and guidance for critical operations and initiatives as well as strategies for rate optimization, disaster recovery, and the Cloud Smart platform.
Prior to being appointed Chief of Infrastructure Services in November 2023, Jeff served as the Chief Information Officer for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for nearly 4 years. Before working at DNR, he was at DAS, leading the Servers and Cloud teams for 6 years. Prior to that, he was the Network Services Supervisor at the Ohio Department of Health, where he began his state service in 1996 after a private-sector career.
Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Franklin University.

Vanitha Zacharias

Administrator, Investment and Governance, Office of Information Technology, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio

Vanitha Zacharias is an employee of Ohio Department of Administrative Services where she leads the agency’s IT Investment and Governance Division. As part of her public service, she has an extensive experience gained through her careers in software development, architecture, and strategy. As a member of the State of Ohio AI Council, she oversees several aspects of the AI Governance program. Vanitha believes in the transformative potential of AI and focuses her efforts on its ethical use to benefit the society.

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Agenda

Thursday, May 28
8:00 am Eastern	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Hayes Ballroom Foyer
9:00 am Eastern	Welcome and Opening Remarks Hayes Ballroom ABC Katrina Flory, State Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio
9:15 am Eastern	Keynote – Debrief to Win: Building Teams that Succeed in Disruption Hayes Ballroom ABC In times of turbulence and disruption, even the best teams can struggle to stay focused, aligned, and accountable. Overcoming these challenges requires a shift in mindset and the right leadership tools to create resilient, high-performing teams. Learn from a former U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School ("Top Gun") instructor how elite military teams succeed by centering on a shared mission, driving purpose, and embracing accountability as a path to growth, not blame. Walk away with actionable strategies and inspiring insights to help your teams thrive under pressure and achieve lasting success. Robert “Cujo” Teschner, Founder and CEO, Vmax Group
10:15 am Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Hayes Ballroom Foyer
10:45 am Eastern	Concurrent Sessions Executive Presence and Influence in an Era of Emerging Technology Hayes Ballroom D Government IT is evolving rapidly, and today’s leaders need more than technical expertise - they must lead teams, strategy, and culture while operating effectively at the executive level. Join us to explore critical skills for success, including building executive presence, communicating complex ideas with clarity, and navigating high-level conversations. Learn how to assess and communicate risk, evolve your leadership style, and foster an AI-literate, responsible workforce in a fast-changing environment. Adam Frumkin, Chief Information Officer, Franklin County Data Center, Franklin County Brian Hernandez, Chief Information Officer and Deputy Director, Bureau of IT Services, Dept of Youth Services, State of Ohio Jasmine Ramaradjou, Chief Information Officer, Department of Public Safety, State of Ohio Ready or Not: Lead Through Change, Plan for Succession Hayes Ballroom E Change is no longer occasional, it’s constant. Yet many organizations still treat succession planning as a reactive exercise. This session focuses on how leaders can better prepare their teams and culture for ongoing transition - from anticipated retirements to unexpected leadership shifts. Uncover how organizations are normalizing change, strengthening leadership pipelines, and creating environments where continuity and innovation can coexist. From Tech Debt to Strategic Opportunity Meeting Room 20 Technical debt is viewed as a burden, but forward-thinking leaders are reframing it as an opportunity to drive modernization and reduce risk. Can you identify, manage, and communicate technical debt in a way that resonates with business leaders and secures buy-in? In this session, learn how to build a compelling narrative using data, roadmaps, and risk insights, align stakeholders around priorities, and prepare your teams to address debt strategically. Join us for practical approaches to turn technical debt into a catalyst for progress. Jeff Swan, Chief Infrastructure Services, DAS Office of Information Technology, State of Ohio
11:45 am Eastern	Lunch Hayes Ballroom ABC
12:45 pm Eastern	General Session - From Hype to Impact: Leading AI in Government Hayes Ballroom ABC As artificial intelligence moves from buzzword to business imperative, government leaders face a critical question: how can AI deliver real value today? This session highlights how AI is already helping governments improve service delivery, enhance decision-making, and better support vulnerable populations. Through real-world examples from Ohio and beyond, attendees will gain insight into where AI is driving measurable impact today and what it takes to scale those successes responsibly. How can organizations shift from exploration to execution, moving beyond theory to practical, outcome-driven applications? Join us to explore the role of IT leadership in enabling this shift and leave with a clearer understanding of how you can align AI initiatives to mission outcomes - and why the time to act is now. Susan Sinclair, Senior Manager, Human Services AI Solutions Lead, Accenture Aman Singh, Managing Director, Public Sector Account Lead for the States of Ohio and Illinois, Accenture
1:15 pm Eastern	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:35 pm Eastern	Concurrent Sessions The Power of Proximity: Embedded Partnerships for Better Outcomes Hayes Ballroom D What changes when IT is fully embedded in the business? How does proximity to agency teams lead to stronger relationships, better insight into operational challenges, and faster, more effective solutions? From rotating leadership roles to dedicated relationship managers, join us to learn how organizations are using embedded models to generate ideas, reduce costs, and transform IT into a true strategic partner. Growing Tomorrow’s Talent in the Age of AI Hayes Ballroom E The next generation of the workforce is already here - but are leaders ready? In this discussion we examine how to lead, train, and grow talent in a world shaped by AI and rapid technological change. Join us and discover how to support skill development, empower employees to adapt, and build a workforce that is both technically capable and prepared for what’s next. Michael Carmack, Chief Information Officer, Department of Education and Workforce, State of Ohio Kitty Hollingshead Mancil, Director, Office of Talent Management, DAS, State of Ohio Asim Mansuri, Managing Director, Accenture Vanitha Zacharias, Administrator of Technology Governance and Chief AI Strategist, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio The New Economics of IT: Leading with Budget and Sustainability in Mind Meeting Room 20 As funding tightens and technology costs evolve, IT leaders must take on a more strategic financial role and make smarter decisions about where and how to invest. Join us and explore how to balance financial constraints with growing demands, from managing subscription-based services to understanding total cost of ownership and applying FinOps principles. This session will highlight how to evaluate investments, uncover hidden costs, and leverage portfolio management and data-driven insights to optimize spending and align technology decisions with long-term value and sustainability. Yash Acharya, Principal, State Government Advisory, KPMG LLP Remard Colston, InnovateOhio Platform Administrator, DAS OIT, State of Ohio
2:35 pm Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Hayes Ballroom Foyer
3:05 pm Eastern	General Session - What Matters Most: Turning Shared Priorities into Action Hayes Ballroom ABC What rose to the top throughout the day - and what comes next? In this interactive closing session, attendees will regroup around the key themes identified earlier and dive deeper into the topics that matter most to them. Through facilitated small-group discussions, participants will exchange ideas, explore solutions, and surface practical takeaways. Groups will report out key insights, helping to capture collective learning and momentum to carry forward beyond the event. Adam Frumkin, Chief Information Officer, Franklin County Data Center, Franklin County
4:05 pm Eastern	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Hayes Ballroom Foyer Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:35 pm Eastern	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Renaissance Columbus Downtown

50 North Third Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-228-5050

Get Directions To
Renaissance Columbus Downtown

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Michael Carmack
Chief Information Officer
Department of Education and Workforce
State of Ohio

Tina Chubb
Chief Information Officer
Department of Insurance
State of Ohio

Jeff Coffey
Chief Information Officer
Department of Developmental Disabilities, Information Technology Division
State of Ohio

Jordan Davis
Executive Director
Smart Columbus

Katrina Flory
State Chief Information Officer
DAS Office of Information Technology
State of Ohio

Adam Frumkin
Chief Information Officer
Franklin County Data Center
Franklin County

Brian Hernandez
Chief Information Officer
Department of Youth Services
State of Ohio

Kurt McDowell
Chief Information Officer
Legislative Information Systems
State of Ohio

Sam Orth
Director of Technology
City of Columbus

Kannan Ramanujam
Chief Application Services
DAS 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 (ITS)
City of Cleveland

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

Jeff Swan
Chief Infrastructure Services
DAS Office of Information Technology
State of Ohio

Sean Ware
Director
Enterprise Technology Solutions (ETS)
City of Cincinnati

Vanitha Zacharias
Administrator of Technology Governance & Chief AI Strategist
Department of Administrative Services
State of Ohio

Industry Representatives

Jennifer Demory
Director
KPMG

Aman Singh
Managing Director
Accenture

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: May 28, 2026

This is an invitation-only event, open to Public Sector only. For more information or to request an invitation, please contact Timiko Watkins.

Registration Fee per person: $50

Registration by credit card only; no billing.

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

Contact Information

Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:

Timiko Watkins
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1314
E-mail: twatkins@erepublic.com

Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone:(916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!

Heather Earney
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

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Ohio IT Leadership Forum 2026

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Robert “Cujo” Teschner

Founder & CEO, Vmax Group

Michael Carmack

Chief Information Officer, Department of Education and Workforce, State of Ohio

Remard Colston

InnovateOhio Platform Administrator, DAS OIT, State of Ohio

Adam Frumkin

Chief Information Officer, Franklin County Data Center

Kitty Hollingshead Mancil

Director, Office of Talent Management, DAS, State of Ohio

Asim Mansuri

Managing Director, AccentureAsim Mansuri, Managing Director, Accenture

Susan Sinclair

Senior Manager, Human Services AI Solutions Lead

Aman Singh

Managing Director, Public Sector Account Lead for the States of Ohio and Illinois

Jeff Swan

Chief, Infrastructure Services, Office of Information Technology, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio

Vanitha Zacharias

Administrator, Investment and Governance, Office of Information Technology, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio

Agenda

Thursday, May 28

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Hayes Ballroom Foyer

9:00 am Eastern

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Hayes Ballroom ABC

9:15 am Eastern

Keynote – Debrief to Win: Building Teams that Succeed in Disruption

Hayes Ballroom ABC

10:15 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Hayes Ballroom Foyer

10:45 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Executive Presence and Influence in an Era of Emerging Technology

Hayes Ballroom D

Ready or Not: Lead Through Change, Plan for Succession

Hayes Ballroom E

From Tech Debt to Strategic Opportunity

Meeting Room 20

11:45 am Eastern

Lunch

Hayes Ballroom ABC

12:45 pm Eastern

General Session - From Hype to Impact: Leading AI in Government

Hayes Ballroom ABC

1:15 pm Eastern

Short Break

1:35 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

The Power of Proximity: Embedded Partnerships for Better Outcomes

Hayes Ballroom D

Growing Tomorrow’s Talent in the Age of AI

Hayes Ballroom E

The New Economics of IT: Leading with Budget and Sustainability in Mind

Meeting Room 20

2:35 pm Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Hayes Ballroom Foyer

3:05 pm Eastern

General Session - What Matters Most: Turning Shared Priorities into Action

Hayes Ballroom ABC

4:05 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Hayes Ballroom Foyer

4:35 pm Eastern

End of Conference

Renaissance Columbus Downtown

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Industry Representatives

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: May 28, 2026

Managing Director, Accenture
Asim Mansuri, Managing Director, Accenture 