Oklahoma Digital Government Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

The Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Join us at the Oklahoma Digital Government Summit for a day of innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions. This event will highlight the latest advancements, proven strategies, and creative approaches to improving services for all Oklahomans. At the state level, we recognize that meaningful progress comes through collaboration—and we’re committed to sharing insights and learning alongside our partners in non-state agencies. If you’re an IT leader in City, County, Education, or Tribal organizations, mark your calendar for December 3rd and join us in downtown Oklahoma City!

– Dan Cronin, Chief Information Officer, State of Oklahoma

Speakers

Jessica O. Matthews

Jessica O. Matthews

CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

Founded award-winning power and data infrastructure tech company credited with inventing an energy generating soccer ball and revolutionizing vision AI in energy efficiency
Mission-driven leader who values positive social impact and inspires audience to use innovation and technology to meet everyday needs
Recognized as Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, 30 Under 30 list for Forbes and Inc., and Scientist of the Year by Harvard University
Powerhouse speaker dedicated to using technology to change the world
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility have always been intrinsic to Jessica O. Matthews, even from a young age. At just 19, she invented SOCCKET, an energy-generating soccer ball that reflects her vision for a better world. Matthews was inspired by her experiences in Nigeria, when she noticed the reliance on dangerous diesel generators during power outages. She addressed a community need and created a safer alternative that harnesses power from an everyday activity to provide a source of light.
Her invention of SOCCKET exemplifies Matthews’ unique blend of altruism and a disruptive technological mindset that encourages her audience to embrace innovation and actively contribute to positive change. She channeled these qualities into founding Uncharted, an award-winning sustainable-infrastructure company that empowers small and under-resourced cities. As CEO, she takes her social responsibility seriously, creating solutions that enhance access to energy, water, air, and transit. Notably, Matthews has revolutionized vision AI in energy efficiency, developing technology that employs “smart photos” to visually assess homes. These photos then determine potential savings on energy bills and qualifying rebates. Matthews is committed to preserving the unique identities of the cities she serves, asserting that citizens shouldn’t have to "leave where they are from to get where they are goingExclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Jessica O. Matthews captivates audiences with her engaging presentation style. A relatable, down-to-earth speaker, she refers to herself as a “blend of Beyoncé and Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Her enthusiasm engages audiences, and she often jumps rope on stage to demonstrate her innovations in an interactive way. This personable approach allows her to connect deeply with her audience, fostering an honest dialogue about the challenges and opportunities in innovation. Matthews leaves audiences feeling inspired and motivated to create solutions that disrupt the status quo and encourages them to meet the needs of real people and communities. Her ability to tailor her message to resonate with the unique interests and experiences of each audience ensures that her insights are both relevant and impactful.
Jessica’s success in entrepreneurship led to a White House invitation from President Barack Obama to represent small companies for the signing of the America Invents Act in 2012. In 2016, she raised what was at the time the largest Series A round ever raised by a black female founder in history and was selected to ring the NASDAQ opening ceremony bell, representing all Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni. In 2021, Jessica was officially appointed by Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to the Electricity Advisory Committee. As a member of the Smart Grid subcommittee, she plays a key role in advising the Department of Energy on the ways we can modernize our nation’s electric delivery system, specifically focusing on accelerating the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the U.S.
A dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, Jessica has a degree in psychology and economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 12 patents and patents pending. Her list of accolades includes Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 and Female Founders 100, Harvard University Scientist of the Year, One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year, the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, and Black Women Tech Talk’s Tech Trailblazer Award. She has appeared on the cover of Forbes and Forbes Africa, as well as featured in Marie Claire, Wired, Inc., TechCrunch, The New York Times, and Fast Company, among others.

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Agenda

Wednesday, December 3

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Central

Opening Remarks

Dan Cronin, Chief Information Officer, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, State of Oklahoma

9:15 am Central

IT State of the State

Oklahoma is advancing digital transformation by aligning technology, data, and citizen priorities to shape a forward-looking strategy. This session highlights how the state is reimagining process improvement, streamlining systems, and modernizing digital government services to maximize impact. Learn how Oklahoma is driving data-informed decision-making to shape policy and service delivery, optimizing resources through strategic rationalization, and evolving change management into “change fitness” to build a more resilient government.

Dan Cronin, Chief Information Officer, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, State of Oklahoma

9:45 am Central

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 O. Matthews, CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

10:45 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

11:15 am Central

Concurrent Sessions

Hype vs. Value: Understanding AI Usefulness and Managing Risks

AI and emerging technologies are often framed as silver bullets, but the real challenge lies in demonstrating their true value. This session explores how governments can move beyond hype cycles to show ROI, align with modernization priorities, and balance adoption with ethics, resilience, and service delivery impact. Attendees will also gain insights into AI literacy – the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to understand, evaluate, and apply AI responsibly – along with strategies for effective governance and preparing for the operational demands of emerging technologies.

Citizen-Centered Modernization: Reimagining Services, Overcoming Barriers

Modernization in government is no longer just about upgrading infrastructure – it’s about delivering personalized, connected, and accessible services while maximizing limited resources. This session explores how organizations can assess readiness, overcome technical debt, and align systems and data by doing more with less and collaborating across jurisdictions to create truly citizen-centered experiences.

Jon Galchik, Director, IT Operations & Support, City of Tulsa

Future-Ready Workforce

As AI becomes an everyday tool, today’s government leaders must prepare a workforce spanning four generations – from seasoned employees to digital natives who expect to use these tools on the job. This session explores how to equip a multigenerational workforce with the technical and critical-thinking skills to thrive in an era of rapid digital change. Hear practical approaches for leveraging emerging tools, upskilling teams, and building leadership pipelines to prepare the next generation of IT professionals.

Moderator: Dan Cronin, Chief Information Officer, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, State of Oklahoma

12:15 pm Central

Lunch

1:10 pm Central

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:15 pm Central

Concurrent Sessions

Data Enablement in Action

Public-sector organizations increasingly recognize the power of data to improve decision-making and service delivery, yet many still struggle to unlock its full potential. How can fragmented government data be transformed into connected intelligence that drives smarter decisions, improves citizen services, and creates transparent, accountable governance? Attendees will gain insights into data readiness for AI and emerging technologies, strengthening protection and quality, and enabling data across the lifecycle. Learn best practices for making data more accessible, discoverable, and actionable to drive meaningful impact.

Moderator: Nishanth Rodrigues, Chief Information Officer, University of Oklahoma

Organizational Adaptability: Balancing Innovation and Change

True transformation goes beyond adopting new technologies – it requires a culture that embraces adaptability, innovation, and growth. This session explores strategies for steering organizational change, overcoming resistance, and communicating effectively across all levels to build resilient, accountable teams. Attendees will gain practical tactics for leveraging people, processes, and technology to drive adoption, strengthen change management, and prepare government organizations to remain agile in the face of continuous innovation.

Alan Vanderburg, IT Consulting Manager, Tulsa County

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Hosted by: State of Oklahoma

Dan Cronin, Chief Information Officer, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, State of Oklahoma

2:15 pm Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:45 pm Central

Cyber Resources Unlocked: Tools, Funding, and Strategies for Success

Fortify your organization’s cybersecurity posture in this dynamic, information-packed session! Whether you’re a municipality or state agency, discover how to access and leverage available resources and grant funding for programs, training, and risk assessments. Gain practical strategies to strengthen cyber maturity, foster collaboration, and stay ahead of evolving threats with actionable insights your team can implement right away.

Moderator: Amber Mangham, Strategic Cybersecurity Advisor, Cyber Command, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, State of Oklahoma

3:15 pm Central

Coexisting with AI: Optimizing the Workforce for a New Era

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the public sector workforce by streamlining operations, enhancing decision-making, and redefining job roles. As government agencies adopt AI-driven tools and automation, the challenge lies in balancing technological innovation with workforce optimization. How can IT leaders ensure a smooth transition, empower employees with new skills, and foster effective human-AI collaboration? This session will delve into strategies for seamlessly integrating AI into government operations while cultivating a resilient, adaptable workforce ready to thrive in an evolving digital landscape.

3:45 pm Central

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

4:15 pm Central

End of Conference

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

Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center

741 North Phillips Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
(405) 772-1170

Get Directions To
Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Paul Caesar
Chief Information Security Officer
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

Destiny Camper
Digital Content Coordinator and Outreach
Office of Management & Enterprise Services
State of Oklahoma

Dan Cronin
Chief Information Officer
Office of Management & Enterprise Services
State of Oklahoma

Chris Cummings
IT Director
Information Technology
City of Muskogee

Mark Davis
Chief Innovation Officer
Employment Security Commission (OESC)
State of Oklahoma

Christa Helfrey
Public Engagement Manager
Office of Management and Enterprise
State of Oklahoma

Eric Hileman
Executive Director
Information Technology Services
Oklahoma City Public Schools

Brendan Hope
Chief Digital Officer
Department of Human Services
State of Oklahoma

Shawn Ingle
Executive Director of Technology
Edmond School District

Cara James
IT Director
Information Security Office / Information Technology
State of Oklahoma

James Juarez
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Corrections
State of Oklahoma

Jun Kim
Director of Technology
Moore School District

Amber Mangham
Strategic Cybersecurity Advisor, Cyber Command
Office of Management and Enterprise Services
State of Oklahoma

Jeff Maxwell
Director of Computer Science and Mathematics
Oklahoma City University

Stephen Miller
Chief Technology Officer
Health Information Exchange, Health Care Authority
State of Oklahoma

Dan Pease
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
Tulsa County

Tai Phan
State Chief Technology Officer
Office of Management and Enterprise Services
State of Oklahoma

Tab Pierce
Chief Technology Officer
Transportation Cabinet
State of Oklahoma

Nishanth Rodrigues
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
University of Oklahoma

Adam Rogers
Director of Technology Services
State School Boards Association
State of Oklahoma

Laquetta Russell
Senior Director, Enterprise Technology
Department of Human Services
State of Oklahoma

Paula Starr
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
Cherokee Nation

Sonya Watkins
Chief Information Officer
University of Central Oklahoma

Sam Woodfork
Chief Information Officer
Department of Information Technology
Cleveland County

Industry Representatives

Blake Hall
Client Executive
IBM

Don Katello
Senior Manager
State Government
T-Mobile

Eric Wippo
Senior Account Manager
Amazon Web Services

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: December 3, 2025

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

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:

Lindsay Anthis
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1495
E-mail: lanthis@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

Venue

Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center

741 North Phillips Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
(405) 772-1170