Oregon Emerging Technology Summit: AI 2024 Banner

Overview

To view speaker presentations where available, see Agenda, below.

The Oregon Emerging Technology Summit is a pioneering event tailored for state, regional, and local public sector leadership to delve into the transformative potential of emerging technologies, including AI. This summit offers a comprehensive exploration of the current state and future trajectory of technologies set to revolutionize public service delivery. Through a blend of innovation, regulations, hands-on technology demos, and compelling case studies, attendees gain invaluable insights into how emerging technologies can enhance the lives of community members.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Artificial intelligence provides an opportunity for us to change the lives of Oregonians in this great state, for the better. The AI Summit is an excellent venue to discuss ethical use of AI with a lens of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

– Terrence Woods, Chief Information Officer, State of Oregon

Speakers

Sharon Gai

Sharon Gai

Keynote Speaker and Author

Sharon Gai is an international female keynote speaker for corporations, associations and the public sector. Using her unique background from the east and west, she works with leaders worldwide to understand how to adopt AI into their workflows to increase productivity and efficiency. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has been the keynote speaker at TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, LVMH, Nestle, Ecomworld, and Etail. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She is also one of 2024’s RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Expert and a LinkedIn Top Voice in Public Speaking 2023. She has appeared on Bloomberg, ABC, CBC, CCTV, Techcrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web. She is the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined. Sharon has an Honors Bachelor’s degree in International Development from McGill and a Masters in Information and Knowledge Strategy from Columbia University.

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Kathryn Darnall Helms

Kathryn Darnall Helms

Chief Data Officer, State of Oregon

Kathryn Darnall Helms, MSIS, MA, currently serves as Oregon’s inaugural Chief Data Officer. Kathryn has recently led the development of Oregon’s first Enterprise Data Strategy, launched the State’s Open Data Program, and is currently staffing and expanding the Chief Data Office. In previous roles, Kathryn led an initiative to centralize information and data governance at the City of Austin and provided information governance and digital archiving consulting services to human rights organizations in Rwanda, El Salvador, Austin, and Guatemala as part of the Human Rights Documentation Initiative. Kathryn holds graduate degrees in Information Science and Latin American Studies, both from the University of Texas at Austin, where she focused her studies on the role of government records in addressing human rights abuses and as tools to speak truth to power.

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Michael Bufalino

Michael Bufalino

State Research Manager, Oregon Department of Transportation

Mr. Bufalino is the Research Manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation. He has worked for ODOT since 2007 and currently leads ODOT’s efforts focusing on producing original research that supports the department’s mission of providing a safe, efficient transportation system that supports economic opportunity and livable communities for Oregonians. Michael is responsible for an agency-wide research effort that works in collaboration with regional and national partners to delivery of projects that are timely, intellectually robust, and relevant to the ongoing delivery of transportation infrastructure and services. ODOT focuses on applied research that improves the work of our agency staff. Post-research implementation increasingly involves data and information systems. Prior to joining ODOT Mr. Bufalino earned a master’s degree is in Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly, Pomona where he studied collaborative planning processes, decision support systems and the application of geographic information systems to support the planning process.

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Justus Eaglesmith

Justus Eaglesmith

Data Scientist, NARA NW

Justus Eaglesmith is a Data Scientist who graduated from Willamette University with MS of Data Science & MBA degrees. He currently works for The Native American Rehabilitation Association in Portland as a Data Scientist. Justus also currently serves as a board member on The State of Oregon’s AI Advisory Council to advise legislation surrounding safe AI implementation in the State. Outside of the workplace, Justus has experience designing, conducting, and writing research studying the implications of LLM use as a guide for analytics departments. Within Justus's speaking engagements, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the data your models are trained on, to avoid the long term costs of automated decision making with AI & ML.

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Ellen D. Flint

Ellen D. Flint

Senior Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Department of Justice

Ellen Flint is a Senior Assistant Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Oregon Department of Justice, focusing in public procurement, data security, and privacy. She is contact counsel for the State CIO, State CISO, and State CDO. She advises agencies on complex agreements, including major IT solutions and data exchanges, and on breach responses. She was recently appointed to serve on the Joint Legislative Task Force for AI and on the Governor’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council.

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Dr. Jimmy Godard, DM

Dr. Jimmy Godard, DM

Chief Technology Officer, Enterprise Information Services, Strategy and Design, State of Oregon 

Dr. Jimmy Godard is a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in IT, finance, and the public sector, guiding organizations through digital transformation. As the Chief Technology Officer and strategist at the State of Oregon, he drove efficiency and innovation through strategic planning, design, risk management, and technology roadmaps. With a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, an MBA, and certifications in project management and IT governance, Dr. Godard empowers teams to be successful. He shares his expertise as a scholar, educator, coach, and community servant, inspiring leaders to lead with passion and purpose and encourage audiences to embrace technology for growth and resilience. Dr. Godard embodies visionary leadership and is deeply committed to making a difference in technology, organizations, and society. Beyond his professional endeavors, he actively engages in philanthropic activities, leading annual service projects in various countries, reflecting his commitment to positive change. His multifaceted career showcases a leader rooted in knowledge, driven by passion, and realized through purposeful action, making him a respected and influential figure worldwide.

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Dean Iacovelli

Dean Iacovelli

Director, Security Specialists, Microsoft

Dean has worked in Microsoft State and Local Government for 22 years, serving in a number of roles including as the first Chief Security Advisor and also later as the first Director for Cloud Services, building out the team of specialists that incubated what would become Office 365 for Government. He currently serves as the Director for Secure Enterprise for Microsoft State and Local Government, managing a national team of cybersecurity specialists focused on security and compliance for Azure, Office 365, Identity and Information Protection, Threat Protection, and Windows security.

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Sam Kaan

Sam Kaan

Interim Chief Data Officer, Oregon Department of Human Services

Samantha (Sam) Kaan has 16 years of experience in public service at both county and state levels, across health, housing, and human services. Trained as a public health generalist, Sam’s career has spanned data strategy, health system transformation, health promotion and prevention initiatives, emergency response, program development, program management, and community engagement. Currently, Sam serves as the Interim Chief Data Officer for Oregon Department of Human Services. This role involves building data governance, collaborating on data strategy, and supporting responsible innovation with AI. Sam is a lifelong learner of anti-racist policy and organizational practices and believes that our systems can change for the better. She lives in Portland with her partner and two young children, Eric and Freya.

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Colleen Lynn

Colleen Lynn

Labor Industry Executive, Rapid Innovation Team, Google Public Sector

Colleen is a seasoned technology leader with over 14 years of experience driving digital transformation in the public sector. Her career with the State of Colorado spans key roles in the Governor's Office of Information Technology, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Early Childhood, where she spearheaded innovative IT strategies, implemented agile methodologies, and championed cloud solutions. Colleen is passionate about leveraging technology to improve citizen services and is currently applying her expertise as the Labor Industry Executive at Google Public Sector, helping labor departments nationwide modernize and better serve their communities. Working on the Rapid Innovation Team, she is adept at uncovering labor vertical challenges, seeking innovative ways to solve those problems and developing a trust relationship across the engagement.

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Amy McLaughlin

Amy McLaughlin

Executive Director, Technology and Solutions Architecture, Oregon State University

Amy McLaughlin has over twenty-five years’ experience working in information technology with extensive experience in IT Operations and Cybersecurity leading application development, cybersecurity, database administration, healthcare information management, infrastructure (physical and cloud), network, research computing and service desk teams. Her experience spans state and local government, K12 and higher education and health care. Amy currently serves as the Executive Director of Technical and Solutions Architecture for Oregon State University, overseeing OSU’s enterprise IT operations with a team of 75 full-time staff and 68 part-time staff. She holds a Master of Science in Information Technology Management, CISSP, CISM, CHPS, and CDPSE certifications and is the author of the 2021 book, Learning Continuity Planning: A Handbook for Schools, Colleges & Universities.

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David McMorries

David McMorries

Chief Information Security Officer, Oregon State University

David graduated from Oregon State University and is fortunate to have returned in 2019 as OSU’s CISO. He served nearly 29 years in the Marine Corps in a variety of roles as an Operational Communications Officer. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he worked at Booz Allen Hamilton supporting Department of Defense clients, and as the Deputy CISO for the State of Oregon.

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Travis L. Miller

Travis L. Miller

Assistant State CIO | Healthy People Policy Area, State of Oregon, Enterprise Information Services

Travis L. Miller (JD, PMP, PMI-ACP, CIPP/US, CIPM) serves as Oregon's Assistant State CIO for the Healthy People Policy Area, bringing over a decade of public sector experience to his role. Dedicated to transforming public services through technology, equity, and innovation, he bridges strategic governance with practical solutions. His leadership emphasizes people-centric approaches, promoting agile methodologies and human-centered design. Supporting digital transformation, privacy, and AI, Travis works to align emerging technologies with the public interest. He has co-authored pivotal frameworks like the "Modernization Playbook" and "Cloud Forward," and has experience driving complex, statewide, high-impact projects. As a servant leader, Travis fosters a culture of continuous learning. He co-sponsors Oregon's Agile Community of Practice and serves on the Board of the PMI Willamette Valley Chapter. Passionate about leveraging technology for the public good, he advocates for responsible AI adoption to improve service delivery and build trust through thoughtful, equitable solutions.

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Jason Rood

Jason Rood

Program Manager, State of Oregon

Jason Rood is an experienced IT professional with expertise in program management, data governance, and vendor relations. He began his state service career in 2012 and holds a Master’s in Political Science from Portland State University, along with certifications including ITIL. As the lead analyst for Oregon's AI Advisory Council, he has been instrumental in shaping state-level AI governance and policy. Jason is also a member of national organizations addressing AI, including San Jose’s GovAI, the State Chief Data Officers Network, and the National Association of State Technology Directors. His participation in these groups ensures he stays informed about the latest developments and best practices in AI development and governance. In his role as Program Manager for Oregon's Enterprise Information Services Chief Data Office, Jason focuses on delivering services to agencies, driving process improvements, and fostering IT innovation while championing good governance, transparency, and outcomes-based approaches.

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Rustin Royer

Rustin Royer

Solution Manager, Security Operations (Western Region), Fortinet 

Rustin Royer is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience helping organizations stay ahead of emerging threats. As Solution Manager at Fortinet, specializing in Security Operations for the Western Region, he works with organizations to develop integrated, strategic cybersecurity solutions that protect people, devices, and data across a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Throughout his career, Rustin has built an understanding of threat management, network security, and the role of advanced technologies in fortifying defenses. Before joining Fortinet two and a half years ago, Rustin worked at leading organizations like Symantec (now part of Broadcom) and Secureworks, where he gained extensive experience in managing and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
At Fortinet, Rustin is helping customers leverage the company’s comprehensive suite of security solutions to address modern threats. Fortinet’s integrated platform includes AI-powered tools that enhance threat detection and response, using machine learning to proactively identify anomalies and automate defenses across the entire network. This integration of AI and machine learning is helping businesses detect and mitigate threats faster, reduce response times, and stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks.
Fortinet, a global leader in cybersecurity, is trusted by over 805,000 customers worldwide. Its solutions are recognized for their scale, integration, and cutting-edge technology—delivering real-time protection through AI-enhanced security features that continuously learn from the threat landscape.

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Catie Thiesen

Catie Thiesen

Political and Legislative Director, Oregon ALF – CIO

Catie is the Political and Legislative Director at the Oregon AFL-CIO, the state labor federation, representing over 300,000 workers across the state. She’s been at the State Fed since 2020, and prior to that served as the political organizer at the Oregon Nurses Association for 5 years where she ran the electoral program and lobbied on behalf of Oregon nurses. Prior to her work at ONA, Catie worked primarily on the implementation of affordable and accessible health care in Oregon with the Service Employees International Union. She has experience working on multiple ballot measure campaigns at many levels, running state legislative races, and working in the legislature.

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Doug Toomey

Doug Toomey

Director, Oregon Hazards Lab, University of Oregon 

Doug Toomey is a Professor in the Earth Sciences Department at the University of Oregon, the Director of the Oregon Hazards Lab, and a Principal Investigator for the Oregon components of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, ShakeAlert, and OHAZ’s wildfire camera system. The OHAZ team uses science, technology, and community engagement to understand, detect, and mitigate multi-hazards within the Pacific Northwest.  With national partners, OHAZ is developing the most advanced ecosystem observing platform in the nation to (1) provide physical, life, and social scientists with curated, open-access data that are the cornerstones of scientific discovery; (2) deliver actionable and equitable information to the public, emergency managers, lifeline infrastructure providers, Tribal governments, and decision makers; and (3) simultaneously foster convergent research and build a disaster-resilient society.

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Tiffany Van De Berg

Tiffany Van De Berg

Sr. Key Account Director, Major Accounts, Axon

Tiffany is a Sr. Key Account Director of Major Accounts at Axon. She has been with Axon for 5 Years. She served in Public Safety Enterprise Software for 10 Years.

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Cecily Warren

Cecily Warren

Assistant State Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Cecily Warren has served the State of Oregon for over 35 years. She brought in services to the state that include Personal Income Tax electronic filing, credit and debit card payments, licensing systems, filing enforcement system, case management, and legislative information systems. Cecily Warren currently serves as the Assistant State CIO for Transportation & Economic Development within the State of Oregon's Enterprise Information Services (EIS). In this role, she supports the state's IT modernization initiatives by guiding agencies in creating and implementing business-driven IT strategic plans, fostering effective governance, and promoting digital transformation. Her work aligns closely with the Governor's Action Plan for IT, emphasizing the importance of aligning technology strategies with agency goals to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

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Lindsey Washburn

Lindsey Washburn

Director of Public and Social Sector Policy, AI Governance Group

Lindsey is a social impact leader and policy expert with over 15 years of experience working across all sectors. As Director of Public and Social Sector Policy for the AI Governance Group, Lindsey provides strategic guidance to nonprofits and governments on how to leverage AI in a responsible and ethical way. She's an inaugural Affiliate of All Tech Is Human, a Research Member of the Center for AI and Digital Policy, and a Responsible AI Advocacy member of the GovAI Coalition, among other affiliations. Lindsey has built her career on bridging gaps between diverse stakeholders and driving systemic change through participatory policymaking, with a particular focus on using technology to strengthen democratic institutions and improve government services.

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Francisco Zavala

Francisco Zavala

Deputy Director of The State Data Center / Enterprise Information Services, Data Center Services

Francisco Zavala is the Deputy Director of the State Data Center for Oregon, where he leads strategic initiatives to enhance technology infrastructure and service delivery across the state. With over two decades of experience in IT management and public sector operations, Francisco has been instrumental in driving advancements in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. His expertise also extends to developing resilient IT architectures that support state agencies and public services. Francisco is committed to fostering collaborative environments and leveraging technology to improve efficiency and accessibility in government operations. A graduate with a degree in Computer Science, he has consistently advocated for integrating innovative technologies to meet the evolving needs of Oregon's citizens and stakeholders.

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Agenda

Wednesday, December 11

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments

Willamette Foyer

9:00 am Pacific

Opening Remarks

Willamette Ballroom

Travis L Miller, Assistant State CIO | Healthy People Policy Area, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote – Leading the AI Revolution: IT’s New Role in Global Public Sector Innovation

Willamette Ballroom

AI is reshaping everything and IT leaders in government and public sector organizations stand at a pivotal juncture. Traditionally viewed as reactive and slower to innovate than the private sector, the public sector is now uniquely positioned to take a hands-on stance in AI implementation. To do that, we need to understand how IT departments can anticipate, and address business needs proactively. In this whirlwind session, digital transformation and AI expert, Sharon Gai, will take us on a journey around the world. Starting from the bustling streets of Hangzhou to the high-tech healthcare facilities of Tokyo, and finally to the classrooms of New York. Through this session, government leaders will understand the myriad ways AI is redefining society and be equipped with actionable insights, aiding them in harnessing the full potential of AI for the betterment of their communities.

Sharon Gai, Keynote Speaker and Author

10:15 am Pacific

Networking Break

Willamette Foyer

10:45 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

How to Safely Leverage AI in Your Cyber Strategy

Croisan A/B

Now more than ever, we have seen the concepts of security and AI converge in a way that we must thoughtfully examine. While AI is increasingly being used by bad actors, it is also becoming a cornerstone in cybersecurity strategies. What’s working, and what risks are involved? What are the limitations that we need to be mindful of? This session will explore how AI has the potential to not only support your cyber strategy – but elevate it.

Moderator: Cecily Warren, Assistant State Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Dean Iacovelli, Director, Security Specialists, Microsoft

Amy McLaughlin, Executive Director, Technology and Solutions Architecture, Oregon State University

David McMorries, Chief Information Security Officer, Oregon State University

AI’s Transformative Impact on the Workforce

Croisan C

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly altering the landscape of employment, presenting a multifaceted impact on the workforce. How do we navigate the nuanced conversation surrounding AI’s evolving role in the job market? Can we mitigate concerns about job transformation with the ability to further opportunities for skill enhancement and professional growth? This session with dive into different perspectives on the challenges we face today and will explore different policies and educational opportunities as we look to bolster our workforce for the future.

Moderator: Travis L Miller, Assistant State CIO | Healthy People Policy Area, Enterprise Information Services, State of Oregon

Dr. Jimmy Godard, State Chief Technology Officer, State of Oregon

Shayne Huddleston, Director, IT Infrastructure, Oregon State University

Rustin Royer, Solution Manager, Security Operations (Western Region), Fortinet

Catie Thiesen, Political and Legislative Director, Oregon ALF – CIO

Lindsey Washburn, Director of Public and Social Sector Policy, AI Governance Group

11:45 am Pacific

Lunch

Willamette Ballroom

12:45 pm Pacific

Bits and Bytes Responsible Innovation and AI: Axon Draft One

Willamette Ballroom

Tiffany Van De Berg, Sr. Key Account Director, Major Accounts, Axon

1:10 pm Pacific

Short Break

Please proceed to Concurrent Sessions

1:15 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Building the Ethical Playbook for Emerging Technologies

Croisan A/B

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to gain traction as a potential part of public sector infrastructure, understanding its ethical intricacies is imperative. Unpack the ethical considerations uniquely relevant to government deployments of AI, including matters of public trust and equitable access. A focus on key ethical cornerstones aims to provide insights for crafting an “Ethical Playbook” for AI strategy that aligns with public service values.

Moderator: Francisco Zavala, Deputy Director of The State Data Center/Enterprise Information Services, Data Center Services, State of Oregon

Ellen D. Flint, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Department of Justice

Jason Rood, Program Manager, State of Oregon

Justus Eaglesmith, Data Scientist, NARA NW

Data and AI Governance to Promote Transparency and Trust

Croisan C

The proliferation of AI systems and the data that drives them are increasingly shaping our daily lives. Having guardrails and an effective governance process in place is more vital than ever and is essential to ensuring public trust and maintaining transparency. How should we approach the ethical and regulatory considerations that now must be taken into account? What are key principles and best practices for navigating the complex landscape of data and AI governance? This session offers actionable insights to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical use of data and AI technologies to foster trust in their deployment within government organizations.

Moderator: Kathryn Darnall Helms, Chief Data Officer, State of Oregon

Michael Bufalino, State Research Manager, Oregon Department of Transportation

Sam Kaan, Interim Chief Data Officer, Oregon Department of Human Services

Colleen Lynn, Labor Industry Executive, Rapid Innovation Team, Google Public Sector

2:15 pm Pacific

Networking Break

Willamette Foyer

2:45 pm Pacific

General Session: OHAZ-AI Wildfire Detection and Tracking

Willamette Ballroom

The Oregon Hazards Lab operates a high-speed camera network that gives firefighters a new way to spot and track wildfires utilizing AI-enabled systems. Cameras are typically installed on top of tall mountains or high-rise buildings with 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, enabling fire managers to watch the landscape, fire behavior, and weather in real-time or later through time-lapse footage.

Doug Toomey, Director, Oregon Hazards Lab, University of Oregon

3:45 pm Pacific

Networking Reception

Willamette Foyer

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

4:15 pm Pacific

End of Conference

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

Salem Convention Center

200 Commercial Street SE
Salem, OR 97301
(866) 614-1900

Get Directions To
Salem Convention Center

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: December 11, 2024

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

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

Contact Information

For registration and general assistance contact:

Kathy Simpson
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1394
E-mail: ksimpson@erepublic.com

For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@govtech.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

Salem Convention Center

200 Commercial Street SE
Salem, OR 97301
(866) 614-1900

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Parking

Self-parking is available at the Convention Center underground garage on a complimentary basis.
Parking Guide for Salem Convention Center | Salem, OR 
www.salemconventioncenter.org

Accommodations

Contact the hotel directly for reservations.
The Grand Hotel
201 Liberty Street SE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 540-7800
Rate: $169.00 single
www.grandhotelsalem.com