Southern Florida Digital Government Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

The Southern Florida 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

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 going".
Exclusively 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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Terri-Ann Brown

Terri-Ann Brown

Senior Director, Miami Tech Works

Terri-Ann Brown is the Senior Director of Miami Tech Works, a transformative workforce development initiative designed to bridge the gap between employers and training providers. Funded by a $10 million Good Jobs Challenge Grant from the Economic Development Administration, Miami Tech Works leads efforts to create a sustainable tech talent pipeline in South Florida.
In early 2023, Brown spearheaded the launch of the Tech Talent Coalition, uniting over 250 employers, training providers, and community members in a collaborative effort to address the region’s tech workforce needs. Her strategic vision has been instrumental in fostering partnerships that align industry demand with workforce supply, revolutionizing how South Florida develops talent.
Before her leadership at Miami Tech Works, Brown made significant contributions as the Director of Community Partnerships for the Venture Mentoring Team. In this role, she orchestrated impactful corporate-backed mentoring programs with industry leaders like Office Depot and Target. These initiatives empowered over 200 Black and Hispanic-owned small businesses, underscoring her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth.
Brown’s extensive background in Human Resources and Organizational Development has equipped her with the expertise to drive systemic change across sectors. In recognition of her leadership and influence, Brown was named a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) Fellow in September 2024, further solidifying her role as a national thought leader in workforce development.
In 2024, Brown will took on an additional leadership role as the head of the workforce component for the Risk and Resilience Tech Hub with an additional $6 million in funding. This initiative will expand Miami Tech Works' Talent Pipeline Management® framework into the burgeoning field of resilient infrastructure, providing on-the-job training for workers involved in large-scale demonstration projects.
Terri-Ann Brown’s career is a testament to her commitment to community prosperity, bridging the digital divide, and ensuring underrepresented communities have the skills and opportunities to thrive in an increasingly digital and climate-conscious world.

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Edward Dentel

Associate. Director - Solutions Architecture, Verizon Business Group

Edward Dentel serves as Associate Director for Solution Architecture at Verizon in the Virginia to Florida region, bringing three decades of expertise in telecommunications and IT infrastructure and over twenty-six years building public sector solutions. He leads a cross-functional team in designing and deploying enterprise-scale technology solutions that integrate wireless and wireline systems to improve performance, security, and innovation.  
He specializes in network architecture, cloud migration, and digital transformation strategies for large organizations, particularly within government and public sector agencies. Edward’s approach combines strategic vision and deep technical insight, helping Verizon’s public partners optimize operations, enhance resilience, and accelerate measurable business growth. 
He is passionate about advancing public/private partnerships, leveraging emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to create scalable, hybrid environments tailored to today’s complex challenges.

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Sukumar Ganapati

Sukumar Ganapati

Professor & Chair, Department of Public Policy and Administration, PCA 269A, Steven J Green School of International and Public Affairs, Florida International University

Professor Sukumar Ganapati is currently the Chair of the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Florida International University. He joined FIU in 2004 after getting his Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California. He served as the Director of the Ph.D. program in Public Affairs from 2013 to 2016. He was the Co-Chair of American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Conference in Washington DC in 2025, and was also the Chair of the Section on Science and Technology in Government. Dr. Ganapati’s research focuses on digital and local governance, including cybersecurity, agile government, emerging technology applications, and open government. The research is significant in the rapidly evolving context of digital era. He is the author of about 30 peer reviewed journal articles, 15 book chapters, and four research monographs. He has co-edited special issues of journals on technology issues [Information Polity (2000), focusing on “Public Policy and Governance in the Sharing Era” and Journal of Public Affairs Education (2016) on “Information Technology and Public Administration Education.”] He has co-chaired conference tracks for Digital Government Society for the last nearly ten years. His sponsored research as a principal investigator (PI) or Co-PI exceeds $2 million. He was recently the PI of the National Science Foundation supported “Advanced Cyber Infrastructure Training in Policy Informatics” (Award # 1924154) which is an over $1 million project to conduct research and training on machine learning tools and cyber-security for public policy and administration. He was also the PI of the "Cybersecurity Pathway for Public and Nonprofit Organizations. Cyber/IT Pathways Program", an over $0.6 million project funded by Cyber Florida in 2022-2023.

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Marilyn Hu

Marilyn Hu

IT Specialist/PM, Broward County Aviation Department

IT professional with over 20 years of experience in business software development, security compliance, infrastructure, and construction across industries including insurance underwriting, cruise lines, finance, and government. Certified as a Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). Expertise includes PMO development, streamlining project management processes, web application development, IT projects, security compliance, and quality assurance. An accomplished public speaker skilled in hosting educational webinars, delivering project management presentations, teaching public speaking, and facilitating business process improvement to foster organizational innovation and success.

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Tony Montes de Oca

Tony Montes de Oca

Chief Data Officer, Information Technology, Miami Beach

Tony Montes de Oca is the Chief Data Officer for the City of Miami Beach, where he leads the city’s enterprise data, analytics, and AI strategy. A seasoned data architect and Six Sigma Black Belt, Tony has pioneered the city’s DataOps and RAG-Ops pipelines, unifying multimodal data and enabling AI-driven services across key municipal departments.
He developed Miami Beach’s AI governance and policy framework, guiding responsible, secure, and scalable adoption of AI across the organization. His innovation has earned statewide recognition, including the FLGISA Award for Innovative Use of Technology in 2022 and the 2025 Best of Florida Award for Innovative Use of Data Analytics from Government Technology.
Tony holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems from Florida International University and is certified as a CISA, CBAP, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, among other credentials. With over 20 years of international experience in data engineering and public-sector transformation, he brings deep expertise in building AI-ready architectures, operationalizing RAG workflows, and advancing digital government.

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Raimundo Rodulfo

Raimundo Rodulfo LinkedIn

Director of Innovation and Technology / Chief Innovation Officer, Innovation and Technology Department, City of Coral Gables

Raimundo Rodulfo started his career over 32 years ago as an electrical engineer in the telecommunications industry, developing urban networks and intelligent systems. He joined the City of Coral Gables in 2004 and currently serves as Chief Innovation Officer and Director of Innovation & Technology. He leads strategic planning, co-innovation, oversight and management of citywide IT operations, infrastructure and smart city initiatives. Under his leadership, the City has received numerous awards including IEEE Smart Cities Jury Award in 2022, ICF Certified Intelligent Community in 2025, first place in the Government Experience award in 2023, first place in the Digital Cities 2018, first place in the U.S. Open Cities Index in 2019 and 2020, Smart Cities Connect Award in Urban Infrastructure in 2020, 2023 and 2024, Smart Cities Council Innovation Excellence Award in 2022, IDC Smart Cities North America Award in 2024, and being recognized as one of the 8 Smart Cities to Watch in 2020 by State Tech Magazine, one of the Top 12 worldwide in the Gartner's Eye on Innovation Awards in 2021, and one of the world's Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2023 and 2024.
Prior to joining the City, he spent 10 years in the private sector working for various Fortune 500 companies such as Bellsouth (AT&T), Siemens, and NCR in varying technical and managerial capacities. During this time, he also worked on engineering and technology projects with Motorola and Lucent Technologies (Alcatel) in Chicago and the LatAm region, and with Agilent Technologies in Silicon Valley.
He volunteers as Co-Chair of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Global Communities Technology Challenge (GCTC) Superclusters, as a member of the Urban Innovators Global think tank, the World Business Angel Investment Forum (WBAF) Miami Board of Directors, and the Cities Today Institute (CTI) Leadership Forum; and as an advisory member of international professional committees, academic programs, research think tanks, workforce development consortia, and engineering standard development organizations. He has been a guest speaker at numerous conferences and events, a guest lecturer at various universities (UM, FIU, MDC, MIT, NSU, Syracuse University, Singularity University and others), and has also authored multiple research papers, articles, technical book chapters and other publications in the areas of smart cities, engineering and technology.
Rodulfo has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career. Most recently, he was named Corporate CIO of the Year in the 2024 South Florida ORBIE Awards and 2025 National CIO ORBIE Awards finalist, Connected City Innovator of the Year in the 2024 Connected Cities Tour, and City Executive of the Year in the 2022 LocalSmart Awards; received the Globant Digital Disruptor award and the CyberTrust Pioneer award in 2021; was named to State Tech Magazine's list of 30 State and Local Government IT Influencers Worth a Follow in 2020; was recognized as Sustainable Technology Innovator in 2023 and Smart Disruptor in 2020 by Smart Cities Americas; was inducted into the Connected Cities Hall of Fame, and received the Key to the City from the Mayor of Coral Gables.
He holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management and a Graduate Degree in Enterprise Systems from Florida International University (FIU), and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from National Polytechnic University (UNEXPO). He is a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E., Florida and National NCEES Record), a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB), and a certified professional in PCI, HIPAA, ITIL, Incident Management, Virtualization, and SAP Business Suite.

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Ed Therriault

Ed Therriault LinkedIn

Principal Digital Transformation Architect, Portage Cybertech

Ed has over 25 years of experience in the design, development, deployment and operations of privacy sensitive electronic service delivery solutions for both public sector and banking clients. Ed’s involvement in the domains of Identity, Credential and Access management, web content management and service transformation started with his participation in the creation of the Central Frame Database at Statistics Canada. He went on to participate in the creation of the Strategis ID and the web content management solutions at Industry Canada and has made immense contributions to the Govt of Canada's vision for citizen and business centric access to information and transactions.

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Chris Trepte LinkedIn

Solutions Sales Director, Diligent

With a strong IT and consulting background, Chris Trepte drives success through GRC technology solutions that enhance client outcomes and compliance readiness. Over his career, he has managed client engagements focused on IT General Controls, SOC 2 Readiness, ICFR, SOX, NIST Compliance, and IT Security reviews.
Since joining Diligent in 2022, Chris has advanced from Customer Success and Professional Services into his current role as Solutions Sales Director, where he helps organizations accelerate GRC technology adoption and achieve measurable growth.

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Agenda

Monday, December 15

8:30 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Intracoastal Ballroom Foyer

9:30 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

Intracoastal Ballroom

9:45 am Eastern

Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against You

Intracoastal Ballroom

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 Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Intracoastal Ballroom Foyer

11:15 am Eastern

Lightning Round Session – Strategies to Unify Data for Smarter AI

Intracoastal Ballroom

AI is only as powerful as the data that fuels it, making data the proper foundation of every AI initiative. For governments, this means that data quality, governance, and accessibility directly shape the success of AI-driven services. This session will explore how treating data as AI unlocks more brilliant insights, better decisions, and more responsive public services.

Moderator: Marilyn Hu, IT Specialist/PM, Broward County Aviation Department

Cheriene Floyd, Chief Data Officer, City of Miami

Alex Haber, Sales Director – State and Local Government and EDU, Schneider Electric

Tony Montes de Oca, Chief Data Officer, Information Technology, City of Miami Beach

Raimundo Rodulfo, Director of Innovation and Technology / Chief Innovation Officer, Innovation and Technology Department, City of Coral Gables

11:50 am Eastern

General Session – Protecting Your Network Together: How Emerging Tech Is Changing the Industry

Intracoastal Ballroom

In today’s threat landscape, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and awareness is the first line of defense. This session will cover best practices for protecting your network, from proven strategies to practical steps agencies can implement right away. Attendees will also hear real stories from the edge, offering lessons learned and insights to strengthen resilience against evolving cyber threats.

Moderator: Monique Scott, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Mike Ascenio, Cyber Program Director, Florida International University

Yaniel Corrales, Director, Innovation and Technology Department, City of Homestead

Frank Quintana, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology, Miami Beach

12:30 pm Eastern

Lunch Buffet

Intracoastal Ballroom

1:30 pm Eastern

Lightning Round Session – Workforce Agility in a Digital Future

Intracoastal Ballroom

Emerging technologies like AI are reshaping the IT workforce, demanding new skills, roles, and approaches to service delivery. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities to modernize teams, invest in talent, and reimagine how technology supports communities. This session explores strategies for workforce transformation, upskilling, and leadership to ensure agencies stay agile and future-ready in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Moderator: Sukumar Ganapati, Professor & Chair, Department of Public Policy and Administration, PCA 269A, Steven J Green School of International and Public Affairs, Florida International University

Terri-Ann Brown, Senior Director, Miami Tech Works

Ana Chammas, Director of Innovation and AI, Miami-Dade County

Carrie Mast, Chief Information Officer, St. Lucie County, Florida

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Dolphin Room (take hotel lobby Tower elevators to Second Floor)

2:00 pm Eastern

General Session – The Realities of Implementing Innovation: Real-Life Use Cases

Intracoastal Ballroom

Implementing new technologies in the public sector comes with successes, challenges, and hard lessons—the good, the bad, and the ugly. This session will highlight how to design effective pilots, with a realistic view of what emerging technology can and cannot do for an organization. We’ll also explore how to set clear requirements, embrace innovation, and take the right risks without exposing your agency to unnecessary ones.

Moderator: Carrie Mast, Chief Information Officer, St. Lucie County, Florida

Kemarr Brown, Deputy City Manager, City of Homestead

Maurice Jenkins, Head of Digital Strategy and Chief Innovation Officer at Miami International Airport

Ed Therriault, Principal Digital Transformation Architect, Portage Cybertech

Chris Trepte, Solutions Sales Director, Diligent

2:45 pm Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Intracoastal Ballroom Foyer

3:05 pm Eastern

General Session – Technology That Serves Everyone: Impact of AI on the People

Intracoastal Ballroom

Emerging technologies like AI are reshaping how governments serve their communities—offering new ways to address challenges, strengthen resilience, and promote equity. In this interactive session, participants will explore how to responsibly govern and deploy AI for social good, from smarter infrastructure to more connected public services. Bring your ideas and join fellow regional leaders for a hands-on brainstorming session focused on collaboration, policy, and innovation for a better future.

Moderator: Ana Peralta Chammas, Director of Innovation and AI, Miami-Dade County

Pedro Santos Acosta, Executive Director of Emerging Technologies, Miami Dade College

Taruna Malhotra, Assistant Director, Department of Community Services, Palm Beach County

Tamecka McKay, Chief Information Officer, Seminole Tribe of Florida

Pedro Santos Acosta, Executive Director of Emerging Technologies, Miami Dade College

Jorge Valens, Innovation Manager, Communications, Information and Technology, Miami-Dade County

3:45 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Intracoastal Ballroom Foyer

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

4:15 pm Eastern

End of Conference

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

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

1881 SE 17th Street Causeway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 463-4000

Get Directions To
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Erica Alvarez
IT Community Engagement Manager
Miami-Dade County

Yaniel Corrales
IT Director
City of Homestead

Cheriene Floyd
Chief Data Officer
City of Miami

Carrie Mast
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
St Lucie County

Tameka McKay
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology Department
Seminole Tribe of Florida

Ana Peralta Chammas
County Innovation Director
Information Technology
Miami-Dade County

Frank Quintana
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Information Technology
City of Miami Beach

Raimundo Rodulfo
Director of Innovation and Technology / Chief Innovation Officer
Information Technology
City of Coral Gables

Archie Satchell
Chief Information Officer
Palm Beach County

Jorge Valens
IT Innovation Manager
Information Technology
Miami-Dade County

Industry Representatives

Alex Haber
Public Sector Sales Leader
Schneider Electric IT Corp

Jim Lawson
Product Marketing Practice Leader
Product
Portage CyberTech

Chris VanDurmen
Senior Client Partner-Public Sector
Verizon

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: December 15, 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:

Audrey Houser
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1420
E-mail: ahouser@erepublic.com

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

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

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

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

Venue

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

1881 SE 17th Street Causeway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 463-4000

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Room Block

Room Rate: $149 plus taxes and resort fees
Rate Cut-Off Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
To Make a Reservation:
Phone: 1 (888) 554-2129 and reference Southern Florida Digital Government Summit
Online: Group Reservation Link
If you experience issues booking online, call the hotel directly for assistance.

Rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, once the room block is full, you will need to make other arrangements for your accommodations with the hotel directly or at a nearby hotel

Map and Directions

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

Event Parking

Event day valet and self-parking: $20 plus tax
Overnight self-parking: $46 plus tax
Overnight valet parking: $52 plus tax

Instructions: After turning into the property entrance, proceed straight to valet or turn west to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina self-parking gate, take an entry ticket and park in any unreserved space. Ask our event registration desk for a parking discount validation sticker to be used at the pay station or at the exit gate when leaving. Scan your entry ticket, select “validation” and scan the validation sticker to receive a 20% discount.

Parking fees subject to change without notice.