Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Chambers Bay Foyer

Opening Remarks

Chambers Bay II-III

Bill Kehoe, Director and State Chief Information Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Keynote – From Scarcity to Strength: Reimagining Help, Collaboration, and Innovation

Chambers Bay II-III

In an era of tightening budgets, shifting priorities, and relentless change, government is often expected to do more with less. Yet scarcity can be a powerful catalyst for creativity and collaboration. In this insightful keynote, Dr. Julie Pham shares real-world stories of innovation born from constraint - illustrating how challenges can inspire new ways of thinking, working, and leading. Through live polling, interactive storytelling, and practical skill-building exercises, attendees will explore the reciprocal nature of help. Together, the audience will crowdsource solutions, benchmark shared challenges, and reimagine support as a collective strength - discovering how asking for help can fuel resilience, foster innovation, and build stronger, more connected public-sector communities.

Dr. Julie Pham, Founder and CEO, CuriosityBased | Author, Speaker

Bits and Bytes - Guiding Through Uncertainty: Maintaining Culture and Morale

Chambers Bay II-III

Change is inevitable, and keeping teams motivated and engaged - through both challenges and successes - is critical. This session explores how to build trust, foster a positive culture, and sustain morale through all kinds of transitions. Join us for insights and lessons learned on meaningful connection with teams, reinforcing resilience, and creating an environment where staff can thrive, no matter what lies ahead.

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Chambers Bay Foyer

Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Darwin AI, ISG

Concurrent Sessions

AI Governance: Driving Innovation with Trust and Accountability

Chambers Bay I

AI can help transform public services, but with innovation comes some risk. How can leaders move quickly while maintaining public confidence, make informed governance decisions, and foster a culture that balances experimentation with accountability? In this session we will discover strategies to navigate uncertainty, assess risk, and maximize the value of AI responsibly in government.

Moderator: Sean McSpaden, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Angela Kleis, Deputy Chief Information Officer/Chief Data Privacy Officer, Innovation and Technology Division, Dept of Commerce, State of Washington

Lisa Qian, City AI Officer, City of Seattle IT

If You Build IT, They Will Come: Successful Business Partnerships

Point Defiance Meeting Room

In addition to delivering services, IT leaders are increasingly expected to shape outcomes. But how do you move from a transactional relationship to a true partnership with business and operations teams - whether or not IT is invited to the table? This session explores practical ways to initiate and strengthen IT–business partnerships, navigate resistance, and foster productive two-way conversations. Attendees will examine how to connect, align around shared goals, and keep people and communities at the center of the work - positioning IT as a valued partner in achieving mission-driven results.

Harvey Arnone, Director of Data Enablement, City of Seattle IT

Heidi Geathers, Senior Assistant Director of Administrative Services, Department of Revenue, State of Washington

The Transition Survival Guide: Strategies for Changing Leadership

Union Meeting Room

Whether it is a new governor, commissioner, mayor, or otherwise – when new leadership takes the helm, shifting priorities and evolving policies can create uncertainty. How can IT leaders proactively maintain continuity, align strategies with incoming priorities, and build rapport? This session offers practical approaches for engaging new leaders, safeguarding critical services, and turning transition into an opportunity to advance modernization and organizational agility. Join us and learn actionable strategies for keeping IT efforts on track while adapting to a changing administrative landscape.

Tracye Cantrell, Interim Chief Technology Officer, City of Seattle IT

Lunch

Chambers Bay II-III

General Session

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Powering the Future: Developing the Next Generation of Tech Talent

Chambers Bay I

As technology evolves, governments must rethink how they develop and position their IT workforce for what’s next. This session highlights innovative approaches to IT workforce development, from education and training programs to partnerships that expand and diversify the talent pipeline. Attendees will gain practical insights into how they can prepare teams for emerging and high-demand technology roles to build a resilient, future-ready IT workforce.

Change that Matters: Leading Transformation

Point Defiance Meeting Room

How can IT leaders modernize services while keeping both residents and internal teams at the center? Effective change management ensures new technologies and processes are adopted successfully, while a focus on customer experience ensures these changes truly improve outcomes. In this session, explore how shared technology and enterprise services can break down silos, align teams, and prioritize initiatives around customer value. Join us to learn strategies for leading transformation that delivers measurable results and strengthens trust with the communities you serve.

Amy Pearson, Chief of Staff to the State CIO and Director, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Strategic Planning and Communication for Maximum Impact

Union Meeting Room

Leading IT isn’t just about managing systems - it’s about guiding people, shaping strategy, and planning for the future. This session explores how to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders, frame technology in terms of business outcomes, and integrate IT initiatives into broader organizational goals. Learn when to step into a strategic leadership role versus when to focus on operational management, and discover practical approaches for strategic planning that align technology with enterprise priorities. Strengthen your ability to lead with vision, influence, and measurable impact!

Moderator: Vickie Sheehan, Communications Director, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Deanna Brocker, Deputy Director for Strategy and Management, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Stephen Heard, Chief Information Officer, King County

Jade Redfield, Portfolio, Products and Projects Manager, City of Seattle IT

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Chambers Bay Foyer

Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Darwin AI, ISG

General Session – Coffee with Kehoe: Voices at the Table - Empowering Diverse Leaders

Chambers Bay II-III

What does it take to build inclusive IT leadership teams? In this episode of Coffee with Kehoe, Washington State CIO and WaTech Director Bill Kehoe sits down with experts who will share stories, strategies, and practical tips for supporting women and diverse talent to learn how all leaders can foster equity, innovation, and growth in their organizations.

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Chambers Bay Foyer

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

End of Conference

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