Name: Arizona Digital Government Summit 2025
Start: 2025-05-21T08:00
Location: Hyatt Regency Phoenix

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

The annual Digital Government Summit is an exciting opportunity to reconnect with our peers and vendor partners, gain inspiration from accomplishments, and broaden our vision of leveraging technology solutions that benefit our organizations and the public. Please join us for this year's Summit!

- J.R. Sloan, Chief Information Officer, State of Arizona

Speakers

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.

John Matelski

Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Prior to joining the Center, Matelski served for 25 years as an Information Technology & Security executive for municipal (City of Orlando, FL) and county government (Gwinnett County, GA), most recently retiring from DeKalb County, GA after 12 years of service.  John’s duties included executive management of all information technology and security resources and systems that support operations and drive innovation throughout the County enterprise. As DeKalb County CIO, he oversaw more than 100 employees serving ~800 million residents.
Matelski graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Computer Information Systems and has been a Certified Government CIO since 2011.  Matelski has a proven track record of leadership in the public and private sectors, utilizing innovation and resourcefulness with a proven ability to build a compelling vision and move an organization toward it. Matelski rebuilt DeKalb County, GA’s technology capabilities from the ground up, helping lead to 8 straight years of recognition as a top 10 winner of the Center for Digital Government annual Digital Counties Survey.  
John has won numerous awards including Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers, State of Georgia CIO ORBIE Award Finalist, and the Computerworld/Smithsonian Laureate Award for Information Technology.  During his tenure with DeKalb County, Matelski was also very active in technology leadership roles with the National Association of Counties (NACo), having served as Chair of the IT Standing Committee, Vice Chair of the Telecommunication & Technology Committee, and Vice Chair of the County Technology Advisory Council.

Stewart Bruner

Strategic Planning Manager, Arizona Supreme Court

Stewart Bruner is the longtime staff member for the Commission on Technology, the top governance body over technology in Arizona’s Judicial Branch of Government.  He manages all aspects of strategic technology planning, policy development, technology-related grants, and project oversight for the Commission’s chair, the vice chief justice of the supreme court. He also staffs the supreme court’s subcommittee for artificial intelligence tools. With nearly 40 years of experience communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, Stewart is relied upon by technologists to accurately “get the word out” with humor and candor.

Bob Burwell

CTO – State, Local Government, Education and Healthcare, NetApp

Bob Burwell is the CTO for U.S. Public Sector State, Local Government, Education and Healthcare (SLED-H) at NetApp. His responsibilities include setting future technology and product directions for the U.S. Public Sector group and managing key customer relationships.
He is an experienced CTO and has been in the IT industry for the last 30 years. Working primarily on the Government side of the house with the DoD, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Intelligence Agencies. He now focuses on State, Local Government, Education and Healthcare - affectionately known as SLED-H.
You may have seen him at conferences like NASCIO and EDUCAUSE, in interviews or read an industry article or two.
He lives in San Diego, probably smiles and jokes more than he should and has a wonderful family and life.
For those that have gone to his LinkedIn page the picture is through a porthole from the Midway in San Diego Harbor looking out toward the Coronado Bridge. It's a humbling tour with great views of San Diego.

Bill Carter

Public Sector Field Strategist, Fortinet

Bill Carter is a dynamic cybersecurity leader with a passion for securing the digital world and educating others on the evolving threat landscape. Currently serving as a public sector cybersecurity strategist at Fortinet, Bill previously protected Ohio’s 12 million citizens as the Chief Information Security Officer for the Department of Commerce and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for the State, overseeing security strategies across 80+ agencies. With a career spanning additional roles as Field CTO, Senior Systems Engineer, and Technical Consultant, he brings deep expertise in cybersecurity strategy, infrastructure, and risk management. A hands-on technologist and sought-after public speaker, Bill holds a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and multiple industry certifications, including CISSP, SecurityX, and all MITRE credentials. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity, and an active member of the Ohio Cyber Reserve and the FBI’s InfraGard. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bill is dedicated to philanthropy in serving as CEO for an 80,000-person strong non-profit organization.

Scott Conn

Chief Information Officer, City of Mesa

Scott Conn became the Chief Information Officer for the City of Mesa, AZ in January 2024 where he puts his 40+ years of C-level private sector, Executive Consulting, and Local government Information Technology experience to work. Scott’s team in Mesa is a multi-award winning organization having earned a Smart 20 Award, a GovX Award, the MISAC Technical Excellence Award, the MISAC Visual Information Award, OnConferences Top 10 IT Team Award, #5 Digital City in the USA Award, and the Fusion/PTI Innovation Award.
Scott has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Santa Clara University, is a retired High School Varsity Football and Women’s Varsity Basketball Head Coach. He has co-authored 3 books on Program Management, Software Development Life Cycle, and Process Enhancement/Improvement. Scott has been married for 40 years, has 3 grown children, and two beautiful granddaughters.
Scott is an active member of the Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC) serving on the Communications Committee and is the President Emeritus of MISAC’s Northern Chapter. Scott is also the Chairman and founder of the newly formed Western Regional Innovation and Technology Alliance (WRITA) – an organization that allows State, County, and Local government agencies along with Special Districts to connect and share information across its 7 member states (AZ, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY).

Dr. Nadeem Malik

Distinguished Engineer, Vice President AI and ML Technologies, Kyndryl

Dr. Nadeem Malik is a Distinguished Engineer and Vice President of AI & ML Technologies at Kyndryl. With over 25 years of R&D experience, he drives the adoption of Generative AI and ML to transform operations across industries. He has filed 116 U.S. patents and authored 30+ publications. A recognized leader, Dr. Malik has held adjunct professorships at UT Austin, SUNY, and Cornell, and serves as a panelist for U.S. government research programs. His innovations span AI/ML, IT automation, security, and microarchitecture design, positioning Kyndryl as a key partner in enterprise modernization.

Kristi Miller

Managing Director, Accenture

Michael Moore

Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Secretary of State

Michael Moore is the CISO for the Arizona Secretary of State's Office. He has worked to develop federal, state, and local government partnerships as well as collaborated with trusted vendors to protect democracy and fulfill our shared duty to the American voter.
The greatest threats to elections are MDM and the resulting insider threat caused by radicalized citizens. The best protection against these threats is combatting lies with the truth, developing secure and resilient systems that prevent attacks whenever possible, allow for detections of compromise and facilitate accurate and rapid recovery. Michael has pushed forward these initiatives in his own organization as well as across the Elections community.

Ryan Murray

Deputy Director and State Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Department of Homeland Security

Mr. Murray joined the Arizona Department of Homeland Security in July 2021 and currently serves as the Deputy Director over the Statewide Information Security and Privacy Office and as the Chief Information Security Officer for the State. He also previously served as the Chief Information Security Officer for the Arizona Department of Revenue for three and a half years. In his current role, Deputy Director Murray provides both tactical and operational leadership for the State's cybersecurity office, as well as leads the strategic planning, facilitation, and coordination of cybersecurity efforts throughout the State.
Prior to joining the State in 2018, Ryan has enjoyed a lifelong career of public service throughout Arizona at all levels of government. He has nearly 20 years experience in IT and Information Security, is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) and holds a Bachelors in Cyber Security and Information Assurance from Western Governors University.
This year Mr. Murray looks forward to making progress on several key objectives, including the continued expansion of the Department’s Cyber Readiness Program for local governments and schools, increased collaboration for cyber information sharing and collective defense across the State, and further developing the cybersecurity workforce of tomorrow through the Governor's Talent Ready AZ intiative as it kicks off its first Regional Security Operation Center in partnership with the community college districts across Arizona.

Beth Neeley

Chief Information Officer, Arizona Department of Education

Beth is a result driven Sr. IT Professional with over 25 years of government and manufacturing experience, facilitator, and builder of enterprise-level solutions in alignment with Business Strategic Goals. She utilizes fiscal prudence and security cognizance to gain optimum performance and efficiency in a fast-paced IT environments with multiple and changing demands. She is a passionate leader with a proven record of building fruitful partnerships to reach a common goal.
Throughout her career she has worked with a common personal mission:
Be relevant - Ensure every day that what she is working on is relevant to a goal, a vision, or customer.
Be present - Be always present and attentive. Whether an audience of 1 or 100 they deserve undivided attention.
Participate - No matter what the topic, ask questions and provide feedback, encourage critical thinking though participation.
She is a collaborative leader who encourages team discussions and decision making through problem solving, but never hesitates to make to those critical decisions required of her by her team, customer, or agency.

Robert Ochoa

Director of Cybersecurity Sales, ANM

Robert Ochoa, Director of Cybersecurity Sales at ANM, is a U.S. Army veteran with over 25 years of experience in networking and cybersecurity. With a strong background in leadership and systems engineering, Robert excels in driving business outcomes, building high-performance teams, and delivering innovative security solutions. Holding multiple industry certifications, he is dedicated to helping organizations stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.

Erica Patterson

Vice President of Events, Government Technology

Mark Schreiber

VP of Intelligent Automation, Cloudwick

Mark Schreiber is a strategic technology leader with 25 years of experience helping government organizations improve performance, reduce costs, and deliver data-driven solutions. As a strategic AWS partner, Mark leads Intelligent Automation initiatives for state and local governments, modernizing cloud infrastructure, data systems, and business processes. He facilitates workshops and strategy sessions to help agencies identify inefficiencies and apply AI-powered automation for smarter, more efficient government.

View Speakers

Agenda

Wednesday, May 21
8:00 am Mountain no DST	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Regency Ballroom AB
9:00 am Mountain no DST	Opening Remarks Regency Ballroom CD J.R. Sloan, Chief Information Officer, State of Arizona
9:15 am Mountain no DST	Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against You Regency Ballroom CD 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
10:15 am Mountain no DST	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Regency Ballroom AB
10:45 am Mountain no DST	Concurrent Sessions Securing the Backbone: Strategies for Defending Critical IT Infrastructure Sundance (1st Floor) Bad actors have more tools at their disposal than ever before and staying on top of them has proven to be the challenge of our day. What does the current threat landscape look like? Are there new tools and tactics we can deploy to strengthen our security posture? This session takes a further dive into Arizona’s whole-of-state approach to cybersecurity, and how government can protect its most critical infrastructure through collaboration, standardized strategies and resource sharing. Moderator: John Matelski, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government Bill Carter, Public Sector Field Strategist, US Public Sector, Fortinet Alan Eubanks, Enterprise Operations Infrastructure Manager, IT Infrastructure, Town of Gilbert Michael Moore, Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Secretary of State Ryan Murray, Deputy Director and State Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Department of Homeland Security Leveraging the Power of Data Through Digital Readiness Cassidy (2nd Floor) Unlocking the full potential of data while ensuring privacy and integrity presents daunting challenges for public sector organizations. Add AI into the equation, and everything becomes more complex. How do you cultivate responsible data practices while getting the total value out of the tools you use? This session explores strategies for defending sensitive data while also using data to improve outcomes for Arizona’s constituents and beyond. Moderator: Dr. Stephanie Deitrick, GISP, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, The Center for Integrated Data Innovation, City of Tempe Bob Burwell, CTO – State, Local Government, Education and Healthcare, NetApp Kari Johnson, Business Intelligence Manager, City of Scottsdale Mark Schreiber, VP of Intelligent Automation, Cloudwick Embracing the Future: Harmonizing Modernization and Innovation Ellis East (2nd Floor) Modernizing our systems is essential to providing efficient constituent services. How can we make sure the tools we are adopting for the future are necessary, accessible, and relevant in 5+ years down the line? How do we educate partners and determine business outcomes that bring forward-thinking innovation and creativity? Are there agile methodologies or innovative procurement strategies that can support our mission? This session will explore those questions and lay the foundation for effective modernization. Moderator: Erica Patterson, Vice President of Events, Government Technology Mark Darmer, Chief Information Officer, Arizona Department of Economic Security Robert Ochoa, Director of Cybersecurity Sales, ANM Finding, Keeping, and Growing Today’s IT Workforce Ellis West (2nd Floor) As the workforce landscape evolves, attracting and retaining top talent has become a critical challenge for organizations, especially the public sector. The modern workforce values flexibility, purpose-driven work, and opportunities for growth more than ever before. Where can the public sector find new talent to fill critical roles? What are the collaborative opportunities for educational institutions and government agencies to bridge the workforce gap? How do we motivate, mentor and upskill our existing teams to meet the needs of an ever-evolving tech environment? This session shares creative tactics and strategies for establishing, retaining, and fostering a diverse, future-ready government workforce. Moderator: Beth Neeley, Chief Information Officer, Arizona Department of Education Scott Conn, Chief Information Officer, City of Mesa Steen Hambric, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services, City of Phoenix Kevin Imes, Deputy Associate Superintendent for CTE, Arizona Department of Education
11:45 am Mountain no DST	Lunch Regency Ballroom CD
12:45 pm Mountain no DST	Bits and Bytes – Regency Ballroom CD
1:15 pm Mountain no DST	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:30 pm Mountain no DST	Concurrent Sessions The Full Score Card: Assessing and Addressing Insider Threats Sundance (1st Floor) Cybersecurity is a critical focus that extends beyond the IT department. How can we ensure that everyone takes ownership of information security to minimize internal breaches? How are you as an organization developing threat performance metrics to keep leadership informed of internal vulnerabilities? This session will explore strategies for developing a cybersecurity full score card to better understand and address threats inside your organization. Moderator: Ryan Murray, Deputy Director and State Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Department of Homeland Security Alan Eubanks, Enterprise Operations Infrastructure Manager, IT Infrastructure, Town of Gilbert Dan Wilkins, Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Department of Economic Security Designing for All: The Future of the Constituent Experience Cassidy (2nd Floor) Often when we talk about user experience, the conversation focuses on ease-of-use. While making our products more accessible can make human-computer interactions more complicated, a well-designed, accessible system can understand enough about the user to personalize the experience and offer the least-restrictive option to meet that user’s needs. Join our expert panel as we dive into the intersection of human centered design and accessibility as we look to elevate the constituent experience for ALL. Moderator: Ranbir Samra, Chief Information Officer, Arizona Department of Revenue Richard McHattie, Chief Information Officer, Maricopa County Kristi Miller, Managing Director, Accenture Amy Tinder, Web and Design Services Manager, Information Technology, City of Scottdale Leading Through Change Ellis East (2nd Floor) Public sector IT leaders must successfully navigate the complex landscape of change management. Balancing the dynamics of change is becoming more important than ever. How can leadership effectively communicate change? What structured approach is needed to transition individuals and teams? This session explores how to foster a culture of adaptability and effectively lead through change within your organization. Moderator: Erica Patterson, Vice President of Events, Government Technology Clif Summers, Chief Information Officer, Yuma County Suzan Tasvibi-Tanha, Chief Operating Officer, Arizona Department of Administration Joshua Wagner, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, State Data and Analytics Office, Arizona Department of Administration Responsible Innovation Ellis West (2nd Floor) Modern technologies are transforming the public sector, but how can agencies harness these tools in responsible ways? This panel will explore these technologies, and their uses within government agencies. We'll discuss the latest tools available and delve into ethical considerations and responsible practices. Moderator: Stewart Bruner, Strategic Planning Manager, Arizona Supreme Court Ken Kapetan, Senior Technology Strategist, SLED, Lumen Dr. Nadeem Malik, Distinguished Engineer, Vice President AI and ML Technologies, Kyndryl Monique Perry, ADA Accessibility Coordinator, City of Tempe Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners Cowboy Artists Room (2nd Floor) Hosted by: J.R. Sloan, Chief Information Officer, State of Arizona
2:30 pm Mountain no DST	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Regency Ballroom AB
3:00 pm Mountain no DST	General Session – CDG GovTech Radar for 2025 – A Look at the Future of GovTech Regency Ballroom CD As technology reshapes the public sector, staying ahead of the curve is more critical than ever. The CDG GovTech Radar for 2025 provides a forward-looking analysis of the key trends, innovations, and disruptors set to define the next wave of government technology. From AI-driven automation and digital identity to next-gen cybersecurity and the rise of composable government services, this session will unpack what’s on the horizon. Join us for an exclusive look at the technologies that will drive efficiency, security, and citizen engagement in the year ahead—and how agencies can prepare to lead the future of GovTech. John Matelski, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government
3:50 pm Mountain no DST	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Regency Ballroom AB Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:20 pm Mountain no DST	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

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Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Stewart Bruner
Strategic Planning Manager
Administrative Office of the Courts
State of Arizona

Scott Campbell
Chief Information Security & Privacy Officer
City of Tempe

Mark Darmer
Chief Information Officer
Department of Economic Security
State of Arizona

Sandip Dholakia
Chief Information Officer
City of Chandler

Lev Gonick
Chief Information Officer
Arizona State University

Steen Hambric
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology Services
City of Phoenix

Bianca Lochner
Chief Information Officer
City of Scottsdale

Richard McHattie
Chief Information Officer
Enterprise Technology Office
Maricopa County

Lisa Meyerson Marshall
Chief of Enterprise Solutions and Consulting
Department of Administration, Strategic Enterprise Technology Office
State of Arizona

Ryan Murray
State Chief Information Security Officer, Deputy Director
Department of Homeland Security
State of Arizona

Beth Neeley
Chief Information Officer
Department of Education
State of Arizona

Ranbir Samra
Chief Information Officer
Department of Revenue
State of Arizona

JR Sloan
State Chief Information Officer
Department of Administration - Arizona Strategic Enterprise Technology Office
State of Arizona

Clif Summers
Chief Information Officer
County of Yuma

Kuru Villa Mathew
Chief Information Officer
Secretary of State
State of Arizona

Joshua Wagner
State Chief Data & Analytics Officer
Data & Analytics Office
State of Arizona

Steven West
Chief Information Officer
Department of Transportation
State of Arizona