Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom C

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Ballroom B

Michelle Gilman, Commissioner, Department of Administration Services, State of Connecticut

Mark Raymond, Chief Information Officer, Bureau of Information Technology Services, State of Connecticut

Keynote – Debrief to Win: Building Teams that Succeed in Disruption

Ballroom B

In times of turbulence and disruption, even the best teams can struggle to stay focused, aligned, and accountable. Overcoming these challenges requires a shift in mindset and the right leadership tools to create resilient, high-performing teams. Learn from a former U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School ("Top Gun") instructor how elite military teams succeed by centering on a shared mission, driving purpose, and embracing accountability as a path to growth, not blame. Walk away with actionable strategies and inspiring insights to help your teams thrive under pressure and achieve lasting success.

Robert Teschner, Founder & CEO, Vmax Group

Sponsored by: Adobe | AWS

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom C

Concurrent Sessions

Beyond the Buzz: Real AI Wins for Public Sector IT

Meeting Room 22/23

AI is no longer theoretical; it’s a practical tool helping public sector IT teams deliver better services, detect fraud, and improve operations. So how can you overcome uncertainty and identify where AI can make an immediate impact? This session highlights real-world use cases, emerging innovations, and quick wins that build confidence while demonstrating measurable value. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of the art of the possible and actionable steps to leverage AI today.

Moderator: Dawn La Valle, Director, Division of Library Development, Connecticut State Library

Dan Giacomi, Division Director, Department of Social Services, State of Connecticut

Robert Groat, Executive Vice President, SMX

Dan O'Keefe, Commissioner and Chief Innovation Officer, Department of Economic and Community Development, State of Connecticut

Patch, Protect, Prevail: Navigating Cybersecurity Threats

Meeting Room 24

Ransomware and evolving cyber threats are exposing gaps in traditional public sector defenses and challenging long-held assumptions. How can IT leaders stay ahead as attackers adopt AI, and the balance between offense and defense continues to shift? This session examines the current threat landscape, the role of AI in cybersecurity, and the urgency of real-time patching and adaptive strategies. The panel will focus on a sharp understanding of today’s risks and actionable steps to strengthen resilience against modern threats.

Moderator: Gene Meltzer, Chief Information Security Officer, Executive Branch, State of Connecticut

Kiran Mantha, Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP

Data Never Goes Out of Style: Turning Insight into Impact

Meeting Room 25

Data remains one of the public sector’s most powerful assets, but only when it’s governed, trusted, and effectively shared to tell a meaningful story. How can agencies securely break down silos and enable cross-agency data sharing while maintaining privacy and compliance? This session explores how strong data governance, safe data collaboration, and thoughtful analysis can unlock actionable insights and drive better outcomes.

Moderator: Alfredo Herrera, Geographic Information Officer, Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

Rachel Leventhal-Weiner, Director of Evaluation and Impact, Office of Policy and Management, State of Connecticut

Natalie Schubert, Chief Executive Officer, Daida/Scan Optics

Lunch

Ballroom B

Bits and Bytes – Bright Ideas, Real Results

Ballroom B

In these use case focused lightning talks, we’ll explore public sector success stories and pilots with measurable outcomes.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

The Power of Identity: Building Trust at Scale

Meeting Room 22/23

As organizations modernize, identity management needs are reshaping how agencies secure access. How can IT leaders integrate strong identity protection strategies with tools to improve security, insight, and decision-making? Our panel of experts will discuss the intersection of identity management and digital innovation, highlighting how these capabilities can enhance visibility, control, and operational efficiency.

Moderator: Max Gigle, Program Manager, Connecticut Digital Service, State of Connecticut

Dave Labbadia, Director of Enterprise Infrastructure and Strategy, Department of Administrative Services, State of Connecticut

Better Together: Collaboration for Maximum Impact

Meeting Room 24

Government teams across the state strive to align IT priorities with business goals, maximize resources, and accelerate digital transformation. How can IT teams strengthen collaboration and leverage business intelligence while continuing to do more with less? This session explores practical strategies for bridging the gap between IT and business. Attendees will gain actionable insights on improving alignment and expanding collaboration to deliver greater impact for constituents.

Moderator: Jamie Gamble, Customer Success Manager, Department of Administrative Services, State of Connecticut

Lora Rae Anderson, Chief of Staff, Department of Transportation, State of Connecticut

Nathan Wilson, Director of Operations, Department of Agriculture, State of Connecticut

Future-Ready Talent: Building a Tech-Savvy Public Sector Workforce

Meeting Room 25

Public sector organizations must develop a workforce that is digitally skilled, adaptable, and prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. How can agencies equip employees with the skills and mindset needed to keep pace with emerging technologies like AI? This panel will explore strategies for upskilling and reskilling talent, fostering continuous learning, and creating meaningful career development pathways. Attendees will gain practical insights on building a more tech-savvy, agile, and future-ready workforce capable of driving innovation and mission success.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Meeting Room 21

Hosted by: Mark Raymond, Chief Information Officer, Bureau of Information Technology Services, State of Connecticut

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom C

General Session – 25 Years of Digital Government: How Technology, Policy, and Public Service Evolved, And What Comes Next

Ballroom B

In 2001, "digital government" meant moving paper forms to static PDF downloads. Today, it means real-time, AI-driven resident services, "whole-of-state" cybersecurity, and cloud-native infrastructure that never sleeps. As the Center for Digital Government (CDG) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we invite you to a high-energy retrospective and a forward-looking strategy session that tracks the evolution of the public sector’s digital DNA. We will walk through the "waves" of transformation we’ve navigated together and will provide a roadmap for the next quarter-century of innovation.

Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, e.Republic

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Ballroom C

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

End of Conference

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