Name: Washington Digital Government Summit 2026
Start: 2026-11-12T08:00
Location: Greater Tacoma Convention Center

Overview

The Washington Digital Government Summit is where innovation meets impact!

Bringing together the brightest minds in state and local government, this summit empowers public-sector leaders to explore cutting-edge technologies, modernize operations, and solve pressing challenges. From cybersecurity and AI to data governance and digital service delivery, sessions are designed to spark insight, foster collaboration, and accelerate real-world results. Whether you're shaping strategy or implementing solutions, the Summit delivers valuable peer connections and actionable guidance to help move your mission forward.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Technology is evolving fast, and Washington government must adapt thoughtfully as we streamline government operations, strengthen cybersecurity, scale AI, modernize systems, and prepare our workforce for the future. The Washington Digital Government Summit gives state, local, and education leaders and our industry partners an important space to share experiences, exchange ideas, and focus on practical solutions together. I look forward to seeing you at the event.

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

Speakers

Bill Kehoe

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

Bill Kehoe joined Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) as the director and state CIO for Washington on August 1, 2021. He has pursued an agenda focused on innovation, resident engagement, creating a data driven culture and service excellence collaborating with agencies to drive project success and improve the resident experience.
Prior to WaTech, Bill was the CIO for Los Angeles County in California from 2017-2021, where he managed enterprise security, information management, enterprise architecture and technology consulting services for 37 county departments. He also served as an advisor to the Board of Supervisors and the Chief Executive Officer regarding enterprise technology strategy, policy and governance.
Bill has a long history of managing information technology departments in local and state governments, including more than 15 years in Washington state agencies and counties. Before working as CIO for Los Angeles County, he was the CIO and Information Department director for King County in Washington from 2010-2017 and served as the first CIO for the Department of Licensing from 2002-2010.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Gonzaga University.

Phil Hansen

Artist, Speaker, Author and Innovator

Referred to by his fans as “the Artist for the People”, Phil Hansen is an internationally recognized multimedia artist, speaker, author, and innovator -- at the forefront of bringing art to a wider audience. Crashing irreverently through conventional boundaries, Phil works at the intersection of traditional art, electronic media, offbeat materials, and interactive experiences. His meta-art, with its process-focused videos (sometimes including destruction), powerfully demonstrates to millions that art is action, not just result. Hansen's work also extends deeply into traditional media with features on the Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, the Rachael Ray Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, Glamour and many more. Many influential clients, including the Grammy Awards, Disney, Skype, Mazda, and the Rockefeller Foundation, seek out his work.
For the tens of millions who have seen Phil’s art on TV and online, it’s hard to imagine his artistic journey. His journey nearly came to an end when a tremor developed in his drawing hand. In exploring new ways to create art, Phil discovered that by embracing his shake. Limitations could become the passageway to creativity. His inspirational story was first shared on the TED stage to a standing ovation. It reached a global audience, with PBS, BBC, and CBC among its broadcasters. Now, Phil’s ability to draw parallels to the business setting has won him followers among industry and business leaders. This has led to invitations to speak at the TED conference, Adobe MAX Creativity Conference, World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, and the Million Dollar Round Table. Phil’s message of self-reinvention and the power of transforming adversity into opportunity translates well across audiences. This is regardless of the industry. His message inspires, motivates and re-energizes the creative spirit in us all.” - Ford Motor Company
“We need to first be limited in order to become limitless.” - Phil Hansen

Rob Allred

State Chief Architect, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Rob Allred serves as Washington State's Chief Enterprise Architect at WaTech, where he leads statewide enterprise architecture strategy, governance, and collaboration across state agencies. With more than 20 years of experience in public and private sector technology, Rob has led major initiatives in IT modernization, cloud adoption, data strategy, and business transformation.
Rob is passionate about making enterprise architecture practical, helping government organizations navigate emerging technologies while maintaining a focus on business value and the people they serve. His current interests include artificial intelligence, agentic systems, and rethinking traditional approaches to technology planning and modernization.

Anja Canfield-Budde

Associate VP and Deputy Chief Information Officer, University of Washington

Anja Canfield-Budde is the Deputy Chief Information Officer at the University of Washington and Associate Vice President for Data and Applications in Information Technology. Anja is responsible for strategic alignment, IT governance, and the execution of major university initiatives on behalf of the CIO. She also leads the operations of the UW’s core business and academic systems, data management, and digital accessibility. Anja is highly invested in driving operational excellence by building cohesive teams. Prior to joining the University of Washington, Anja spent close to ten years at Microsoft as a linguist in natural language processing.
She holds degrees from the University of Freiburg (Germany), Hull University (U.K.) and the University of Washington.

Ashley Cooper

Associate Director, Business Solutions Division, City of Seattle IT

Ashley Cooper is an Associate Director for Business Solutions in Seattle IT. Between military service and city government, she has spent more than 10 years serving a public mission. She has a passion for people-focused leadership and collaboration and strives towards creative solutions for consistent improvements. Ashley’s diverse background from art to nuclear engineering to IT provides the foundation for her approach to complex problems, always starting with asking questions first. She is a constant learner, and believes that growth and innovation can comes from many places, even outside of technology.

Tamara Davis

Chief Technology Officer, King County

Tamara Davis is the Chief Technology Officer for King County, Washington, with a 30-year career in technology and geographic information systems (GIS). Her work encompasses business and IT transformations across all county departments, including operational support for complex business application portfolios, innovative rate methodologies for budgeting, and strategic GIS program development. Tamara holds a Master of Science in Information Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Washington.

Viggo Forde

Director of IT/CIO, Department of Information Technology, Snohomish County, Washington

Viggo Forde serves as the Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology for Snohomish County, WA, the third largest county in Washington State. Prior to joining Snohomish County he had a long career at Microsoft where his last job was as a Senior Director in Customer Service and Support. He also brings experience from Amazon and Boeing. In addition to his professional career Viggo is the Honorary Consul of Norway to the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho. He has assisted multiple non-profit organizations with his leadership and business experience and is a current board member of the National Nordic Museum in Seattle. He has also held board roles at the University of Washington Scandinavian Studies Department, and UW Industrial and Systems Engineering Executive Advisory Board, as well as the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce/NorCham. He holds a masters and bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington.

Heidi Geathers

Sr. Assistant Director, Administrative Services, Department of Revenue, State of Washington

I joined state service in 2013 as the CIO of the Liquor and Cannabis Board.  This was during the height of legalization of Marijuana. This was a huge shift in operational business models and subject matter for me. I spent the prior 20 years supporting and leading technology operations in the banking industry. I always thought my career in banking was rewarding, but being a part of something greater, such as public service, is one of my greatest achievements. My career path has shifted and grown over the years. I am currently part of Department of Revenue’s Executive Team where I get to lead administrative divisions such as Human Resources, Finance, and Information Services. I thoroughly enjoy my role and have the same excitement today, being part of this great organization, as I did on the day I started. 
My career journey has required grit, continuous learning, empathy and teamwork. I have been fortunate to work alongside many brilliant, service oriented, and genuine people along the way. The myriads of leadership styles, experiences, and growth mindsets I encountered helped me to see things more broadly and recognize that strengths in others comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Callie Goldsby

Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce, State of Washington

Callie Goldsby is the Chief Information Officer for the Washington State Department of Commerce. She leads enterprise technology strategy, modernization, and digital transformation to better serve communities and businesses across Washington. Known for her people-first leadership style, Callie focuses on building strong teams, fostering innovation, and advancing equity in technology. She is also a mentor and advocate for developing the next generation of IT leaders, and values collaboration across government, industry, and community partners.

Nadia Hansen

Global GTM AI Strategist, Salesforce  

Nadia Hansen is a Global GTM AI Strategist at Salesforce, where she leads go-to-market strategy for AI solutions in the public sector. A former CIO of Clark County, Nevada — where she managed a $100M+ budget and 200+ staff serving 2.3 million residents — Nadia brings rare credibility as both a government technology executive and an enterprise AI strategist. She is a sought-after speaker at national conferences including Dreamforce, CES, and NACO, and an adjunct faculty member at UNLV and Nevada State University, teaching AI for business leaders. Nadia is passionate about making AI accessible, actionable, and equitable, especially in the communities that need it most.

Michael Kirchner

SLED Technology Strategist, Lumen

Michael Kirchner is a cybersecurity professional at Lumen Technologies, specializing in the protection of critical IT infrastructure. With over a decade of experience in threat detection, incident response, and network defense, Michael advises private enterprise and government efforts to strengthen digital resilience. At Lumen, he drives strategic initiatives that anticipate and neutralize emerging cyber threats, helping organizations stay ahead in an increasingly complex threat landscape. Michael is a trusted voice in the cybersecurity community, contributing to industry best practices and speaking regularly at security forums.

Nikki Kloepfer

People Strategy and Operations Manager, City of Seattle IT

Nichole (Nikki) Kloepfer is the People Strategy and Operations Manager for Seattle Information Technology, where she leads workforce learning, leadership development, mentorship, and operational initiatives that support the department’s people and priorities. She partners with executive leadership to connect workforce development with organizational strategy and the evolving demands of public service.
Her work includes advancing AI workforce readiness, strengthening knowledge sharing, and creating practical opportunities for employees to learn and grow. With a background in executive operations and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, Nikki brings a people-centered approach to organizational change. She is passionate about helping teams build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to put technology to work in service of their communities.

Gretchen Peri

State Chief Technology Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Gretchen Peri has served as the Washington State Chief Technology Officer since September 2025. Prior to joining the State, she led the global government, education, and nonprofit business for Slalom Consulting. Peri began her career working at the US Immigration and Naturalization Service and the US Mission to the United Nations. Her early experiences in public sector inspired in her a passion for helping government agencies deliver the best public services to their communities. After completing her MPA, Peri spent several years consulting justice and public safety agencies on how to best leverage technology to improve operations and integrated justice data sharing. She joined Slalom in 2011 where she started the firm’s inaugural Public Sector practice.
Nationally recognized for her contributions to technology innovation, Peri has received multiple honors, including a 2023 Consulting Magazine award for excellence in innovation. She also serves on the King County Strategic Advisory Council and the 30x30 Initiative Advisory Board, helping public institutions improve equity, safety, and strategic direction.

Mark Quimby

Deputy Director for Technology and Operations, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Mark Quimby is the Deputy Director of Enterprise Technology Services at WaTech, leading the development and implementation of enterprise services for Washington state. Since 2014, he has held key leadership roles, including Assistant Director for Network Services, shaping IT strategy and infrastructure.
In 2021, Mark served as Acting State CIO and WaTech Director, guiding the agency through a critical transition with a focus on collaboration, resilience, and innovation. With expertise in IT governance, cybersecurity, and network management, he ensures technology aligns with business needs and enhances service delivery.
Previously, Mark spent 15 years modernizing technology infrastructure at the Washington State Department of Corrections. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and business management from The Evergreen State College, along with four associate degrees in IT disciplines. His leadership is defined by transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to leveraging technology for operational excellence.

Jade Redfield

Portfolio, Products and Projects Manager, City of Seattle IT

Jade Redfield is a manager in the Portfolio, Product, and Project Management division of Seattle IT, where she leads a team of project managers, business analysts, and quality assurance. She has over a decade of experience in public sector IT, including work in GIS, business analysis, and leadership within the PMO.
Over time, she’s become known for helping teams make sense of complex work and finding a clear direction forward. She’s especially interested in how strategy is communicated - how it moves beyond documents and slides and becomes something people at different levels of the organization can understand and use in their day-to-day work.
Jade cares a lot about how teams work together and how leaders communicate. She believes strategy only works when people can see themselves in it and understand how their work connects to the bigger picture.

Reid Rose

Vice President, IBM Data Platform Sales, US Public Market, IBM

Reid Rose serves as Vice President for IBM’s Data Platform in the U.S. Public Market, partnering with government, education, and public sector organizations to harness data and AI for mission success. With over 20 years at IBM, Reid has helped agencies modernize operations, improve citizen services, and unlock insights through secure, scalable technology solutions.
Throughout his career, Reid has led initiatives that enable digital transformation and foster innovation across the public sector. His experience spans strategy development, solution design, and client advocacy - always with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes for organizations and the communities they serve.
Reid is a graduate of St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN) with a degree in Economics and with an emphasis in Mathematics. He is passionate about collaboration and building bridges between technology and business to solve complex challenges.

Katy Ruckle, JD

Chief Privacy Officer, State of Washington

Katy was appointed as Washington state's Chief Privacy Officer in 2020. This year she was named one of the nation’s inaugural AI 50 honorees by the Center for Public Sector AI, recognizing her leadership in shaping ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence in government.
Ruckle has been at the forefront of Washington’s AI efforts, playing a key role in developing the first AI policy for the state to ensure its ethical and transparent use. Katy also co-founded the state’s Artificial Intelligence Community of Practice, which brings together experts from state and local agencies, as well as academia.
Since being appointed in 2020 to lead WaTech’s Office of Privacy and Data Protection, Ruckle has developed foundational privacy principles, launched statewide training programs, and is leading a nationally recognized privacy program. She was also appointed to the state’s AI Task Force by the former Attorney General, now Governor Bob Ferguson.
Her latest honor adds to a growing list of accolades, including recognition as one of GovTech’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers in 2024, a StateScoop Top 50 award, and the Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award in 2023.

Brad Steiner

Principal Strategist, AT&T/FirstNet

Brad is a Principal Strategist in the Mission Critical Product team where he partners with First Responders, AT&T Product teams, and the FirstNet Authority to accelerate the adoption of and expand the use of FirstNet. Brad is a passionate problem solver and enjoys working with customers to create and implement solutions that utilize the latest technology to increase the tools available to public safety personnel.

Ed Therriault

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.

Scott West

Chief Information Officer, Department of Ecology, State of Washington

Scott West serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Washington State Department of Ecology, where his leadership has catalyzed significant advancements in digital transformation. Prior, Scott partnered with agencies and staff at WaTech to finalize the State of Washingtons Shared Microsoft 365 Tenant and pioneering the funding for the enterprise cloud highway with Mark Quimby. Scott has been instrumental in fostering a tech-forward, environmentally conscious operational framework.
His career is marked by a profound commitment to innovation, notably through his advocacy for Artificial Intelligence. His expertise has made him a prominent voice at conferences, shedding light on AI's transformative impact on IT and business landscapes alike.
Prior to his public service, Scott's tenure in the private sector was distinguished by his development of modern applications that revolutionized procurement processes and streamlined accounting operations, underscoring his capability to blend technology with functional efficiency seamlessly.
Scott's is a graduate of the University of Washington and holds a master’s degree in business which has assisted in enriching his technological and environmental endeavors.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Scott is a horror novelist, weaving tales that explore the depths of human emotion and the darker facets of nature. His literary work adds a creative dimension to his persona, revealing his ability to navigate complex narratives.
An avid enthusiast of home automation, Scott's personal life mirrors his professional passion for technology. His continuous experimentation with smart home technologies exemplifies his belief in technology's power to enhance and simplify everyday life.

Thursday, November 12
8:00 am Pacific	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area 3rd Level Lobby
9:00 am Pacific	Welcome and Opening Remarks Ballroom A/B/C Bill Kehoe, Director and State Chief Information Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington
9:15 am Pacific	Keynote - EMBRACE THE SHAKE: Transforming Limitations into Opportunities Ballroom A/B/C Success, especially in today’s fast-changing business environment, depends on our ability to make creativity and innovation a continuous process. Leaders want to know how their teams can rise above any challenge and succeed no matter what comes their way. Whether the goal is to embrace change, overcome obstacles, sustain growth, or take your success to the next level, leaders and teams want to learn how to “Embrace the Shake.” The term “Embrace the Shake” is coined from artist Phil Hansen’s personal story of transformation. Sponsored by: Phil Hansen, Professional Artist, and Inspirational Public Speaker Armis, Carahsoft \| Adobe Inc., Sabot Consulting
10:15 am Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area 3rd Level Lobby
10:45 am Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Choose Your Own AI Adventure: Table Talks Meeting Room 316 There is no single AI challenge facing government - and no single conversation that covers them all! In this interactive session, following a brief overview of key AI trends by topic leaders, attendees will join facilitated table discussions on topics including AI Tools and Use Cases, Scaling and Operationalizing AI, Responsible AI, Governance and Risk, AI Workforce and Literacy, and AI in the Physical World. Come ready to share experiences, ask questions and learn from peers tackling similar challenges. Heidi Geathers, Senior Assistant Director of Administrative Services, Department of Revenue, State of Washington Lisa Qian, City AI Officer, City of Seattle IT Mark Quimby, Deputy Director for Technology and Operations, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Katy Ruckle, State Chief Privacy Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Nadia Hansen, Global GTM AI Strategist, Salesforce Jay Nath, Account Director, OpenAI Beyond Cybersecurity: Managing the New Risk Landscape Meeting Room 318 AI is reshaping the risk landscape, introducing new considerations around cybersecurity, reputation, critical infrastructure and operational resilience. As frontier AI capabilities accelerate, public sector leaders must understand how the threat landscape is changing, determine what systems and services are truly critical, and prioritize limited security resources based on risk and potential impact. This session explores an all-risk approach to the AI era, including emerging threats, infrastructure and industrial control vulnerabilities, reputational risk, and strategies for protecting the systems and services constituents depend on. Lead Panelist: Scott West, Chief Information Officer, Pierce County Thanh Thai, Security Operations Manager, City of Seattle IT Michael Kirchner, SLED Technology Strategist, Lumen FBI Cyber Task Force Connecting the Dots: Turning Data into Action Meeting Room 317 Government has more data than ever, but creating value often depends on connecting information that was collected by different organizations, systems and for entirely different purposes. This session explores how data integration, GIS and AI can bring information together to generate new insights, improve services and support better decision-making - while recognizing the limitations, context and guardrails that aren't always visible in the data itself. Hear how organizations can move from simply possessing data to connecting and using it responsibly for meaningful outcomes. Joanne Pearson, State Geospatial Information Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Toby Semroc, GIS Developer and Technical Lead, City of Seattle IT Reid Rose, Vice President, IBM Data Platform Sales, US Public Market, IBM Rethinking the Technology Playbook: More Choices, New Rules Meeting Room 315 The lines between building, buying and configuring technology are blurring as low-code tools, citizen development, and AI-assisted coding give agencies more ways to solve problems - and do it faster. But greater choice and speed also bring new questions: What should be built internally or sourced externally? Who should be empowered to create solutions, how will they be funded and maintained, and what standards and guardrails need to be in place? This session explores how IT and business leaders can rethink technology decision-making, enable experimentation and rapid proofs of concept, and balance flexibility with governance, security and long-term sustainability. Moderator: Chris Lamb, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Cloud & Emerging Technologies, Architecture & Innovation Division, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Ashley Cooper, Associate Director, Business Solutions Division, City of Seattle IT Tamara Davis, Chief Technology Officer, King County Michael DeAngelo, Chief Information Officer, Department of Revenue, State of Washington Deanna Rink, IT Manager, Architecture & Software Development, Pierce County
11:45 am Pacific	Lunch Ballroom A/B/C
12:45 pm Pacific	Bits and Bytes - Connecting Washington's Innovation Ecosystem Ballroom A/B/C Innovation doesn't happen in isolation. Across Washington and the region, governments, communities and partners are finding new ways to connect, share ideas and tackle emerging technology challenges together. In this showcase, you will hear examples of collaboration in action - from cross-government exchanges and regional innovation networks to AI coalitions and resident-driven conversations about emerging technology. Discover what's working, what others can learn from these efforts and how stronger connections can help turn promising ideas into shared progress. Viggo Forde, Chief Information Officer and Director of IT, Snohomish County Gretchen Peri, Chief Technology Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Sabra Schneider, Chief Information Officer, City of Bellevue
1:15 pm Pacific	Short Break Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
1:35 pm Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Trust by Design: Data, Privacy and Governance for Emerging Technology Meeting Room 318 As AI and emerging technologies become more embedded, they are putting new pressure on existing approaches to data governance, privacy and technology oversight. How can organizations adapt their governance structures to keep pace, protect sensitive information and maintain trust while still creating room for innovation? This session explores evolving approaches to data, privacy, governance and security - and how getting these foundations right can support the responsible adoption of emerging technologies. Anja Canfield-Budde, Associate VP and Deputy Chief Information Officer, University of Washington José Matthews, Enterprise Data Manager, Snohomish County David McMorries, Chief Information Security Officer, University of Washington Future Ready: Workforce Table Talks Meeting Room 316 As emerging technologies reshape government work, the skills, roles and career paths of today's workforce are evolving just as quickly. How can organizations prepare for skills they may need a year or two from now, build adaptability alongside technical expertise, and create learning opportunities that keep pace with change? In this interactive session, following brief insights from topic leaders, attendees will join facilitated table discussions exploring Skills for the Future, Closing Today's Skills Gap, Learning and Upskilling That Works, and Evolving Roles and Career Paths. Come ready to share experiences, ask questions and learn from peers tackling similar challenges. Callie Goldsby, Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce, State of Washington Nikki Kloepfer, People Strategy and Operations Manager, City of Seattle IT Cathleen Overmiller, Human Resources Director, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Greg Tudor, Chief Information Officer, Recreation and Conservation Office, State of Washington Reimagining How Government Works: Technology as a Catalyst for Transformation Meeting Room 317 Government operations have grown increasingly complex over time, with business processes, organizational structures and technology often evolving independently of one another. Today, we have an opportunity to rethink how those pieces come together - streamlining and integrating processes, breaking down organizational and technology silos, and using technology to enable new ways of working. Product thinking, new delivery approaches and emerging technologies can help organizations become more responsive, innovative and focused on the work that delivers the greatest value. This interactive session explores how government can modernize not just its technology, but how it operates - and the cultural and organizational shifts needed to make that transformation successful. Moderator: Amy Pearson, Chief of Staff to the State Chief Information Officer and Director of IT, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Rob Allred, State Chief Architect, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Jade Redfield, Portfolio, Products, and Projects Manager, City of Seattle IT Brad Steiner, Principal Strategist, AT&T/FirstNet Ed Therriault, Principal Digital Transformation Architect, Portage Cybertech Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners \| Around the Table: Government and Industry Conversations Meeting Room 315 Industry partners are encouraged to join this session to connect directly with state and local IT leaders for candid, small-group conversations around some of today’s most important technology priorities. In this rotating roundtable format, industry attendees will move between discussions focused on modernization, privacy, networks, cybersecurity, cloud, and AI - creating an opportunity to hear government perspectives, share ideas, ask questions, and better understand the challenges and opportunities shaping public-sector technology in the State of Washington. Hosted by: Bill Kehoe, Director and State Chief Information Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington Stephen Heard, Chief Information Officer, King County Shannon Smith, Chief Technology Officer, City of Seattle
2:35 pm Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area 3rd Level Lobby
3:00 pm Pacific	General Session – 25 Years of Digital Government 'The Eras Tour': How Technology, Policy and Public Service Evolved - and What Comes Next Ballroom A/B/C 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. Rob Lloyd, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government
3:45 pm Pacific	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area 3rd Level Lobby 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.

Greater Tacoma Convention Center

1500 Commerce
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-830-6601

Get Directions To
Greater Tacoma Convention Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Rob Allred
State Chief Architect
Washington Technology Solutions
State of Washington

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

Anja Canfield-Budde
Associate VP for Data & Applications & Deputy CIO
Information Technology
University of Washington

Tamara Davis
Chief Technology Officer
King County

Chris Fadden
IT Director
City of Everett

Viggo Forde
Chief Information Officer and Director of IT
Snohomish County

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

Callie Goldsby
Chief Information Officer
Department of Commerce
State of Washington

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

Chris Lamb
Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Cloud & Emerging Technologies
Architecture & Innovation Division, Washington Technology Solutions
State of Washington

Ryan Leisinger
Chief Information Officer
Department of Health
State of Washington

Laz Martinez
Chief Information and Technology Officer
City of Spokane

Clint Mitchels
Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer
Department of Social and Health Services
State of Washington

Matthew Modarelli
Chief Information Officer
Department of Transportation
State of Washington

Amy Pearson
Chief of Staff to the State Chief Information Officer and Director of IT
Washington Technology Solutions
State of Washington

Joanne Pearson
WaTech Director
Architecture & Innovation
WA Technology Solutions

Gretchen Peri
Chief Technology Officer
Washington Technology Solutions
State of Washington

Mark Quimby
Deputy Director for Enterprise Technology Services
Washington Technology Solutions
State of Washington

Katy Ruckle
State Chief Privacy Officer
Washington Technology Solutions
State of Washington

Sabra Schneider
Chief Information Officer
City of Bellevue

Shannon Smith
Chief Technology Officer
City of Seattle

Greg Tudor
Chief Information Officer
Recreation and Conservation Office
State of Washington

Scott West
Chief Information Officer
Pierce County

Industry Representatives

Jim Lawson
Product Marketing Practice Leader
Product
Portage CyberTech

Ben Mead
Named Account Executive
Salesforce

Jay Nath
Account Director
OpenAI

Elise Sivilay
Technology Client Leader
SLED, State of WA
IBM

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: November 12, 2026

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:

Lee Vang
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (800) 940-6039
E-mail: lvang@erepublic.com

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

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone:(916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

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

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

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Washington Digital Government Summit 2026

Overview

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Bill Kehoe

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

Phil Hansen

Artist, Speaker, Author and Innovator

Rob Allred

State Chief Architect, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Anja Canfield-Budde

Associate VP and Deputy Chief Information Officer, University of Washington

Ashley Cooper

Associate Director, Business Solutions Division, City of Seattle IT

Tamara Davis

Chief Technology Officer, King County

Viggo Forde

Director of IT/CIO, Department of Information Technology, Snohomish County, Washington

Heidi Geathers

Sr. Assistant Director, Administrative Services, Department of Revenue, State of Washington

Callie Goldsby

Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce, State of Washington

Nadia Hansen

Global GTM AI Strategist, Salesforce

Michael Kirchner

SLED Technology Strategist, Lumen

Nikki Kloepfer

People Strategy and Operations Manager, City of Seattle IT

Gretchen Peri

State Chief Technology Officer, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Mark Quimby

Deputy Director for Technology and Operations, Washington Technology Solutions, State of Washington

Jade Redfield

Portfolio, Products and Projects Manager, City of Seattle IT

Reid Rose

Vice President, IBM Data Platform Sales, US Public Market, IBM

Katy Ruckle, JD

Chief Privacy Officer, State of Washington

Brad Steiner

Principal Strategist, AT&T/FirstNet

Ed Therriault

Principal Digital Transformation Architect, Portage CyberTech

Scott West

Chief Information Officer, Department of Ecology, State of Washington

Agenda

Thursday, November 12

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

3rd Level Lobby

9:00 am Pacific

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Ballroom A/B/C

9:15 am Pacific

Keynote - EMBRACE THE SHAKE: Transforming Limitations into Opportunities

Ballroom A/B/C

10:15 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

3rd Level Lobby

10:45 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Choose Your Own AI Adventure: Table Talks

Meeting Room 316

Beyond Cybersecurity: Managing the New Risk Landscape

Meeting Room 318

Connecting the Dots: Turning Data into Action

Meeting Room 317

Rethinking the Technology Playbook: More Choices, New Rules

Meeting Room 315

11:45 am Pacific

Lunch

Ballroom A/B/C

12:45 pm Pacific

Bits and Bytes - Connecting Washington's Innovation Ecosystem

Ballroom A/B/C

1:15 pm Pacific

Short Break

1:35 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Trust by Design: Data, Privacy and Governance for Emerging Technology

Meeting Room 318

Nadia Hansen

Global GTM AI Strategist, Salesforce  