California Public Sector CIO Academy 2026

Overview

Now in its 21st year, the California Public Sector CIO Academy returns in 2026 as the premier event for developing both today’s senior technology leaders and the next generation rising in their ranks. Rooted in human-centered leadership, the Academy provides a unique environment where current and emerging leaders can sharpen the skills, insights, and resilience needed to guide organizational transformation. Against the backdrop of California’s ambitious digital initiatives, the Academy blends learning, mentorship, and collaboration, empowering leaders at every stage of their journey to shape a government that advances with purpose and innovation.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, investing in leadership development isn't optional—it's essential. Attending the California Public Sector CIO Academy is an opportunity to engage with forward-thinking leaders, develop your leadership skills, and strengthen the collaboration essential for driving our state's digital transformation.

– Liana Bailey-Crimmins, CA State CIO & Department of Technology Director

Speakers

Dr. Sammy Ramsey

Inspirational Changemaker in Science & Society; Cutting-Edge Communicator, Founder & Director of the Ramsey Research Foundation

One of only a handful of African Americans to earn a PhD in entomology, Dr. Sammy Ramsey is an inspirational science leader and communicator who has defied the odds to achieve his dreams and is a testament to the power of grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to one’s purpose. When people said he didn’t have what it took to make his mark in entomology, he proved them wrong by making a breakthrough discovery in the field of bee research — one that could potentially reverse a devastating pandemic in bee populations. And when people told him he didn’t “look” like a scientist, he remained true to himself and redefined what a scientist could look like. Dr. Ramsey has mastered the art of unconventional thinking to arrive at innovative solutions to some of the most significant challenges shaping the future of our society and teaches organizations and individuals how they can do the same as they address their most-pressing challenges in business and life head-on.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Dr. Ramsey is an energetic presence on stage who is candid, thought-provoking, and humorous in his keynotes. He draws from his own personal life and professional journey to share inspiring stories of tapping into resilience, innovation, and ingenuity to overcome the odds, become a better communicator, and view problems from unique perspectives to arrive at game-changing solutions on the path to achieving individual and collective goals. There’s a noticeable buzz during Dr. Ramsey’s talks as he interacts with his audience — all while weaving in examples from his research and making science more accessible and relatable to the masses.
Described as “your friendly neighborhood entomologist,” Dr. Ramsey is the endowed professor of entomology at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he teaches about effective communication and how understanding of the deep interconnectedness of all organisms can solve real-world problems. He is also the founder of The Ramsey Research Foundation, which conducts cutting-edge, novel research on issues affecting pollinator health globally — including parasite spread, disease management, and habitat preservation. He has utilized his exceptional skillset working in academia, industry, and government — including alongside the U.S. Supreme Court, House of Representatives, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
A powerful voice in the science community and beyond, Dr. Ramsey is a National Geographic explorer who was recognized by the publication as a 2022 Wayfinder Award recipient, which honors individuals leading a new age of exploration through science, education, conservation, technology, and storytelling. He has shared his insights and expertise in the Hulu docuseries Your Attention Please, as well as in the Washington Post, on NPR, CNN, Wired, CBS Mornings, Khan Academy, Seeker, The Today Show, and several local news segments. He also authored a chapter in the book The Future of Exploration, in which 35+ world-renowned science leaders share firsthand accounts of adventure and discovery in their fields. Additionally, Dr. Ramsey leverages social media and his YouTube channel (“Doctor Buggs”) to inspire the next generation of curious minds and introduce them to all the possibilities that exist for them to flourish within STEM. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the highest levels, he is determined to create a future where everyone has equal opportunities for success, regardless of their background or appearance.
Dr. Ramsey graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Entomology from Cornell and later earned a Ph.D. at the University of Maryland. He completed his post-doctoral training at USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory.

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

Tom Andriola

Field Chief Information Officer, Business Transformation and AI Executive, Dynatrace

Tom Andriola has spent 30 years at the intersection of business innovation & technology. He has a rare combination of experiences that range across the public and private sector, from Fortune-100 global roles to early-stage companies & startups, experience working on four continents, as a Chief Information Officer in 3 different industries, leader of Software & SaaS businesses, and as a board member & investor. He is a recognized thought leader in digital innovation, enterprise transformation, data assets as strategy, and the evolving impact of AI – especially in industries like healthcare and education.
Tom was formerly the CIO for the University of California System, managing a $1.4B technology portfolio across 10 campuses, 6 health centers, 3 national labs and 220,000 employees. He led the Health System’s big data strategy, building data assets for 16M+ patients that enabled AI in precision medicine; he created a technology leadership academy to train tomorrow’s CIOs; and at UC Irvine he launched ZotGPT in 2023, one of the first AI platforms in the public sector advancing the organization’s AI journey for education, research and patient care.
Tom has contributed to public and policy forums, including the 2016 White House Commission on Cybersecurity, 2021 The White House COVID-19 Task Force, and 2024 California AI Commission on workforce development. He advises states & municipalities on their approach towards AI balancing risk and opportunity and serves on boards of several companies.

Tara Armstrong

Deputy Director, Chief Information Officer, California Employment Training Panel

Tara Armstrong has worked at the Employment Training Panel (ETP) since 2007 and serves as Chief Information Officer and Deputy Director of the Technical Operations Branch. She leads efforts to align business strategy and technology to improve organizational efficiency and service delivery, partnering with leadership and cross-functional teams to advance digital modernization, enterprise collaboration platforms, modern contract management solutions, cybersecurity and secure technology operations, and emerging GenAI capabilities across the organization.

Claire Bailey

Chief Government Strategist North America Government, Tanium

Claire Bailey is the Public Sector Strategist at Tanium, supporting the company’s North America Government business. Her more than 41 years of experience includes driving modernization, security, and transformation initiatives for federal, state and local governments, in both private and public sector leadership roles. Some of her most prominent positions include serving as Chief Technology Officer for the State of Arkansas, and several industry vice president and director roles at Veracode, KWR Strategies, and Compuware, among others. Bailey’s contributions to public service and innovation have earned her honors and recognition from several institutions including the Governor’s Quality Award (Arkansas), Government Technology, StateScoop, and the Arkansas Academy of Computing.

Amarjot Biring

Chief Information Officer, Commission on Teacher Credentialing, State of California

Amarjot Biring is a senior technology executive with more than 25 years of information technology experience in California state government. As CIO for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, he oversees cloud services, data governance, enterprise applications, and technology platforms that support statewide credentialing operations. His prior leadership roles at the Office of Technology & Solutions Integration and CalRecycle included advancing system redesigns, platform consolidation, statewide compliance initiatives, and high impact vendor and contract portfolios. Amarjot holds a BS in Computer Science, an MBA, and a Doctorate in Business Administration.

Christine Blake

Product Manager, Office of Technology Solutions and Integration, CA Health and Human Services

Christine Blake is an Information Technology Manager I at the Office of Technology Services and Integration (OTSI) within the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), where she serves as a Product Manager for enterprise equity and data initiatives. In this role, she leads end-to-end product management within an agile framework and guides cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact data products. Christine partners closely with executive leadership, engineering teams, and cross-departmental stakeholders to ensure product strategy, execution, and delivery outcomes align with CalHHS priorities around transparency, equity, and data-driven decision-making .
In addition to her product leadership, Christine plays a key role in advancing data governance and responsible AI across the Agency. She leads and contributes to communities of practice focused on data standards, ethical AI, and equity-centered policy development—helping to shape guidance that promotes inclusive, consistent, and meaningful representation of California’s diverse populations. As the Product Manager for OTSI, she oversees a flagship initiative designed to assess demographic data completeness and identify disparities across health and human services programs. Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern University A&M College and an MBA from Strayer University, and brings a strong foundation in enterprise architecture, project management, and portfolio management to her work advancing equitable outcomes through data and technology.

Jamie Butler

Director of Solutions Architecture, Amazon Web Services

Jamie Butler serves as the director of solutions architecture for education as well as state and local government (EDU/SLG) at Amazon Web Services (AWS) where he leads a team of technical professionals who help EDU/SLG customers across the United States improve their citizen, researcher, and learner services on their cloud journey through technical expertise, guidance, and best practices.
Prior to AWS, Jamie spent over 15 years working in Higher Education as a C-suite executive to address opportunities and challenges facing the education community. He holds a BS in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA with a specialty in Technology Management from UC Davis Graduate School of Management. In addition, he is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), holds several AWS Certifications, and serves on the board of directors for several non-profit education focused institutions.

Melissa Carlin

Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, CA Dept of Technology

Melissa Carlin is the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer at the California Department of Technology, with 14 years of experience in public-sector EEO, specializing in workplace investigations, civil rights compliance, policy development, and program leadership. She leads and develops the department’s EEO program and manages and conducts complex discrimination, harassment, and retaliation investigations.
Melissa advises executives, managers, and employees at all levels, providing guidance on sensitive workplace matters and ensuring fair, thorough, and neutral processes. She also develops EEO-related policies, personally delivers EEO compliance and sexual harassment prevention training, and contributes to workforce initiatives that strengthen accountability and compliance across the organization.
She is known for her sound judgment, credibility, and steady, principled approach, as well as a warm and engaging style that builds trust in challenging and high-impact situations. Melissa is deeply committed to promoting diverse workplace cultures that promote psychological safety and are rooted in equity and inclusion, where all employees are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity.

Bill Carter

Public Sector Cybersecurity 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 an80,000-person strong non-profit organization.

Chaeny Emanavin

Deputy State Chief Technology Officer, Department of Technology, State of California

Chaeny Emanavin joins the California Department of Technology as the Deputy State Chief Technology Officer. He brings over 25 years of civic technology experience ranging from web application development to enterprise technology modernization efforts. He enjoys coaching teams to apply private sector methodologies adapted for public sector use including product management, human centered design, iterative/agile methodologies, and design thinking. This is Chaeny’s second stint at CDT.
Prior to rejoining CDT, Chaeny was a Senior Advisor with the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation. There he coached international teams in Bogotá, Columbia; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Reykjavík, Iceland; Mexico City, Mexico as well as San Francisco and Washington DC in using human-centered design and product management to create novel solutions for cities.
Chaeny comes from a family tradition of state service. His mother, Diana Emanavin, has almost 50 years of state service and is one of the first African American female executives for the state. In 2018, Chaeny was the first ever governor-appointed Director of Innovation in the state service at CalHHS. Before serving California, Chaeny served as a web team lead, program manager and product manager in the federal government with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Digital Service. He earned a Master of Arts degree in communication, culture and technology from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University.

Ryan Fogleman

Information Security Officer, Department of Technology, State of California 

Mr. Fogleman has over 30 years of Information Technology and Information Security Experience. He is both alumni and retired adjunct faculty in Computer Science and Information Security at California State University Sacramento, Los Rios Community College District, and Sierra College. 
Mr. Fogleman’s career in Information Technology and Information Security spans the globe. As the Director of Global WAN Implementation with Lucent Technologies, Mr. Fogleman and his team were responsible for the deployment and securing of the broadband carrier networks for more than 25 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. 
Prior to beginning his career in the State of California in 2006, Mr. Fogleman was the Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and owner of three successful Information Technology and Information Security businesses, one of which operated the largest private wireless internet service provider in the United States. 
Prior to his current role as the Information Security Officer for the Department of Technology where he and his team are responsible for the security of the enterprise network and data centers for many of the mission critical systems for the State of California, Mr. Fogleman was the Statewide Information Security Architect and has been a confidential advisor for three State of California departments. Mr. Fogleman is the recipient of numerous Director’s Awards, Superior Achievement Awards, private sector acknowledgments and media articles, a graduate of the State of California Information Technology Leadership Academy and is a regular contributor to the State of California Information Security Leadership Academy.

Fredrick Gomez

Agency Chief Information Officer/Director, Information Technology Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California

Fredrick is a proud Air Force veteran who attended the Community College of the Air Force, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Arizona State University, where he completed his studies in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology before beginning his IT career. His IT experience and educational background, which support his 24-year career, include earning his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification, Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) certification, Networking+, Computer Associates A+, and Computer Systems/Applications certifications.
His IT career began in 2000 in the private sector, where he held various positions of increasing responsibility for several companies, including Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Army Corps of Engineers, Dunmore Homes, and Verizon, before joining the state as a consultant with the Office of Systems Integration in 2007. He was recruited as the Infrastructure Lead and Supervisor at the California Employment Development Department. Subsequently, he served as the Infrastructure Chief at Caltrans before being appointed CIO and IT Director for the California Public Utilities Commission. He later returned to Caltrans as the IT Strategy Management Office Chief.
In June 2024, he joined the California Department of Food & Agriculture and was appointed to the Agency Chief Information Officer and Director over the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD). Fredrick is a State’s IT Leadership Academy graduate and a recipient of the Outstanding Leadership award. He feels honored to have worked in both the public and private sectors. His journey has provided him with valuable experience and fostered strong working relationships. He finds fulfillment in collaborating with stakeholders, building strategic partnerships, delivering exceptional customer service, providing innovative solutions, and cultivating a one IT concept of cohesive and productive teams.

Jacob Johnson

Deputy Director, Chief Information Officer, California Department of Rehabilitation 

Jake Johnson is the Deputy Director of the Information Technology Services Division and Chief Information Officer at the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), where he serves on the department’s executive leadership team. He leads the strategy, governance, and delivery of technology services that support DOR’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve employment, independence, and equality.
Johnson has been legally blind since birth and is a former DOR consumer. Prior to joining DOR in 2012, he worked at the Franchise Tax Board and the Department of Finance. He holds a master’s degree in Education, is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and is a graduate of the California IT Leadership Academy.

Marcie Kahbody

Deputy Secretary, Agency Information Officer, Transportation Agency / Chief Information Officer, Department of Transportation, State of California

Marcie Kahbody is the Deputy Secretary of Technology, Agency Information Officer (AIO) for the California State Transportation Agency as well as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Caltrans. As AIO, Marcie leads collaboration across California transportation entities to increase innovation and successful information technology (IT) project delivery. Marcie is responsible for developing policies and procedures to govern business processes, security protocols, operational programs, and IT resources across the agency. As Caltrans CIO, she also has direct responsibility for Caltrans information technology programs, projects, and people. She ensures that resources are deployed efficiently, effectively, and in accordance with statewide mandates and department priorities.
Marcie has held Information Technology positions within the State of California for over 32 years including the role of Agency Information Officer at CalSTA since 2015. Prior she was an IT Chief for the Department of Health Care Services and worked in similar positions for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the California Department of Technology. Marcie spent the bulk of her career – nearly 20 years – at the Department of General Services as an Information Technology Manager and network administrator.
Marcie earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from California State University Sacramento and was a participant in the state’s Information Technology Leadership Academy in 2012. She is a Certified Microsoft Engineer and is part of Sac State’s Leadership for the Government Executive program. In 2023, Marcie received the esteemed ‘Women Who Mean Business Award’ from the Sacramento Business Journal.

Karl Kopper

Agency Information Security Officer (AISO), California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA)  

Karl Kopper is the Agency Information Security Officer (AISO) for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).
Karl was the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Caltrans from 2016 to 2024. Karl now leads the CalSTA cybersecurity office for the Agency. He is committed to leading the CalSTA Cybersecurity Office to proactively strengthen cybersecurity defenses by fostering collaborative synergy among departments, facilitating seamless alignment with government strategy, and empowering CalSTA departments to collectively establish a unified and resilient security posture.
For more than 30 years Karl has worked in a variety of IT roles in both public and private institutions and industries including publishing, logistics, natural resources, and finance before coming to transportation in 2016 as the Caltrans Chief Information Security Officer.
Karl earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from California State University Sacramento and is the author of a book on system resilience and fault tolerance.

Lloyd Levine

National Senior Executive, State Government Strategy, T-Mobile For Government

Lloyd Levine is a former member of the California State Legislature where he served as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce. Currently, Mr. Levine serves as T-Mobile for Government’s National Senior Executive for State and Local Government Strategy and is a Senior Policy Fellow at the University of California, Riverside School of Public Policy.
As a Legislator, Mr. Levine established himself as one of California’s leading experts in energy, telecommunications, broadband and technology policy. Mr. Levine’s desire to accelerate the deployment of broadband technology led him to author and pass the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act (DIVCA), which changed the way video and telecommunications companies were regulated, bringing statutes into par with the current technologies. He also successfully authored legislation streamlining and expediting the process of siting high-speed communications equipment on state property, and legislation changing the way school districts can procure technology.
Mr. Levine served as a member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Broadband Taskforce and was a Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the California Emerging Technology Fund. Mr. Levine currently serves as a Founding Member of the Advisory Board for the UC Riverside School of Public Policy, where he and the school’s Dean, Anil Deolalikar, co-founded the Center for Technology, Policy and Society.
Through his work and academic publications, Mr. Levine has earned a reputation as a nationally recognized leader in government technology and policy, including recently being named “one of the 40 most thought-provoking innovators in New York city and state” by the prestigious New York City & State magazine. Mr. Levine has appeared on television and radio programs across the country and has been published and cited widely in print media, with articles published in everything from daily newspapers to legal publications. Mr. Levine has served as a panelist and keynote speaker at energy and technology conferences around the world, and been a guest lecturer in many universities and law schools.
As a Senior Policy Fellow, Mr. Levine has multiple peer reviewed articles and book chapters on technology, utilities, broadband and the digital divide, and the intersection with government. Mr. Levine’s first book, an exploration of the challenges at the intersection of technology and government. Titled, “Technology vs. Government: The Irresistible Force Meets the Immovable Object was published in March of this year. Most recently, Mr. Levine served as guest host for a special, 11-part series – based on his book – of the UC Riverside podcast Policy Chats.
Mr. Levine currently resides in Sacramento with his wife, Emmy award winning KCRA Anchorwoman Edie Lambert and their two children.

Chris Lim

Senior Accelerate Director of Public Sector, Adobe

Chris Lim is a Senior Acceleration Director for State and Local Government at Adobe, where he works with public sector CIOs to translate modernization initiatives into measurable business outcomes. His work focuses on applying data, AI, and intelligent document workflows to help agencies move beyond legacy constraints and improve decision making, speed, and service quality at scale. Chris brings a pragmatic perspective on aligning data and AI investments to quantifiable value while maintaining public trust, governance, and accessibility.

Jeffery Marino

Director, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California

Jeffery Marino was appointed Director of the California Office of Data and Innovation in January 2024. He began his state service in April 2020, working as a volunteer on the COVID-19 Data Insights Working Group, playing a pivotal role in developing a digital engagement program that increased the equitable delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine to underserved communities. He was hired as ODI’s Deputy Director for Service Innovation, leading the UX Design and Engineering practice, and was most recently Deputy Director of Strategy, overseeing government and legislative affairs teams, as well as communications and ODI’s training division, CalAcademy.
Jeffery’s team at ODI is focused on enabling statewide innovation through human-centered design, driving data-driven decision making, and upskilling the state workforce in the skills they need to provide equitable and exceptional services to all Californians.
ODI’s portfolio of work includes partnering on dozens of projects to create machine learning tools and AI-enabled workflows that improve efficiencies, while empowering state teams to use data and analytics to create better outcomes.
During his leadership, ODI has played a pivotal role in the Governor’s priorities including the Executive Order on Generative AI at the state, supporting survivors of the LA Wildfires through user research and responsive UX design, and the launch of the ODI’s first-in-the-nation deliberative democracy program, “Engaged California.”
Prior to answering the call to public service, Jeffery built data communications and thought leadership programs at Redfin and ZipRecruiter. He is a seasoned data journalist, known for his coverage of the housing affordability crisis and the Great Recession.
A proud graduate of two California state universities, Jeffery has a Master’s degree in critical theory and comparative literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He lives in Sacramento with his wife and son.

Wesley Namikawa

Deputy Division Chief, Department of Transportation, State of California

Wesley serves as Deputy Division Chief to the Caltrans IT Infrastructure Management Division Chief and CTO, Mike Nguyen. Wesley is the Enterprise Data Warehouse – Department-wide Business Intelligence Office Chief and has been responsible for the greenfield implementation of the Enterprise Data Warehouse program since its inception in 2023. Wesley is also a proud member of the Information Technology Leadership Academy (ITLA) Cohort 33.

Enrique Parker

Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Resources (CalHR), State of California

Enrique Parker is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the California Department of Human Resources, leading the organization’s IT strategy and operations with over two decades of experience. He has a proven track record in driving innovation and transformation and improving operational efficiencies. Enrique holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master’s in Information Assurance. At CalHR, he focuses on advancing digital transformation, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering continuous improvement, ensuring that CalHR delivers on its mission.

Sita Renduchintala

Senior Manager of Application Services, Employment Development Department, State of California

Cathilea Robinett

Chief Executive Officer, e.Republic

Cathilea is Chief Executive Officer of e.Republic, where she oversees operations for the company’s award-winning media platforms: Governing, Government Technology and Emergency Management. Cathilea also oversees e.Republic’s websites, conferences and events, and its national research and advisory groups: the Center for Digital Government, the Center for Digital Education and the Governing Institute.
In 2014 Cathilea directed the launch of the Governing Institute’s Women in Government Leadership Program, an innovative initiative that encourages future generations of women to participate in public service.
Cathilea is a frequent speaker for government and education organizations worldwide, including the United Nations, Harvard University, the State Legislative Leaders' Foundation, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, and the World Congress on Information Technology. She has been quoted frequently in publications including the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Forbes and others.
Cathilea is a recipient of NASCIO’s National Technology Champion Award for her outstanding contributions to advance public sector information technology innovation. She is also the winner of an Outstanding Women Leadership Award from the Sacramento Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and is a Greater Sacramento Business Hall of Fame Laureate.

Eva Robinson

Agency Chief Information Officer, CalVet, State of California

John Roussel

Chief Information Officer (CIO), California Department of Public Health

John Roussel is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), where he provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of the department’s technology vision, innovation agenda, and modernization strategy. In this role, John guides statewide public health IT transformation efforts, ensuring that CDPH’s technology infrastructure, digital services, and data systems could meet the rapidly evolving needs of California’s public health ecosystem.
During his tenure, John led several high impact and transformative initiatives, including the Digital COVID 19 Vaccine Record, the Future of Public Health initiative, and major efforts to integrate emerging technologies such as GenAI, cloud platforms, and enterprise level digital capabilities. His leadership has helped strengthen CDPH’s data science, informatics, and enterprise technology frameworks advancing a more resilient, modern, and equitable 21st century public health system.
A seasoned business and technology executive, John is known for his customer centric philosophy and his ability to create enterprise vision that drives meaningful, outcome focused innovation. He has deep experience delivering transformational technical solutions that align closely with program needs, citizen services, and long term organizational goals.
John’s public service career spans more than 28 years, during which he has shaped many of California’s most complex and forward thinking IT initiatives. Before joining state government in 1999, he began his technology career in the Bay Area private sector as an IT consultant, and from 1996 to 1998, he served as a Multimedia Instructor at the University of California, Davis Extension.
Throughout his state career, John has held several key leadership positions, including Chief Enterprise Architect for the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHSA), Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) for the California State Lottery, and served in numerous technology positions across other large state departments.

Hong Sae

Chief Information Officer, City of Roseville

Hong Sae (Sae) is the Chief Information Officer for the City of Roseville, leading Citywide technology strategy, digital innovation, and operational transformation. With more than 30 years of experience across public & private sectors, Sae is widely recognized statewide with honors such as the California Public Sector CIO Leadership Award and service as President of MISAC.
Nationally & globally, Sae’s leadership has been celebrated through awards including the Oncon Top 10 CIO/CTO Icon Award, recognition as a Top 10 CIO by Government CIO Outlook Magazine, and multiple GovTech distinctions.
Sae also drives impactful initiatives in AI adoption, modern Digital Services, and preactive legislative engagement, helping shape both organizational readiness and state/nationwide policy considerations on emerging technologies.
Internally, Sae has led Roseville to over a decade of Top 10 Digital Cities recognitions and global team achievements, including Top 10 IT Team, and awards for AI innovation and cybersecurity training excellence.
Widely known for a people-first leadership philosophy, Sae is committed to building inclusive, secure, and high performing technology environments that elevate community impact and advance the future of public-sector innovation.

Megan Shearer

Workforce Planning Manager, Workforce Development Division, CA Dept of Human Resources

Megan previously served as the DEIA manager at the California Department of Technology, where she partnered with leaders to build more inclusive, accessible, and people-centered workplaces. She recently earned her degree in Human Resource Management, strengthening her expertise in equitable talent strategy and organizational culture. As a neurodivergent leader with invisible disabilities, Megan brings both professional insight and lived experience to conversations about belonging, burnout, and leadership. In 2025, she served as a member-at-large on the Board of Directors for the Association of California State Employees with Disabilities (ACSED), advocating for disability inclusion across state service. In her spare time, Megan enjoys acting and directing at her local community theater and spending quality time with her husband and daughter.

Allen Sheldon

State of California Lead Partner, KPMG

Allen Sheldon is a Principal and the Lead Partner for KPMG’s State of California Account, where he serves as the executive responsible for the firm's business and client relationships with the State. With a distinguished career spanning 30 years dedicated to the public sector, he specializes in guiding California's state and local government entities through large-scale transformative change and mission-critical operations.
Mr. Sheldon has a proven track record of managing business development, project delivery, and complex operations. His leadership is evident in his current work with California’s Health and Human Services Agency, where his team is defining the requirements for the state's new child welfare system (CARES). He has also spearheaded initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, such as implementing robotic process automation for the state's financial system (FI$Cal) and delivering the first ServiceNow Human Resources solution in California state government for the Department of Social Services (CDSS), which successfully automated manual HR processes and improved the employee experience. His work with the County of San Diego on the award-winning ConnectWellSD system transformed their service delivery model from program-centric to person-centric.
Mr. Sheldon holds a Master in Business Administration from Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a Salesforce Certified Administrator.

Tulika Srivastava

Branch Chief, Project Oversight and Strategic Technology Branch, Dept of Social Services

Tulika Srivastava is the Chief for the Project Oversight and Strategic Technology Branch at California Department of Social Services where she oversees critical IT projects ensuring their successful implementation and alignment with the organizational goals. Before joining CDSS in August 2024, Tulika was Assistant Deputy Director (Project Approval and Oversight) at the California Department of Technology, overseeing Health and Human Services Agency portfolio. Prior to State service, Tulika worked with CGI for 15 years, where she established PMO and led multiple high-impact projects, including the implementation of the VoteCal system at Secretary of State and the State Disbursement System at Department of Child Support System.
Tulika is an accomplished Project Management Professional with over 25 years of IT experience in public and private sector. With a proven track record of successfully managing complex projects, fostering team collaboration, and driving organizational change, Tulika Srivastava is dedicated to leveraging her expertise to enhance IT implementation success and reduce project failures.

Tyra Taylor

Assistant Deputy Director of Program Operations, Departments of Health Care Services, State of California

Zaid Ridha

Chief Information Officer, Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, State of California 

Zaid Ridha has over 20 years of experience in information technology across both the private and public sectors. He currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), where he established and leads the department’s first dedicated IT organization. Prior to this role, Zaid was the Deputy Chief Technology Officer at Covered California, the state’s health benefit exchange, where he played a key role in building one of the most effective public sector technology departments in the state.

Kim Vu

Chief Information Officer, California Air Resources Board

Kim Vu is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), where she plays a pivotal role in driving the organization’s objectives through innovative technology strategies, implementations, and fostering strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. With more than 20 years of experience in state government, Kim began her career as an analyst, advanced into leadership roles in 2011, and has served as Assistant CIO for multiple agencies since 2015.
Throughout her career, Kim has demonstrated a strong proficiency in strategy development, organizational change management, project management, and financial oversight. She has successfully led major transformation initiatives, including talent management projects, which have significantly enhanced operational effectiveness and overall efficiency.
Kim holds a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Rhetoric and Communications. This unique blend of expertise has been instrumental in navigating complex IT environments while cultivating collaborative relationships across teams and key stakeholders.

Brian Wong

Deputy Secretary, Innovation and Technology, Department of Labor and Workforce, State of California

Brian Wong serves as the Deputy Secretary of Innovation and Technology / Agency Information Officer of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. With over 18 years of state government experience, he has been both a Chief Deputy Director and Chief Information Officer providing operational leadership and strategic direction of large state organizations and a multi- billion-dollar technology project portfolio. In his current role, he is focused on leveraging technology to enable new business models and transform service delivery to innovate and enhance department programs. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Long Beach and is a member of ITLA 22.

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Agenda

Tuesday, April 14
8:00 am Pacific	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area East Lobby, Ballroom B Pre-Function
9:00 am Pacific	Welcome and Opening Remarks Ballroom B
9:15 am Pacific	Keynote – EMBRACE THE SHAKE: Transforming Limitations into Opportunities Ballroom B 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. After developing a career-ending tremor in his drawing hand, Phil embraced his “shake” both physically and metaphorically by redefining his limitation as an impetus for creativity. Phil not only restored his artistic abilities, but he also became a much more creative and innovative artist than ever before. Phil’s powerful message of finding creativity within limitations will inspire you to stop looking outside and start looking within for the resources that can transform your challenges into opportunities for success. Phil Hansen, Artist, Speaker, Author, Innovator
10:15 am Pacific	General Session – Leading Through Disruption: Lessons for Today’s Technology Leaders Ballroom B Technology leaders are navigating rapid disruption driven by generative AI, cybersecurity risk, and global uncertainty. In this fireside conversation, IBM SVP Dinesh Nirmal shares lessons from his leadership journey and discusses how leaders guide teams through disruption. The discussion highlights adaptability trusted strategic partnerships and practical strategies leaders can apply immediately. Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, e.Republic Dinesh Nirmal, Senior Vice President, IBM Software
11:00 am Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Ballroom B Pre-Function Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Sabot Consulting, Trend Micro Inc., Insight Global, RiverMeadow Workload & Data Mobility Platform, System Automation
11:30 am Pacific	Concurrent Sessions AI Strategy and Management: Lessons from the Field Meeting Room 9 AI adoption is no longer a technical experiment. It is an executive responsibility. As agencies move from curiosity to commitment, CIOs are shaping enterprise strategy, defining governance structures, and setting guardrails for responsible use. This session brings together leaders to discuss how they are managing AI across departments, aligning initiatives to agency priorities, and balancing innovation with risk. You’ll hear what departments are learning about readiness, including what they wish they had known earlier. Moderator: Marcie Kahbody, Deputy Secretary of Technology, Agency Information Officer, CalSTA and Chief Information Officer, Caltrans, State of California Jamie Butler, Director of Solutions Architecture, US State and Local Government and Global Education, Amazon Web Services Fredrick Gomez, Agency Chief Information Officer/Director, Information Technology Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California Quentin Wright, Chief Information Officer, Government Operations, Department of Technology, State of California Sustaining Impact in Lean Times: Priorities, Tradeoffs, and Results Meeting Room 10 When budgets tighten, every decision carries more weight. IT leaders are expected to sustain service delivery, improve efficiency, and demonstrate measurable results for the public. This session explores how leaders make tradeoffs, prioritize work tied to constituent impact and operational outcomes, and protect long-term value. Expect a candid look at how leaders rethink spending, refine execution, and build stronger teams when resources are constrained. The focus is on sustaining impact, not just reducing cost. Moderator: Rob Trojan, IT Consulting Unit Chief, Department of Finance, State of California Intro: Allen Sheldon, State of California Lead Partner, KPMG Rosanna Nguyen, Program Budget Manager, Department of Finance, State of California Bill Otterbeck, Deput Director, Program Operations, Department of Health Care Services, State of California Zaid Ridha, Chief Information Officer, Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, State of California Eric Rood, Senior Account Executive, CA SLED, UiPath Cybersecurity and Resilience in an AI World Meeting Room 11 AI is accelerating innovation, and it is accelerating adversaries just as fast. CIOs are being asked to move quickly while protecting trust, data, and continuity of operations. This session explores how the security and resilience playbook is evolving, including the shifting role of the CISO and the decisions leaders must make to stay ready. Hear a candid discussion of preparedness, business enablement, and the practical steps organizations are taking to strengthen resilience in the AI era. Moderator: Karl Kopper, Agency Information Security Officer (AISO), California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Claire Bailey, Government Executive Strategist, Tanium John Garcia, IT Manager I, State Security Operations Center Manager, Office of Information Security, California Department of Technology Ryan Fogleman, Information Security Officer, Department of Technology, State of California Nathan Willigar, Chief Security Advisor SLED, Microsoft Bridging IT and Business: A Leadership Imperative Meeting Room 12/13 The divide between business and IT often stems from culture, organizational maturity, and misaligned expectations. This discussion explores how CIOs can move beyond a break-fix mindset to become strategic partners aligned with mission outcomes. Public sector leaders will share insights on stakeholder engagement, cost management and relationship-building, along with leadership lessons on turning vision into sustained enterprise execution. Moderator: Renoir Pope, State Chief Enterprise Architect, Department of Technology, State of California Tristan Cormier, Director and Chief Information Officer, San Joaquin County Michael Crews, Chief Information Officer, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, State of California Jen Pratt, General Manager, NA Government, Pegasystems Inc. Tulika Srivastava, Chief, Project Oversight and Strategic Technology Branch, Department of Social Services, State of California Situational Leadership: When to Lead, When to Manage Meeting Room 14/15 Public sector leaders constantly balance vision and execution. The real challenge is not choosing between leadership and management but knowing which the moment demands. This panel explores the signals experienced leaders use to shift gears effectively and stay impactful through complexity and change. Moderator: Wesley Namikawa, Deputy Division Chief, Department of Transportation, State of California Shera Mui, Deputy Director, Department of Technology, State of California Enrique Parker, Chief Information Officer, Department of Finance, State of California Stephen Pieraldi, Distinguished Technologist, Enterprise Security, HP Enterprise
12:30 pm Pacific	Lunch Ballroom B
1:30 pm Pacific	General Session Ballroom B Moderator: Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, e.Republic Kim Mirabella, Vice President, Public Sector, Verizon
2:15 pm Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Ballroom B Pre-Function Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Sabot Consulting, Trend Micro Inc., Insight Global, RiverMeadow Workload & Data Mobility Platform, System Automation Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
2:45 pm Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: Modernizing IT Talent Strategy Meeting Room 9 Tomorrow’s workforce demands a modern hiring experience, transparent career pathways, and opportunities for continuous learning. This session examines how departments are attracting next-generation IT talent to public service, streamlining hiring practices, and reshaping career development within state service. Hear how upskilling and reskilling efforts are equipping today’s employees for evolving technology demands and how recent reforms are accelerating hiring and strengthening long-term retention. Moderator: Wendy Beckman, Business Applications Teams, Supervisor, California Military Department Moderator: Clint Williams, Project Director, Application Development and Database Group Manager, Department of Pesticide Regulation, State of California Jeff Beck, Director, State of California, VMware Jason Green, Senior Regional Manager, North America, Government and Education, Oracle Jacob Johnson, Deputy Director, Chief Information Officer, California Department of Rehabilitation Eva Robinson, Agency Information Officer, Department of Veteran Affairs, State of California The CIO Path: Communication, Credibility, and Career Strategy Meeting Room 10 The CIO role is built on more than technical expertise. In this interactive panel, experienced leaders share their real-world career paths, the lessons that shaped them, and the relationships that helped them earn trust and influence. Explore the soft skills that matter most, from executive communication to stakeholder alignment across finance, security, and program leadership. Hear candid stories and bring your questions for practical advice on your next step Moderator: Patricia McCabe, Vice President, CGI Technologies Fredrick Gomez, Agency Chief Information Officer/Director, Information Technology Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California Marcie Kahbody, Deputy Secretary of Technology, Agency Information Officer, CalSTA & Chief Information Officer, Caltrans, State of California Crystal Taylor, Chief Information Officer & Deputy Director, Enterprise Innovation Technology Services, Department of Health Care Services, State of California Quentin Wright, Chief Information Officer, Government Operations, California Department of Technology Calculated Boldness While Maintaining Trust Meeting Room 11 Innovation requires bold thinking and trust-building execution. Learn how state IT leaders define and quantify innovation risk, apply governance frameworks, and make informed decisions in high-accountability settings. Hear technical strategies that reduce exposure while enabling progress, along with case studies and lessons learned from the field. Build the confidence to advance innovation while maintaining public trust and organizational confidence. Moderator: Amar Hariharan, Chief Information Officer, IT Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California Bill Carter, Public Sector Field Strategist, Fortinet Katja Freeman, Solution Sales Director, Diligent Jeffery Marino, Director, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California John Roussel, Chief Information Officer, Deputy Director, Information Technology Services Division, California Department of Public Health Values in Action: DEI in the Current Climate Meeting Room 12/13 Leaders build workplaces where people can do their best work, feel respected, and see a future for themselves. Doing that well takes clarity, consistency, and strong leadership, especially when these goals are under scrutiny. This session offers a grounded discussion on what current DEI efforts look like in practice, how to lead with integrity and accountability, and how to measure progress in ways that stand up to questions and expectations. Moderator: Megan Shearer, Workforce Planning Manager, Workforce Development Division, CA Dept of Human Resources Christine Blake, Product Manager, Office of Technology Solutions and Integration, Department of Health and Human Services, State of California Melissa Carlin, Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, CA Dept of Technology Chaeny Emanavin, Deputy State Chief Technology Officer, CA Dept Technology Elia Gallardo, Chief Equity Officer, Dept of Health Care Access and Information IT as a Line of Business: Building Enterprise Partnership Meeting Room 14/15 IT becomes a true strategic partner when it moves beyond reactive service delivery and leads with enterprise priorities. This session explores how leaders position IT as a line of business aligned to the department’s strategic plan rather than responding only to program-specific requests. The conversation highlights how leaders build trust, clarify roles, and listen deeply to strengthen collaboration. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of visibility and cultural presence in reinforcing enterprise relationships. Moderator: Jason Fedota, Client Relationship Executive, Deloitte Bobby Boudreault, Director, Verizon Public Sector Enrique Parker, Chief Information Officer, Department of Finance, State of California Anantha Kadur, Senior Project Manager, California Department of Health Care Services Calvin McGee II, Chief Information Officer, Dept of Real Estate, State of California
3:45 pm Pacific	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Ballroom B Pre-Function Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
4:15 pm Pacific	End of Day 1

Wednesday, April 15
8:00 am Pacific	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area East Lobby, Ballroom B Pre-Function
9:00 am Pacific	Welcome and Opening Remarks Ballroom B Jonathan Porat, State Chief Technology Officer, Department of Technology, State of California
9:15 am Pacific	Keynote – The Power of Peculiar Thinking: Problem-Solving Through Creativity and Ingenuity Ballroom B As a young graduate researcher, Dr. Sammy Ramsey looked at an age-old question “What’s happening to the honeybees?” through a new lens to make a breakthrough discovery that turned the field of bee research on its head. In this talk, Dr. Ramsey spurs audiences to think outside the box as he shares the story of what led him to connect a family member’s health issues back to his bee research to arrive at a powerful conclusion on the parasitic pandemic plaguing the honeybees. In this talk, he walks audiences through his process for using peculiar thinking that gets the brain processing ideas in new and unique ways and unlocks new outlets for pushing past stalls in thinking and productivity. The approach Dr. Ramsey shares gives people the freedom to dig deeper into all the ideas that they’re told are “too crazy” and “will never work” as they figure out how to tackle complex problems and innovate with impact. Dr. Sammy Ramsey, Inspirational Changemaker in Science and Society; Cutting-Edge Communicator, Founder and Director of the Ramsey Research Foundation
10:15 am Pacific	General Session – TogetHER Navigating Pathways for Women in Tech Leadership Women are leading at every stage of their careers, from emerging professionals to executive leaders. Hear their candid stories of growth, resilience, and opportunity. Explore why allyship, mentorship, and sponsorship are game changers in a leadership journey and how these relationships open doors when it matters most. Through real experiences and practical insights, discover how to cultivate these connections and create pathways that empower talent across state IT. Join us for a conversation that sparks ideas, builds networks, and strengthens leadership for all. Moderator: Cathilea Robinett, Chief Executive Officer, e.Republic Sita Renduchintala, Division Chief of Application Services, Employment Development Department, State of California Eva Robinson, Agency Chief Information Officer, CalVet, State of California Tyra Taylor, Assistant Deputy Director of Program Operations, Departments of Health Care Services, State of California
11:00 am Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Ballroom B Pre-Function Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Sabot Consulting, Trend Micro Inc., Insight Global, RiverMeadow Workload & Data Mobility Platform, System Automation
11:30 am Pacific	Concurrent Sessions From Yellow to Green: Advancing & Scaling AI at Transportation Agency Meeting Room 10 Transportation Agency is moving beyond isolated AI pilots to embed intelligent tools into transportation planning, operations, and service delivery. As part of CalSTA’s Core Four priorities, departments are shaping how AI can strengthen safety, equity, climate resilience, and economic prosperity. This session explores how Caltrans and DMV leaders are evolving governance, workforce capability, and operating models to support enterprise adoption. Hear practical lessons on what it takes to scale responsibly while maintaining public trust, transparency, and measurable public value. Moderator: Marcie Kahbody, Deputy Secretary of Technology, Agency Information Officer, CalSTA and Chief Information Officer, Caltrans, State of California Prashant Mittal, Chief Information Officer, Department of Motor Vehicles Antonio Moss, Director of Transportation, Cities & Critical Infrastructure, Microsoft Mike Nguyen, Chief, Infrastructure Management, Department of Transportation, State of California Bhaskar Rudrakshala, Division Chief, Caltrans, State of California The Modern CIO: Leadership, Talent, and Technology Meeting Room 9 The CIO role is changing fast, shaped by rising expectations around security, data stewardship, and responsible technology adoption. At the same time, CIOs are navigating new capabilities like AI, workforce challenges, and the long-term health of their leadership pipeline. This session explores how today’s CIOs are adapting their mindset, priorities, and leadership approach to meet the moment. Hear how leaders are balancing operational accountability with strategic direction, talent development, and preparing teams for what comes next. Moderator: Carl Carter, Chief Enterprise Architect, California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), State of California Chad Bratton, Chief Information Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Lloyd Levine, National Senior Executive, State Government Strategy, T-Mobile Hong Sae, Chief Information Officer, City of Roseville Stephanie Weber, Senior Industry Leader State and Local Government, Appian Business Outcomes Through Data: Turning Modernization into Measurable Value Meeting Room 11 State agencies are modernizing decades-old data estates while navigating privacy, governance, and public trust. This session explores how modernization leads to measurable business outcomes. Panelists will connect common constraints, from legacy systems to unclear ownership, to real improvements in speed, quality, and decision-making. The discussion will outline what a realistic path forward looks like and how to align data initiatives to quantifiable results. Expect candid lessons, pitfalls to avoid, and practical ways to demonstrate value for programs and the people they serve. Moderator: Vidhu Shekhar, Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Department of Transportation, State of California Beau Broker, Field CTO for Public Sector, AHEAD Chaeny Emanavin, Deputy State Chief Technology Officer, Department of Technology, State of California Chris Lim, Senior Accelerate Director of Public Sector, Adobe Kanuri Murty, Chief Information Officer/Deputy Director, Financial Information Systems for California (Fi$Cal) Strategy is Easy, Execution is Government Meeting Room 12/13 Strategy is clean on paper. Execution is where government gets real. In this panel, CIOs unpack what changes when you move into the top role, and why the skills that helped you rise do not always serve you at the executive level. Hear real-world examples of what worked and what did not, plus how CIOs earn buy-in, build culture, and keep teams aligned to mission outcomes even when priorities shift and pressure is high. Moderator: Katherine Gottfried-Kennedy, District Manager, Palo Alto Networks Veronica Gilliard, Chief Information Officer, Department of Justice/Office of the Attorney General, State of California Fredrick Gomez, Agency Chief Information Officer/Director, Information Technology Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California Greg McKay, Consultant, EY Brian Wong, Deputy Secretary, Agency Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Labor and Workforce Development Agency In the Room: AIO and CIO Networking Roundtables Meeting Room 6/7 Leadership is built in moments that rarely make the slide deck. This interactive roundtable brings AIOs, CIOs, and attendees together for candid, small-group conversations about real decisions, tough calls, and what leadership looks like inside government. Participants will rotate through discussions with senior technology leaders representing major California departments, statewide agencies, and local government. Expect direct access to Agency Information Officers, Chief Information Officers, and Chief Technology Officers responsible for guiding strategy, innovation, and enterprise technology across the state. Come prepared to ask questions, share experiences, and build relationships that extend beyond the conference. Moderators: Ravi Bhadana, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Fredrick Gomez, Agency Chief Information Officer/Director, Information Technology Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California Lisa Mondy, eGovernment Section Chief, Employment Development Department
12:30 pm Pacific	Lunch Ballroom B
1:30 pm Pacific	General Session - Envision 2026: California’s IT Strategy and What Comes Next Ballroom B California’s statewide technology strategy, Envision 2026, sets the course for how government IT aligns technology with mission outcomes and public needs. This session offers an update on the plan’s goals, collaborative development, and annual roadmaps that guide execution across departments. Leaders will reflect on progress to date, share how aligned strategies are improving services and operations, and explore what’s next as agencies prioritize inclusive digital experience, cybersecurity, workforce strength, strategy alignment, and future readiness. Jared Johnson, State Chief Information Officer and Chief Deputy Director Department of Technology State of California Kate Ricker, Deputy Director Statewide Technology Policy and Strategic Management, Department of Technology, State of California
2:30 pm Pacific	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Ballroom B Pre-Function Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Sabot Consulting, Trend Micro Inc., Insight Global, RiverMeadow Workload & Data Mobility Platform, System Automation Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.
3:00 pm Pacific	Concurrent Sessions Operationalizing AI Now: GenAI as a Real Government Service Meeting Room 9 GenAI pilots are everywhere, but a demo is not deployment. Moving from experimentation to enterprise value requires quality benchmarks, mature governance, and scalable operations. Dive into what it actually takes to embed GenAI into government workflows, from purposeful proof-of-concepts to scalable production use cases. Hear candid lessons from early efforts and walk through a practical framework for turning curiosity into capability. Moderator: Brandon Anicich, IT Supervisor II, Water Resources Board, State of California Thomas Boon, Chief Information Officer, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, State of California Shaw-chin Chiu, Managing Client Partner, State of California, IBM Stephenson Loveson, Chief Information Officer, CalPERS Vidhu Shekhar, Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Department of Transportation, State of California David Walsh, Key Account Executive, Google Don’t Forget the People: Lessons Learned from Leaders Navigating Change Meeting Room 11 Technology initiatives succeed or stall based on how people experience them. This session draws on lived leadership experience across the phases of change from initiation through sustainment. Panelists will discuss how they aligned stakeholders, what they underestimated, and what they would approach differently today. Expect practical guidance for leaders embarking on change efforts, along with insights and resources that help teams stay engaged through transition. Moderators: Timothy Lee, Chief, Project Management Office, Department of Toxic Substance Control, State of California Chris Apostolopoulos, Principal Account Executive, Large State Agencies, Dell Technologies Anne Crew-Renzo, Chief Innovation Training Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, State of California Caroline Smith, Chief Transformation Officer, Office of Critical Services, California Department of Technology Grecia Staton, Deputy Director, Disability Insurance Branch, California Employment Development Department The POPPY Effect: How GenAI is Transforming State Operations Meeting Room 12/13 Description TBD Dream, Decide, Deliver: Turning Vision Into Results Meeting Room 10 Visionary leadership sets direction. Execution delivers impact. In this panel, state IT leaders share how they translate strategy into action when oversight is high and budgets are not. Learn about practical tools for building resilient execution plans, aligning teams around clear outcomes, selecting metrics that demonstrate impact, and addressing the execution gaps that stall progress. Walk away with insights you can apply immediately. Moderator: Radhika Garg, Supervisor Central Test Team, Dept of General Services, State of California Opening: Anooja Tandon, Branch Chief and Project Approval & Oversight Manager, CA Dept of Technology Tom Andriola, Field Chief Information Officer, Business Transformation and AI Executive, Dynatrace Nevil Pesika, Managing Director, Accenture Gary Renslo, Chief Information Officer, California Department of General Services Eva Robinson, Agency Information Officer, Department of Veteran Affairs, State of California Tulika Srivastava, Chief, Project Oversight and Strategic Technology Branch, Department of Social Services, State of California In the Room: AIO and CIO Networking Roundtables Meeting Room 6/7 Leadership is built in moments that rarely make the slide deck. This interactive roundtable brings AIOs, CIOs, and attendees together for candid, small-group conversations about real decisions, tough calls, and what leadership looks like inside government. Participants will rotate through discussions with senior technology leaders representing major California departments, statewide agencies, and local government. Expect direct access to Agency Information Officers, Chief Information Officers, and Chief Technology Officers responsible for guiding strategy, innovation, and enterprise technology across the state. Come prepared to ask questions, share experiences, and build relationships that extend beyond the conference. Moderators: Ravi Bhadana, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Fredrick Gomez, Agency Chief Information Officer/Director, Information Technology Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, State of California Lisa Mondy, eGovernment Section Chief, Employment Development Department
4:00 pm Pacific	Awards Welcome Reception Ballroom B Pre-Function
4:30 pm Pacific	CIO Academy Awards Program Ballroom B
5:30 pm Pacific	Closing Reception Ballroom B Pre-Function
6:00 pm Pacific	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

1401 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-5291

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Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Liana Bailey-Crimmins
State Chief Information Officer and Director
Department of Technology
State of California

Amarjot Biring
Chief Information Officer
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
State of California

Thomas Boon
Chief Information Officer
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
State of California

Chad Bratton
Chief Information Officer
Office of Data & Innovation
State of California

Brenda Bridges Cruz
Director, Justice Data and Investigative Services Bureau
Department of Justice
State of California

Scott Capulong
Chief Information Officer
Department of Tax and Fee Administration, GovOps
State of California

Michael Crews
Chief Information Officer
Governor's Office of Emergency Services
State of California

Chad Crowe
Chief Information Officer
Department of Social Services
State of California

Adam Dondro
Agency Chief Information Officer
Health and Human Services Agency
State of California

Chaeny Emanavin
Deputy State Chief Technology Officer
Department of Technology
State of California

Ryan Fogleman
Information Security Officer
Departmental Information Security Office, California Department of Technology
State of California

Richard Gillespie
Chief Information Officer
Superior Court
Sacramento County

Ajit Girn
Chief Information Officer
Employment Development Department
State of California

Fredrick Gomez
Agency Chief Information Officer/Director of Information Technology Services
Department of Food and Agriculture
State of California

Amar Hariharan
Chief Information Officer
Department of Food and Agriculture
State of California

Monica Hernandez
Deputy Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Department of Technology
State of California

Crystal Holcomb
Deputy Director
Department of Technology
State of California

Jared Johnson
State Chief Information Officer and Chief Deputy Director
Department of Technology
State of California

Jacob Johnson
Chief Information Officer
Department of Rehabilitation
State of California

Marcie Kahbody
Agency Information Officer/Chief Information Officer
Department of Transportation
State of California

Karl Kopper
Chief Information Security Officer
Department of Transportation
State of California

Stephenson Loveson
Chief Information Officer
Public Employees Retirement System, GovOps
State of California

Calvin McGee II
Chief Information Officer
Department of Real Estate
State of California

Kanuri Murty
Chief Information Officer
Financial Information System for California, GovOps
State of California

Enrique Parker
Chief Information Officer
Department of Finance
State of California

Renoir Pope
State Chief Enterprise Architect
Department of Technology
State of California

Jonathan Porat
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Technology
State of California

Katie Regan
State Data Services Manager
Department of Technology
State of California

Kate Ricker
Deputy Director
State Technology Policy and Strategic Management
State of California

Eva Robinson
Agency Information Officer
Department of Veterans Affairs
State of California

Amy Rodriguez
Stakeholder Relations Manager
Department of Technology
State of California

Hong Sae
Chief Information Officer
City of Roseville

Jared Snow
Chief Information Officer
Military Department
State of California

Tulika Srivastava
Branch Chief, Project Oversight and Strategic Technology
Department of Social Services
State of California

Rob Trojan
IT Consulting Unit Chief
Department of Finance
State of California

Kim Vu
Chief Information Officer
Air Resources Board
State of California

Blaine Wasylkiw
Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer
Department of Technology
State of California

Quentin Wright
Chief Information Officer
Department of Technology, GovOps
State of California

Rami Zakaria
Chief Information Officer
Sacramento County

Industry Representatives

Jennifer Acevedo
Major Account Manager
Fortinet

Reid Allen
Director, Public Sector
Complex Solutions
Verizon

Chris Apostolopoulos
Field Account Executive
Dell Technologies

Jeff Beck
Regional Director
VMWare

Sejla Begic
GPS Client Executive
Ernst & Young US LLP

Bobby Boudreault
Director, Public Sector
Verizon

Beau Broker
Security Lead
AHEAD

Shaw-chin Chiu
Managing Client Partner, State of California
IBM

Jason Fedota
Client Relationship Executive
Deloitte

Steven Galvez
Account Executive
Appian

Katherine Gottfried
District Sales Manager
Palo Alto Networks

Jason Green
Regional Manager
Oracle

Craig Holden
Account Executive
Digital Experience, State & Local
Adobe

Marques Holmes
National Director, SLED
Equinix

Miriam Ingenito
Account Relations Director
KPMG

Danny Johnson
Sales Manager
AT&T

Lloyd Levine
National Senior Executive for State Government Strategy
T-Mobile

Patricia McCabe
Vice President, Consulting Services
CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc

Kevin Munoz
Director, Technology Sales
IBM

Stephen Pieraldi
Distinguished Technologist
HP Inc.

Jon Restani
Enterprise Account Manager
Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Eric Rood
Senior Account Executive
UiPath

Isaac Sanchez
Principal Account Executive California
Sales
Pegasystems

Alan Sheerer
Account Executive, SLED
Dynatrace

Jennifer Simic Rucker
Regional Director
Microsoft

Mark Spitzer
Senior Manager
Amazon Web Services

Grant Tomlin
Director of Strategic Accounts
Tanium

David Walsh
Key Account Executive
Google Public Sector LLC

Made Possible by Our Corporate Sponsors

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: April 14 and 15, 2026

This is an invitation-only event, open to Public Sector only. For more information or to request an invitation, please contact Tabbie Pegoda.

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:

Tabbie Pegoda
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1411
E-mail: tpegoda@erepublic.com

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Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 296-2308
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) 365-2617
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

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