2025 Speakers

Dr. Giorleny Altamirano Rayo

Chief Data Scientist, U.S. Department of State

Dr. Giorleny (“Gio”) Altamirano Rayo has 15 years of public service experience in various contexts, including the federal government and academia. In June 2023, she joined the Department of State Office of Management Strategy and Solutions Center for Analytics where she serves as the Department’s Chief Data Scientist and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Official.

Prior to joining the State Department, she spent 5 years at the Department of Labor as well as time as an applied researcher in U.S. academia and a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nicaragua. Most recently, Dr. Altamirano Rayo spent two and a half years as the Senior Mathematical Statistician at the Chief Evaluation Office within the Department of Labor, where she worked to democratize reliable and safe statistical and AI/Machine Learning methods and led the behavioral economics and human-centered design/CX portfolio to benefit DOL’s 16 sub-agencies and regional offices.

Dr. Altamirano Rayo earned a JD from the American University (Nicaragua), an LLM from Vanderbilt with a Fulbright Scholarship, a PhD in Political Science from the University of Texas-Austin, and was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from Carnegie Mellon University. She is a Level 2 certified acquisition professional in program management and is certified in privacy by the Federal Privacy Council (FPC). She is also a former National Science Foundation Scholar. Gio is bilingual in English and Spanish and is fluent in Brazilian Portuguese.

Justin Ubert

CTO, U.S. Department of Transportation

Justin Ubert, D.Sc., is a seasoned cybersecurity and IT professional with over 11 years of experience in managing and leading enterprise-wide security programs across federal agencies. Currently serving as the Cybersecurity & Operations Division Chief at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, Justin oversees the IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and privacy programs for over 1,000 personnel and thousands of external users.

He is a recognized leader in implementing advanced information technology/security strategies, including DevSecOps, cloud migrations, and zero trust while ensuring compliance with federal mandates such as Executive Order 14028.

In addition to his leadership roles in cybersecurity, Justin serves as an adjunct professor at Marymount University, where he teaches undergraduates in the College of Business, Innovation, Leadership, and Technology. He holds a Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity from Marymount University and multiple professional certifications, including CISSP and CISA.

Chris Alvares (Invited)

Chief Data Officer, USDA

Howard Spira

CIO, Export-Import Bank of the U.S.

Howard Spira was named the Chief Information Officer of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) in December 2014.    He was promoted to Senior Vice President at the bank in 2016. Howard came to EXIM from the United States Treasury where he led the technology team for the Office of Financial Stability – the team that ran the rescue program in response to the financial crisis of 2008.

Prior to his federal service, Howard was a senior IT executive in the financial services industry with an extensive background in international and domestic commercial finance. His past employers include Goldman Sachs, General Electric, Smith Barney and Andersen Consulting.  He
brings to EXIM a wealth of industry technology experience. Howard’s responsibilities at EXIM include overseeing the complete information technology portfolio that support’s the Bank's $40 billion portfolio including infrastructure, networks and telecoms, office automation, mission systems, program management, information security, data quality and records management.  In addition, his area serves as the agency's representative for Privacy, Records and AI.

Mr. Spira holds a BS from Cornell University’s school of Agriculture and Life Sciences and an MBA from Cornell’s Johnson School of Business.

Arjuna Swaminathan

CAIO, HHS OIG

Arjuna Swaminathan serves as the first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). With a career dedicated to advancing the use of artificial intelligence, Arjuna has been pivotal in driving the enterprise adoption of AI technologies to enhance operational efficiencies and foster innovation.

Before his tenure at HHS OIG, Arjuna was a Principal at IBM’s Cloud and Cognitive Services Division. During his time at IBM, he specialized in partnering with healthcare organizations to develop and integrate AI solutions tailored to their specific business needs, thereby improving service delivery and decision-making processes. Arjuna holds dual graduate degrees from the University of Maryland, earning an M.B.A. in Strategy and an M.S. in Information Systems. His educational background, combined with his extensive professional experience, has equipped him with a deep understanding of both the strategic and technical aspects of AI implementation in healthcare.

Matt Passos (Invited)

CTO, U.S. Department of Commerce

Matheus Passos is the Acting Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he oversees enterprise architecture and strategy, emerging technologies and innovation, and customer experience design and digital delivery. As the agency’s Responsible AI Official, he leads the Commerce Artificial Intelligence Governance program and was recognized with the 2025 MeriTalk AI Honors Award.

Previously, Matheus directed the department’s enterprise architecture program, guiding standards for Commerce’s $3.8B annual IT portfolio. In that role, he chaired the Enterprise Architecture Council, collaborating with executives across Commerce bureaus and industry leaders to advance agility, interoperability, and cost efficiency across federal technology systems.

With more than 17 years of experience in technology strategy and execution, Matheus has led initiatives in IT planning, investment management, program delivery, process improvement, compliance, and policy development. He holds a B.S. in Business Information Systems from Stevenson University and a J.D. from The Catholic University of America, along with multiple professional certifications spanning project management, technology business management, contracting, and acquisition.

Dr. Mike Horton

Former CAIO, U.S. Department of Transportation

Dr. Mike Horton, the former Chief AI Officer at the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), is a distinguished public servant and a preeminent expert in building national-level AI capabilities. He is the main author and originator of the Federal Artificial Intelligence Maturity Model (FAIMM). The FAIMM is a comprehensive and practical blueprint designed to guide US federal agencies in responsibly building and scaling their AI capabilities through our 4 th Industrial Revolution.

The FAIMM is not a new checklist but a modern codification of enduring, actionable, universal principles of organizational success that have determined the winners and losers of every prior Industrial Revolution

Mike’s work is grounded in a philosophy of “Responsible Acceleration” that is built on the premise that well-defined, predictable governance is the primary enabler of innovation speed. He views AI systems as a new class of "AI Employee," requiring the same level of investment,
training, performance management, and risk oversight as their human counterparts. This human-centered approach underpins his oft-repeated mantra, "AI Ain't Free," which is a direct message to executives that responsible AI requires a sustained, intentional, and costly strategic
commitment.

Dr. Horton is also a professor of data analytics and artificial intelligence at Northeastern University. He holds a doctorate in business administration from Drexel University, a Master's Degree in business intelligence and analytics from Saint Joseph’s University, and a Bachelor's Degree.
degree in computer science from West Point.

Alan Claypool

Assistant CIO, City of Phoenix

Alan Claypool is a technology trailblazer with a career spanning the military, government, and private sectors. As a U.S. Air Force officer, he led global IT missions, wartime communications, and satellite launch support. A three-time CIO and former COO, Alan has driven bold digital transformations across hundreds of essential services. With C-suite and field experience in the energy industry—and as a licensed commercial UAS pilot—he brings real-world leadership in using data, AI, and GIS to power smarter, faster, and more connected communities.

Bianca Lochner

CIO, City of Scottsdale

Bianca Lochner, Ph.D., has over 20 years of experience in information technology and local government. As the Chief Information Officer for the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, she combines her passion for public service with technology to transform government services. Previously, she served as Assistant CIO for the City of Phoenix and CIO for two school districts, where she led digital transformations, Smart City strategies, and initiatives for transparent and innovative governance. Bianca co-founded and co-chairs the Cybersecurity Council of Arizona, and serves on the boards of ArizonaCIO, Girls in Tech, the Arizona Technology Council, and several other organizations.

Dr. Christopher Rodriguez

Acting CTO, Government of the District of Columbia

Bio to come.

Amber Young

PARS System Owner, U.S. Department of Energy

Amber Young is the PARS System Owner at the Department of Energy's Office of Project Management, Project Controls and Policy (PM-30). An EVMS professional with extensive experience with both DOE and DOD data structures, she has been pivotal in leading review efforts using new tools like the IP2M METRR and is a pioneer in integrating detailed AI analysis into the Environment and Maturity Assessment process. Ms Young's background in physics and mathematics has allowed her to apply a spirit of scientific inquiry to understanding, analyzing, and teaching complex data structures in project management and Earned Value. Ms Young leads the DOE Office of Project Management AI Governance board and works closely with the other board members to review and approve PM's implementation of AI technologies.

Craig Haseler

PARS Technical Lead, U.S. Department of Energy

Craig Haseler leads the technical team behind PARS, the Department of Energy's System of Record for Capital Asset Project Performance Information. With a background in software development and cybersecurity, Craig has led the expansion of PARS capabilities over the past several years as a new JSON upload format has been developed and the scope of the system has expanded. More recently, Craig and his team have spearheaded the Department of Energy's efforts to embrace safe, secure Artificial Intelligence tools to improve productivity and further the Department's mission.

Garrett Richardson

PARS Security Officer, U.S. Department of Energy

Bio to come.

Maureen "Marty" Fromuth

Professional Staff Member, Senate Armed Services Committee

Saddam Azlan Salim

Senator, Virginia State Senate

Senator Saddam Azlan Salim is a Bangeldeshi-American immigrant who came to this country when he was just 10 years old. He was fleeing multiple climate catastrophes of flood and drought. After experiencing homelessness shortly after moving to the US, his family moved to Fairfax County, where they worked their way up and found success. He attended Falls Church High School and then George Mason University, where he got his Bachelors and Master’s Degrees in Public Administration. He has worked in federal financial management and consulting for over 7 years. He was elected to the Virginia Senate in 2023 and represents District 37, which includes Fairfax City, the Town of Vienna, the City of Falls Church, and parts of central Fairfax County.

Natalie Buda Smith

Director of Digital Strategy, Library of Congress

Natalie Buda Smith is the Director of Digital Strategy at the Library of Congress. She is a leader in digital transformation through data, emerging technologies, and human-centered design practices with over 30 years of experience in IT. She has built large teams at NavigationArts, IBM, and now the Library of Congress, and has worked for clients in the U.S., Europe, and India. She is strongly committed to ethical, human-centered products and services that adhere to best practices in inclusion, diversity, and accessibility.

Anthony D'Orazio

CIO, Borough of State College, PA

At the helm of the technology team for the Borough of State College, PA, Anthony's strategic leadership has been pivotal in driving AI governance initiatives, resulting in cost savings and operational efficiency. With expertise in IT and Security, he has spearheaded comprehensive IT strategies that have advanced organizational objectives, fostering innovation and growth.

Jennifer Franks

Director, Center for Advanced Cybersecurity, Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Jennifer R. Franks directs the Center for Enhanced Cybersecurity within GAO’s Information Technology and Cybersecurity team. She oversees reviews that primarily focus on emerging cybersecurity issues and assessing an agency’s ability to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its sensitive data and computing infrastructure. Her multi-disciplinary teams actively review agencies’ computer security vulnerabilities across their enterprise-wide computing environment by assessing program management compliance and technical controls recommended for the agencies to follow in accordance with federal guidance and leading practices. In addition, Ms. Franks leads reviews in the areas of IT management and operations, financial management, data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, she is a certified facilitator of agency new hire and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) courses. Ms. Franks earned a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in information security policy and management, and a bachelor’s degree
from Hampton University in computer information systems.

Dr. Chris Kinsinger

Asst Director for Catalytic Data Resources, NIH Common Fund

Dr. Kinsinger is the Assistant Director for Catalytic Data Resources in the NIH Common Fund where he helps transform discovery into health through data science. In this role, he provides vision and leadership for complex research programs involving data integration, anatomical atlases with single-cell resolution, genomic sequencing of pediatric cancers and structural birth defects, and biomedical applications of artificial intelligence.

Previously, Dr. Kinsinger worked as a Program Director of the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) in the National Cancer Institute, where he led operations for data management and biospecimen processing for the proteogenomic characterization program. He oversaw development of the CPTAC Data Coordinating Center and the Proteomic Data Commons, a node of the Cancer Research Data Commons. He also managed the CPTAC biospecimen collection pipeline and served as a scientific mentor for the American Association of Cancer Research’s Scientist Survivor Program for patient advocates.

Chris received his Ph.D. in computational chemistry from the University of Minnesota, studying oxidation mechanisms of bioinorganic complexes. He then completed a postdoc at the National Institute of Standards and Technology where he investigated potential energy surfaces of gas-phase dissociation of peptides. Throughout his career, he has sought to promote data sharing and integrate biomedical data from disparate fields of research. 

Sasi Kasiraju

Operations Chief & Director of Training, U.S. Army

As the Operations Chief for the 21ST Signal Brigade at Fort Detrick, I strategize and oversee the implementation of Generative AI to improve brigade operations and training. I am currently pursuing my Doctoral in Public Administration with AI Trustworthiness as research topic.

Denise Turley

AI Advisor, Educator & Author,

Dr. Denise Turley is an AI Advisor, Educator, and Author recognized for her leadership in technology and her passionate advocacy for AI in education. A published author, Denise focuses on advancing inclusive and responsible AI design, and has empowered thousands through her teaching, training, and advisory engagements. Her mission is to equip individuals and organizations to harness the transformative power of AI thoughtfully and ethically.

Dr. Brandy McNeil

President, Public Library Association

Justin Fanelli

Georgetown Professor and Technology Expert,

Mr. Justin Fanelli is the CTO for the Dept of Navy and the Technical Director (TD) of PEO Digital. As CTO, his office is laser focused on measurably improving technology-driven mission outcomes within the Dept of Navy. As TD, his Program Executive Office is expediting the performant, secure transformation of enterprise information technology infrastructure. Central to both of these roles is unleashing the private-public mesh to innovate faster with higher value on investment outcomes than ever before seen. He currently serves as an Advisor for various national Science and Technology agencies and advisory boards inside and outside of government.

Within Dept of Navy roles, Mr Fanelli’s team has recently been recognized for transforming modern service delivery including multi-billion dollars savings and leap ahead impacts with the Etter Award. Within Defense Healthcare, Mr. Fanelli’s teams delivered the first one-stop data enterprise for revolutionized healthcare and research outcomes. Previous roles for Mr. Fanelli have included Chief Data Architect for Defense Health, Technical Director for Navy Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPTE), Executive Lead for Navy’s Digital Transformation in 5G and DevSecOps, Service Chiefs Fellow at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), Principal Engineer for Navy Enterprise Business Systems, and DOD Chief Systems Engineer for Command and Control (C2).

Maura Power

CTO, Fairfax County

Maura is the Chief Technology Officer and Deputy Director for the Fairfax County’s Department of Information Technology. She has a Master of Science Degree from the University of Maryland. Maura has worked across several areas in the county before joining the Information Technology Department, she set up the foundation for data analytics in the Fire and Rescue Department, managed the Health and Human Services IT Strategic Roadmap, and currently oversees application development, data analytics and AI/ML development.

Jonathan Aberman

CEO and Co-Founder, Hupside

Dan Clarke

President, Truyo

Dan Clarke is a former Intel® executive with numerous leadership roles who was pulled into the privacy space after a call from Intel® anticipating GDPR’s implementation. Dan’s privacy expertise comes from developing the Truyo platform, which automates compliance with current and emerging privacy laws for enterprise-level companies. Clarke is a privacy thought leader involved in Arizona, Texas, and federal privacy legislation. Dan helped Truyo step into the AI Governance realm by developing the first comprehensive AI Governance Platform and creating a 5 Steps to Defensible AI Governance workshop that's been conducted with enterprise companies across the United States.

Rick Hall

CEO, Cogniti

Rick Hall is CEO of Coginiti, a software company building the data foundation for AI. His career has spanned the full spectrum of data and analytics — from hands-on engineering and data science to leading product organizations and global enterprises. Before Coginiti, he developed large-scale predictive models for retail operations at Nielsen, and today he guides Coginiti’s vision to make data accessible, governed, and AI-ready. Under his leadership, Coginiti is pioneering an Agent infrastructure for data, enabling organizations to transform their analytics into intelligent, collaborative systems that power the next generation of AI.

Morgan Reed

President, ACT | The App Association

As president of ACT | The App Association, Morgan specializes in issues involving application development relating to privacy, intellectual property, competition, and small business innovation. Morgan has been sought by the House and Senate in multiple hearings while his commentary and insight are a major draw for news networks including Fox Business News, MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, ABC, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. Morgan has authored and contributed to several white papers and is a part of the developer team for the Linux Router Project (LEAF) and remains an active Apple and iOS licensed developer. Prior to joining ACT, Morgan was a trusted advisor at Venable LLP serving businesses and organizations in many aspects of their operations.

Sunny Wescott

Federal Chief Meteorologist, Unlimited Weather

Marlin McFate

Public Sector CTO/CISO, Cohesity

Marlin McFate serves as Public Sector Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer for Cohesity, bringing more than 20+ years of engineering, leadership and technology experience leading long-term technical initiatives. In his role as Public Sector CTO/CISO, he explores emerging technologies, and recommends strategies, through research and collaboration with business and technology leaders across the company and public sector organizations. He is the strategic and supportive voice for customers, partners, and team members, ensures successful secure solution delivery and advises on the direction of Cohesity’s research and development of its ML/AI powered data security and management solutions. An empathetic and engaged leader, Marlin is an Army veteran and an experienced technologist focused on mission success.

Michael Ratcliffe

Senior Advisor, Reveal Global Consulting

Bio to come.

Jennifer Ives

AI Growth Strategist | Board Member & Advisor,

Jennifer Ives is a global AI strategist, board advisor, and trusted growth leader. She most recently launched and led the AI Center for Government as Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at the Partnership for Public Service, where she partnered with public leaders across 42+ states and federal agencies to advance AI fluency, build trust frameworks, and prepare the workforce of the future. With a background spanning engineering, strategy, and the C-suite, Jennifer bridges deep technical insight with board-level leadership to guide organizations through technological transformation. She speaks regularly on global stages - including Fortune Brainstorm Tech, IEEE, and LogicON -helping leaders turn AI from a technical challenge into a leadership imperative.

Mike Raker

CTO, Maximus

Joe Ditchett

Industry Executive Advisor - Federal Civilian & Defense, SAP

Joe Ditchett is an Industry Executive Advisor and technology strategist for SAP Regulated Industries (RI), focusing on the Federal Civilian government. SAP provides a broad range of enterprise IT technologies and services for the diverse business operations and missions of the US Federal Government, DoD, and Public Sector.

Before joining SAP, he worked as a federal civilian employee for the Department of Navy (DON). He served in the Acquisition Workforce (AWF) as a LVL III certified program manager and action officer. While with the DON, he led multimillion dollar programs and projects supporting the transformation of financial operations, supply chain, and workforce. He designed strategic roadmaps and lead multi-year program management activities for the Navy’s ERP program including the cloud migration for the ERP application. He also supported requirements and change management activities the AWF while working for ASN Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN (RDA)).

Joe was a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy before joining the public sector. He served aboard a guided missile cruiser and destroyer in both engineering and combat systems. Additionally, he served as a company officer with the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard which provided ceremonial support for Naval District Washington, DC, and Arlington National Cemetery (ANC).

Leslie Stevens

Industry Executive Advisor, SAP

Leslie Casson Stevens has been engaged in government financial management for over 30 years. As an auditor, she led the audits of large local government organizations and publicly traded corporations. She spent nearly a decade implementing financial management systems at several US Federal government agencies and consulting on organizational and financial management challenges. Leslie was responsible for enterprise-wide accounting and financial reporting operations and financial management systems while serving as the Comptroller of the Smithsonian Institution.

Leslie joined SAP in 1998, on the team that extended the SAP core financial management functionality to accommodate the requirements of US Federal government accounting and reporting. Today, she is SAP’s Industry Executive Advisor for the US Federal market.

Felipe Millon

Head of Government Sales, Open AI

Felipe Millon currently leads Government Sales at OpenAI, where he plays a pivotal role in driving the adoption of OpenAI's ChatGPT Enterprise Product and API across Federal, State, and Local Government sectors. His efforts are instrumental in integrating cutting-edge AI solutions within governmental operations, thereby enhancing efficiency and innovation.

Before joining OpenAI, Felipe worked for Amazon for 9 years most recently as the Senior Manager for the Housing Finance Business at Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this capacity, he led a dedicated team in supporting Government Sponsored Enterprises and US government housing agencies through their cloud transformation. He was also a founding member of the Public Sector Generative AI Task Force.

Felipe's rich background in technology and management also includes substantial roles at McMaster-Carr Supply Company and Lockheed Martin, where he worked in regional sales management, corporate development, venture capital, systems engineering, andprogram management. He holds an MBA from Duke University, where he was recognized as a Fuqua Scholar, in addition to a MS in Systems Engineering from the University of Florida and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Florida State University.

Fluent in English and Spanish, and conversational in Portuguese, Felipe is deeply passionate about leveraging technology to tackle complex challenges, generate value, and enhance life quality.

Peter Barrett

Director, Moveworks

Peter Barrett is a Washington DC native who has spent his career focused on Business Intelligence (BI) & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Solutions. For the past decade, his primary focus has been helping private enterprises, Defense & Aerospace corporations, and public sector agencies embrace trusted, secure, scalable AI, ML, and NLU technologies to drive mission success. His experience includes working with the world's most advanced LLMs and driving application & adoption of cutting edge technology solutions for the benefit of the USG.

Shaina Green

Vice President, Digital, Constellation Energy

Shaina Green is a visionary executive and dynamic change agent, currently serving as Vice President of Digital at Constellation Energy. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Shaina has built a reputation for driving transformative change through the strategic application of technology, data, and AI. Her multifaceted expertise spans strategy, digital transformation, operations, customer experience, agile delivery, and product and project management.

At Constellation, Shaina leads the enterprise-wide AI-powered digital transformation, reimagining core business processes and enabling new ways of working. Her organization is responsible for designing and delivering innovative digital solutions that unlock value for both the company and its customers. Under her leadership, Constellation has accelerated its digital maturity, embedding intelligent automation and data-driven decision-making across the enterprise.

Shaina’s ability to influence across all levels of the organization and bridge the gap between business and technology has been instrumental in delivering optimized solutions that drive measurable outcomes. Her leadership style is marked by
clarity, collaboration, and a relentless focus on results.

Since joining Constellation in 2005, Shaina has held several senior leadership roles including Chief Information Officer & IT Vice President, Vice President of Architecture  Engineering, Vice President of Commercial Business Execution, and Director of National Sales. Each role has deepened her impact and broadened her perspective, reinforcing her commitment to innovation and excellence.

Shaina is widely recognized as a powerhouse in digital transformation, and her work continues to shape the future of energy through technology.

Steve Adams

Director, Digital, Constellation Energy

Steve Adams is a visionary leader at Constellation Energy, recognized for pioneering digital and AI initiatives that drive transformative change across the organization. He has built a reputation for driving growth-based transformational change through the strategic alignment of cutting-edge technology and business product development.

As Director of Digital, he is instrumental in reimagining core business processes/functions and developing foundational data and AI technologies that underpin the company's growth strategy.

Since joining Constellation in 2008, Steve has held a diverse set of IT leadership roles spanning software/data/AI development, project/program management, co-development/partnership management and solution architecture. He has extensive experience in US and European commodity markets, power/nuclear generation and energy customer/retail spanning power, gas, and solutions.

His strategic approach and deep industry expertise continue to shape Constellation’s digital future, positioning the company at the forefront of energy sector advancement.

Whitney Merrill

Head of Global Privacy / Data Protection Officer, Asana

Whitney Merrill is Head of Global Privacy and the Data Protection Officer at Asana. At Asana she manages Asana's regulatory compliance program, which also includes compliance with global healthcare laws such as HIPAA. Previously, she was at a fintech company building their privacy program from scratch. Before that, she was Privacy, eCommerce & Consumer Protection Counsel at Electronic Arts (EA) and an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission. In 2017, she received the 2017 Women in Security Award and was named one of the 2017 Top Women in Cybersecurity by CyberScoop. 

She has a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign where she explored issues associated with the intersection of technology, information security, privacy, and the law. During her time at Illinois, she was an Illinois Cyber Security Scholar and member of the Illinois Security Lab.

Antoine Harden

VP of Federal, Sonatype

Antoine Harden brings 25 years of public-sector technology leadership spanning Oracle, CA Technologies, Google, Elastic, and startups like Imperva and Exabeam, to his current role leading Sonatype's federal efforts. He combines strategic insight into federal procurement and mission requirements.

Holly Wiggins

AI Adoption, Strategy Leader, & Founder, FedBrain.ai & Ladies Level Up

Kelly Cauley

Head of Public Sector Revenue, Asana

Kelly Cauley is the Head of Public Sector Revenue at Asana, where she has built a dedicated vertical supporting education and government customers. Focused on operational growth and strategic expansion, Kelly leads efforts to improve collaboration and efficiency across thousands of agencies and institutions through Asana’s platform. Passionate about community and knowledge sharing, she creates opportunities for public sector leaders to connect and learn, driving innovation in teamwork. Her expertise is in streamlining processes, strengthening cross-departmental collaboration, and maximizing the value of work management technology in regulated environments.

Tyler Warden

SVP of Product, Sonatype

As the Senior Vice President, Product, Tyler Warden leads the product strategy and vision for Sonatype's platform that helps engineering teams develop and maintain secure, quality and innovative software at scale. He joined Sonatype in 2022 after serving as SVP of Product and Engineering at Syniti, a data management company. He has over 15 years of experience in product and engineering roles.

Dave Vennergrund

Vice President, AI Center of Excellence, GDIT

Dave Vennergrund is a data scientist and vice president at GDIT. He leads the company’s AI Center of Excellence, focusing on AI, machine learning, cloud-native analytics, data science, and modern data management. He leads a team of thousands of AI professionals and data scientists developing innovative solutions that transform data into valuable insights, addressing complex challenges with a focus on safe, secure, and responsible AI deployment.

Josh Stanley

Senior AI Specialist, Zoom

Josh Stanley joined Zoom in 2019 and has been a part of bringing Zoom Phone and then eventually Zoom Contact Center to market. Josh is now a Senior AI Specialist, focusing on GTM expansion of Zoom AI across multiple products in the Zoom platform.  He is responsible for driving sales of Custom AI Companion and further adoption of Zoom AI Companion.  Prior to Zoom, Josh spent 9 years at Cisco in sales, leadership, and partner development roles and previously 10 years managing different levels of a contact center with Merrill Lynch.

Roger Swiger

CMO, Avenir Technology

Roger Swiger is a seasoned IT Program Manager and certified PMP with over 25 years of experience leading large-scale federal technology initiatives. Roger currently works at Avenir Technology where he is the Chief Marketing Officer. He is helping bring AI and data Analytics to
federal, state and county agencies. Roger is retired from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and has spearheaded efforts to modernize training systems, implement extended reality (ER) technologies, and enhance IT infrastructure across the agency.

He led IT operations at the NRC’s Technical Training Center, where he designed a cutting-edge virtual training lab and modernized 11 classrooms to support advanced instructional delivery. Roger brings deep expertise in cybersecurity as a long-serving Information System Security Officer (ISSO), as well as in program management, risk mitigation, and vendor coordination. His leadership in VoIP, data center optimization, and cloud migration significantly strengthened the agency’s operational resilience.

With an MBA in Management Information Systems and Decision Science, Roger is a strategic thinker who transforms complex challenges into smart, scalable solutions.

Sky Bell

Founder, Capital Region AI Catalyst

Sky Bell is an AI Practitioner and Legal Technologist with over 14 years of experience in technology and cybersecurity within government agencies. She leads AI initiatives and develops deployment guidelines. Pursuing a Master’s in Cybersecurity at Georgia Tech and a former Apple Genius,

Sky is passionate about integrating human insight with technology. She founded Capital Region AI Catalyst, a nonprofit dedicated to democratizing AI knowledge, fostering a skilled workforce, and promoting ethical AI adoption in the Capital Region, New York. Committed to responsible AI innovation, Sky aims to build an inclusive, AI-powered future.

Sharon Woods

SVP of Enterprise Accounts, Public Sector, Invisible

Sharon Woods is the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Accounts, Public Sector at Invisible Technologies, bringing over 20 years of proven leadership in driving organizational transformation and delivering mission-critical, globally deployed information technology solutions. Her career spans senior roles in support of the White House, Pentagon, Military Services, and Defense Agencies.

Previously, she served as a member of the Senior Executive Service at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), where she led the development and delivery of enterprise command, control, computers, and communications (C4) capabilities worldwide. Sharon also served as the Executive Director of the Cloud Computing Program Office (CCPO), overseeing enterprise-wide cloud modernization efforts and closing capability gaps to empower the Joint Force. Earlier in her career, she was General Counsel for the Defense Digital Service, providing legal and strategic guidance to technologists solving high-impact national security challenges. She began her public service career as an attorney for the U.S. Department of the Navy, specializing in IT acquisitions.

She holds a law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Wes Green

SVP Global Public Sector , Invisible

Wes Green leads Invisible Technologies’ expansion into the public sector, bringing over 25 years of experience in business development, strategy, and leadership within technology-driven environments. With a background that includes being a former Air Force Officer and significant achievements in scaling operations and forging strategic partnerships, Wes has successfully led initiatives that transformed complex workflows into streamlined, efficient processes for both private enterprises and government entities. His tenure in senior roles at top consulting firms and technology companies like BAE Systems, Microsoft Federal, and SandboxAQ has equipped him with a nuanced understanding of public sector dynamics, including navigating regulatory landscapes and driving digital transformation in highly regulated environments, including classified systems.

Wes’ career is marked by a commitment to innovation, having spearheaded multiple high-impact projects that leveraged automation, artificial intelligence, and technology to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. He is known for his ability to build and lead high-performing teams, cultivate key relationships, and drive strategic growth in new markets, winning deals ranging from $1M to $10B with Public Sector Customers in the US and International Communities. Under his leadership, the public sector business at Invisible Technologies will focus on developing tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen satisfaction.

Edward Hanapole

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) & Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal

Dr. Aditi Rorvig

Lecturer, George Washington University

Dr. Aditi Srivastava Rorvig, D.Eng. is a federal technology leader, professional lecturer at George Washington University, and author of TRUST© Built in Crisis: Why Systems Keep Failing and How AI Can Finally Get It Right.

Her work spans billion-dollar disaster recovery platforms at FEMA, privacy-preserving AI models for cost prediction across federal agencies, and the ethical modernization of public infrastructure systems. As the creator of the TRUST© framework, she designs systems that are Transparent,
Reliable, Usable, Secure, and Trackable: built to serve real people in real crisis. Aditi teaches and mentors the next generation of AI professionals while shaping a public conversation around trust, transparency, and responsibility in technology. She brings the discipline of a firefighter, the clarity of a systems engineer, and the heart of a public servant to every stage she steps on.

Mike Shanley

Founder & CEO, GovDiscovery AI

Mike Shanley is a recognized thought leader with over 20 years of experience in federal business development and government contracting strategy. As the Founder and CEO of GovDiscovery AI, he leads the company’s mission to accelerate growth for federal contractors by providing deep, actionable market intelligence powered by artificial intelligence. GovDiscovery AI is distinguished by its federal market insider expertise. GovDiscovery AI is led by federal growth experts leveraging advanced technology to streamline and enhance the business development process, not outsiders attempting to apply general solutions to a highly specialized market.

Prior to founding GovDiscovery AI, Mike supported business development efforts at a large U.S. government contractor, where he managed pipeline development, capture research, and proposal operations for federal contracts and grants. His extensive operational experience navigating the federal acquisition environment directly informs GovDiscovery AI’s approach, ensuring solutions are purpose-built to meet the complex needs of growth teams operating in the federal space.

Mike is a frequent speaker at U.S. government and industry events, providing expert analysis on federal market trends, teaming strategies, and innovation adoption. He also hosts the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, featuring high-profile guests including the former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Retired U.S. Generals, the Chief Innovation Officer of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Nobel Peace Prize recipients, and TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year.

Matthew Kilbane

AI Implementation Lead, Athena's Zephyr LLC

I solve problems and I help people. I am a highly competent professional with over 20 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army, and extensive expertise in AI governance, technology business management, and organizational leadership. As an AI Engineer with an M.B.A. and advanced certifications from institutions like MIT and the University of Geneva; I have built and led high performing teams in IT Business Management, DEVOPs, Enterprise AI implementation, international data and analytics operations, and multiple for-profit and non-profit businesses.

Dr. Hemachandran Kannan

Vice Dean & Director, AI Research Centre, Woxsen University

Dr. Hemachandran Kannan is the Director of the AI Research Centre, Vice Dean of the School of Business, and Area Chair of analytics at Woxsen University. With over 17 years of academic, research, and industry engagement experience, he is a distinguished expert in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Video Recommendation Systems, and Autonomous Robotics. He has led numerous high-
impact projects, including the development of AI-powered healthcare, agriculture, education, and smart infrastructure systems.

A passionate academician and innovator, Dr. Kannan is the principal investigator of multiple patented technologies such as the Nano-based Necrobotics
Deployment, Unified Healthcare Intelligence System (UHIS), and Quantum AI-Driven Smart Airport Management System. Dr. Kannan serves on the advisory boards of renowned global organizations including AptAI Labs (USA), Agzistence Pvt. Ltd, and Richfield, South Africa.

He is an ambassador for the AI Accelerator Institute and DeepLearning.AI, and an active UNESCO Expert. His dedication to nurturing future innovators is evident through his role as an ATL Mentor of Change under NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission. A prolificcontributor to academia, he has authored and edited over 20 books and delivered keynote lectures at several national and international conferences. His work consistently bridges the gap between research and real-world applications, especially in AI-driven societal transformation.

Jasmin Cowin

Associate Professor & Fellow, AI, Touro University

Dr. Jasmin Cowin is an Associate Professor at Touro University Graduate School of Education and a 2024–2025 CETL Faculty Fellow. She supports faculty development and AI literacy through institutional workshops, policy research, and collaboration with the AI@Touro team. As a 2024 U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist, she delivered international keynotes and workshops on AI in education. A Richard P. Nathan Public Policy Fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, she researches the European AI Act. A Fulbright Scholar and SIT graduate, she has led initiatives in India, Burundi, and other resource-poor settings. Her Stankevicius column explores AI, ethics, and education, framing her vision for “Education for 2060.”