Harnessing AI to Revolutionize the Public Sector
GovAI Summit is the essential conference for public sector leaders to explore the transformative potential of AI in governance. Through insightful keynotes, panel discussions, and real-world use cases, attendees will gain the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI implementation.
Creating Connected Experiences
For GovAI Summit this year, we believe that small is the new big. We're introducing an exciting new "House" concept that will transform the traditional conference layout and experience. Immerse yourself in intimate, topic-focused spaces that will foster deeper discussions, hands-on learning, and more meaningful connections with like-minded creators, innovators, and public servants like you.
2023 Featured Speakers
Dmitri Kusnezov
Under Secretary for Science and Technology
Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov [Kooz-NETS-off] was confirmed as the Under Secretary for the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) on September 8, 2022. As the science advisor to the Homeland Security Secretary, Dr. Kusnezov heads the research, development, innovation and testing and evaluation activities in support of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) operational Components and first responders across the nation. S&T is responsible for identifying operational gaps, conceptualizing art-of-the-possible solutions, and delivering operational results that improve the security and resilience of the nation.
Lane Dilg
Head of Strategic Partnerships, Global Affairs
Lane Dilg is the Head of Strategic Partnerships on the Global Affairs Team at OpenAI, where she supports OpenAI’s mission of ensuring that artificial
general intelligence benefits all of humanity. Prior to joining OpenAI, Lane spent more than 15 years in the public sector, including advising U.S.
Department of Energy leadership on the deployment of billions of dollars in public investment in clean energy technologies; managing a city through the COVID-19 pandemic; drafting and defending precedent-setting public health, affordable housing, and worker protection laws; counseling CXO leadership of a global research university and leading health care system; prosecuting child exploitation and other offenses as a federal prosecutor; and serving as counsel on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, & Homeland Security. Lane is a graduate of Yale Law School, Harvard Divinity School, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Kristin Ruiz
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Kristin Ruiz was appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on April 23rd, 2023. In this role, Ms. Ruiz is responsible for coordinating, planning, developing, and evaluating information technology (IT) resources, including overseeing a variety of IT enterprise infrastructure, architecture, security systems, telecommunications, and e-Government and investment reviews.
Ms. Ruiz is a driven, mission-focused IT leader with over 20 years of experience in technology, digital transformation, application development, and Cybersecurity compliance. She has built, modernized, and overseen more than 300 secure, innovative, user-friendly applications throughout her career. Ms. Ruiz is an expert in leading comprehensive enterprise-wide IT portfolio strategy and management and has a proven track record of translating technology strategies into effective actions.
Before joining TSA, Ms. Ruiz served as the first Associate Chief Information Officer (ACIO) for the Office of Applications and Digital Solutions at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). As ACIO of the Office of Applications and Digital Solutions, Ms. Ruiz led the implementation of the $3 Billion Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) Program grants solution and DOT’s $600 Billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) website and enterprise grants management system. Ms. Ruiz pioneered a brand-new office setting the vision, direction, and organizational culture for DOT’s digital transformation with a focus on the following IT competencies: Agile System Development Lifecycle (SDLC); Development, Security, and Operations (DevSecOps); Cybersecurity; operations and maintenance; and capital planning investment control.
Additionally, Ms. Ruiz led DOT’s application rationalization efforts to achieve economies of scale and managed DOT’s accessibility program, website development, and managed the entirety the DOT’s mandatory use Software Engineering Support (SWES) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), overseeing the successful award of over $375 Million. Before joining DOT, Ms. Ruiz served as the IT Portfolio Management Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNCS), where she managed and executed the FNCS applications, operations, and maintenance budget supporting the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) (formerly food stamps) applications handling $85+B with 50+M program recipients, and Women Infants and Children (WIC) applications providing nutritional assistance to millions of families, school lunch in 95,000 schools, and systems providing food to Americans during disasters. Ms. Ruiz is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a George Mason University Alumni. She holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is a Level III Program Manager and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) certified by the Federal Acquisition Institute.
Alan Sim
Chief Data Officer
Alan Sim, PhD, Chief Data Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is an epidemiologist, data scientist, and population health informatics professional with expertise in transforming data into actionable information in government and military organizations. He provides leadership and vision related to the application of machine learning, AI from disparate data sources. He led and managed teams to develop clinical registries, health statistics, and research deliverables to arm providers, public health practitioners, and researchers with insights to better serve the health needs of the population. He earned a Master of Science in Community Health (Epidemiology) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, and a PhD in Epidemiology at Drexel University.
Ramesh Menon
Chief Technology Officer
Mr. Ramesh Menon was appointed Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) on March 1, 2021. Mr. Menon is responsible for technology and strategy planning, experimentation, emerging technology solutions architecture supporting DIA and IC priorities including FVEY partners. Mr. Menon assumed his current position upon his appointment to the SES / DISL-T1. Mr. Menon serves as the CTO and authoritative information technology expert for DIA. He develops a cohesive technological strategy for CIO’s, business, and mission partner’s capabilities on the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System and in the Department of Defense Intelligence Information Systems enterprise.
Mr. Menon serves as the senior DIA technologist and interface to the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, Military Service’s Intelligence Centers, Combatant Commands, international partners, national labs, industry and academia. He conducts feasibility assessments of current and future technology trends within the private and public sectors and makes recommendations on adoption that will increase DIA’s decision advantage. As the CTO, Mr. Menon will serve as the principal advisor for artificial intelligence to the Director and collaborate with other IC and DoD AI leaders.
Born in India Mr. Menon earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from California State University. He has co-authored three books and has a patent pending for supply chain assurance using Blockchain technology.
Mr. Menon was a CTO in the private sector at IBM and a Chief Architect at Johns Hopkins University – Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL) leading Artificial Intelligence, cloud, cyber and strategic national security initiatives.
Mr. Menon is a member of IEEE congressional delegation on science and technology and an invited frequent guest lecturer on emerging technologies at Johns Hopkins University was a member of Brookings Institution AI expert panel on autonomous weapon systems and served on space innovation council workgroup along with NASA, SMC and DARPA.
He is also a mentor to AFRL catalyst campus, NASA Frontier Development Labs supporting OSINT and EdgeAI to operate in contested spaces.
He lives in beautiful Pacific Northwest with his wife of 23 years and their daughter. He enjoys hiking, travelling, cooking and nature.
Amy Henninger
Sr. Advisor for Advanced Computing
Dr. Amy Henninger serves as Senior Advisor for Advanced Computing (AC) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) S&T Technology Centers, providing strategic vision and leadership to programs and policy makers in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Modeling and Simulation (M&S), and Quantum Information Science.
Prior to joining DHS, Dr. Henninger’s work traversed the private/public defense sector space. In the public sector, she has served in several special term appointment technology leadership positions in the DoD and IC that, cumulatively, span the RDT&E space.
- Interagency personnel appointment to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, leading digital engineering and standards portfolio for systems engineering.
- Highly Qualified Expert (HQE) Army M&S Executive, providing vision, leadership, and oversight for a $10B M&S portfolio; and advising the Army’s Senior Analyst on studies supporting operational requirements analyses.
- Defense Intelligence Senior Leader Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Senior Advisor, leading the development of the Agency’s Digital Transformation Strategy.
- HQE Senior Advisor for Software and Cybersecurity, serving as the Pentagon’s final technical authority in the assessment of software and cybersecurity T&E on major DoD programs for the Director, Operational T&E. She has over 200 hours training with NSA Cyber Red Teams.
Dr. Henninger earned a PhD in Computer Engineering with emphasis and dissertation work in AI. She has taught undergraduate classes in computer science and graduate classes in AI, authored over 80 publications, and received multiple awards for her work.
Nichole Hyter
Next Generation Resource Management System (NGRMS) Program Manager
Ms. Nichole Hyter is an Army veteran and graduate of the Army’s Management Analyst Intern Program. She has worked as a Budget Analyst at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management & Comptroller, Headquarters Department of the Army - Budget Formulation Division and as the Lead Financial Systems Analyst at Washington Headquarters Service – Accounting Division, where she championed and implemented the use of Robotics Process Automation across the Defense Agencies Initiatives (DAI) execution and formulation systems. Nichole also led the DLA efforts to implement DAI Hyperion (the budget formulation tool for Defense Wide agencies). She currently works as a Program Manager at the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) – Program & Financial Control Division and is the lead for the Next Generation Resource Management System (NGRMS) efforts, which is now the Department’s solution for the congressional mandate to modernize systems used to submit data to the Office of Management and Budget and to the Congress.
Christa Montani
Director of Enterprise Analytics and Chief Data Officer
Christa serves as the Director for Enterprise Analytics and Chief Data Officer at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a position she assumed in 2022. She is responsible for driving evidence-based decision making across the enterprise and integrating data and analytics into FEMA’s operational framework. Christa is leading the implementation of the Agency’s first Data Strategy, which aims to posture FEMA as an insightful organization empowered and resourced to leverage data and advanced analytics at all levels of decision making before, during, and after disasters.
Christa joined FEMA in 2013. Her past positions include roles as the Director for National Preparedness Assessments and the Senior Policy Advisor for Field Operations. These roles allowed her to collaborate with a variety of partners to improve operations and enhance the nation's readiness for a spectrum of disasters and emergencies. She has deployed to support communities across the country in response to Hurricanes Irma, Maria, and Michael. Most recently, she assumed senior roles in FEMA’s response to COVID-19 and in the evacuation of U.S. Citizens, Legal Permeant Residents, and individuals at risk from Afghanistan.
Before joining FEMA, Christa served as a Special Assistant on the White House National Security Council Staff. Christa received her Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Service (’08) and her Master’s Degree in Security Studies (’15) from Georgetown University. She’s a native of
Buffalo, NY and currently resides with her family in Alexandria, VA.
Brian Epley
Principal Deputy CIO
Brian Epley joined the Department of Energy as the Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer (PDCIO) in September 2022. As PDCIO, Brian leads the day-to-day operations of the Office of the CIO, and also partners with the CIO on strategic direction to protect and modernize DOE’s information technology, information resources, data, and cybersecurity across the DOE enterprise.
Before joining DOE, Brian held several roles at the Environmental Protection Agency. He served in roles including Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Administration & Resources Management, Chief (IT) Operations Officer, and Deputy Chief Technology Officer. His responsibilities covered enterprise information systems management and operations management, including desktop, enterprise hosting, service and business management, endpoint and collaboration solutions, and network and security operations.
Brian is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years’ experience across federal and state government and the commercial sector. Throughout his career, he has distinguished himself as an innovative change leader with the unique ability to deliver strategically aligned and mission-focused services. His experience in building coalitions, creating a shared vision, and actively partnering with customers will be immensely helpful as he joins the CIO to help lead DOE’s remarkable organization.
Jennifer Franks
Director, Center for Enhanced Cybersecurity
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.
Sam Howerton
Chief Scientist
Dr. Howerton prepares the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the future by shaping strategic investments in research and development. An accomplished professional at the intersection of research, international affairs, and national security, he was selected to become the Chief Scientist in the DHS Science and Technology
Directorate in 2022. In this position, he works with partners in government, academia, and the private sector to provide capabilities for the entire homeland security enterprise.
As the senior most technical advisor to the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Dr. Howerton identifies and advocates for transformational research and technologies to improve the capabilities of the Department’s operational community. He represents DHS to the national and international research and development community, government agencies, scientific organizations, industry, academia, and the public.
Dr. Howerton’s diverse career spans twenty years of federal service. At the National Science Foundation, he established and expanded international relationships to advance the frontiers of knowledge. At the Department of State, he oversaw policies and programs to promote science and technology as tools for economic growth and facilitated science collaboration with over fifty countries and international
organizations. At the Department of Defense, he managed interdisciplinary programs to develop countermeasures to weapons of mass destruction.
Dr. Howerton earned his Bachelor Science in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee and his Doctorate in Chemistry-Environmental Toxicology from Michigan State University. He is a graduate of Air War College and Stanford University’s LEAD program.
Natalie Buda Smith
Director of Digital Strategy
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.
Noelle Russell
Global AI Lead
Noelle Russell is a multi-award-winning technologist with an entrepreneurial spirit who specializes in helping companies with emerging technology, Generative AI, and LLMs. She has led teams at NPR, Microsoft, IBM, AWS and Amazon Alexa, and is a consistent champion for Data and AI literacy.
Riya Jung
Director, Digital Transformation
With over 20 years of experience with the DoD’s Planning, Programming, Budgeting, Execution (PPBE) process, Ms. Riya Jung supports DoD customers in developing and executing Digital Transformation vision and roadmaps. She provides strategic oversight across various innovative PPBE programs including the Navy’s Program Budget Information System (PBIS) and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)’s Next Generation Resource Management System (NGRMS). Ms. Jung’s experiences include agile software development, generative AI, modernization, cloud migrations and hosting, data analytics, cyber security, audit, and operational support. She combines extensive DoD
PPBE functional and technical knowledge to deliver continuous innovations and a forward leaning approach to DoD customers.
Michael Littman
Division Director
Bio to come.
Dewey Murdick
Executive Director
Dewey Murdick is the Executive Director at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), where he oversees daily operations and fosters relationships with leaders from government, philanthropies, foundations, and industry. Specializing in AI policy, emerging technology analysis, decision support, and technology foresight Dewey advises U.S. and international policymakers and organizations.
His wide-ranging career also included roles in analysis, research, and software development, with previous leadership positions at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Department of Homeland Security, and Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA). Dewey holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Physics from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Andrews University.
Morgan Reed
President
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.
Erin McKinney
Principal Policy Counsel
Erin McKinney is Principal Policy Counsel for AWS State, Local and Education Public Policy. Erin is currently focused on artificial intelligence and other emerging technology policy matters, and regularly interacting with internal and external stakeholders and policymakers. Erin also worked on the AWS Tax Planning team. Prior to joining AWS in 2019, Erin worked as the State and Local Tax Legal Advisor at IBM and a Senior Associate at Grant McCarthy Group LLC. She holds a JD from Pace University and BA from Loyola University Chicago.
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