Michael Anthony is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He provides strategic direction and operational support for the agency's information systems and is responsible for the agency’s cybersecurity, privacy, records management, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) programs.

Before joining the NTSB, Mr. Anthony served in several executive roles at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as director of its data solutions in the large-business division, identity and access management organization, and event-driven architecture organization in the information technology division.

Mr. Anthony began his federal career with the Army's Outstanding Scholar Intern Program supporting the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering community and has extensive experience in the technology, acquisition, and program management areas.

Shane Barney is the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). In this role, he manages USCIS’s next generation Information Technology Security program responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of USCIS networks, systems, and information, protection from both internal and external threats, as well as the implementation of the information security program and policies for the agency.

Before accepting the CISO position, Shane served as the Deputy ISD Chief and Deputy CISO and served as acting CISO. Prior to Shane’s roll as ISD Deputy, he was the Chief of the Cyber Intelligence Branch within ISD overseeing the classified operations, communication security, insider threat, and forensic programs for USCIS. Before joining the federal workforce, he worked as a contractor for USCIS first in the Contracting Office in Vermont and then with the Office of Security and Integrity in Washington, D.C. As a contractor, Shane helping to charter the technical direction for the intelligence and fraud/risk detection missions on the classified networks. He developed analytical tools, data requirements, and system access needs in support of these missions. Shane holds two Master’s Degrees and a Bachelor Degree all from the University of Vermont.

Dr. Amanda Bullock is an accomplished Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), where she is driving digital transformation and modernization initiatives in AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics. With a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Science in Applied Statistics from Wright State University, Amanda brings a strong foundation in statistical analysis to her work.

She earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 2013, specializing in Statistical Signal Processing. Following her postdoc work in Non-Destructive Evaluation and Non-GPS navigation, Amanda taught mathematics, biostatistics, statistics, signal processing, and data science at Wright State University, Central State University, and AFIT.

During her tenure at Central State University, Amanda was selected for a prestigious Fellowship at the Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, where she worked in the Survivability and Lethality Analysis Division. This experience further solidified her expertise in advanced analytics and AI.

In 2017, Amanda entered civil service and served as the Project Engineer for the LEGACY program, an Air Force STEM internship program. She then went on to lead the Enterprise Architecture Modeling team in 2019 before becoming the AFRL Deputy Chief Data Officer in the Digital Capabilities Directorate in 2022.

Currently, Amanda serves as the AI Lead for the Digital Capabilities Directorate, where she aims to reduce business toil through AI, connect AFRL, DoD, and industry AI efforts, and upskill the workforce in AI/ML/Advanced Analytics. Amanda’s research interests include Enterprise Architecture, STEM education for underrepresented populations, Advanced Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Signal Processing. She is passionate about leveraging her expertise in AI and analytics to drive innovation and modernization in the Air Force and beyond.

Sheena Burrell was appointed the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Executive/Chief Information Officer (CIO) effective August 1, 2022. Sheena is responsible for establishing the mission, vision, and priorities for the CIO organization to support the preservation of digital and natural digital records and information for the federal government. 

Sheena began her NARA career in February 2019 and in April 2020, she was appointed to the Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) position, where she was instrumental in leading NARA Information Technology (IT) programs and projects by being accountable for four IT divisions. As the DCIO, she helped to create the IT Strategic Plan, worked to update our IT governance processes, and collaborated to bring technological advances to NARA.

Before coming to NARA, Sheena worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where she served as an IT Business Manager, and for the Social Security Administration, where she served in a variety of IT positions.Sheena earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University. She also holds numerous industry certifications, including being certified as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Scaled Agile for Enterprise (SAFE), and Technology Business Management (TBM) Executive.

Sean Connelly serves as the Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) Program Manager and Senior Cybersecurity Architect, Cybersecurity Division (CSD), Office of the Technical Director (OTD) at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The TIC initiative is the federal government’s strategy to securely protect government networks that connect to the Internet and cloud providers. CISA’s TIC Program Office works with a wide spectrum of partners across government and industry and leads the way at enhancing network security across the federal enterprise horizon.

Additionally Mr. Connelly was a co-author of the Zero Trust Maturity Model (ZTMM) which assists agencies in the development of their zero trust strategies and implementation plans, the Cyber EO (14028) Cloud Security Technical Reference Architecture (CSTRA) designed to guide agencies’ secure migration to the cloud by explaining considerations for shared services, cloud migration, and cloud security posture management;; and finally, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-207, Zero Trust Architecture, which discusses the core logical components that make up a zero trust architecture.

Lisa Einstein serves as a Senior Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Executive Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee. She was Stanford’s first dual master’s degree recipient in computer science (AI specialization) and international policy (cyber policy and security specialization). While at Stanford, she led H.R. McMaster’s research team on emerging technologies and geopolitics and conducted research on trust and safety engineering, AI-augmented education, and algorithmic decision support tools for humanitarian evacuations.

Previously, Lisa taught physics to over 600 students as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Guinea. She received her BA from Princeton in physics and dance professionally for several years, including with Camille A. Brown and Dancers.

Matt Gilkeson brings 15 years of proven leadership in information technology with a talent for coalition building, identifying complex organizational priorities, advocating change management and directing resources to recruit, engage and lead diverse teams to exceed goals in product delivery. He is innovative in identifying solutions in design, development and delivery through creative emerging capability and technology systems integration.

In 2024, Matt was appointed to the role of Chief Technology Officer/Chief Data Officer, a new TSA Senior Executive Service position created to strengthen data governance, data sharing, technology innovation and TSA’s use of Artificial Intelligence. The role will provide leadership, a comprehensive data strategy and parody across the federal government and private sector for that responsibility, given TSA’s heavy reliance on data.

From 2019-2023, Matt served as the Division Director for the Innovation Task Force (ITF) within the Requirements and Capabilities Analysis (RCA) at TSA. The ITF fosters innovation by integrating key stakeholders in the identification, demonstration, and characterization of emerging solutions in an effort to increase security effectiveness and improve passenger experience. As a founding member of ITF, Matt helped lead the rapid strategy and delivery of enhanced security screening technology by deploying over 170 automated screening lanes. The new technology has increased efficiency by up to 30% and saved over $120 million in federal budget costs.

Prior to joining TSA, Matt astutely achieved collaboration across the functional advocates for the United States Marine Corps Training and Education Command. He capitalized on his domain expertise in delivering strategic information technology solutions to enhance the Marine Corps Training Information System interface with the Defense Readiness Reporting System – Marine Corps. In 2016 and 2019 Matt received the DHS Secretary's Award for his work on the Innovation Task Force. He is a graduate of James Madison University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in integrated science and technology.

Henry (Jamie) Holcombe is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In this role, he is the principal advisor to the agency on the design, development, and management of its information systems and technology.

Most recently, Mr. Holcombe served as the Chief Executive Officer of Visium Technologies, a cybersecurity startup, and Chief Operations Officer for TJ Westlake LLC, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business. Prior to these executive roles, he served as the Vice President and General Manager for Harris CapRock Critical Networks segment, providing managed security services supporting air traffic management, energy and maritime communications, ground network operations and sustainment, and high-value IT and engineering cyber services.

At Harris CapRock, Mr. Holcombe led the company’s Government Solutions line of business to deliver operational excellence and growth. Previously, he had served as Harris’ Vice President of Information Technology for Global Systems and Process, and as IT Services’ Director of Civil Programs and Commercial Accounts, as well as Client Executive to the U.S. Department of State.

Mr. Holcombe has also served in a variety of executive level positions at various firms, including as Vice President of Information Systems for the Universal Service Administrative Company; as Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Corporate Secretary for Globix; and as Chief Information Officer of Cambrian Communications. He has also been an Architect and Senior Principal Consultant to companies in telecommunications, entertainment, and insurance.

Mr. Holcombe began his career as an officer in the U.S. Army where he served as company commander in the 1116th Signal Battalion and was awarded both the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award and Most Outstanding Officer of the Year. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree, finishing first in his class in computer science. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree in information systems from Chaminade University in Honolulu, and a Master of Science degree in computer science from George Washington University.

Mangala Kuppa is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. She is a go-getter with a unique skill set that includes in-depth technical expertise, experience with industry best practices, and exceptional leadership and management skills.

As Chief Technology Officer within the Department of Labor’s Office of the Chief Information Officer, she serves as a key advisor to the Chief Information Officer and Deputy Chief Information Officers on the development of short and long-range IT plans for all elements of the enterprise-wide technology environment. This includes providing technology leadership, advice, and guidance throughout the department in planning for implementation of all new or upgraded IT services in a managed architecture program.

Mangala also serves as Responsible Artificial Intelligence Officer, Deputy Chief AI Officer, and the Director of Technology, Innovation and Engineering, making her responsible for overseeing the development and operations of the department’s Enterprise Data Platform and AI and Machine Language strategies and policies. 

Mangala previously served as the Director of the Directorate of Business Applications Services, where she oversaw the operation, maintenance, and modernization of the department’s mission and business-focused systems.

Nathan Sanfilippo was appointed as Executive Director of the Multi-Channel Technology (MCT) Directorate of the Veterans Experience Office (VEO) in September 2021. As MCT Executive Director, Nathan leads a team responsible for developing strategy and delivering VA enterprise-wide solutions to deliver easy and effective service experiences to Veterans and VA employees across all systems and channels. MCT focuses on contact center operations and modernization, digital modernization of VA.gov and mobile self-service tools, customer data management, and service recovery.

Prior to joining the VA, Nathan served for 19 years at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). As an expert in nuclear regulatory policy, licensing, and inspection, he held numerous leadership roles involving: oversight of the nation’s nuclear power plant inspection program; rulemaking for advanced nuclear reactors; and implementation of U.S. nuclear power plant enhancements based on lessons learned from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. He also served as a policy advisor on the personal staff of the NRC’s Chairman.

In 2018, Nathan completed a year-long White House Leadership Development Program fellowship at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) leading government-wide customer experience (CX) initiatives. He was the architect of the “Improving Customer Experience with Federal Services” Cross-Agency Priority (CAP) Goal and co-authored the original government-wide CX guidance in OMB Circular A-11.

Nathan is a graduate of OMB’s Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program and has been recognized with 25 NRC awards, as well as the Service to the Citizen Award in 2019 for his work on government-wide CX.

Harrison Smith has served the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as the Acquisition Innovation Advocate since November 2023, supporting ­­the digital and acquisition portfolios of the agency.  Previously, he was the Director of Enterprise Digitalization at the Internal Revenue Service, where he supported IRS efforts to modernize systems, simplify business processes, and empower taxpayers and IRS employees to rapidly resolve issues in a simplified digital environment.

Harrison also served the IRS as the Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, where he was responsible for supporting all acquisition programs, over $2.6B in contract spend, and more than 12,000 contract actions per year for equipment, supplies, and services for IRS and Treasury Departmental Offices.

Before joining the IRS, Harrison served as the Industry Liaison for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  In this role, he was responsible for providing leadership and direction for DHS office and outside officials for all aspects of the DHS industry engagement program.  He also served as a principal advisor to the Chief Procurement Officer on matters relating to all aspects of procurement, particularly transformative approaches to leveraging technology to support the DHS mission.  He was a warranted Contracting Officer for more than two decades at the Naval Sea Systems Command and various offices of DHS, where he supported major weapons systems programs, foreign military sales, research and development portfolios, and multi-billion dollar IT programs.

Harrison lives in Virginia with his wife and children. He holds a B.A. in International Relations and an M.A. in US Foreign Policy from the American University, an M.B.A. from George Washington University, and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Ms. Jennifer Swanson is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Data, Engineering & Software (DASA(DES)), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)). In this position, Ms. Swanson leads implementation of modern software practices including agile software development and DevSecOps, data centricity, and digital engineering across ASA(ALT). Since standing up DASA(DES), she established a Unified Data Reference Architecture (UDRA) which will enable digital transformation by giving Program Managers and industry partners guidance on how to produce, share and consume data. At the direction of the VCSA, she co-led a Capability Portfolio Review securing senior leader endorsement to drive agile development and DevSecOps throughout the Army. And under her leadership, the Request for Proposal process is changing to require industry to deliver using modern software practices.

Prior to joining ASA(ALT), Ms. Swanson served as the Director of the U.S. Army CommunicationsElectronics Command (CECOM) Software Engineering Center (SEC) headquartered in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. As Director, she oversaw a global mission, running an organization of approximately 3,000 military, civilian and industry employees, with an annual budget in excess of $700 million. She provided state of the art software engineering products and services throughout the Army.

Ron has more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles spanning the federal government and public sectors.  Throughout his career, he has been responsible for organizational transformation, data design, innovation, engineering, operational management, and governance of complex IT solutions. Ron’s breadth of hands-on experience in organizational design and transformation will bring valuable perspectives in partnerships and creative problem solving.

Currently Ron is serving as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of West River Consultancy where he provides expert advice and corporate board services related to multiple business domains including space, healthcare, environmental and statical demographic and population expertise.

Ron previously served as NASA’s Agency Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Deputy Digital Transformation Officer (DDTO).   Ron served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service where he provided executive leadership and oversight to protect the Agency’s data and provided IT services to the agency.   Prior to USDA, Ron was the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Information and Technology at the Department of Veterans Affairs and was responsible for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations and assisting the Administration across the department.   At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Ron served as the Executive Director for Engineering, Design and Operations in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, responsible for transforming the organization’s services to an IT service management model that increased service levels, ensured reliance and agility, and lowered overall costs.  Previous positions include the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) where he managed finance, employee and labor relations and talent management and as the Chief Enterprise Architect for the U.S. Census Bureau and Program Manager for the Data Access and Dissemination System Office and the Department of Treasury, Financial Management Service, where he was the Director of Treasury’s Web Application Infrastructure. 

In the private sector, Ron served as both a Senior Account Manager and a Consulting Manager for Hewlett Packard and Compaq Computer corporations where he led business development software development and system design and program execution.

He is a fellow in the American Council for Technology-Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC).  In addition, is a U.S. Army Veteran.  He has an Executive Master of Business Administration M.B.A. and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management, both from the University of Maryland.  He resides in Maryland with his wife and two sons and is active in Boy Scouts of America where he serves as a Scoutmaster.

Dr. Matt Turek is the deputy office director for the Defense Advanced Research Agency’s (DARPA) Information Innovation Office (I2O), where he provides technical leadership and works with program managers to envision, create, and transition capabilities that ensure enduring information advantage for the United States and its allies. Previously, Turek served as I2O’s acting deputy director and as a program manager for AI-related programs, including Explainable AI, Machine Common Sense, Media Forensics, and Semantic Forensics. He joined DARPA from Kitware, Inc., where he led a team developing computer vision technologies. Prior to that role, he was at GE Global Research conducting research in medical imaging and industrial inspection.

Colt Whittall currently serves as CEO of BRAVO17, a digital consultancy founded to do system design, development and optimization for federal agencies with a focus on getting superior, measurable UX outcomes for its clients. He previously served as Chief Experience Officer of the Dept of the Air Force. In that role he helped improve user satisfaction with IT from 5 points underwater to 2X more satisfied than dissatisfied. 

Mr. Whittall previously led the federal and healthcare practice areas of Isobar, a leading digital agency. 

Jacob Wright leads Census Bureau’s enterprise analytics practice. A veteran of the US Navy, Jacob has over 15 years of Information Systems Management experience and a wealth of knowledge in using public data in the government space. Jacob has been with the Department of Commerce since 2017, the majority of that spent with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Jacob has spent time working at all levels of government from directly supporting the Secretary of Commerce to working side by side with field representatives during the 2020 Decennial Census. With a proven track record of innovation Jacob continues to be an influential voice in the future of government analytics and CX strategy.

Glen has over 30 years of experience in Information Technology and Information Security with proven thought leadership. Prior to Check Point he has managed networks for national healthcare providers, and ran the Cyber Security practice for a Check Point reseller/integrator. Over this time he has worked with many Fortune 100 customers and federal, state, and local government agencies, architecting and managing high profile network and security projects.

Glen currently leads the engineering teams for Vertical Solutions at Check Point Software, supporting Telco/MSSP, and Public Sector.