Massachusetts IT Leadership Forum 2024 Banner

Overview

The IT Leadership Forum brings together current and emerging technology leaders with the industry partners that support them. This invitation-only event provides a space for leaders to collaborate while addressing the most important policy, management and leadership issues surrounding the future of digital government. Contact us if you’d like to join the conversation!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

I’m excited for us to bring back the IT Leadership Forum in Massachusetts! I continue to see great value in creating a space like this for current and future leaders. We’ll cover a wide range of topics designed to inspire, motivate, and help IT leaders from all areas of government accomplish positive change. I look forward to seeing everyone on April 23rd!

-Jason Snyder, Secretary of Technology & Commonwealth CIO, Executive Office of Technology and Security Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Speakers

Saby Waraich

Saby Waraich

Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas County Community College  

Recognized by Thinkers360 as a Global Thought Leader and Influencer in the Top 10 for Project Management and Business Strategy, and in the Top 50 for Leadership, Saby Waraich is not just a speaker—he's a practitioner in the trenches every single day. Delivering keynotes and workshops that are as inspiring as they are practical, Saby marries actionable insights with a captivating storytelling style. His mission is not just to inspire but to equip you with the strategies needed to excel personally and professionally.
A veteran in driving change and fostering innovation, Saby offers a unique perspective backed by real-world experience. Whether on stage or virtually, his energetic and engaging approach provides the tools you need to stand out as a leader, build trust, and ultimately drive better results. Don't just listen to a speech; gain a professional edge from someone who's living it.

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Stacey Caster

Stacey Caster

CEO and Founder, North Executive Advisor

Throughout her impressive and diverse career, Stacey Caster has earned a reputation for being a forward-thinking leader, business consultant, executive coach, and workshop facilitator. Possessing an innate understanding of people, businesses, and systems that she has continued to develop throughout her 25+ year career, Stacey has been recognized for her innovative approach to organizational structure, management, and leadership development. At the core of her work, she was responsible for increasing the value and performance of senior leaders, c-level executives, organizations, and teams and for delivering the necessary support to help businesses run smoothly. Stacey is an accomplished and well-respected speaker, consultant, and engaging business coach. She’s also an accomplished business leader specializing in technology and business operations. Stacey is constantly driven to transform obstacles into opportunities and challenges into possibilities for her clients.
Stacey was chosen by LA Weekly as one of the “Top 10 Leadership Coaches to Watch in 2024” and a 2023 RISE Mentor of the Year. In addition, she is an ICF Certified Executive Coach, a Certified Master Facilitator, and a Genos Emotional Intelligence Certified Practitioner.

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Tracy-Ann Palmer

Tracy-Ann Palmer

CEO and Founder, Corporate Athlete Academy

Tracy-Ann is a seasoned, well-rounded, executive leader with 25+ years of global transformation experience and deep expertise across all areas of the business. She is a catalyst for change and a savvy, courageous leader who is unafraid to tackle difficult challenges. Optimistic in the face of uncertainty, Tracy-Ann is able to skillfully navigate through ambiguity and stay ahead of the market. She is a stellar relationship builder and inspirational leader who creates diverse, resilient teams that consistently exceed growth targets. Tracy-Ann develops bold leaders through passionate, empathetic mentorship. With a pioneer mindset, she develops winning cultures and empowers people to deliver value beyond their own expectations. Tracy-Ann is a celebrated motivational speaker, executive coach known for accelerating growth in the face of adversity, exceptional entrepreneurial success, and visionary leader.
Tracy-Ann is a 2023 Stevie Award Winner – Women Executive of the Year, a CRN Executive Mentor of the Year, a CRN Inclusive Leader Award recipient, a Channel Futures Top 20 Cloud Channel Leader, a CRN Female Executive of the Year and Role Model of the Year finalist, and a CRN Power 100 recipient three years in a row for The Most Powerful Women of the Channel. Tracy-Ann is also the Founder of the “We Build Character” non-profit executive leadership mentoring program.

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Kelly Albrecht

Kelly Albrecht

Chief Executive Officer, Last Call Media   

Kelly's primary passion is delivering better products by connecting production teams and customers through automation and empathy. He has extensive experience as an Agile Coach consulting for Fortune 100 companies, NGOs, government agencies, and educational institutions. Kelly holds a BA summa cum laude along with numerous certifications in product management methodologies like SAFe and Scrum. He stays involved in the tech community, contributing to open-source projects in both code and community capacities. 

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Jennifer Barthelemy-Nerestant

Jennifer Barthelemy-Nerestant

Secretariat Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

As the Secretariat Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (ODEIA) at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), Jennifer leads and supports DEIA work that directly impacts and supports over 23,000 employees within the secretariat. She is a proud alumnus of both Howard University and Suffolk University. Jennifer is a change agent focused on the transformative process of personal and societal disruption of status quo inequity, inequality, and injustice. As a powerful Black Woman in leadership, she takes pride in supporting and mentoring Women of Color on their journeys of purposefully walking in the power that they possess. Jennifer curates empowering mutual learning environments and leverages her coaching and mentoring skills to foster collaborative leadership and inclusive cultures. Jennifer specializes in racial equity and cultivating spaces where BIPOC leaders can thrive and excel and is passionate about dismantling systemic and institutional racist structures within local and state government. Her achievements include being the 1st Haitian American & 2nd African American woman to receive the 2020 Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship, a 2023 recipient of the Advancing Equity and Justice Award from the Massachusetts LGBTQ Youth Commission, and a 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from Suffolk University.

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Tamara Beach

Tamara Beach

Vice President – U.S. Consumer Channel Sales, HP Inc. 

Tami is a 27+ year HP veteran with an impressive track record of generating profitable growth across hardware, services, and software. She is an influential and tenacious sales leader who has been a driving force behind bringing HP’s consumer and commercial innovations to market. She currently leads the HP U.S. Consumer Channel Sales organization and is responsible for leading all aspects of HP's U.S. consumer channel sales for both retail and online.
Tami Beach currently serves as the Vice President of U.S. Consumer Channel Sales at HP Inc. In this role, Tami leads the strategic direction and execution of sales efforts across the U.S. consumer market, driving growth and market penetration through excellent sales operations, innovative strategies, and strong partnerships. Prior to this, she led the Commercial Channel Print Sales where she was responsible for driving profitable growth and share for HP’s office print categories.
Tami holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and an MBA from Boise State University. She and her husband Scott reside in Idaho and have three grown daughters. In her free time, Tami enjoys boating with her family and is a season ticket holder for BSU football, Broadway in Boise, and Shakespeare in the Park.

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Marybeth Boczon

Marybeth Boczon

Director of Technical Services, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

Marybeth Boczon serves as Director of Technical Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Marybeth oversees a team of Tier 2 technicians supporting over 3250 employees and 250 diverse locations across the state. She has over 30 years of experience in the IT field and has been with the Commonwealth for the past 19 years. A committed lifelong learner, she recently completed the Commonwealth's Management Certificate Program (MCP) which is designed for self-motivated managers who are looking to enhance their leadership and managerial skills and are dedicated to the successful mission of their agency and secretariat.

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Richard Curtis

Richard Curtis LinkedIn

Manager of Engagement, Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Commonwealth of Massachusetts   

Richard Curtis is an award-winning innovative Human Resource Executive who translates business vision into HR initiatives that improve performance, growth, and employee engagement. As a senior HR Manager in the Financial Industry for 20 years, Richard had developed unique talent pipeline programs, partnering with community organizations /universities to support underrepresented populations of talent into the financial industry. Richard has had the pleasure of speaking at leadership conferences throughout his career sharing his vision on how to support employees and managers in the workplace, including incorporating a Mentorship component in the program design. Richard joined the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in 2020 with the goal to develop programs to support over 4500 employees including a MassDOT Mentorship Program. Richard is the recipient of the Governor Paul Cellucci Award for Leadership and Mentoring in State Government in 2022, and the 2019 Recipient of the Diversity Inclusion Champion Award – Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA). Richard and his wife of 40+ years reside in Richard’s hometown of Marblehead, MA.

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Elliot Flautt

Elliot Flautt

Director, State Data Solutions, Tyler Technologies 

Elliot is a technical leader behind Tyler Technologies' initiatives on behalf of high-profile government organizations to help them manage, share, and explain their data more effectively. Elliot is an expert on cross-organizational data sharing, data analytics and visualization, and data standards. He also brings deep experience using data visualizations to help non-data savvy users understand data, and he trains government employees, developers and data scientists on how to use APIs and web visualization frameworks together.

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Santiago Garces

Santiago Garces

Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology, City of Boston 

Santiago "Santi" Garces, driven by early experiences in his native Bogotá, Colombia, has dedicated his career to optimizing government efficiency and effectiveness. As the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Boston, he leads the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), striving to make it an engine of transformation by employing data science and human-centered design. With a robust history in civic tech roles, including pivotal CIO positions in South Bend and Pittsburgh, Santi has won the Bloomberg’s Mayor Innovation project for the Commuter's Trust and has played an instrumental role in citywide technological advancements. A multilingual and a tech-savvy innovator, Santi has also co-founded a nonprofit, enFocus, aimed at creating innovative solutions for government and industry. His leadership, spanning planning, sustainability, and technological infrastructure, continues to shape the cities he serves towards a more efficient, inclusive, and technologically advanced future.

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Ramon Garcia

Ramon Garcia

Chief Information Officer, City of Chelsea

Ramon is a visionary technology leader and seasoned technology executive who currently serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Chelsea. With a career spanning over three decades in the realm of information technology, Ramon has consistently demonstrated his ability to leverage cutting-edge digital solutions for the betterment of private and public administration. His unwavering commitment to innovation and his deep understanding of the intersection between technology and government have positioned him as a driving force behind Chelsea's digital transformation.
Under Ramon's leadership, the City of Chelsea is undergoing a remarkable digital evolution, marked by the implementation of groundbreaking  city initiatives, data-driven decision-making processes, and a strengthened the City’s cybersecurity infrastructure. His strategic vision has not only enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal operations but has also improved the quality of life for Chelsea's residents. Ramon's dedication to fostering collaboration within his team and the will to build strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations has been instrumental in positioning Chelsea as a model city for technology-driven governance.
Ramon is not just a CIO; he is a change-maker and a catalyst for progress in the public sector. His passion for harnessing the power of technology to create positive outcomes for the community has earned him respect both within the city and beyond. With Ramon at the helm, the City of Chelsea continues to pave the way for innovative, inclusive, and forward-thinking approaches to municipal governance in the digital age.

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Anu Goutham

Anu Goutham

Deputy Chief Information Officer, Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

Anu Goutham serves as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for MassDOT.  As a technology leader, she provides strategic direction and supports MassDOT business divisions with delivery of secure, resilient, and modern technology solutions. Proficient in Cloud Platform applications and strategy, her goal is to provide modern resident facing services that creates efficiencies and provide an equitable and accessible user experience not just to support today's needs but extendable for future needs. MassDOT Technology team are recipients of  Secretary’s Leadership & Innovation Award in 2023 for their technology leadership and implementation of Work and Family Mobility Act. They are also recipients of multiple Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance recognitions for other innovative implementation of resident impacting applications and services.
Anu also spent many years in the private sector across a broad range of industries including retail, real estate, technology start-ups, payments, internet commerce delivering on many innovative products.

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Robert Groat

Robert Groat

Executive Vice President of Technology and Strategy, SMX  

Robert Groat is the EVP of Technology and Strategy for SMX. He brings 30+ years of experience in designing, developing and delivering products and services, especially in financial services, healthcare, federal, and DOD sectors.
Under Rob’s leadership, SMX has developed large-scale cloud solutions for Treasury, DOJ, DOI, U.S. Navy, Fannie Mae, Siemens, Medtronic, and more. The first use of virtualization technologies in theater (for the forward-deployed Marine Expeditionary Forces) took place under his leadership, as did the first government-wide solution hosted in the AWS cloud.  
He has co-published numerous papers on advanced optimization mathematics, holds a patent in numerical analyses methods, and was the winner of the Northern Virginia Technology Council CTO Innovator of the Year award for his pioneering work in deploying cloud solutions for the federal government.
Rob holds a BS in Electrical Engineering, a BS in Computer Engineering, and several professional certifications across AWS, Google, and Microsoft.

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Cheryl Hamilton

Cheryl Hamilton

Founder/Executive Director, Stellar Story Company 

Cheryl Hamilton is the founder and Executive Director of Stellar Story Company, which helps people and institutions develop extraordinary stories and unforgettable events that lead to meaningful change. Hamilton and her team lead custom storytelling, coaching, and related programs for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. She brings more than twenty years of experience directing local and national nonprofit programs focused on employment, immigration, and iversity, equity, and inclusion. Hamilton also directs curation and coaching for Stories from the Stage, the award-winning media program featured on WORLDChannel and PBS. She is also the creator and director of Suitcase Stories, a program that features stories of refugee and immigrant life.

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Mehreen Hassan

Mehreen Hassan

Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts  

Mehreen has dedicated over 24 years to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in multiple leadership positions. She started her state service with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) serving in many leadership roles, including ACIO for multiple agencies supporting mission critical applications. Currently, she is the Deputy Chief Technology Officer at the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS). At EOTSS, she oversees enterprise applications, low code/no code environments, integration services, collaboration and reporting platforms.

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Robin Healey

Robin Healey

Secretariat Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office for Administration and Finance.

Robin leads a team of 200+ IT professionals, supporting the IT needs of numerous government agencies, boards, and commissions. Her goal is to deliver business value to her organization through the use of technology. Prior to her time at Administration and Finance, Robin was the Chief Information Officer for the Massachusetts State Treasury. Robin also spent many years in the private sector, serving as manager and software engineer in MathWorks, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and Hewlett Packard, as well as adjunct faculty member at Northeastern University, teaching Computer Science classes.

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Greg Martin

Greg Martin

Secretariat CIO, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Greg Martin is the Chief Information Officer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Greg’s large IT team is responsible for all technology investments and operations for EOEEA and its agencies, including the Departments of Conservation & Recreation, Energy Resources, Agricultural Resources, Fish and Game, Public Utilities, and Environmental Protection, plus the Massachusetts Environmental Police and offices managing environmental policy, water resources & infrastructure, toxics use, coastal zones, and more.  Greg’s 16-year career with the Commonwealth also includes extensive work at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services where he managed EOHHS’s voice and data networks, enterprise mobility, collaboration technologies, server projects, e-discovery, and a variety of other operations and infrastructure technologies. As a former Captain in the United States Air Force, Greg learned to lead, collaborate, and manage multifunctional teams and projects in locations all around the world.

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Bill McAvoy

Bill McAvoy

Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill McAvoy has a long career of government innovation and leadership. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), which has been recognized as the most inclusive state supplier diversity program in the country. The SDO certifies diverse and small businesses and connects them with resources and public and private contracting opportunities. Bill’s prior public service experience also includes serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel in the Operational Services Division and as Assistant Attorney General / Environmental Advocate, Legal Counsel for Operations, Budget Director and Senior Counsel to the Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General. He previously worked in the private sector for several companies, including Hewlett Packard Corp. Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Merrimack College, Master’s degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University and Juris Doctorate degree from New England School of Law.

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Christine McCarthy

Christine McCarthy

Director of Customer Engagement, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

Christine McCarthy currently serves as the Director of Customer Engagement at the Executive Office for Services and Securities (EOTSS), leveraging a career spanning 17 years in state and local government. Recognized as a self-motivated and innovative leader, Christine has demonstrated a proven track record in overseeing large-scale organizations and projects.
In her role, Christine collaborates with senior management to formulate long-term strategic and operational initiatives aligned with organizational goals in delivering EOTSS's products and services. Overseeing the Centralized Intake Group (CIG), Business Relationship Manager, and ServiceNow Team, she focuses on comprehending customer needs, ensuring consistency and transparency in EOTSS's service catalog and pricing, and providing IT services that align with customer requirements. This encompasses continual review and enhancement of the Service Catalog, incorporating insights from Enterprise customers and staying abreast of current technology trends. Previously, Christine held the position of Director of Operations at the Executive Office of Administration and Finance (A&F).
Christine is an alumna of Northeastern University and has completed the Suffolk University Moakley Center for Public Administration and Massachusetts Municipal Associations Certificate Program. She holds a Certificate in Local Government Leadership and Management. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Christine was honored as the recipient of the Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service in 2021, notably for her work on the Future of Work Initiative.

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Greg McCarthy

Greg McCarthy

Chief Information Security Officer, City of Boston 

Greg McCarthy is the first Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Boston and career public servant. Since joining the City of Boston’s Cybersecurity Team in 2010, Greg has managed the implementation of numerous information security solutions, developed the City's first cybersecurity awareness program for employees and successfully enforced the use of multi-factor authentication for all employees. In his role, Greg continues to lead efforts to strengthen the cybersecurity capabilities across the City and further the team’s mission through modernizing technology, partnerships, and regular training. Greg is a cybersecurity leader and change agent who is focused on strengthening cybersecurity for the City of Boston and all municipal governments through partnership and collaboration. Greg is also the Co-founder and Co-Chair of the Coalition of City CISOs. Prior to joining the City of Boston, Greg spent seven years working at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Greg holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and a graduate degree in Information Assurance, both from Northeastern University. He has also earned a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification from ISACA, graduate certification in Project Management from Boston University, and a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute.

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Thomas Myers

Thomas Myers

Chief Privacy Officer & General Counsel, Executive Office of Technology Services & Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts 


Tom Myers is the General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer at the Executive Office Technology Services and Security (EOTSS). Tom has more than 10 years’ experience as a practicing attorney in both the public and private sector. He oversees the EOTSS legal, e-discovery, and privacy teams. Tom is building the Commonwealth’s privacy program from the ground up, including the development of enterprise privacy policies, implementation of privacy impact assessments for third-party vendors, and establishment of a statewide privacy council aimed at information sharing, raising privacy awareness, and minimizing privacy risks across the Commonwealth.  Tom holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, a J.D from New England Law Boston, and is a certified privacy professional through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

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Susan Noyes

Susan Noyes

Director, Office of Municipal & School Technology, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Susan Noyes is the Director at the Office of Municipal and School Technology (OMST) at the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) for the Commonwealth. She is responsible for overseeing the OMST staff, which administers the municipal cybersecurity awareness training grant (MCAGP) to public government organizations and the Cybersecurity Health Check services, provide guidance on technology needs and best practices and consults on common municipal challenges. Susan and her team advise municipalities and schools on the availability of the Community Compact Cabinet Grants and other partner resources, while also serving as the OMST liaison with the MA Tech Collaborative/CRMWG.
Susan joined EOTSS in January 2020 serving in the Office of Municipal and School Technology (OMST) as a Municipal and School IT Manager until October 2022. Prior to joining EOTSS, she served in municipal government for 15+ years, most recently as a municipal IT Director and prior to that in multiple municipal roles. Previous to joining the public sector, she had a successful career in the corporate high-technology field serving in Technical Support, Service Marketing and Professional Services Management capacities, both domestically and overseas. She holds an A.B.A. in Management from Newbury College.

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Jessica Perez-Rossello

Jessica Perez-Rossello

Associate Chief Information Officer for MassHealth, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

Jessica Perez-Rossello is a leading figure in the intersection of technology and public service, currently serving as the Assistant Chief Information Officer for MassHealth at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Her 29-year career is marked by significant achievements in project management, systems integration, and business process improvement, especially within constrained budgets and strict timelines. For over a decade, Jessica has been at the forefront of MassHealth's transformative projects, such as the Health Insurance Exchange and Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS). These projects are crucial in ensuring accessible and efficient healthcare for Massachusetts' most vulnerable populations. Her leadership in managing the MassHealth Enrollment Centers, which process essential health information for members, is a testament to her dedication to health equity.
Previously, as the Chief Information Officer for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Jessica aligned information services with educational reforms, showcasing her commitment to using technology for societal benefit.
Her educational foundation, a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master’s in Business Administration from Bentley University, underpins her strategic approach to marrying business acumen with technology solutions. Her career is a testament to the critical role female leaders play in driving innovation, aligning technology with business goals, and championing inclusivity and support for women in technology sectors.

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Anthony Ristaino

Anthony Ristaino

Chief Information Security Officer, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

With over eight years of experience within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), Anthony has a strong expertise in cybersecurity and risk management. Currently serving as Chief Information Security Officer for EOHHS, Anthony has provided strategic risk guidance for IT projects, implemented a federal compliance program, stood up and managed vulnerability and incident response teams, and overseen large scale migration projects to AWS. 

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Matthew Rose

Matthew Rose

Industry Principal, Global Public Sector, Snowflake

Samantha Sendrowski

Samantha Sendrowski

Director of IT Administration, City of Worcester

Sam (she/her/hers) currently serves as the Director of IT Administration in the City of Worcester’s Department of Innovation & Technology. In this role she oversees the day-to-day administration, finance, policy strategy and processes for the department. She is passionate about enabling people to be more productive and collaborative through technology. Before joining the City, Sam worked in multiple industries in the private sector with a focus on engagement and adoption, and strategic planning. Sam earned a Masters in Corporate and Organizational Communications, and a B.A. in Business Administration with concentrations in Management Information Systems and Marketing from Northeastern University.

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Mandy Sweeney

Mandy Sweeney

Director, Technology, KPMG

Ron Thompson

Ron Thompson

Senior Director of Datacenter Services, Executive Office of Technology Services and Secruity, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

View Speakers

Tuesday, April 23

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Eden Vale Foyer

9:00 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

Eden Vale BC

Jason Snyder, Secretary of Technology, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

9:15 am Eastern

Keynote – Leading Beyond Our Limits

Eden Vale BC

We’re pressed to the edge of our comfort zone daily. Faced with evolving challenges, unforeseen obstacles, and constant change, it can be tempting to stick to the familiar and avoid risk. Yet, there’s opportunity on the other side of discomfort, and standing out as a leader who’s willing to embrace uncharted territories is a remarkable way to inspire innovation and drive transformation. Join Saby Waraich as he draws on his real-life experience as a trailblazing guide in leadership. Learn to step into the uncomfortable to expand your impact, conquer complex challenges, and build a leadership legacy.

Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas Community College

10:15 am Eastern

General Session – Being a Leader in the Era of Disruptive Tech

Eden Vale BC

Technology advancements continue to shake things up at a swifter pace than ever before. We witnessed the impact of AI in all sectors in 2023, and this year the public sector is required to adapt and adopt at a speed unheard of in the past. As a leader, how do you steer your organization through the uncertainty, resistance, and fear that accompanies rapid technological change? What are the crucial strategies for adapting to and maximizing the benefits of these advancements? This session unpacks how today's leaders can embrace what is new while turning challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

Moderator: Greg Martin, Secretariat Chief Information Officer, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Santiago Garces, Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology, City of Boston

Anu Goutham, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Antoine Harrison, Secretariat Chief Information Officer, Executive Office of Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

11:00 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Eden Vale Foyer

11:30 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

The Evolving Role of a Tech Leader

Emerson

The scope of today’s public sector IT leader transcends traditional IT responsibilities. Gone are the days where we focused solely on keeping the lights on. Now, an IT leader must straddle both worlds of business and operations. This requires staying in alignment with broader mission and vision for the organization while taking on an understanding of the business to make their needs a reality. This session explores what it really takes to lead in IT today and offers tools and strategies for remaining relevant.

Moderator: Mehreen Hassan, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Robert Groat, Executive Vice President of Technology and Strategy, SMX

Greg McCarthy, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Boston

Ronald Thompson, Senior Director of Datacenter Services, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Master Communication with Storytelling

Eden Vale AI/AII

Let’s face it – effective communication is a skill that few master and many want to improve. Communicating through stories is one method of captivating an audience and conveying important messages in a memorable way. In IT specifically, stories can be an excellent way to connect with stakeholders and customers to help them see the benefit of the solutions you’re providing. How do you transform your thoughts and ideas into stories that grab your audience’s attention? This session shares tips on how to become a master storyteller and make your communication more impactful in all aspects of life.

Moderator: Jacob Viola, Deputy Chief Engagement Officer, Executive Office of Technology Services & Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Marybeth Boczon, Director of Technical Services, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Cheryl Hamilton, Founder/Executive Director, Stellar Story Company

Charlie O’Shea, Eastern Regional Executive for State Government Strategy, T-Mobile

Women Lead the Way

Eden Vale AIII

Female leaders are revolutionizing the public sector technology space, but statistics show a decline year over year in top-level women tech leaders. As concerning as this sounds, there IS a solution. You must double-down on leadership inclusion, career-pathing, and support for women in your organizations. In this session, we’ll shine a spotlight on the pivotal role female leaders have in driving innovation, aligning technology with business goals, and fostering high-performing teams. You’ll also hear strategies for empowering current and upcoming women leaders in tech.

Moderator: Robin Healey, Secretariat Chief Information Officer, Executive Office for Administration and Finance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Tamara Beach, Vice President, U.S. Consumer Channel Sales, HP Inc.

Jessica Perez-Rossello, Associate Chief Information Officer, MassHealth, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Mandy Sweeney, Director, Technology, KPMG

12:30 pm Eastern

Lunch

Eden Vale BC

1:30 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Risk vs Reward: Paving the Path for Public Sector Innovation

Emerson

Government, like any other organization, needs to innovate to address evolving challenges, improve service delivery, and enhance efficiency. But as public sector leaders, you have a unique challenge here that keeps you from simply innovating for the sake of innovating. You must operate within a framework of laws, regulations, and compliance requirements that ensure accountability, transparency, and the protection of public interests. This session investigates how to foster a culture of innovation while ensuring initiatives align with regulatory frameworks, manage risk effectively, and maintain public trust.

Moderator: Thomas Myers, Chief Privacy Officer & General Counsel, Executive Office of Technology Services & Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Elliot Flautt, Director, State Data Solutions, Tyler Technologies

Ashish Joshi, Director of Architecture, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Anthony Ristaino, Chief Information Security Officer, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Matthew Rose, Industry Principal, Global Public Sector, Snowflake

The Importance of Diversity in IT

Eden Vale AI/AII

Constituents today require government services to meet their specific, and diverse, needs and preferences. At the same time, our employees have higher expectations for workplaces to be inclusive of their needs and value the diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences they bring to the table. Without diversity in public sector IT, we can’t reach maximum success as a team or fully understand the people we serve. This session informs and inspires as you learn to weave an inclusive and dynamic mindset into daily leadership practices, leaving your unconscious bias behind, transforming diversity from a concept into a powerful, everyday reality.

Moderator: Susan Noyes, Director, Office of Municipal & School Technology, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Jennifer Barthelemy-Nerestant, Secretariat Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Ramon Garcia, Chief Information Officer, City of Chelsea

Bill McAvoy, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Strategies for Team Development and Success

Eden Vale AIII

Leaders who invest in developing the skills to coach and mentor their teams see an abundance of benefits. They boost retention and satisfaction, build individual confidence to overcome daily challenges, and increase employee engagement. What is the difference between coaching and mentoring and when should each methodology be utilized? How do you personalize your efforts to each team member? This session takes a deep dive into how to create a positive and supportive workplace culture while contributing to the professional development of your team members and strengthening overall organizational success.

Moderator: Samantha Sendrowski, Director of IT Administration, City of Worcester

Kelly Albrecht, Chief Executive Officer, Last Call Media

Scott Brock, Vice President of Public Sector Strategy and Business Development, Salesforce

Richard Curtis, Manager of Engagement, Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Christine McCarthy, Director of Customer Engagement, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

2:30 pm Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Eden Vale Foyer

2:50 pm Eastern

General Session – Navigating Leadership with CLARITY

Eden Vale BC

It’s no secret that work in the public sector is rewarding. It’s also no secret that conditions to get this rewarding work done can be difficult with teams feeling like there’s never enough money, people, or time. How do current and future leaders cultivate skill sets that allow them to withstand and recover from the daily challenges presented? In this engaging workshop, you’ll enhance your leadership toolkit with the CLARITY framework. You’ll leave with an action plan to implement for immediate results all while enhancing your capacity for resilience!

Stacey Caster, CEO and Founder, North Executive Advisors

Tracy-Ann Palmer, CEO and Founder, Corporate Athlete Academy

4:00 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Eden Vale Foyer

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

4:30 pm Eastern

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

Westin Waltham Boston

70 3rd Ave
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 290-5600

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Advisory Board

Government Representatives

David Bedard
Chief Information Officer
Department of Transportation
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Eric Belford
Deputy Director of Digital Services
City of Cambridge

Erin Botelho
Secretariat CIO
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Brian Chase
Chief Information Officer
Executive Office of Veterans Services
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Ellen Christy
Chief Information Officer
Executive Office of Economic Development
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Thomas Cream
IT Director
Mass State Lottery Commission

Jessica Dearbeck
Director of Organizational Communications
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Steven Duncan
Chief Information Officer
Judiciary
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Anthony Fantasia
Chief Information Officer
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Santiago Garces
Chief Information Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
City of Boston

Ramon Garcia
Chief Information Officer
City of Chelsea

Michael Hamel
Chief Information Officer
Department of Innovation Technology
City of Worcester

Robin Healey
Chief Information Officer
Executive Office for Administration and Finance
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Katrina Jagroop-Gomes
Chief Information Officer
Gaming Commission
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Josh Macneil
Director of Technology
Technology Services
Town of Whitman

Greg Martin
Chief Information Officer
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

David Mastronardi
Chief Innovation Officer
City of Woburn

Thomas Meier
CIO/Director
Office of the State Auditor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Maria Michalski
Chief Information Officer
Executive Office of Public Safety & Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Michael Milligan
Vice President and Chief Information Officer
University of Massachusetts

Matthew Moran
Assistant Secretary and Chief Engagement Officer
Executive Office of Technology Services & Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Peter Murphy
Chief Information Officer
Office of the Comptroller
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Thomas Myers
Chief Privacy Officer & General Counsel
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Anthony O'Neill
CISO & Chief Risk Officer
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Devyn Paros
Chief Digital Officer
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Jorge Pazos
Director
Information Technology
City of Revere

Cheri Rolfes
Chief of Staff
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Jason Snyder
Secretary & Commonwealth CIO
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Jacob Viola
Deputy Chief Engagement Officer
Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Feng Yang
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology Department
Town of Brookline

Industry Representatives

Kelly Albrecht
Chief Executive Officer
Last Call Media

Scott Deluca
Senior Account Executive
Salesforce

Kevin Farren
Senior Manager, State Government
T-Mobile for Government

Sam Martin
Account Executive
Snowflake

Sandi Miller
Vice President
Tyler Technologies

Christopher Stack
Director, Advisory, Health & Government Solutions
KPMG LLP

Jasmine Tullis
Public Sector Account Executive
HP Inc.

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: April 23, 2024

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

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

Contact Information

To RSVP and for general assistance contact:

Miranda Ledesma
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1456
E-mail: mledesma@erepublic.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

Westin Waltham Boston

70 3rd Ave
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 290-5600

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Parking

The hotel offers self-parking only and we have arranged to cover the parking charges for our meeting guests. The gates to the garage will be open throughout the day for attendees to enter/exit without a ticket.
www.marriott.com/bosww

Accommodations

Government Technology has a group block established at the Westin Waltham Boston. Please reference the ‘Massachusetts IT Leadership Forum’ when making your room reservations to receive our group rate over the phone or click on the Group Reservation Link.
Rate: $209 single/double
Cut-off date: 3/22/24