While some CIOs are laser-focused on the technology alone, Bailey-Crimmins is quick to point out that the best systems mean nothing without a people-focused mission.
“When we think about government technology, sometimes it’s about the software, the hardware, the policies, but it truly can be a lifeline for people that need benefits and services,” she said.
CDT oversees a roughly $7.8 billion technology portfolio that requires constant oversight and accountability to the state’s taxpayers. The state’s federated model and diversity of departments make CDT’s role critical in setting guardrails and pointing them all toward the same goals.
“The Department of Technology has been here through multiple administrations, and its role continues to be very important when we look at policy, ensuring that we’re all rowing in the same direction,” she said, “and that we’re looking at things from an enterprise architecture perspective, not just what’s good for one department or agency, but what’s good for the state.”
While so many public-sector IT officials have been through the revolving doors of the private sector, Bailey-Crimmins kept her feet firmly planted in public service, noting that the mission of good government requires focus, accountability and, perhaps most importantly, humanity.
“My strategic imperatives are people first, so you’re never forgetting at the end of the day who this is for. And in some cases, it’s for your program, sometimes it’s a resident, sometimes it’s for your own workforce,” she said.
During her tenure as CIO and department director, which began in June 2022 and ended with her retirement in March 2026, Bailey-Crimmins guided CDT through the earliest days of the state’s generative AI journey and through the chaos associated with wildfire response. She was also a driving force behind efforts to extend connectivity to un- and underserved parts of the state and to enhance long-standing procurement processes.
“CDT’s role is really to be an enabler and someone that supports agencies to be able to do the things that they need to do,” Bailey-Crimmins said.
