November 19-21, 2024
JW Marriott Mall of America, Bloomington, MN
GOVIT SYMPOSIUM BREAKOUT SESSIONS
*Sessions and speakers are subject to change. Additional sessions will be added as they become available.
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Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024
Sessions
Building Cybersecurity Capabilities and Lessons Learned
Location: Room 1
Speakers:
The Cyber Response Team (CRT) is a statewide, all-volunteer network of highly-qualified cybersecurity and IT professionals from around the state. Volunteers are trained in a variety of skills to respond to cyber incidents impacting public-sector entities and private industry providing a public-safety function. Modeled loosely and aligned to the structures of Community Emergency Response Teams and Incident Management Teams, the CRT trains together in a variety of in-person and virtual settings to develop and build capabilities in cybersecurity assessment, monitoring, incident response (ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, etc.) and continues to provide local operational support during cyber emergencies. The CRT will assemble a panel of CRT members or service recipients to discuss several aspects of their experience with the CRT including, but not limited to: • The nature of vulnerability/exploit leading to requesting CRT support. • Their experience working with the CRT – what to expect when requesting services. • Lessons-learned from working with CRT – how did CRT support help reduce cybersecurity risk? • Best-practices for overall cybersecurity risk reduction to include cybersecurity preparedness planning, incident response planning, network vulnerability assessments, and a list of specific precautionary practices and measure network owners can take to reduce risk.
- Cybersecurity: Risks & Strategies
Accessibility Compliance on Government Websites
Location: Room 1
Speakers:
In this session, we will review a strategic guide to digital accessibility and answer frequently asked questions: What laws govern this complex topic? How can you reach disabled residents? How can you ensure accessible technology and demonstrate it to your residents? How do you justify resources for your leaders? How can you avoid lawsuits and investigations?
- Digital Government
Are you prepared for your next cybersecurity incident?
Location: Room 2
Speakers:
Walk through simple and effective means for preparing your organization to respond to your next cybersecurity incident. Key points will be presented to help prepare your organization get through an incident as smoothly as possible. Are you prepared to react to the unknown? Do you have the right people educated on the process? Have you run through scenarios? So many things can go wrong, prepare and plan for the process to go right!
- Cybersecurity: Risks & Strategies
Stop Wishing for More Funding and Use Secondary Challenges to Improve IT
Location: Room 3
Speakers:
Did you ask for more IT funding and resources, and you received it? Are you able to cater to every Business ask and expectation? If the answer is no you’re not alone, and this session is for you! The quest for additional IT funding and resourcing is not new, and a lack thereof is a common cause of restless sleep for most IT Leaders. Nevertheless, often overlooked are various “secondary” organizational challenges that fester under the surface of organizational culture. These are strong-rooted challenges that can hold back the very foundation of IT progress yet are within your power to help change and improve your IT organization. The audience will be presented a real-life state agency story which includes the challenges, the analysis, way forward and current status. Using the lessons learned and best practices outlined in the session, participants will collaborate in small groups to uncover and work through secondary challenges of their own and new ways to move forward. Open Q&A to conclude.
- Leaders & Emerging Leaders
Project to Product Transformation at Department of Revenue - State of Minnesota
Location: Room 1
Speakers:
What happens when an agency with 30 different tax types and handling 26.5 billion dollars annually (Department of Revenue) decides to embark on the Product transformation journey? What challenges are faced within Revenue when we start building products and services iteratively and incrementally? What is the role of leadership in such a customer centric transformation? For answers to these questions and many more tips and tricks to make a value-based transformation at Department of Revenue successful, come join the leaders spearheading the product transformation initiatives share their journey. Learn all about our vision for project to product transformation initiative, how state employees went through role-based training and how the agency utilized pilot products to adopt a customer focused approach to product delivery.
- Product & Project Skills
Leveraging the Potential of AI in the Public Sector
Location: Room 2
Speakers:
This session will delve into the core concepts of AI technology, exploring its various applications within the public sector. We will explore strategies for responsible AI implementation, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in government operations, while providing practical examples of how AI is being utilized to address real-world challenges that municipalities and state agencies face.
- Innovation, Insights, & Trends
Accessible Documents Learning Lab
Location: Room 1
Speakers:
People with disabilities and people who use screen readers depend on you to use accessibility best practices. Join me for a hands-on session where you will learn how to make your Word and PowerPoint documents more accessible. We will cover: • How to create an accessible document from the start. • How to identify and address common accessibility issues. • How to make pictures, tables, hyperlinks and other document features more accessible. • Tips and tricks for a more accessible user experience.
- Digital Government
Strategic Business Analysis for Excellence
Location: Room 2
Speakers:
Strategic Business Analysis for Excellence is an educational and fun presentation showcasing the procedure, tools and techniques for strategically imparting excellence. Current neuroscience research findings are included to demonstrate how human strategic thinking processes and tactics result in desirable outcomes that differ from other thought processes. The emerging concept of Brainomics® is explained, showcasing how strategic analysis, and strategic initiatives directly correlate with tangible economic results. Each attendee receives takeaway material including tools and techniques for their immediate use in advancing their individual professional practice. The presentation is for Business Analysis practitioners at all levels of experience (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced), and other related practitioners including Project Managers and Product Managers. The presentation is also suited for anyone seeking ways to impart excellence (or more excellence) to their operation or organization. A recent attendee comments that “every professional, including executive management can benefit from this presentation.” The presenter, currently a brain research participant in an international longitudinal study led by a major US university and more than 160 neuroscientists, showcases recent research findings particularly related to human strategic thought processes and their direct correlation to Business Analysis, and excellence. This includes demonstration and discussion concerning the human mind. The fun presentation includes attendee participation, and at least two valuable giveaways in addition to the invaluable takeaways for every attendee!
- Product & Project Skills
The Art of Championship - Elevating IT Leaders
Location: Room 3
Speakers:
An important but largely unspoken job of senior leaders should be nurturing the professional success of the standout employees around them. It’s typically not in anybody’s job description—but it should be. Creating and spreading such success involves much more than critiquing an employee’s work and offering advice and assistance when your intercession is requested or needed. A champion takes a personal hands-on interest in another’s success and advancement. A champion goes out of their way to guide them, instruct them, encourage them, introduce them to others who may be helpful to them, and provide them with a confidential sounding board when they need to vent frustrations or seek career advice.
- Leaders & Emerging Leaders
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024
Sessions
Lead your team down the digital accessibility path
Location: Room 1
Speakers:
One challenge of leadership is when you have to ask your team to do a task and you don’t really know what it is you’re asking. For many, accessibility is one of those topics. What does it mean to make something accessible? How can you make progress when you don’t know what you don’t know? Where do you even start? In this session we will explore how you can lead your team to improve digital accessibility in your work. We will talk about some of the actionable steps you can take and discuss some of the questions you can ask in order to start your team thinking with an accessibility mindset.
- Digital Government
Writing gooder - step up your communication skills
Location: Room 2
Speakers:
Effective communication will get your message across to those who need to understand it. And written communication is part of the job, whether that's writing a strategic plan, drafting a summary for your Board, or documenting a process. In this hands-on session for all levels, leaders will learn how to write better for the executive level, and staff will learn how to create more effective documentation for their teams.
- Leaders & Emerging Leaders
Real Life Product & Project Delivery in an AI World
Location: Room 3
Speakers:
As modernization and strategic realization capabilities continue to emerge and mature (AI, Hybrid Product / Project Delivery Methods, xOps, etc.) it's easy for the methods to consume the real objectives of our initiatives. In some cases these capabilities may even supplant how we currently do this work (people, processes, and tools). This session will address how to integrate new methods (High Tech), while reinforcing how real engagement and collaboration (High Touch) still matter in bringing our great ideas to life.
- Product & Project Skills
Creativity (and Innovation) on Demand
Location: Room 4
Speakers:
Have you ever been asked to come up with an innovative solution… now! Is it even possible to creative on demand. It is! In this interactive, hands-on session, you’ll work in small groups to discover keys to approaching any problem with a creative eye. Learn how to inspire creativity in others and to break out of our safe zone. You'll learn: A process framework for creativity and where “innovation” fits in How to apply the creativity framework to projects, products and day to day work Why all of our work needs innovators and creative risk-takers
- Innovation, Insights, & Trends
Can Artificial Intelligence Roll Its Eyes? Cyber Education in the Age of AI
Location: Room 5
Speakers:
From the perspective of an AI-averse organization, we explore how to incorporate AI into cybersecurity education programs. We spotlight how we approach building content about AI, as well as tackling how to teach AI when you can't or aren't using AI.
- Cybersecurity: Risks & Strategies
Code to Clarity: Communicating Technical Concepts to a Non-Technical Audience
Location: Room 1
Speakers:
In an era where technological advancements shape our world, the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders is paramount. "Code to Clarity," is a dynamic session designed to help bridge the communication gap. Uncover the power of storytelling, visual aids, and analogies to demystify intricate technical jargon, fostering a shared understanding and facilitating more effective collaboration. Whether you're a developer, engineer, or tech leader, this session empowers you with the skills to articulate your ideas, innovations, and solutions in a way that captivates and enlightens diverse stakeholders. Elevate your communication prowess and leave equipped to transform complexity into clarity, fostering a stronger connection between the tech realm and the broader world.
- Leaders & Emerging Leaders
Streamlining Success: Lean Portfolio Management for Government Leaders
Location: Room 2
Speakers:
Aligning strategy with execution is critical to any organization’s success and is also a key aspect of the Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe). This overview will introduce government leaders to Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) and how it can enhance collaboration across silos, empower teams, and organize around value to quickly adapt to customer needs. Participants will explore: • Connecting portfolio strategy to execution in a governmental context • Establishing Lean budgets and guardrails for effective financial management • Creating portfolio flow to manage workload and avoid perpetual overload • Dynamic planning and flexibility in response to policy change Participants will gain valuable insights and practical tools to align strategy with execution, manage portfolio flow, and fund and govern dynamically, ultimately enhancing their ability to deliver value efficiently and effectively.
- Technology Governance
Securing the Future: Addressing Threats to Critical Infrastructure.
Location: Room 3
Speakers:
As the digitization of operational technology (OT) advances, so too do the threats to critical infrastructure. Today's landscape calls for proactive measures to ensure the stability, safety, and resilience of OT systems. The presentation delves into a comprehensive approach, spotlighting critical focus areas such as OT asset management, risk mitigation, personnel training, access control, and incident response. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the current challenges and tangible strategies to fortify their OT environments against emerging threats.
- Cybersecurity: Risks & Strategies
AI-Enhanced Project Management
Location: Room 4
Speakers:
Recent advances in artificial intelligence products have caught our attention and we are experiencing a rapid rise of AI tools. The Project Management Institute has responded to this trend and released PMI Infinity as a project management-based large language model. In this presentation, we will wade through the hype and determine how AI can improve project performance.
- Product & Project Skills
Abrar Hashmi
Abrar Hashmi is the Chief Agile evangelist and Founder of an Agile Brains Consulting Inc. He has assisted in value-based delivery transformations in various Fortune 500 companies and spoken at multiple Agile conferences as well. Agile Brains was listed as Top 10 Agile Solution Provider by CIO Applications for their customer centric focus approach to help achieve business agility. Their award-winning proprietary framework "ABC" starts with an organizational assessment (A) followed by brainstorming (B) solutions with Coaching (C) support to help deliver business value to customers. He has trained thousands of students in over sixty cities and is focused on organizations embrace a culture of fearlessness and innovation. Abrar holds numerous Agile certifications (SPC, RTE, CLP, ICP-FDO, ICP-IDO, ICP-EPO, ICP-ATF, ICP-ACC, CSM, TBR) and believes in building the new generation of Agile leaders. Abrar was listed in the Drexel 40 under 40 list for leaders to look out for in 2021. Agile Brains was listed as an INC 5000 winner for one of the fastest growing private companies in United States. He was listed by Forbes in the Next 1000 leadership list for 2021.
Adam Frumkin
Adam Frumkin is a results-driven leader with more than 25 years of experience in developing, directing, and executing business transformation and strategies. He has an established record collaborating with other executives to bring clarity to strategic business decisions and implementing technology to transform business processes. He has focused experience in strategic planning, cultural & organizational development and emotional intelligence, process reengineering, enterprise system implementations, cybersecurity and disaster recovery and business continuity planning. Serves as: • Council Chair to the PTI Executive Committee • Vice Chair for the NACo IT Standing Committee • Subcommittee Vice Chair the NACo Finance, Pensions, and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee for the Elections Subcommittee. Additionally, Mr. Frumkin has been named as one of the 2023 Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers by Government Technology; StateScoop – Local Smart County Executive of the Year 2021 and the Columbus Business First – BizTech Executive of the Year 2021. He is an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University, and for the PTI Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) through Rutgers University.
Alan Shark
Dr. Alan R. Shark is the Executive Director for the Public Technology Institute (PTI), a division of Fusion Learning Partners. and Associate Professor for the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and Co-Chair of the Standing Panel on Technology Leadership. A noted author, his most recent book is "Artificial Intelligence - A Primer for State & Local Government"s, and the textbook, “Technology and Public Management” was published earlier this year. He is also the host of the popular bi-monthly podcast, Sharkbytes.net.
Barry Condrey
Barry currently serves as the PTI Director of Technical Services. Before joining PTI, Barry was the CIO for Chesterfield County, Virginia for 17 years. Under his leadership Chesterfield County was four times recognized as the #1 digital county in the USA. He has worked in the IT field for over 40 years holding a wide range of technology leadership positions in the public and private sectors. Barry holds a masters’ degree in public leadership with a minor in economics from Virginia State University and a bachelors’ degree in computer science from DeVry University. He has been adjunct faculty for Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently adjunct faculty for the Public Technology Institute in the certified government CIO program. Barry has been an active NACo contributor, a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia elections security standards workgroup and a two-time president of the Virginia Local Government IT Executives (VALGITE) organization. He is a certified government CIO (CGCIO), a certified information security manager (CISM) and a national top 25 Doer, Dreamer & Driver. He likes to teach, research technology, write code and blog about technology leadership from his home in Moseley, Virginia.
Brandon Olson
Dr. Brandon Olson holds a PhD in Information Technology with a specialization in Project Management and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Dr. Olson is a Professor and Director of graduate programs in Applied Artificial Intelligence, Applied Data Analytics, and Project Management at The College of St. Scholastica. In his role at St. Scholastica, he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Data Analytics, Computer Information Systems, IT Leadership, and Project Management. Dr. Olson has several published works and presents on topics in data analytics, governance, project management, portfolio management, and knowledge management. In addition to his scholarship and work at the college, Dr. Olson serves as a consultant in the areas of data analytics, project management, and project governance.
Don Torrez
Don Torrez has helped more than 400 local governments better understand web accessibility and how to best comply with law and guidelines. Don has worked through accessibility issues with the Department of Justice, the Office of Civil Rights, the Department of Homeland Security, the Small Business Administration, and various lawsuits. Don is a Certified Accessibility Coordinator with the ADA and has written training curriculum on Web Accessibility. His vision is to remove the fear and confusion from this issue.
Dr. Ricki J Koinig
Dr. Ricki J Koinig Ricki has led small, medium, and large-scale IT strategy, cybersecurity, and operations organizations in the private sector as well as in the public sector. She has successfully navigated diverse cultures, languages, and organizational structures in the US, EU, CEE, Scandinavia, Asia, and India. Ricki has various professional accolades, holds a master’s degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and a doctorate Degree from the University of Technology in Vienna, Austria where she lived for 17 years. Ricki is currently CIO of the Department of Natural Resources in her homeland of Wisconsin.
Elena Marquetti-Ali
Elena is a highly-rated professional speaker with 20+ years of experience as a leadership coach, group facilitator and collegiate faculty member. Elena works with groups, individuals, and organizations to amplify their authenticity and empower them to become effective leaders. Elena is the President of and Lead Consultant with Marquetti Consulting.
Jeff Lee
Jeff is a Partner at agilityIRL, where he focuses on coaching at the team and leadership levels as well as training individuals and organizations. He takes pride in his ability to help teams reach their full potential while helping the organization support team success. In the early stages of his career, Jeff held development, business analysis and testing roles before moving into project management where he spent 10 years as a PMP-certified project manager, managing large programs for a variety of Fortune 500 clients. In 2011, Jeff pivoted to Agile development, working as a Scrum Master and Program Manager in Agile environments. He has worked on and with Agile teams in a variety of industries and environments where he’s seen Agile work in industries as diverse as medical device manufacturing and online retail. Whether serving as a ScrumMaster, coach or trainer, Jeff is able to leverage his unique experience to help organizations gain a clearer picture of their full operating system in order to identify their true constraints and opportunities and unlock their full potential through the application of Agile.
Jennifer Battan
With an unwavering passion for infusing creative problem-solving techniques into everyday work, Jennifer Battan, CBAP® has dedicated her career to helping teams transform their analysis and problem-solving skills. Don't be fooled by her playful approach - Jennifer is a serious thought leader with an international reputation as a speaker and educator. With certifications in a variety of design and facilitation techniques, Jennifer can guide teams to think, learn, and work in new and exciting ways. From the VIEW Assessment of Problem-solving Style to LEGO® Serious Play® and Gamestorming, Jennifer's toolkit is expansive and always evolving. With Jennifer as your guide, you'll have fun learning, exploring your potential and building your problem-solving skills.
Jim Hall
Jim Hall is an innovative, high-achieving Senior IT Leader with over twenty years' experience in IT Leadership. Jim believes in developing the next generation of IT Leadership, to help IT organizations better respond to the changing technology landscape. After serving more than eight years as Chief Information Officer in government and higher education, Jim founded Hallmentum® to empower IT Leaders to drive meaningful change through hands-on training, workshops, and coaching. Jim is a featured speaker on IT Leadership and Technology Innovation at conferences including Government IT Symposium, Accelerated Global Connections, MnCCC, MNAFP, SINC Midwest IT Forum, International Institute of Business Analysis, Premier CIO Forum, Minnesota e-Learning Summit, CIC CIO TechForum, All Things Open, Linux App Summit, Open Source North, FOSDEM, GUADEC, and UBTech.
Kelly Melcher
State of Minnesota Department of Human Services
Patrick Campbell
Patrick is a Partner at agilityIRL, a results-driven senior management consultant with a distinguished career spanning 25+ years dedicated to spearheading aggressive and effective agile transformations for medium-to-large organizations. Patrick’s extensive consulting experience has exposed him to a wide variety of organizations and industries with uniquely different paths to success. In the earlier stages of his career, Patrick held sales and program management roles with Digital Equipment before moving into consulting leadership with Compaq and HP, where he spent 10 years as a PMP-certified project manager, managing large programs for a variety of Fortune 500 clients. After leaving HP to co-found a software company, Patrick had the opportunity to implement a lighter weight approach that he had been seeking for some time. As an Agile coach and trainer, Patrick is adept at translating technical concepts into clear, business-focused language, facilitating seamless collaboration between technical teams and leadership. His commitment to excellence has consistently driven measurable results, enhancing digital value delivery and fostering sustained organizational success. For the record, Patrick’s Agile certification credentials include: CSP-SM, CSP-PO, PMI-ACP, SAFe SPC, and he still has his PMP.
Paul Veeneman
With over 28 years of experience across various industries including Finance, Oil and Gas, Healthcare and Manufacturing, Paul has been actively working within the Nation’s critical infrastructure, addressing challenges, providing guidance, insight and innovation in Operations Technology, Industrial Controls, IoT, IIoT, SCADA cyber security knowledge, expertise, and education. Paul currently holds the CISSP, CISM, and CRISC certifications, and serves on several boards, including the local Minnesota chapters of InfraGard, the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), and the International Society of Automation (ISA).
Phil Almeroth
Phil is the Director of Capabilities for Logisolve, a Twin Cities based consulting firm with a wide variety of practice areas, including Government. He is also the Public Board Member for the Board for Global EHS Credentialing. He has broad and deep experience in Product, Program, Project, and IT Management and Delivery across Financial Services, Banking, Manufacturing, Government, Agriculture, and Media for 35+ years.
Sarah Goranson
Information Security leader who believes Security is everyone's job. Sarah has over 20 years of experience in Technology and Security in a variety of technical and leadership roles. She currently oversees Information Security Operations, Compliance and Architecture for the Minneapolis Fed.
Theresa Jurisch
Theresa Jurisch brings over 25 years of technology, software, and security experience to Datasite. She has focused roles leading the App Sec program, and the Sec Ops team, and has also provided marked improvement with Vendor Security process and Policy review and updates. Her skill in bringing business units together has led to greater responsibilities. Theresa holds a Masters in Security Management, and has had her CISSP since 2017.
Tia Kropf-Beringer
The Cyber Response Team (CRT) is a statewide, all-volunteer network of highly-qualified cybersecurity and IT professionals from around the state. Volunteers are trained in a variety of skills to respond to cyber incidents impacting public-sector entities and private industry providing a public-safety function.
Trent Leopold
Trent Leopold is an active, professional Sr. Business Analyst with more than 25 years’ experience in the private and public sectors. His experience includes serving in various governance roles. Leopold's experience includes serving as an advisor to two U.S. Presidents, a U.S Vice-President and two Texas Governors. Trent is an active member of the "IIBA" and "PMI," and serves to establish Business Analysis standards. He is an “IEEE” officer, involved with creating international professional standards including those endorsed by the "ISO" most recently pertaining to AI governance. Leopold received a lifetime achievement award from "Who's Who." He is a longitudinal research participant with a major U.S. University in an international study exploring human brain function. Trent’s education includes a MSc. degree in Managerial Science and he's a licensed airplane pilot.
About Fusion Learning Partners
From learning opportunities and events to organizational development and collaborative initiatives, Fusion exists to strengthen and transform the communities where we work, live, and thrive.
Because Innovation Begins with Learning.
2024 Steering Committee
- Jay Wyant, Minnesota IT Services
- Melissa Reeder, League of Minnesota Cities
- Sue Wallace, Quantico Consulting
- Amy Middendorf, Morrison County
- Adam Larson, Washington County
- John Gamades, OrangeBall Creative
- Amy Kretsch-Ward, Fortinet
- Alex Hepp, City of Hopkins
- Dave Andrews, Minnesota State Services for the Blind
- Jim Hall, Hallmentum
- Lisa Meredith, Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative
- Derek Engelking, City of Saint Paul
- Tia Kropf Beringer, State of Wisconsin
- Tim Herman, Online Business Systems and Minnesota Infraguard
- Chetan Ganatra, Ramsey County
- Patty Hartwig, LOGIS
- Rebecca Dennis, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
- Matt Bailey, IBM
- Sarah Mixdorf, Google