--- title: 2026 GovHR Conference Agenda description: Join the 2026 GovHR Conference! Enhance your skills, network with peers, and explore human capital trends in government. image: https://events.ourpublicservice.org/hubfs/GovHR%202026/GovHR-2026-Registration-Open-Email-Banner.jpg --- [![Partnership for Public Service logo](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Partnership%20for%20Public%20Service%20logo.png?width=350&height=56&name=Partnership%20for%20Public%20Service%20logo.png "Partnership for Public Service logo")](http://ourpublicservice.org/) [![Partnership for Public Service - Better government. Strong democracy.](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Partnership%20for%20Public%20Service%20logo.png?width=1920&height=305&name=Partnership%20for%20Public%20Service%20logo.png "Partnership for Public Service - Better government. Strong democracy.")](http://ourpublicservice.org/) [![Partnership for Public Service - Better government. Strong democracy.](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Partnership%20for%20Public%20Service%20logo.png?width=1920&height=305&name=Partnership%20for%20Public%20Service%20logo.png "Partnership for Public Service - Better government. Strong democracy.")](http://ourpublicservice.org/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [About the Partnership](https://ourpublicservice.org/) ![GovHR 2026 Logo](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/hs-fs/hubfs/GovHR%202026%20Logo.png?width=457&height=124&name=GovHR%202026%20Logo.png "GovHR 2026 Logo") #### Join us on Sept. 15-17, 2026, in the heart of Washington, D.C., or virtually, for the third annual GovHR Conference. [Register Today](https://www.tfaforms.com/5220968) [Conference Details](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/2026-govhr?hsLang=en) ## Conference Agenda Full list Short list Sept. 15 Sept. 16 Sept. 17 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. EDT ### Registration and Breakfast • Logging In - **In-person participants:** Registration and breakfast - **Virtual participants:** Logging in 10:00 - 10:15 a.m. ### Opening Remarks Theater Room A/B 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. ### Plenary Theater Room A/B Cliff Purkey Vice President of Product, Workday Government; Former Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer, Defense Intelligence Agency Annamary Holbrook Director, Workday Federal Solution Consulting 11:15 - 11:30 a.m. ### Break 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ### Rebuilding Trust, Reviving Mission Floor PH Conference Room Breakout Session Public Service Leadership HR can be a galvanizing force in rebuilding trust between leadership and employees. This session explores how trust impacts mission delivery and how HR can motivate a government workforce facing growing challenges and skepticism toward public service. Laszlo Bock Former SVP, People Operations (CHRO), Google Ray Limon Former Board Member, Merit System Protection Board and Former CHCO and DAS for Department of the Interior Lauren Kilmer (Moderator) Vice President for Public Service Leadership, Partnership for Public Service 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ### Data-Driven Decision Making in HR Theater Room A/B Breakout Session Emerging Technologies Making informed decisions with limited workforce data can be challenging. Attendees will learn how to collect and analyze workforce data to enhance strategic recruitment, make data-driven decisions to optimize the hiring process and explore compliance best practices for fostering integrity in HR operations. Kshemendra Paul Former Chief Data Officer, Veterans Affairs Dr. Javier E. Inclán Assistant Inspector General for Management, U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General Matthew Brown Director, Indiana State Personnel Department Jake Bell (Moderator) Senior Manager, AI Center for Government, Partnership for Public Service 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ### The Shift: Turning Big Reform Into Action Conference Room 1/2 Breakout Session Transforming Talent Systems When processes slow decision-making, fuel inefficiency and add friction instead of clarity, it is time for a redesign. In this session, HR leaders offer practical insights for implementing large-scale organizational change. Attendees will learn about innovative ways to keep your priorities moving forward with limited budget and resources. Staci Meyer State Human Resources Director, State of North Carolina Sally Ly Deputy Secretary, Workforce Development, California Government Operations Agency Neal Desai Chief HR Officer, State of Maryland Michelle Amante (Moderator) Senior Vice President of Government Programs, Partnership for Public Service 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ### Lunch - **In-person participants:** Lunch - **Virtual participants:** Live Replay of Plenary 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ### When Crisis Hits Floor PH Conference Room Breakout Session Public Service Leadership When crisis hits, government HR leaders must act quickly to support employees, maintain operations and guide agencies through uncertainty. Learn how to respond with agility in crises by adapting policies, communicating effectively and maintaining employee trust—all while remaining aligned with critical organizational priorities. Patricia (Patty) Cogswell Former Deputy Administrator, TSA and Current Partner, Guidehouse Heather Velasquez Deputy Director of Administration, Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration Kelly Shih (Moderator) Senior Manager, Partnership for Public Service 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ### Transforming HR: Empowering Data Conversations for a Future-Ready Workforce Theater Room A/B Breakout Session Emerging Technologies Discover innovative ways to revolutionize data discussions and drive impactful change within your agency—whether building from the ground up or enhancing existing data initiatives. Attendees will be equipped with actionable strategies to build a comprehensive implementation roadmap, gain essential insights into data literacy and learn from expert leaders who have successfully demystified data at their agencies. Dartanion Swift-Williams Executive Director and Chief Data Officer, Mayor’s Office of Performance & Innovation, City of Baltimore Brandon Lardy Data Director, Partnership for Public Service Brian Whittaker Former Chief Innovation Officer, FDIC and Founder and Current Executive Director, Humans of Public Service MeghanMarie Fowler-Finn (Moderator) Director of Operations, Partnership for Public Service 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ### Internships That Work: Practical Strategies for Government Teams Conference Room 1/2 Breakout Session Transforming Talent Systems Internships are a key entry point into public service, but strong programs require thoughtful design. Attendees will learn from U.S. Geological Survey leaders and the Partnership's early career talent team discuss data-informed strategies for creating effective internships. USGS leaders will share lessons learned from applying practical approaches to strengthening internal capacity, supporting supervisors and developing clear and engaging internship roles. Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Williams Physical Scientist, Office of Science Quality and Integrity, USGS Kristen Carroll Manager, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Stephanie Sonkin Senior Manager, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service 2:30 - 2:45 p.m. ### Break 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. ### Lead From Within: Discover Your Public Service Leadership Edge Floor PH Conference Room Breakout Session Public Service Leadership What does effective leadership look like in public service and how can HR professionals help build it? This session explores core public service leadership competencies through a guided self-assessment. Identify strengths, uncover gaps and turn insights into targeted action to strengthen your leadership effectiveness and better support your agency’s mission. Cameron Kober Director, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. ### Everyone is using AI. Nobody asked HR Theater Room A/B Breakout Session Emerging Technologies HR leaders often encounter AI policies after the tools have already been implemented. Drawing on TC Cooper’s full-lifecycle AI governance framework and workforce AI strategy, a panel of government HR leaders will highlight the essential alignment between people, processes and AI adoption—and the consequences when these stop working together. Tasha Cooper Former Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP) and Chief Privacy Officer, Current President, UpwardAction Advisory, LLC Jeffrey Vargas Former Chief Learning Officer, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Current President & CEO, Generationology LLC Gregory White Former Human Capital Workforce Planning Program Manager, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Yvette Delgado Director of Outreach and Operations, UpwardAction® Advisory 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. ### Real-World Tactics for Workforce Transformation Conference Room 1/2 Breakout Session Transforming Talent Systems The challenge is not why to upskill or reskill—it is how to do it in real-world government environments shaped by constraints. Attendees will gain evidence-based insights into why skills-first strategies matter and explore practical approaches to skills-based hiring that help agencies attract, develop and retain the talent needed to deliver critical public services. Blair Corcoran de Castillo Senior Vice President, Public Sector & Policy, Opportunity@Work Bob Lavigna Senior Fellow, UKG and Former VP of Research, Partnership for Public Service Janet L. Lawson Agency Director, Virginia Department of Human Resource Management 3:45 - 4:00 p.m. ### Break 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. ### Meet the New GoGovernment.org Theater Room A/B The Partnership’s [GoGovernment.org](https://gogovernment.org/) has driven over a million hits and provided resources, opportunities and training for jobseekers interested in government and career advisors who seek to support them. Earlier this year, we launched a new and improved site that responds to the changing federal landscape, increased interest in state government and the changing job market. Join the team that relaunched GoGovernment.org to understand its tools and resources and how they can help you prepare talent for a career in government. The demo will include our new state government tools and special California feature. 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. EDT ### In-person Reception Floor PH Conference Room Washington, D.C. 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. EDT ### Registration and Breakfast • Logging In - **In-person participants:** Registration and breakfast - **Virtual participants:** Logging in 10:00 - 10:15 a.m. ### Day 2 Remarks 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. ### Plenary: HR’s Role in Shaping the Future of Public Service Theater Room A/B Anthony Foxx Former 17th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 54th Mayor of Charlotte, and Chief Policy Officer for Lyft James-Christian Blockwood President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration Michelle Amante Senior Vice President of Programs, Partnership for Public Service 11:15 - 11:30 a.m. ### Break 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ### Networking Session Facilitated networking sessions with conference colleagues. - **Virtual participants** will engage in networking via Airmeet. - **In-person attendees** may select a room based on the track themes below.   - **Modernizing the Public Service Leadership Playbook:** Floor PH Conference Room - **Exploring Emerging Technologies and Data Capabilities:** Theater Room A/B - **Transforming Talent Systems and Strategies:** Conference Room 1/2 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ### Lunch - **In-person participants:** Lunch - **Virtual participants:** Live Replay of Plenary 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ### The Human Advantage in an Automated World Floor PH Conference Room Breakout Session Public Service Leadership While AI accelerates productivity, it also elevates the importance of human capabilities such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making. This session explores how AI and human-centered skills work together and how government leaders can intentionally develop these capabilities across their workforce. Kate Kotan Interim Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer, Information Services Agency, City of Indianapolis & Marion County Dr. Bruce J. Stewart Former SES, OPM and Current Chief Thinker and Educator, The JayBruce Group Martin Skorczynski Assistant Director for Emerging Technology, GAO Michael Baskin Chief Innovation Officer, Montgomery County MD 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ### Building a Culture of Continuous Learning through Tech Theater Room A/B Breakout Session Emerging Technologies How can emerging technology facilitate ongoing learning and development within government agencies? Attendees will discover how learning management systems, e-learning platforms and other interactive tools can promote a culture of continuous development and upskilling among employees. Julie Berko Chief Operating Officer, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Sarah Moffat Innovation & Transformation Executive Dominic Schuman Senior Human Resources Specialist, Kansas City Jennifer-NeToi Claiborne (Moderator) Leadership Development Facilitator & Manager of eLearning, Partnership for Public Service 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ### Why Talent Chooses—and Stays in—Government Conference Room 1/2 Breakout Session Transforming Talent Systems Government agencies face a tight labor market while defending the relevance and value of civil service. Attendees will learn about a practical, data-driven approach to clarifying an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that elevates culture and employee experience to strengthen attraction, retention and public trust. Carol de Fries Executive Director of the Municipal College & Workforce Development, City of Philadelphia Medha Havnurkar Executive Director, Workforce Development, New Jersey Department of Health Yeni Simon Senior Manager, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service 2:30 - 2:45 p.m. ### Break 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. ### The Truth About Leading In Uncertainty Floor PH Conference Room Breakout Session Public Service Leadership This interactive session challenges government HR leaders to think differently about “uncertainty” while living in uncertain times. Using executive coaching techniques and leadership development resources and competencies, attendees will learn how HR leaders can stay agile and cope with uncertainty while remaining grounded and productive. Traci DiMartini Chief Human Resources Officer, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Ginny Hill Senior Executive Coach and Facilitator, Partnership for Public Service 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. ### From Surveys to Service: Insights Behind the Public Service Viewpoint Survey Breakout Session Emerging Technologies Theater Room A/B Last spring, the Partnership for Public Service released the results of the Public Service Viewpoint Survey—a first of its kind effort by an external organization—and offered new insights into the intersection of employee engagement and mission performance. Attendees will receive practical guidance on how to conduct large-scale surveys and direction for implementing similar efforts across federal, state and local government. Cameron Kober Director, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service Bryon Casebolt Manager and Data Scientist, Partnership for Public Service 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. ### Beyond the Classroom: Implementing Continuous Learning Breakout Session Transforming Talent Systems Conference Room 1/2 Most government agencies treat learning as an isolated event, but high-performing agencies build it into the fabric of their daily work. Attendees will explore practical frameworks for transforming skill development into a continuous learning cycle—integrating learning into how work gets done. Dr. Gary C. Powell Customer Experience & Workforce Development Leader Jeffrey Vargas Former Chief Learning Officer, NNSA & CFTC and Current President/CEO Generationology LLC Dr. Aziz Popal Office of Organizational Agility Administrator, TN Department of Human Resources Katy Hogan (Moderator) Director, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service 3:45 - 4:00 p.m. ### Break 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. EDT ### Spotlight on Wellness Which type of rest is best? Explore how rest can be a powerful tool for preventing burnout and sustaining performance in today's demanding workforce landscape. Ginny Hill Senior Executive Coach and Facilitator, Partnership for Public Service 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. EDT ### Registration and Breakfast • Logging In - **In-person participants:** Registration and breakfast - **Virtual participants:** Logging in 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. ### Plenary Theater Room A/B Daniel Pink Bestselling author on science, business and creativity 11:00 - 11:15 a.m. ### Break 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. ### Coaching Is Not Optional: The Supervisor’s New Mandate Floor PH Conference Room Breakout Session Public Service Leadership Supervisors are being asked to do more than manage tasks and enforce policy; they are expected to develop talent, strengthen engagement and drive performance in increasingly complex environments. Explore insights for embedding coaching expectations into your agency’s supervisor development plans, performance management processes and organizational culture. Feli Sola-Carter Former Deputy CHCO at Social Security Administration and SAGE Craig Stanton Former Associate Director of Administrative Management at NIH, Former DAS of Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education at ED, and ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) Alishia J. Jeremiah Manager, People Solutions Team, State of Arizona 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. ### Using AI in HR Theater Room A/B Breakout Session Emerging Technologies Rapid advancements in HR technology and AI are announced every day, and the transformative role of AI in HR functions continues to dominate the conversation. Attendees will explore emerging tools and applications that streamline processes and enhance the employee experience. Speakers will showcase successful AI-driven government case studies, demonstrating how these solutions optimize talent development and foster a more engaged workforce. Neil Weaver Secretary of Administration, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Donald Bauer Former Deputy Associate Director, OPM and Former CTO, Global Talent, US Department of State Jon Newman Director of Federal Programs, Yello Kevin Johnson (Moderator) Director, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. ### Moving from Functional Excellence to Mission Impact Conference Room 1/2 Breakout Session Transforming Talent Systems Moving beyond more HR initiatives, agency leaders and HR executives need better alignment to deliver results in constrained public-sector environments. Attendees will learn how to reframe HR work around mission priorities, shift from siloed roles to cross-functional problem-solving and identify low-lift changes that create immediate value. Denise Carter Deputy Secretary for Strategic Initiatives, Delaware Department of Education Matisha Montgomery Acting Chief Human Capital Officer at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Andrea Bright Assistant Commissioner, Office of Human Resources Management, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 12:15 - 12:30 p.m. ### Closing 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ### Lunch - **In-person participants:** Lunch - **Virtual participants:** Live Replay of Plenary ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Michelle Amante Michelle Amante Senior Vice President of Government Programs, Partnership for Public Service Michelle supports government agencies by understanding their needs and working with Partnership staff to design and develop programming to help agencies attain their goals. Prior to joining the Partnership, Michelle ran the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. She also spent years working for Deloitte to consult with unemployment agencies across the country and work on business process improvement and IT modernization efforts. She loves to build partnerships, solve problems and help agencies bring out the best in their people.  ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Laszlo Bock Laszlo Bock Entrepreneur, Advisor, and Former Chief People Officer of Google Laszlo Bock is a leading thinker on the future of work and AI. He is a Senior Advisor to several significant AI firms, Founder and Co-Director of the Berkeley Transformative CHRO Leadership Academy, and a Board Member of the Stanford Center for the Advanced Study of the Behavioral Sciences. Earlier, as Google’s SVP of People Operations (2006–2016), he helped grow the company from 6,000 to 75,000 employees and created the field of People Analytics while shaping Google into a globally recognized best workplace. He also led the development of the Google Job Search API, an early example of AI’s impact on labor markets. He is the NYT bestselling author of Work Rules! ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Ray Limon Ray Limon Former Board Member, Merit System Protection Board and Former CHCO and DAS for Department of the Interior Raymond A. Limon was sworn into his Vice-Chairman position at the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board in March 2022. Prior to joining the Board, Ray served in various career executive positions, including at the Department of the Interior as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Capital and Diversity and Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO); the Department of State as the Director, Civil Service HR Management and Deputy CHCO; the Corporation for National and Community Service as CHCO; and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management as Director, Office of Administrative Law Judges. Ray received his J.D. from Indiana University, Bloomington and is a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Honduras).   ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Lauren Kilmer Lauren Kilmer Vice President for Public Service Leadership, Partnership for Public Service Lauren Kilmer serves on the Partnership for Public Service's Management Team, leads the Public Service Leadership Institute, and leads a team of 30 colleagues dedicated to the Partnership’s nonpartisan mission to build a better government and a stronger democracy. The Public Service Leadership Institute offers leadership development programming for federal, state, and local government leaders across levels of seniority, training more than 50,000 public servants over the past 20 years. Previously, Lauren served as Policy Director of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses Voices program.  ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Patricia (Patty) Cogswell Patricia (Patty) Cogswell Partner, Guidehouse and Former Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration Patty Cogswell is a homeland and national security executive with nearly 30 years of government and private sector experience. Ms. Cogswell joined Guidehouse in September 2020, leading efforts in the areas of innovation, organization and mission transformation and redesign with a focus on travel, transportation, and national security. Prior to joining Guidehouse, Ms. Cogswell led programs at the National Security Council, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice, in transportation, intelligence, policy, border security, screening, information sharing, and the Arctic. She possesses substantive expertise in: transportation security; US government and foreign partner screening and vetting programs; counter terrorism; transnational organized crime; intelligence collection; and immigration and border processes. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Heather Velasquez Heather Velasquez Deputy Executive Director, Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration Heather Velasquez has served as Deputy Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration since 2022. Prior to this role, Heather served in leadership roles in the office of Governor Polis from 2019-2022 and in various roles at the Colorado Department of Human Services from 2017-2019. Before beginning work within the state government, she worked in elementary education and as a financial accountant in the private sector. Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in legal services. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and being outside mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and camping. She is an animal lover and a proud auntie to many nieces and nephews, and one grand niece. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) John Zachary John Zachary Senior Facilitator and Manager, Partnership for Public Service John Zachary is a Senior Facilitator and Manager at the Partnership for Public Service. John designs and facilitates leadership programming and leads policy reform efforts around career leadership for the Partnership's Government for a New Era Initiative. Prior to the Partnership, John led organizational development and continuous improvement efforts in schools in California and Pennsylvania. John holds a BA in History from William & Mary and a MA in Policy, Organization, and Leadership from Stanford. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Kate Kotan Kate Kotan Interim Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer, Information Services Agency, City of Indianapolis & Marion County As a public‑sector technology leader, she leads digital transformation efforts centered on building technology that serves people first. She leverages technology as an enabler—modernizing enterprise systems, advancing AI readiness, and strengthening governance across large, complex government organizations. She’s passionate about people-centered innovation and believes that real technological success comes from empowering teams in mission‑critical environments with clear structure, thoughtful processes, and strong standards. Her combined experience in operational transformation and design shapes how she leads in the tech space, bringing creativity, empathy, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration to every project. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Dr. Bruce J. Stewart Dr. Bruce J. Stewart Former SES, OPM and Current Chief Thinker and Educator, The JayBruce Group Dr. J. Bruce Stewart is a speaker, author, professor and social change researcher who helps leaders understand the hidden forces shaping culture, connection and performance. He served as a deputy director at OPM for more than six years with decades of research into social networks, organizational culture, and the science of trust. Bruce has worked with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits and academic institutions, helping them understand how relationships shape outcomes. With a unique blend of academic rigor and storytelling clarity, Bruce makes complex ideas accessible—revealing how networks, trust, and social capital determine who succeeds and who gets left behind. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Martin Skorczynski Martin Skorczynski Assistant Director for Emerging Technology, GAO Martin Skorczynski leads Innovation Lab efforts in designing and building AI tools that strengthen GAO’s oversight mission. He treats AI as an assistive technology, co-developing solutions with the people who use them and grounding each one in extensive testing, so that new tools enable the workforce rather than replace it. He contributed to GAO's accountability framework for AI in government and has presented on AI and emerging technologies at international forums on audit, oversight, and public-sector innovation. Trained in leadership, negotiation, and organizational change at Harvard and Cornell and through the Partnership's AI Leadership program, Martin pairs engineering rigor with a humanistic view on how people and machines do their best work together. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Michael Baskin Michael Baskin Chief Innovation Officer of Montgomery County, MD Michael Baskin leads innovation for Montgomery County MD with the goal of creating a just, liberating, and human government. He works with staff at all levels to build systems that meet the needs of their communities Previously, Michael helped launch innovation programs in cities from Miami to Las Vegas, designed and launched a learning network of mayors and municipalities, and convened a coalition of local governments ensuring everyone counted in the 2020 Census. Michael served as the Chief Policy and Innovation Officer for Chattanooga, TN working on issues from policing to permitting while re-designing the Outcomes Based Budgeting process to connect strategy, people, and resources. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Traci DiMartini Traci DiMartini Chief Human Resources Officer, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Traci DiMartini served in the Federal Government for 22 years and was appointed to the career Senior Executive Service in September 2016. She has a successful track record improving service delivery and employee engagement while also improving operations and morale across multiple agencies. At the IRS, she led the historical hiring efforts to rebuild the IRS workforce which resulted in the hiring of over 28,000 new employees in 15 months. Traci is passionate about the need for a non-partisan civil service and federal unions. She has a master’s degree from the Bloustein School of Public Policy at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Traci resides in Philadelphia and is an avid fan of all Philadelphia sports teams. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Ginny Hill Ginny Hill Senior Executive Coach and Facilitator, Partnership for Public Service Virginia (Ginny) Hill is a Senior Executive Coach and Facilitator at the Partnership for Public Service. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the ICF with over 800 hours of paid coaching. Ginny has served in leadership development at the Partnership since 2015, and her current portfolio includes facilitating the Excellence in Government (EIG) Fellows program and designing and delivering leadership retreats for federal and state agencies. Her areas of expertise are conflict management, resilience, and navigating change. Before joining the Partnership, Ginny worked for over 7 years at the NIH, including 3 years in the Office of Human Resources. When not working, Ginny enjoys keeping up with her toddler daughter, traveling, and playing in several DC-area bands. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Feli Sola-Carter Feli Sola-Carter Former Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, Current SAGE at Partnership for Public Service Felicita Sola-Carter previously served as Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources and Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer of the Social Security Administration (SSA). After retiring, Solá-Carter established Felícita Solá-Carter Consulting in 2009. Through her business, she is a senior advisor to government leaders, and offers executive coaching, as well as consulting and training on leadership strategies. A graduate of Leadership Howard County, Feli has been named to the Maryland Top 100 Women on two separate occasions and inducted in 2014 to the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame, and received the 2023 National Trustee of the Year Award from the Association from Women in Community Colleges. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Craig Stanton Craig Stanton Former Senior Federal Executive and Current ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) Craig Stanton is a retired senior federal executive and executive coach with more than two decades of experience working at the intersection of leadership, governance, and human development. Before becoming a full-time coach, Craig served in multiple Senior Executive Service roles across the federal government, including leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Craig holds a Juris Doctor and an M.A. in English from the University of Virginia, with additional postgraduate study in leadership and well-being. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) MeghanMarie Fowler-Finn MeghanMarie Fowler-Finn Director of Operations, Public Service Leadership Institute, Partnership for Public Service MeghanMarie Fowler-Finn is the Director of Operations of the Public Service Leadership Institute (PSLI) at the Partnership for Public Service. She manages staffing and hiring, data, budgeting, software applications, and process improvement for the 25 person PSLI team. Prior to joining PSLI, she worked for DC city government for 12 years, most recently at the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as the founding Chief Administrative Officer. She started her public service career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica, which led to a Masters in Public Policy (Social and Urban Policy) at the Harvard Kennedy School. She is a long-time resident of Washington, DC and enjoys her cats, the outdoors, and dabbling in drawing and piano. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Brandon Lardy Brandon Lardy Data Director, Partnership for Public Service Brandon Lardy is Data Director at the Partnership for Public Service, where he leads data product development and internal data transformation. Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from William and Mary and a master’s degree in public policy from George Washington University. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Brian Whittaker Brian Whittaker Former Chief Innovation Officer, FDIC and Founder and Current Executive Director, Humans of Public Service Brian Whittaker is the founder and executive director of Humans of Public Service and a Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow at Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation. An Afro-Latino tech leader, he moved from the private sector into federal service, where he held multiple leadership roles in the General Services Administration, working with USDA to streamline farm loan applications and with DOJ to revamp how civil rights claims are submitted and processed. He later served as Chief Innovation Officer at the FDIC, where he built its Innovation Office. Now he focuses on trust in government, using Humans of Public Service to share the story of public servants across 34 states and build a community of nearly 10,000 people who see government as full of people worth knowing. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Dartanion Swift-Williams Dartanion Swift-Williams Executive Director and Chief Data Officer, Mayor’s Office of Performance & Innovation, City of Baltimore Dartanion Swift-Williams is a passionate public sector executive and civic technologist. Dartanion oversees CitiStat, civic design, analytics, and AI strategy to drive results across city government.In his role, Dartanion is responsible for building a modern, high-performing, and scalable data and performance management program for Baltimore. He brings a cross-sector background spanning local government, big tech, startups, and academia, having led data science and engineering at a scientific nonprofit, managed fundraising products at Meta, taught in the data analytics program at George Washington University, and spent over a decade in local government, including service in Washington, DC. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Gregory White Gregory White Former Enterprise Workforce & AI Strategist, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Gregory White is a former Enterprise Workforce & AI Strategist at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, where he led workforce planning and AI-enabled transformation. Prior to the OCC he held analyst and statistician roles across HUD, Commerce, and the U.S. Census Bureau. He is a Certified PMP and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. He holds a Master of Education from Harvard and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Michigan. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Jeffrey Vargas Jeffrey Vargas Former Chief Learning Officer (NNSA&CFTC) and Current President & CEO, Generationology® Jeffrey Vargas is a workforce strategist and nationally recognized leadership development expert with more than 22 years of public service experience. As a former Chief Learning Officer, Jeff was responsible for ensuring workforce capability through training, leadership development, coaching, mentoring, and organizational learning initiatives. Today, Jeff is the Founder and CEO of Generationology, where he focuses on the intersection of workforce readiness, leadership development, and artificial intelligence. Through Generationology, he has partnered with more than 80 organizations—including multimillion- and multibillion-dollar enterprises—to strengthen organizational effectiveness, helping leaders prepare employees for the changing nature of work while ensuring that technology enhances—not replaces—human capability. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Tasha Cooper Tasha Cooper Former Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP) and Chief Privacy Officer and Current President, UpwardAction Advisory, LLC Tasha (TC) Cooper, Esq. is a trusted advisor to public and private sector leaders navigating the full lifecycle of AI adoption and governance. Over more than 25 years, she has built a distinguished career at the intersection of law, technology, leadership, and governance, shaped by experience in federal government, large law firms, senior in-house roles, and entrepreneurship. Her federal service spans more than 16 years, including her tenure at the Federal Housing Finance Agency as Managing Associate General Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer, and SAOP. A Hampton University (VA) and Columbia Law School (NY) graduate, TC holds the AIGP and CIPM certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and has advised and trained leaders around the world. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Sarah Moffat Sarah Moffat Innovation & Transformation Executive Sarah C. Moffat is an award-winning executive and change strategist with over 20 years of experience driving transformation across the public and private sectors. She has led high-impact initiatives at NASA, NIST, and NIH — modernizing operations, building workforce readiness, and advancing digital and AI innovation at scale. A Prosci®-certified change expert, senior advisor for innovation and change at NASA, internationally sought-after speaker, and author of Motivated Mornings, Sarah brings energy, clarity, and heart to every room she enters. She is the 2026 Change Driver of the Year, the 2024 HUD Secretary's Award winner for mission support excellence, and the Executive Women's Forum's 2022 Woman of Influence – Public Sector. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Dominic Schuman Dominic Schuman Senior Human Resources Specialist Dominic Schuman is a Senior Human Resources Specialist with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, where he supports strategic initiatives focused on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and workforce innovation. Dominic plays a key role in the City’s Pathways development program, a citywide initiative designed to strengthen leadership capability, employee growth, and organizational citizenship across departments. His work includes supporting leadership development efforts, helping modernize workforce learning practices, and contributing to scalable solutions that improve employee experience and organizational performance. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Bryon Casebolt Bryon Casebolt Manager and Data Scientist, Partnership for Public Service Bryon Casebolt is the Partnership for Public Service’s lead analyst of employee survey data, used for the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings and supporting the Partnership’s employee engagement programming. They also use their data expertise to advocate for improvements in the quality of data produced and used by government agencies. Previously, Bryon worked with public servants as a site manager for a Head Start provider and as a part of the international development community. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Cameron Kober Cameron Kober Director, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service Cameron Kober oversees the Partnership for Public Service’s employee engagement portfolio. This work includes holding leadership accountable to improve organizational culture through the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings, the most comprehensive rating of employee engagement in the federal government. Additionally, his team provides direct services to government agencies to identify and improve engagement through quantitative and qualitative data analysis, action planning and consulting support. Previously, Cameron developed a passion for public service as a middle school teacher in Central Florida. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Kevin Johnson Kevin Johnson Director, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service Kevin Johnson, II, is an experienced practitioner in organizational development, strategic talent management, and workplace culture with over 15 years of experience transforming teams and organizations across diverse sectors. In his current role, Kevin has spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives like the first-of-its-kind Federal Chief Diversity Officer Bootcamp. Kevin also played an integral role in developing the Partnership’s Public Service Leadership Model, which established a new standard for effective federal leadership. He has designed and facilitated hundreds of leadership development sessions, including Cabinet-level retreats, equipping participants with actionable and innovative strategies that enable them to lead more effectively. He has led collaborative efforts to solve cultural and operational challenges by identifying, designing, and implementing people-centric solutions. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Kshemendra Paul Kshemendra Paul Former Chief Data Officer, Veterans Affairs Kshemendra Paul is recognized for his pioneering solutions that improve public administration and deliver results. He started his career in the private sector as a technology leader and entrepreneur. He then served in five federal agencies and the White House in roles such as chief architect, governmentwide lead for information sharing, and chief data officer. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, a senior fellow at the Data Foundation, an advisor at the Program Integrity Alliance, a SAGE with the Partnership for Public Service, and a board member of the Society of Information Management’s Capital Area Chapter. In addition to policy research and advocacy, he advises leaders and organizations on data and artificial intelligence strategy and governance. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Sally Ly Sally Ly Deputy Secretary, Workforce Development, California Government Operations Agency Sally Ly is a forward‑thinking leader in workforce development and human resources with more than 15 years of experience in public administration. She leads statewide efforts to modernize HR systems and strengthen the public‑sector workforce. She also serves as a Commissioner on the Sacramento County Civil Service Commission, supporting fair and merit‑based employment practices. Sally has also held key leadership roles with the City of Sacramento, overseeing major HR policies, programs, and operations. Sally earned her Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of the Pacific, her MPA from the McGeorge School of Law, and holds the SHRM‑SCP certification. As a first‑generation Hmong American, she brings a strong commitment to equity, opportunity, and public service to her work. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Staci Meyer Staci Meyer State Human Resources Director, North Carolina Office of State Human Resources Staci Meyer leads the human resource management for North Carolina, helping state agencies and universities recruit and retain a highly qualified and skilled workforce. Through strategy and collaboration, OSHR works to modernize and simplify HR across the state. Director Meyer has been a public servant to North Carolina since 1991. She began her public service career as a law clerk to the Honorable R.A. Hedrick, then Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The same year, she began a 15-year tenure at the N.C. Attorney General’s Office, where she represented the state in a wide range of civil and criminal matters related to employment, child abuse and neglect, development of new institutional health services, and juvenile justice. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Neal Desai Neal Desai Chief HR Officer, State of Maryland Neal leads the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits, which is the central human capital office for ~40,000 state positions. Prior to this role, he served in the federal government, including as Senior Advisor to the Director of OPM, in multiple roles at the IRS, where he helped drive the IRS’s Inflation Reduction Act hiring surge, and as Special Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Neal also previously worked as a Partner at the Boston Consulting Group, where he supported procurement reform, human capital optimization, and cost transparency efforts, and as a Principal at the social impact consulting company Open Capital Advisors in Nairobi, Kenya. He earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Chicago and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Williams Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Williams Physical Scientist, Office of Science Quality and Integrity, USGS Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Williams, Ph.D. is a staff scientist in the Office of Science Quality and Integrity (OSQI) Youth and Education in Science (YES) program. Liz manages several undergraduate and graduate fellowships and work-force development programs. She also manages, coordinates, and supports geoscience education and outreach programs and efforts targeted to educators and students. Prior to joining YES, Liz managed the USGS Earth Systems Biogeochemistry Lab where her research focused on the effects of climate and land-use on carbon and nutrient cycling in soils and on the characterization of soil carbon dynamics. A soil biogeochemist by training, Liz especially enjoys sharing the beauty of soil with young learners through STEM outreach. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Kristen Carroll Kristen Carroll Manager, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service Kristen Carroll leads initiatives that strengthen the public sector talent pipeline and support early-career talent through programs including the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program, Rosenthal Fellowship and Public Service Roadshow. She brings more than a decade of experience in career development and employer engagement, including 12 years in higher education supporting students and alumni through career fairs, networking events and employer partnerships. At the Partnership, Kristen works with government agencies to attract, support, and retain talent through recruitment and leadership development programs, and has partnered with agencies including NIST, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Stephanie Sonkin Stephanie Sonkin Senior Manager, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service Stephanie Sonkin manages the summer cohorts of the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program, helping to bring highly skilled talent to government and offers students the opportunity to apply their educational training to work at a federal and state government agencies. Stephanie also supports the Partnership’s Call to Serve Network, connecting higher education professionals and government agencies to promote public service and recruit the next generation of public servants. Stephanie earned her Bachelor's degree in International Studies from American University and her Master's degree in European History, Politics, and Society from Columbia University. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Blair Corcoran de Castillo Blair Corcoran de Castillo Senior VP of Public Sector and Policy, Opportunity@Work Blair leads national and regional strategies to advance STAR mobility through public sector partnerships and policy innovation. Previously, she launched and led the organization’s innovation studio, developing practical solutions to inclusive hiring challenges. With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of strategy and economic mobility, Blair has held leadership roles across mission-driven organizations including: advancing employee experience and affordable housing innovation at Fannie Mae; driving hiring and employee experience reforms at OPM; and managing a multimillion-dollar federal grant portfolio at the U.S. Dept of Health working with states, community colleges, workforce centers, and community-based organizations to expand career pathways in healthcare for low-income individuals, including those on TANF. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Carol de Fries Carol de Fries Executive Director of the Municipal College & Workforce Development, City of Philadelphia Carol de Fries is an expert at building successful strategic partnerships for economic and civic growth, with more than 15 years of experience in business development, finance, government relations, philanthropy, higher education and economic and workforce development. In her current role, Ms. de Fries leads a new initiative to open doors of access to Philadelphians to quality jobs with the City and with regional employers. She has held previous senior leadership roles with the University of Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia and its economic development agency PIDC, the Community College of Philadelphia, and JEVS Human Services dedicating her professional career to supporting Philadelphia’s efforts to grow and expand its economy. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Medha Havnurkar Medha Havnurkar Executive Director, Workforce Development, New Jersey Department of Health As the inaugural Executive Director of Workforce Development since 2024, Medha has been leading workforce transformation efforts to make N.J.’s public health workforce future-ready, resilient, and highly engaged in delivering equitable health outcomes for all residents. Over the last 25 years, Medha has held several leadership roles including Chief Learning Officer, Director, Clinical Education and Professional Development, and Administrative Director, Talent Management and Organizational Development. Post pandemic, she pivoted to public service to support healthcare upstream efforts in the public health space. She holds a MBBS degree from J.J.M. Medical College, India and a MPA degree in Health Policy and Management, from New York University along with professional certifications in healthcare management, talent development, and human resources. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Denise Carter Denise Carter Deputy Secretary for Strategic Initiatives, Delaware Department of Education With more than 30 years of distinguished public service, Denise Carter is a seasoned leader with extensive experience driving mission-critical operations, organizational transformation, and strategic initiatives across federal and state government. Following a successful federal career, she transitioned to public service at the state level and now serves as the Deputy Secretary for Strategic Initiatives at the Delaware Department of Education providing executive leadership support for the agency’s education funding reform initiative, operations portfolio, and human capital management strategy. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Andrea Bright Andrea Bright Assistant Commissioner, Office of Human Resources Management, U.S. Customs and Border Protection At CBP, Andrea J. Bright’s priority is to provide a premiere employee experience from recruiting through retirement. She is responsible for all aspects of HR services, including recruitment and hiring, benefits, survivor advocacy, workplace safety, personnel research, executive services, HR business systems, labor and employee relations, and employee engagement. Ms. Bright is accountable for directing the quality and delivery of these services to more than 70,000 nationally and internationally dispersed, uniformed, and non-uniformed employees who comprise the largest law enforcement agency in the United States. Prior to serving as Assistant Commissioner, Ms. Bright served as the CHCO, CLO, and various leadership positions at OPM. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Matisha Montgomery Matisha Montgomery Acting Chief Human Capital Officer at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Matisha Montgomery is the Acting Chief Human Capital Officer at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a joyful disruptor of the status quo in government. With more than two decades of federal service and a background in I/O Psychology, she leads human capital programs that focus on employee experience and build trust. She’s known for making workforce strategy actually strategic, translating data into action, and turning buzzwords into better workplaces. Matisha believes bureaucracy should never be boring—and she’s on a mission to prove it. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Anthony Foxx Anthony Foxx Former 17th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 54th Mayor of Charlotte, and Chief Policy Officer for Lyft Anthony served as the 17th U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2013-2017), receiving a rare unanimous confirmation (100-0) by the U.S. Senate. After more than a decade of short-term transportation funding bills, Anthony successfully pushed for passage of new long-term legislation, the FAST Act. As Secretary, Anthony also promulgated new rules and guidelines for emerging transportation technologies such as drones and driverless cars and launched the Department’s first, and the Obama Administration’s most successful, Smart City Challenge. From 2009 to 2013, Anthony served as the 54th Mayor of Charlotte—the youngest person ever to serve in the role—where he led the city’s resurgence following the Great Recession with record investments in transportation, establishing a demand-driven workforce development system that became a national model and expanding opportunities for small businesses. He is the Emma Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership and Director, Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) James-Christian Blockwood James-Christian Blockwood President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration James-Christian Blockwood was appointed President and CEO of NAPA in January 2025. The Academy is a congressionally charted nonpartisan, nonprofit that helps leaders build more effective, efficient, accountable and transparent organizations. Most recently he was Executive Vice President at the Partnership, where he helped with overall strategy and management of the organization, and oversaw its programs dedicated to improving the federal government. He is deeply committed to nonpartisanship and organizational excellence and is passionate about serving others and his country. He is a former career member of the SES in the U.S. Government and has broad experience in leadership and management, strategic planning, intelligence, national security and foreign affairs. He has helped transform and build new capabilities at the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs as well as the Government Accountability Office. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Daniel Pink Daniel Pink Bestselling author on science, business and creativity  Daniel Pink is the author of seven bestselling nonfiction books on a range of topics, from human motivation to the science of timing to a graphic novel career guide. His books include the *New York Times* bestsellers *The Power of Regret*, *A Whole New Mind*, and *When*—as well as the #1 *New York Times* bestsellers *Drive* and *To Sell is Human*. His deeply researched works have been translated into 46 languages and have sold more than five million copies around the world. Over the years, he has also hosted a National Geographic television series, given one of the 20 most popular TED talks of all time, worked as a columnist at the *Sunday Telegraph* and the *Washington Post*, served as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore, and been a clue on *Jeopardy*. He lives in Washington, DC, with his family. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Julie Berko Julie Berko Chief Operating Officer, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Julie Broussard Berko, MPA is a member of the Senior Executive Service and oversees operational strategy and organizational effectiveness at the FMCS. The FMCS is an independent Executive Branch agency that provides mediation and related conflict prevention and resolution services in the private and public sectors. Prior to this role, Julie was Director of Human Resources at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A leading voice in federal human capital management, she is the proud recipient of the 2022 Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service. Her superpower is designing and implementing HR programs that align with complex, high-stakes organizational missions. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Dr. Gary C. Powell Dr. Gary C. Powell Customer Experience & Workforce Development Leader As a federal leader with nearly 30 years in senior roles leading on Customer Experience and Service Design, Dr. Gary Powell has spent much of his career designing experiences with a simple question: “How could this be better for the people experiencing it?” Whether he is examining a customer journey, improving service delivery, building a learning program, designing an employee experience, or leading a major initiative, his natural inclination is to challenge the default. He questions processes that may work operationally but create unnecessary burden for the people experiencing them. That pattern has followed him across federal service, workforce development, organizational learning, leadership and customer experience. He turns vision into distinctive, human-centered experiences where every touchpoint has a purpose. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Dr. Javier E. Inclán Dr. Javier E. Inclán Assistant Inspector General for Management, U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General Javier E. Inclán joined the NSF Office of Inspector General (OIG) as the Assistant Inspector General for Management in May 2022. In this role, Dr. Inclán is responsible for the OIG’s human capital, IT operations, budget planning and execution, procurement, training, and other business operations. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and currently serves as the Vice Chair of CIGIE’s Leadership Innovation Subcommittee. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Jennifer-NeToi Claiborne Jennifer-NeToi Claiborne Leadership Development Facilitator & Manager of eLearning, Partnership for Public Service Jennifer-NeToi Claiborne is a leadership facilitator and learning experience designer dedicated to helping individuals and organizations lead with purpose, creativity, and confidence. In her role, she designs transformative learning experiences that equip public servants with the skills to navigate complexity, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change. Her work includes designing and managing digital learning ecosystems, developing interactive online courses, and leveraging learning technologies to create engaging, accessible, and scalable professional development experiences. Jennifer-NeToi is the facilitator of leadership programs including Preparing to Lead, Developing an Innovative Mindset, and Collaborative and Creative Thinking, where she blends evidence-based leadership practices with creativity, innovation, the humanities, and technology to inspire deeper learning and stronger leadership. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Yvette Delgado Yvette Delgado Director of Operations and Outreach at UpwardAction® Advisory Ms. Yvette Delgado is a public servant leader with more than 30 years of distinguished federal service. Now retired, she remains purpose-driven and committed to building meaningful connections. Her career progression, from front-line administrative roles to leadership positions, reflects versatility, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to developing and supporting others. Yvette currently serves as director of Operations and Outreach at UpwardAction® Advisory, where she advances organizational priorities through strategic coordination, relationship building, and operational leadership. In this role, she strengthens community engagement, supports mission-driven initiatives, and implements systems that promote efficiency, alignment, and measurable impact. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Neil Weaver Neil Weaver Secretary of the Office of Administration (OA), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania  As a member of Governor Josh Shapiro’s senior staff and cabinet, Neil leads the agency responsible for oversight and administration of the enterprise functions of human resources, information technology, equal employment opportunity, continuity of government and records management for nearly 80,000 employees under the Governor’s jurisdiction. Secretary Weaver also co-chairs the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund (PEBTF), which provides health benefits to 300,000 active and retired employees and their dependents. Neil has two decades of experience in non-profit and government management, operations, and communications. He served as Acting Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and, prior to that, as Executive Deputy Secretary for the agency. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Bob Lavigna Bob Lavigna Senior Fellow, UKG and Former VP of Research, Partnership for Public Service Bob Lavigna is an award-winning public sector leader and innovator with more than 30 years of experience leading human resources organizations and programs in the public sector. At UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group), Bob advocates for, promotes and advises on effective practices that enable government to attract and retain talent. He previously was the founding Director of the Institute for Public Sector Employee Engagement, where he worked with organizations across the nation to measure and improve engagement as a key to maximizing performance. Bob’s book, Engaging Government Employees: Motivate and Inspire Your People to Achieve Superior Performance, is the first book to focus exclusively on employee engagement in the unique environment of the public sector. He also previously served as Vice President - Research for the Partnership for Public Service. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Alishia J. Jeremiah Alishia J. Jeremiah Manager, People Solutions Team, State of Arizona Alishia Jeremiah is the Manager of the State of Arizona’s People Solutions Team, where she leads a group of senior executive consultants dedicated to organizational excellence. With over 30 years of diverse experience across the public and private sectors, she is a SHRM-certified HR professional and holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership. Alishia is recognized for spearheading Arizona’s enterprise-wide 1:1 coaching initiative, which has garnered national and international recognition from organizations like NASPE and the Association for Talent Development. Her work has been featured at the AZSHRM and Washington State Lean Conferences.   ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Matthew Brown Matthew Brown Director, Indiana State Personnel Department Matthew (Matt) Brown began his career at the Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD) as an Employee Relations Specialist after he earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. He graduated from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2013 and began working as an Associate Attorney with Faegre Baker Daniels. As an associate, Matt represented clients in federal and state courts and in administrative hearings before a myriad of state and federal agencies. In 2014, Matt returned to INSPD as Employee Relations Counsel. In 2017, he joined the field team as Deputy Director. Matt held that role until 2019 when he briefly left to help start the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings. Matt has held the role of Director since December 2020. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Jake Bell Jake Bell Senior Manager, AI Center for Government, Partnership for Public Service Jake Bell supports the AI Center for Government by convening senior public sector leaders from federal, state, and local agencies to discuss using AI responsibly to improve service delivery and make government operations more efficient. He recently spent six years leading international partnerships at Code.org, a nonprofit organization expanding access to computer science and artificial intelligence education for K-12 students around the world. Earlier in his career, Jake worked as a web developer, coordinated events for the Council on Foreign Relations and worked in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Public Affairs. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Janet L. Lawson Janet L. Lawson Agency Director, Virginia Department of Human Resource Management Janet Lawson is a human resource executive with over 32 years of HR leadership experience. She serves as the Agency Director for the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management, initially appointed June 13, 2022 and reappointed on January 27, 2026. In this role, Janet oversees all agency operations for the Commonwealth’s central human resource agency, which provides HR services to all executive branch agencies and benefits to nearly 200,000 state employees, retirees, and local governments and school divisions. Prior experience includes twelve years as the Director of Human Resources for Hanover County, seven years as the Director of Human Resources for the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and fourteen years working in human resources positions in the private sector.  ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Yeni Simon Yeni Simon Senior Manager, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service Yeni has experience building employee engagement programs that help government leaders strengthen their workplace cultures. She has managed initiatives to recruit, hire, and support the next generation of public servants and recently helped launch e-learning courses to expand the reach of the Partnership’s programs. Her work now includes supporting efforts to bring these initiatives to state and local governments, broadening their impact across the public sector. Earlier in her career, Yeni led international and intercultural education programs at Florida International University. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Katy Hogan Katy Hogan Director, Workforce Programs, Partnership for Public Service Katy Hogan leads the Partnership’s strategy to inspire the next generation to consider a career in public service. In her role, she manages several key government internship programs and oversees the Call to Serve network of colleges and universities. Previously, Katy directed Ohio State University’s Washington, DC internship and fellowship programs through the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, welcoming 75+ students to Washington annually for career-launching internship experiences. Katy also worked on a U.S. State Department program that sends high school students abroad to learn critical languages. Through this work, Katy developed a passion for building high-impact professional programs and supporting the career development of aspiring public servants. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Jon Newman Jon Newman Director of Federal Programs, Yello Jon Newman is the Director of Federal Programs at Yello. His team is responsible for the strategy and growth of Yello's federal sector and manages more than 75 federal agency customers. Jon has been in the GovTech industry for 16 years and has led Yello's federal team for 10 years. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Donald Bauer Donald Bauer Former Deputy Associate Director, OPM and Former CTO, Global Talent, US Department of State Donald Bauer is a retired Federal Senior Executive with more than 25 years of experience leading technology, workforce, and organizational transformation across government and industry. In 2026, Don served as the Deputy Associate Director for the Workforce Standards and Data Center at OPM, supporting OPM’s government-wide Core Human Capital Management initiative. As an OPM AI Ambassador, he also helped program leaders identify and responsibly apply artificial intelligence to government operations. Previously, Don became the first Chief Technology Officer for Global Talent Management at the State Department, leading a $60M HR technology portfolio and a large global technology organization responsible for more than 70 applications and enterprise platforms. His modernization efforts earned him the 2024 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Kelly Shih Kelly Shih Senior Manager, Public Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership for Public Service Kelly Shih leads efforts to generate policy ideas, engage stakeholders and create the conditions to reform government systems – with a focus on employee performance management – to better serve the public. Previously, she led strategy for the Partnership's Public Service Leadership Institute – overseeing the Institute’s programmatic, policy, research, and communications efforts to amplify the importance of public service leadership, develop world-class leaders and unify government around a single leadership standard that she helped design – the Public Service Leadership Model. She also managed leadership development programs, including the Excellence in Government Fellows program, and has been a designer and facilitator for topics including emotional intelligence, conflict management and intercultural communication. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Cliff Purkey Cliff Purkey Vice President of Product, Workday Government; Former Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer, Defense Intelligence Agency Cliff Purkey is the Vice President of Product for Workday Government, leading product strategy to bring enterprise Human Capital Management, Financial, and Payroll solutions to the federal government. A former senior defense executive, Cliff previously served as the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). There, he directed a 500+ person organization, achieved the agency's highest talent fill rate in over a decade, and spearheaded change across HR processes and systems. His national security career includes serving as DIA's Deputy Chief for Operations overseeing Middle East and Africa intelligence missions, Senior Liaison to U.S. Forces Korea, and leading counterintelligence assignments with the U.S. Army. Cliff excels at translating high-stakes defense experience and global security leadership into SaaS innovation and public sector transformation. ![](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/marketplace/popup-close.svg) Annamary Holbrook Annamary Holbrook Director, Workday Federal Solution Consulting [![icon-in](https://5265844.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5265844/marketplace/icon-in.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/grow-poland/mycompany/) [![icon-facebook](https://5265844.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5265844/marketplace/icon-facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/growpoland/) [![X-1](https://www.growinternational.eu/hubfs/X-1.svg)](https://twitter.com/growpoland/) [![icon-webpage](https://5265844.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5265844/marketplace/icon-webpage.svg)](https://www.growinternational.eu/) [Back to Event Page](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/2026-govhr?hsLang=en) ## Thanks to our Sponsors --- ##### PRESENTING SPONSOR: [![wday-logo-workday-government-primary-1600x900px](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/hs-fs/hubfs/GovHR%202025/wday-logo-workday-government-primary-1600x900px.png?width=300&height=169&name=wday-logo-workday-government-primary-1600x900px.png "wday-logo-workday-government-primary-1600x900px")](https://www.workday.com/en-us/homepage.html) --- ##### GOLD SPONSOR: ![yello-logo@4x](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/hs-fs/hubfs/GovHR%202026/yello-logo@4x.webp?width=200&height=155&name=yello-logo@4x.webp "yello-logo@4x") --- ##### SILVER SPONSOR:   Spring Health [![pps logo - white](https://events.ourpublicservice.org/hs-fs/hubfs/pps%20logo%20-%20white.png?width=300&height=48&name=pps%20logo%20-%20white.png "pps logo - white")](http://ourpublicservice.org/) Partnership for Public Service 600 14th Street NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20005 [(202) 775-9111](tel:2027759111) [tel:317-234-5678](tel:317-234-5678) © 2026 Partnership for Public Service [Privacy Policy](https://ourpublicservice.org/privacy-policy/) and [Terms of Use](https://ourpublicservice.org/terms-of-use/). 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