Back for its second year, regional government leaders gather to tackle the unique challenges of municipal-, provincial-, and state-level public service. This year digital leaders from Ontario, State of California, British Columbia and the State of Georgia in partnership with non-profit Code for Canada have planned an afternoon that will focus on four major themes: driving product-driven organizations, up-skilling the public service, digital delivery in the COVID-era and storytelling as a means of knowledge sharing.
The Regional Digital Government Summit is hosted by two regional digital government teams, by design.
RDGS over-arching co-hosts:
– Tamara Srzentić (Deputy Director, Office of Innovation, California Health and Human Services)
– Skaidra Puodziunas (Senior Engagement Advisor, Ontario Digital Service)
The agenda – November 6th, 2020
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 1:30 PM | In conversation with Chief Digital Officers – creating product-driven organizations In an up-close fireside chat with Chief Digital Officers across four different regions: Ontario, British Columbia, The State of California and the State of Georgia, learn how government leaders are actively creating the conditions for public service teams to embed user-centred methodologies and iterative approaches to deliver government services at the speed of need. Speakers: – Michael Wilkening (Special Advisor on Innovation & Digital Services, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom) – Hillary Hartley (Chief Digital & Data Officer, Deputy Minister, Ontario Digital Service (Treasury Board Secretariat)) – Nikhil J. Deshpande (Chief Digital Officer, State of Georgia) Moderator: – Emily Tamfo (Sr. Product Manager, Ontario Digital Service) |
| 2:15 PM | Learning by doing: Strategies for upskilling the public service for the next decade At the 2020 Code for Canada Summit, public sector educators began a discussion about what a pan-Canadian approach to teaching and learning digital in government might look like. At this year’s FWD50, we’re opening that conversation up to the world, inviting those at the forefront of capacity building in government to share how they’re equipping public servants with the skills they need to succeed in the digital era. From formal education to experiential programs that combine learning and delivery, you’ll learn what’s working — and what isn’t — when it comes to upskilling your team and growing their digital confidence. Who should attend? Those working at the intersection of education and digital government, executives and leaders interested in professional development opportunities for their teams, or anyone curious to know how public servants can acquire the skills they need quickly and continuously. Speakers: – Tamara Srzentić (Deputy Director, Office of Innovation, California Health and Human Services) – Jessica Cole (Core Team, U.S. Digital Response) – Anna Wong (Director, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) – Helen Caldwell (Campaigns & Communications Associate, Apolitical) Moderator: – Meha Shah (Fellowship and Education Program Manager, Code for Canada) |
| 3:00 PM | Expo – Digital Delivery in the COVID Era Shining a spotlight on how the public sector has answered the call of service to deliver user-centred products that meet the unique and unpredictable needs of people during a global pandemic, leveraging common components, processes and practices. Engage with the people behind the scenes of some of the most visible digital and data tools launched in 2020. Speakers: –  Graham Simpson (Policy and Engagement Fellow, New Jersey Office of Innovation) – Spencer Daniels (Senior Product Manager, Ontario Digital Service) – Meg Towle (Founding Partner, North Third) – Will Alford (Director of Content, Digital Services Georgia) – Jason Vargo (Senior Scientist, California Department of Public Health) Moderator: – Angelica Quirarte (Assistant Secretary for Digital Engagement, California, Government Operations Agency / Product Owner of Alpha.ca.gov + covid19@ca.gov, Office of Digital Innovation) |
| 16:05 PM | Have everyone’s ideas been heard? Digital storytelling across Government This panel addresses the why and the how of storytelling across the public service. Why is it important for government teams to be profiled and have their stories shared out in the open? How can teams across government leverage different digital storytelling tools from blogs to podcasts? Learn from a diverse panel of government storytellers, digital tinkerers and creative thinkers. Come with questions, leave inspired! Speakers: – Rowena Alegria (Chief Storyteller, City & County of Denver) – Sara Hudson (Data + Digital Fellow, The Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation) – Ikenna Agu (Digital Engagement & Change Management Lead, Head of IDO Digital, Treasury Board Secretariat) Moderators: – Meghna Bajpai (Digital Engagement Co-op, Engagement, Ontario Digital Service, Government of Ontario) – Diana Stepczuk (Digital Engagement, Ontario Digital Service) |
| 16:45 PM | Final Wrap-up Join us as we reflect on a spectacular day and discuss ways to keep the themes, ideas and connections of the day alive! |
Regional access invitation
This year, we’re inviting public servants in regional governments around the world to join us virtually for the RDGS and FWD50 as a whole. Check out these details on how to apply for two tickets for your state, municipal, provincial, or territorial government.
Watch 2019 RDGS chairs Hillary Hartley (province of Ontario) and Nikhil J. Deshpande (state of Georgia) reflect on the inaugural event.
