Federal IT Efficiency Summit 2026 Recap

Administrator of U.S. DOGE Service and Strategic Advisor to CMS Amy Gleason discussed what’s driving efficiency in federal health IT. She drew from her extensive career modernizing health systems from a digital-first approach, and highlighted what these efforts mean for government’s push for efficiency.

Featured Speaker:

• Amy Gleason, Administrator of U.S. DOGE Service and Strategic Advisor, CMS

Federal IT leaders are under pressure to simplify, de-risk and deliver more value from data. Learn more about the strategies federal IT leaders use to simplify environments as data volumes surge and budgets tighten. And explore what it really takes to build an AI ready foundation and move from pilots to secure, mission focused outcomes, drawing on real public sector experiences.

• Dan Kent, AVP, Federal Engineering, Everpure

Legacy systems are one of the largest barriers to efficiency in federal IT. Panelists shared strategies for modernizing outdated platforms, prioritizing high-impact upgrades and reducing technical debt while minimizing disruption to mission-critical operations.

Featured Speakers:

• Amy Johanek, Vice President of Federal, Okta
• Mangala Kuppa, CIO and CAIO, DOL
• Justin Ubert, Director, Cyber Protection, DOT
• Kevin Walsh, Director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity, GAO

Disconnected data systems slow decision-making and increase costs across government. This panel explored how agencies are modernizing data management to enable advanced analytics and AI while addressing governance, privacy and security challenges.

Featured Speakers:

• Tom Guido, VP, Customer Success, Salesforce
• Sweta Ladwa, Chief, Scientific Solutions Delivery Branch, NIH National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
• Courtney Winship, Chief Data Officer, Diplomatic Technology, State

Officials discussed how agencies are optimizing cloud environments, managing hybrid and multi-cloud architectures and aligning cloud strategies with cost control, security and performance goals.

Featured Speakers:

• Michelle Davis, Senior Director, Solutions Architect, Public Sector, Red Hat
• Kayla Gunter, Associate CIO of IT, National Nuclear Security Administration, DOE
• Jonathan Plante, Senior Cloud, Hardware and Software Strategist, ITC, FAS, GSA
• Wade Zarriello, Acting Director of Infrastructure and User Services, CMS

Top IT officials are developing new solutions to streamline citizen services, reduce barriers to innovation and drive a more efficient government. Learn more about the cutting-edge projects and programs shaping the future of public service.

Featured Speakers:

• Matt Barry, COO, HP Federal
• Cody Bell, Government Strategy and Solutions, NinjaOne
• Colin Crosby, Service Data Officer, USMC, Deputy CDO, DON
• David Raley, Chief Digital Business Officer, Marine Corps Community Services
• Master Gunnery Sgt. Denise Shepherd, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Commandant of Information, USMC
• Martin Stanley, Principal Researcher for AI and Cybersecurity, NIST

The flywheel — a critical component in a machine to increase its momentum — is also a critical symbol representing our publication’s goal to keep federal IT decision-makers informed on technology’s impact on government. This momentum is what fuels the constant need for transformers to innovate and drive efficiency in government.

Categories include: Rising Star, Digital Transformer, Innovation Champion, Change Driver and Workforce Enabler.

CyberScape Flywheel Award Winners:

• Rising Star: Carolyn Gibson, Policy Analyst, Office of Management and Budget

• Digital Transformer: Amy Gleason, Administrator of U.S. DOGE Service and Strategic Advisor, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• Digital Transformer: David Raley, Chief Digital Business Officer, Operation StormBreaker, Marine Corps

• Innovation Champion: Bonnie Barti, Simulation Technician, Department of Veterans Affairs

• Change Driver: Sarah Moffat, Senior Advisor, Innovation and Change Strategy, NASA

• Workforce Enabler: Brandon Pugh, Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary, Army

Federal officials are experimenting with AI to boost productivity and reduce manual processes. This panel explored how agencies are applying AI to automate workflows, improve decision-making and scale services while ensuring responsible use, transparency and workforce readiness.

Featured Speakers:

• Hemant Baidwan, Executive Chief Information Security Officer, Knox Systems
• Anna Libkhen, Acting CISO, BEA
• Eric Shen, Inspector in Charge, Criminal Investigations Group, USPIS

The General Services Administration’s OneGov initiative is transforming federal tech acquisition. Learn how the agency is negotiating as “one government” is reducing duplicative contracts, lowering costs and accelerating access to software, AI tools and emerging technologies.

Featured Speaker:

• Warren Blankenship, Director of the Category Management Service Center in the Office of Acquisition Solutions Development at the Federal Acquisition Service, GSA