Federal Tech Leaders Summit 2026 Recap

Rapid advancements in AI and autonomous systems are reshaping how the nation moves people and goods, with major implications for safety, infrastructure and economic competitiveness. Transportation Department’s Assistant Secretary of Research and Technology Nominee and Senior Advisor Seval Oz will outline how emerging technologies are transforming transportation systems and how government and industry can accelerate innovation while aligning with national priorities.

Featured Speaker:

• Seval Oz, Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, DOT

Cyber threats continue to grow, and federal agencies are rethinking traditional security approaches. This panel explores how leaders are addressing calls for zero trust adoption, automation, workforce readiness and cross-agency collaboration.

Featured Speakers:

• Austin Clark, Enterprise Security Architect, DOT
• Tommy Gardner, CTO, HP Federal
• Dave Raley, Chief Digital Business Officer, Operation StormBreaker, USMC
• Chris Wallace, Chief of Cybersecurity, PEO DHMS

AI is rapidly moving from experimentation to operational deployment across government. This session examines how agencies are operationalizing AI, addressing data readiness and governance challenges and ensuring AI delivers measurable mission outcomes while maintaining transparency and trust.

Featured Speakers:

• Brian Campo, Chief Data and AI Officer and Director of Technology Readiness, Coast Guard
• Justin Cole, Director of Data Transparency, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Treasury
• Jim Tunnessen, CIO and CAIO, Office of Information & Technology Management, National Endowment for the Arts

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.

Federal Tech Leaders Summit Flywheel Leadership Rising Star Award Winners:

• Sean Cairncross, National Cyber Director, White House

• Brian Campo, Deputy CIO, Coast Guard

• Kirsten Davies, CIO, DOW
• Dr. Josh Denny, CEO, All of Us, NIH
• Ty Hughes, Director of Cyber Security Integrity Center, State
• Zack Schwartz, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, VA
• Rangam Subramanian, Filing Season and Legislative Delivery Resource Director, IRS
• Justin Ubert, Director, Cyber Protection, DOT

Cloud adoption remains central to federal IT modernization, but managing complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments presents new challenges. Panelists will discuss lessons learned from cloud migrations, strategies for optimizing performance and security, and how agencies are managing cost, interoperability and vendor risk.

Featured Speakers:

• Theresa Kinney, Senior Deputy Director, SEWP, NASA
• Christine Pacheco, Director of Federal Civilian Sales, Equinix
• Jessie Posilkin, Acting Executive Director, TMF, GSA

Federal CIOs face increasing pressure to modernize systems, secure infrastructure and deliver results with constrained resources. This panel will unpack federal CIO priorities, including budget alignment, workforce challenges, technology debt and how leaders are setting near- and long-term strategies to support mission success.

Featured Speakers:

• Sean Gallagher, Acting CIO, NASA
• Justin Herman, Federal Civilian Director, Cognition
• Nikolaos Ipiotis, CIO, ARPA-H
• Carlene Ileto, Chief Management and Governance Officer, CBP
• Lance Jenkinson, CIO, VA OIG

War Department CIO Kirsten Davies is leading efforts to modernize one of the world’s largest and most complex technology enterprises while driving efficiency, accelerating innovation and strengthening national security. She will discuss how acquisition reform, commercial technology adoption, AI, autonomous systems and enterprise modernization can reduce technical debt, strengthen industry partnerships and deliver mission capabilities to the warfighter faster.

Featured Speaker:

• Kirsten Davies, CIO, DOW