Tennessee is executing an ambitious and cohesive government modernization strategy—shaping how services are delivered through smarter platforms, unified infrastructure, and citizen-first design. This session will spotlight how state government are aligning technology, operations, and mission outcomes to build a more resilient and responsive government for its citizens. Our speaker will showcase how Tennessee's Strategic Technology Solutions Branch is: 

• Advancing platform integration and service delivery through CloudTN, with over 60% of applications migrated
• Strengthening network resiliency and modernization by expanding into data centers and optimizing cloud infrastructure
• Improving operational efficiency through business process automation, AI labs, and low-code development environments
• Transforming citizen experience by expanding the MyTN mobile platform and simplifying digital access
• Foster statewide alignment through enterprise-wide governance, shared services, and outcome-driven collaboration
• Providing whole-of-government education and training opportunities to create an AI-prepared workforce

As AI reshapes education and government, institutions are embedding intelligent tools across curriculum, services, and strategy to drive equity and efficiency. This session will show how you can apply new approaches to embed AI responsibly across institutional functions while linking higher ed innovation to statewide policy and equity goals.

• Advance AI‑enabled learning by integrating immersive tools such as wearables, holograms, and mixed reality into curriculum
• Align institutional strategies with statewide AI governance and ethics frameworks
• Improve operational efficiency and student outcomes using AI in services, advising, and administration
• Transform faculty capacity through scalable training, curriculum pilots, and open educational resources
• Bridge the gap between research and public impact by using academic centers as testbeds for cross‑sector partnerships

AI is no longer an emerging idea—it’s already improving service delivery, decision-making, and operational efficiency across Tennessee’s public sector. This panel will highlight how agencies are moving from planning to deployment, showcasing what’s working, where value is being created, and what’s next.

This session will show you how to apply AI in ways that solve real problems, streamline processes, and deliver measurable impact in your own organization.

• Share outcomes from GenAI pilots in healthcare, operations, and local service delivery
• Explore how agencies are using AI to reduce manual work and improve citizen interactions
• Discuss how data teams are identifying the right use cases and proving ROI
• Highlight partnerships with academic and local leaders that are accelerating applied AI
• Learn how to scale early wins without overbuilding or overcomplicating the tech

Tennessee’s Department of Human Services is redefining what it means to serve. Faced with outdated systems and a transactional service model, the department has embraced a bold, customer-centric transformation to deliver public assistance with dignity, efficiency, and lasting impact. With leadership rooted in innovation and a deep commitment to meeting people where they are, Tennessee is modeling how human services can be both high-tech and deeply human.

This session will explore how Tennessee is building a modernized service model—one that empowers customers, leverages real-time data, and equips staff to focus on outcomes, not just outputs. You'll hear how they’re advancing toward a “One DHS” vision, and how you can apply similar strategies to streamline operations and transform service delivery in your own jurisdiction.

• Improve the citizen experience through a single point of access and universal case load model
• Adapt legacy infrastructure to support real-time, customer-first solutions
• Transform workforce capacity by freeing staff to focus on human-centred social work
• Increase service resilience through flexible, cloud-based systems
• Apply new approaches on how you can balance automation and empathy in service delivery

As cybersecurity threats evolve, so too must the strategies that governments use to defend against them. In this keynote, Tennessee’s Deputy CISO will explore how the state is sharpening its cyber posture, building on recent successes, and aligning with federal momentum to secure both state and local systems. This session will:

• Highlight statewide achievements and recent milestones in cybersecurity
• Explore Tennessee’s evolving approach to local government support under federal grant frameworks
• Outline top priorities for cyber resilience in the lead-up to 2026
• Share how the state is balancing governance, technology, and workforce readiness
• Offer actionable insights for agencies navigating their own cybersecurity transformation

As Tennessee moves toward a more agile, data-centric government, the challenges and opportunities around storage, governance, and cross-agency data exchange are coming to the forefront.

This panel will explore how modern infrastructure, federal alignment, and strategic health partnerships are helping Tennessee reduce legacy burdens and transform how data is collected, shared, and used to drive policy and service delivery.

• Explore how cloud-first strategies are replacing static storage to reduce cost and increase flexibility
• Examine how health data exchanges are driving inter-agency collaboration and better citizen outcomes
• Address privacy and governance concerns when managing multi-cloud data environments
• Unpack the infrastructure needs required to modernize traditional databases and storage systems

Discuss how analytics and data cataloging are enabling more informed, responsive government decisions

Roundtable One: Designing the Next Generation Digital Enterprise: Tools and Approaches that Accelerate State Modernization
Roundtable Two: Modernization Without Disruption: Strategies and Solutions for Evolving Mission-Critical Systems
Roundtable Three: Practical AI for Government: Proven Applications that Enhance Service Delivery and Operational Efficiency
Roundtable Four: Building the Data Foundation for AI: Secure, Scalable Architectures for Statewide Insights
Roundtable Five: Strengthening Statewide Resilience: Modern Approaches to Recovery, Continuity, and Operational Readiness
Roundtable Six: Intelligent Cyber Defense at Scale: Using Analytics and Automation to Stay Ahead of Emerging Threats
Roundtable Seven: Experience-Driven Government in Action: Technologies that Make Digital Services Simpler, Faster, and More Inclusive

Cyber threats are growing in scale and sophistication, placing new pressures on agency leaders to lead with confidence and clarity. This session will equip you with the strategies and structures needed to elevate your cybersecurity posture, protect critical assets, and embed a culture of shared responsibility.

• Advance your cybersecurity maturity through executive-level oversight
• Improve coordination between state and local entities to respond faster to threats
• Bolster your team’s cyber resilience through targeted leadership and training
• Adapt governance structures to meet evolving risk and compliance standards

Leaders face constant pressure to deliver better outcomes with fewer resources—and vendors often play a crucial role. But not all vendor interactions are created equal. Strong partnerships need trust, transparency, and shared outcomes. Weak ones add complexity without results. This session will unpack what effective vendor engagement looks like from the agency head’s seat and show how your agency can separate value-driving partnerships from those that don't.

• Define what good vendor engagement looks like from an executive perspective
• Identify the red flags that signal ineffective or misaligned partnerships
• Explore how to set clear expectations and accountability from day one
• Improve your internal process for evaluating and onboarding vendors
• Transform your agency’s procurement approach to focus on long-term impact

While innovation often starts with technology, it’s the foundational structures behind project delivery that can determine real success. This session will explore how Tennessee’s cross-domain collaboration model is transforming outcomes by embedding strategic project oversight across state agencies. This session will:

• Examine how Tennessee STS supports project delivery across Tennessee State government;
• Unpack the challenges of aligning technology, procurement, and standards across multiple agencies;
• Explore how statewide PMO structures improve reporting consistency and success rates;
• Identify where collaboration breaks down and how to fix it; and
• Highlight successful cross-agency case studies in modernization

Jason Johnson

Director, Enterprise Project Management Office, Department of Finance and Administration, State of Tennessee

Gina Peeler

Director - Resource & Regulation Domain, Department of Finance and Administration, State of Tennessee

Lawrence Sanders

Director - Project Delivery, HSS Domain, Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration