Maryland Tech Leaders Headline CivStart’s State of GovTech Summit

Katie Savage, Maryland’s Secretary and Chief Information Officer, and Chief Innovation Officer Francesca Ioffreda will headline the second day of the conference at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Their sessions will offer a granular look at the state’s ongoing efforts to integrate artificial intelligence, strengthen cybersecurity, and overhaul digital service delivery. Ron Holifield of Civic Marketplace is slated to open the event, shifting the focus toward procurement reform and the immediate operational realities facing city and county managers.

A dedicated investor panel featuring Tom Spengler of SOVRA, Rachel Stern of GovTech Ventures, and Jeff Cook of Shea & Company will examine the current capital environment for public sector startups. Unlike traditional conferences that rely on passive presentations, the summit prioritizes interactive sessions where attendees will participate in live cybersecurity breach simulations and draft tangible AI use policies. Organizers expect between 200 and 300 participants, maintaining a balanced mix of government officials and industry entrepreneurs to foster direct collaboration.