27th Annual International Conference
on Digital Government Research
Collaborative Digital Transformation for Public Value Creation
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
June 01-04, 2026
International Keynote - Dr. M. Jae Moon: AI-Driven Government and Public Sector Innovations: Opportunities and Challenges
National Keynote - Dr. Theresa A. Pardo: Transforming the Research University: An AI Roadmap
Metro and State Keynote - Public Sector Partnerships: Maximizing Value in the New Normal: Dr. Derek Kruse (CIO of City of Omaha and Douglas County), Dr. Matthew McCarville (CIO for the State of Nebraska and the Chair of the Nebraska IT Commission), Carl Steffen (CIO for the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County, Nebraska), PJ Biodrowski (CIO for Sarpy County, Nebraska)
Cybersecurity Keynote - Dr. Gurpreet Dhillon: Collective Intelligence and Collective Security: Reimagining Public Values in the Digital World
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER - DR. M. JAE MOON
M. Jae Moon (Ph.D. in Public Administration, Syracuse University, 1998)
AI-DRIVEN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATIONS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
M. Jae Moon is the Underwood Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Management and Director of the Institute for Future Government at Yonsei University. He currently serves as Co-Chair (with the Prime Minister) of the National Public Data Strategy Committee and as Chair of the Planning and Evaluation Committee of the National Research Council of Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences under the Prime Minister’s Office, South Korea. Internationally, he serves as an expert member of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and the Knowledge Council of the World Cities Summit. Professor Moon is an elected Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). He was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people in digital government by Apolitical. He received the Order of Service Merit (Red Stripe) from the Government of South Korea in recognition of his contributions to public-sector innovation. He is also a recipient of the Donald C. Stone Award and the Mosher and Mosher Award from the American Society for Public Administration.
Dr. Moon’s Google Scholar citation count is 14,000+
NATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER - DR. THERESA A. PARDO
Theresa A. Pardo (PhD in Information Science, University at Albany, SUNY, 1998)
TRANSFORMING THE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY: AN AI ROADMAP
Dr. Pardo's Google Scholar citation count is 25,000+
METRO AND STATE PANEL KEYNOTE
PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS: MAXIMIZING VALUE IN THE NEW NORMAL
Dr. Matthew McCarville
CIO for the State of Nebraska and the Chair of the Nebraska IT Commission
Dr. McCarville is a results-driven executive with a diverse background spanning higher education, government, data analytics, and global consulting. As an accomplished leader, educator, and technology strategist; he is committed to driving positive change and harnessing the power of data and technology for the benefit of organizations, education, and society. He is also dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation, ethical data use, and strategic decision-making in any organization he engages with.
Dr. McCarville is currently the CIO for the State of Nebraska and the Chair of the Nebraska IT Commission, reporting directly to the governor. With extensive experience as a Chief Information Officer at University of Colorado, Chief Data Officer at the State of Florida & Director of Data Management and Governance at University of Florida; Dr. McCarville has managed complex operations, led large teams, and navigated budget challenges/constraints with an innovative mindset. His work in higher education and government has allowed him to play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of information resources and technology to support state, academic, research, and service operations. He is also a 1st generation college student and Creighton Alumni, a 50% Hispanic, an 18 year Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer Survivor, a PCA and TIA stroke survivor, prior public assistance program beneficiary, ward of the state, group home, and adoption process 'alumni.'
Additionally, Dr. McCarville’s experience in global consulting as Vice President at MTX Consulting Group/Maverick AI (MavQ) as well as at PwC Global Consulting involved heading thought leadership and sales management for international business and public sector verticals. He has extensive expertise in implementing data consolidation, systems modernization, AI/ML, as well as a strong track record in business process re-engineering and robotic process automation (RPA).
As the former CDO for the State of Florida, Dr. McCarville’s work in the public sector involved collaborating with various political, agency and county stakeholders and to implement RPA and BPR as well as creating innovative data management strategies that contributed to efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.
With a solid academic foundation from Creighton University, Dr. McCarville has also adjunct taught at multiple R1 institutions and authored courses in data analytics, marketing analytics, international finance, micro/macro-economics and project management. Dr. McCarville’s passion for impacting education and innovating research extends beyond the classroom, as he is also actively involved in several global advisory boards and professional speaking events.
Dr. Derek Kruse
CIO of the Douglas County – City of Omaha Technology Commission (DOTComm)
Derek Kruse has over 25 years of organizational leadership experience. He has held leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies, the nonprofit sector, government and higher education. Derek is the Chief Information Officer for the Douglas Omaha Technology Commission (DOTComm), which serves the technology needs of the City of Omaha and Douglas County in Nebraska. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Creighton University in the fields of strategy and entrepreneurship.
He recently launched Exponential Mindfulness to help people harness the power they already have by using simple tools to overcome challenges and build resilience for compounding growth.
He holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University, an MBA from Emory's Goizueta Business School, and a DBA from Creighton's Heider College of Business. He also holds a certificate in Strategy Execution for Public Leadership from Harvard and a certificate in Mindful Leadership from Spirit Rock.
PJ Biodrowski
CIO for Sarpy County, Nebraska
PJ Biodrowski serves as the Chief Information Officer for Sarpy County, Nebraska, where he leads enterprise technology strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives supporting more than 2,000 users across multiple county departments and partner agencies. With a strong focus on collaboration, PJ has cultivated strategic partnerships with municipalities, regional organizations, and private-sector vendors to deliver cost-effective, resilient, and secure technology services. His leadership emphasizes shared services, interlocal agreements, and cooperative procurement strategies that maximize value while enhancing service delivery to the community. PJ is also guiding the County’s responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, ensuring innovation is balanced with governance, security, and public trust. He is passionate about building high-performing teams and leveraging partnerships to help government organizations adapt and thrive in an era of constant change.
Carl Steffen
CIO for the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County, Nebraska
Carl Steffen was raised on a family farm in northeast Nebraska, where early access to an “IBM Compatible” PC sparked his lifelong interest in technology. At the age of five, he began exploring computing on an 8086 PC running MS-DOS 2.0, laying the foundation for a career in information technology.
He served eight years in the Army National Guard, during which he pursued his degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Following his academic and military service, Carl gained experience across a diverse range of organizations, including technology startups, large corporations, financial institutions, and now the public sector.
Throughout his career, Carl has viewed technology as a strategic tool for improving efficiency—when applied thoughtfully and effectively. In his current role as Chief Information Officer for the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County, he is committed to delivering and expanding services for departments and agencies while maintaining a strong focus on cost optimization and operational excellence.
CYBERSECURITY KEYNOTE - DR. GURPREET DHILLON
Gurpreet Dhillon (PhD in Information Systems, London School of Economics and Political Science, 1995)
COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE AND COLLECTIVE SECURITY: REIMAGINING PUBLIC VALUES IN THE DIGITAL WORLD