About GovFuture
Connecting the Government Innovation Community since 2018
GovFuture is the fastest growing community of government innovators. Launched as AI in Government in 2018, GovFuture brings together thought leading innovators in the public sector who are applying artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, advanced cybersecurity, quantum computing, and IT modernization technologies to a wide range of applications in the government sphere.Â
GovFuture brings together thought leaders, C-levels, decision makers, influencers, and technologists in the public sector who are applying innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, advanced analytics, big data, cyber / zero trust, cloud, and modernization / digitization, robotics, and many other advanced technologies to a wide range of applications in the public sector.
As AI in Government, GovFuture was affiliated with George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC for our in-person event series, which subsequently moved online, growing the community with a much broader reach of US defense and civilian government, state and local government (SLED), international governments, and federal government employees located outside of the DC region. The expansion of the brand and focus beyond AI led to the rebrand as GovFuture in 2023 to address government innovation in automation, advanced analytics, AI & ML, big data, cyber / zero trust, cloud, robotics, and IT modernization / digitization. In 2023, the support and partnership of George Mason University (GMU) in the Washington, DC region helped GovFuture re-launch its in-person event series as GovFuture Forum DC, while maintaining an online presence to support the international ecosystem of innovators in our global community.Â
As a result, GovFuture has quickly grown to a community of over 3,000 government innovators across the ecosystem in our community and an addressable audience of over 10,000+ innovation ecosystem via email, website, social, and partner channels.
GovFuture Leadership Team
Kathleen Walch, Executive Director
Kathleen is an Executive Director at GovFuture. With a strong background in government and technology community development, Kathleen brings over a decade of experience creating communities focused on emerging technologies and innovation, as well as fostering communities that bring together thought leaders, C-levels, decision makers, influencers, and technologists in the public sector. Kathleen is experienced in running large scale community and innovation events through her work at AI in Government as well as innovation events at TechBreakfast and SXSW.
Kathleen is a sought after speaker, columnist, contributor, and thought leader on topics related to AI/ML, automation, advanced analytics, IT modernization, and innovation in the public sector. Kathleen serves as co-host of the GovFuture podcast, host of the Exploring AI in Government Podcast series by Accenture Federal Services, moderator and panelist for events in the public sector space for ATARC, Carahsoft, and is a SXSW Innovation Awards Judge.
In addition to her role as Executive Director at GovFuture, Kathleen is managing partner and founder of Cognilytica, an AI focused training, certification, and advisory firm focused on best practices methodologies for AI & data project success. Kathleen graduated from Loyola University with a degree in Marketing and is CPMAI certified.
Ron Schmelzer, Executive Director
Ron Schmelzer is an Executive Director at GovFuture. He brings almost two decades of experience creating communities of influence and running government and technology focused events around Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), Cloud Computing, AI/ML, and emerging technologies and innovation. Ron founded TechBreakfast, the largest monthly morning technology demo event with over 50,000 members across 12 locations. TechBreakfast organized the largest morning demo event at SXSW for over half a decade.
Ron co-created and founded AI in Government, which subsequently became GovFuture, with Kathleen Walch. He also founded ZapThink, an enterprise architecture-focused analyst firm that was subsequently acquired by Dovel Technologies in 2011, which was then acquired by Guidehouse. Through his work at ZapThink, TechBreakfast, and AI in Government Ron has developed a unique skill set for managing large technology and government communities.
Ron is also a sought after speaker and judge on topics related to AI/ML, automation, advanced analytics, IT modernization, cloud, and innovation in the public sector. He is a SXSW Innovation Awards Judge, co-host of the GovFuture podcast, and is a frequent panelist and moderator at technology and government conferences. You should see the size of his conference badge pile!
In addition to his role as executive director at GovFuture, Ron is a managing partner and founder of Cognilytica, an AI focused training, certification, and advisory firm focused on best practices methodologies for AI & data project success. Ron received a B.S. degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and MBA from Johns Hopkins University and is CPMAI certified.
Contact Us
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