Episodes
Joe Whittinghill is the Chief Learning Officer at Microsoft, where having a growth mindset is at the heart of the organization’s culture, and key to its  success. He joins host Olivia Neal to share his lessons in building a learning culture across 220,000 employees, based in 115 different countries. Joe shares practical insights as well as perspectives on the neuroscience of learning and the role of AI, to help us keep up to date at a time when pace of change has never been quicker. ...
Published 07/18/24
Published 07/18/24
Ima Okonny is the Chief Data Officer at Employment and Social Development Canada. Ima leads work across the department of 40,000 people to better understand and use data to deliver services to Canadians. In this episode she joins host Olivia Neal to discuss foundational data platform approaches, responsible use of AI, and how she’s building data literacy right across the organization.  Click here for transcript of this episode.   Click here for the corresponding blog post for this...
Published 07/08/24
Lt. Gen. Alan Lynn (Ret.) is the former Commander of the US Defense Information Systems Agency. He began building his expertise in military communications early in his career, and this developed through roles which took him around the world, including NATO communications, peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, and communications for the US in the Pacific. Lt. Gen. Lynn joins guest host AT Ball to share his insights on establishing cyber as domain, the role of technology in collaboration and...
Published 06/20/24
Fabio Correa Xavier is the CIO of the Court of Accounts in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, and he has led his team to be early and enthusiastic adopters of Gen AI. The Court of Accounts oversees government spending of over $100bn, for the State which has a population of 44 million. It is critical that the people of São Paulo can trust how public funds are being used, and the Court of Accounts play a core role in ensuring this happens. In this episode, Fabio talks with host Olivia Neal to...
Published 05/30/24
As the former CIO for the City of Kelowna in Canada, Jazz Pabla led a small team charged with delivering digital services and meeting the developing needs of a growing city. He talks with host Olivia Neal to explore how the team used Generative AI to test new approaches to service delivery, to support developers, and to create a culture of innovation that attracts and keeps talented people. Click here for more information about the City of Kelowna and their conversation.  Click here for...
Published 04/18/24
Rich Corbridge is the Chief Digital and Information Officer for the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the UK’s biggest public service department with 100,000 employees, serving 20 million customers. Rich joins host Olivia Neal to discuss how DWP has been embedding approaches to accessibility, including by partnering with Microsoft to build the accessibility skills of their employees, which in turn helps them to support jobseekers with disabilities to better use technology in...
Published 03/07/24
Join host Olivia Neal as she meets Mary Odile Longard, the CEO of i-CITY. Marie Odile shares the approach that she and her team have taken to enable the digital transformation of the City of Brussels. She introduces BRUCE, the new omni-channel platform used by the city, explains the impact of this work on citizens and employees, as well as her lessons for others.  Click here for transcript of this episode.   Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn   Marie Odile Lognard [guest] | LinkedIn  ...
Published 02/29/24
Robyn Scott, the CEO and Co-founder of Apolitical joins host Olivia Neal as they discuss the findings of a new report on generative AI in the public sector. Using examples from Japan, Canada and Portugal, they explore the potential for generative AI to transform government operations. Robyn shares the lessons other public sector organizations can learn from these leading examples, and the ‘balance towards optimism’ of public servants.  Click here for transcript of this episode.   ...
Published 02/08/24
In this episode, guest host AT Ball interviews General Bob Brown, President of Association of the United States Army (AUSA), exploring the evolving role of digital tech in defense. The conversation emphasizes the impact of technologies like AI, cloud solutions, and collaboration across sectors. General Brown highlights the need for talent development and education, emphasizing AUSA's role in navigating the shift to a more digitally-driven military landscape. The episode provides valuable...
Published 11/20/23
Jonathan Cassar, the Chief Technology Officer and Head of Information Security at the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA), provides insights into global cybersecurity trends and their implications for the public sector. He discusses strategies to bolster cybersecurity in government and critical infrastructure, approaches to tackling the cybersecurity talent shortage, the integration of human expertise with technology to combat threats effectively, and best practices for automating...
Published 11/09/23
Sami Khoury is the Head of the Canadian Government’s Centre for Cyber Security. As Canada’s technical authority on cyber security, the team use their expertise to keep safe the information and systems that Canadians rely on, to protect and defend the country’s cyber assets and to lead Canada’s federal response to cybersecurity events.  Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn   Alvaro Vitta | LinkedIn Sami Khoury | LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and...
Published 10/26/23
Cybersecurity stands at the forefront of global concerns in a dynamic realm where technology constantly evolves. Recent advancements in generative AI have opened new avenues for both progress and peril. Guest host Alvaro Vitta and Tom Burt, Microsoft CVP of Customer Security and Trust at Microsoft, delve into the cybersecurity insights gleaned from the 2023 Microsoft Digital Defense Report (MDDR) and the pressing need for collaboration between public sectors and private industries to navigate...
Published 10/12/23
 India's digital transformation journey has relied on the power of strategic thinking, collaboration, and innovative solutions. Microsoft Digital ID lead Colleen Elliott and Dr. Pramod Varma, an expert in the field of digital public infrastructure and former Chief Architect of India’s Aadhar digital identity program, explore how India overcame significant challenges to pave the way for a thriving digital ecosystem and its digital identity program that has successfully covered more than 1.3...
Published 09/21/23
Join guest host Colleen Elliott as she engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Joseph Atick, Executive Chairman of ID4Africa. Together, they delve into the impactful work of ID4Africa, a pioneering movement dedicated to propelling digital identity adoption across the African continent. Explore their insights into the evolving landscape of identity in the age of digital innovation and its promising future. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  Colleen Elliott [guest host] | LinkedIn Dr....
Published 09/07/23
In this episode, host Olivia Neal talks with Dr. Sheila LeBlanc, Associate Vice President for Continuing Education at the University of Calgary. They explore the role of lifelong learning, how demands from students and local businesses are changing, and ways in which using data can improve student success. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  Dr. Sheila LeBlanc [guest] | LinkedIn University of Calgary Continuing Education Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and...
Published 06/29/23
Washington State is leading the way in using new technologies to engage students and build digital skills. In this episode, host Olivia Neal talks to Superintendent Chris Reykdal to learn how they have adopted programs like ‘Coding in Minecraft’ to build interest and excitement, and to develop the foundations for students’ future success. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  Chris Reykdal [guest] | LinkedIn Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Microsoft Public Sector...
Published 06/22/23
In this episode, host Olivia Neal talks to Her Excellency Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development of the Future in the United Arab Emirates. She explains how the UAE are approaching building digital skills at scale through their Jahiz platform, and why understanding digital needs to start from the top. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  HE Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi [guest] LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and transcripts of...
Published 06/15/23
In this episode, host Olivia Neal talks with Geoff Connell, the Chief Digital Officer for Norfolk County Council. He shares successful approaches for training and upskilling employees, building digital skillsets, and getting the most from your investment in technology. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  Geoff Connell [guest] | LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and transcripts of all episodes. Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at...
Published 05/11/23
In this episode, host Olivia Neal speaks with Ian Bell, CEO of the UK’s Police Digital Service. He offers an inside look into the role of the Police Digital Service and how it is harnessing the power of digital, data, and technology to enable UK policing to better protect the communities it serves. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  Ian Bell [guest] | LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and transcripts of all episodes Discover and follow other Microsoft...
Published 04/27/23
In this episode, host Olivia Neal speaks with Detective Sergeant John Price from the West Midlands Police Force in the United Kingdom. He shares insights from the world of digital forensics and how investigators are using technology to help victims more effectively in the modern age. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  John Price [guest] | LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and transcripts of all episodes Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at...
Published 04/20/23
In this episode, host Olivia Neal speaks to San Bernardino Fire Chief Dan Munsey. Chief Munsey is also Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Technology Council. He shares how embracing new technologies has brought opportunities to transform emergency response and help protect the two million residents of San Bernardino County. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  Dan Munsey [guest] | LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and transcripts of all...
Published 04/06/23
In this episode, guest host AT Ball speaks to Retired Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau, President of the Naval Postgraduate School. Rondeau offers an inside look into how defense organizations can adopt digital tools and adapt with emerging technology. AT Ball [host] | LinkedIn Ann E. Rondeau [guest] | LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and transcripts of all episodes Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at aka.ms/microsoft/podcasts
Published 02/23/23
In this episode, host Olivia Neal meets Professor Dennis Weber and Dr. Dennis Post. They share insights from the CPT research project, which outlines the impacts and opportunities for tax operations of emerging technologies such as cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  Dennis Post [guest] | LinkedIn Dennis Weber [guest] | LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and transcripts of all episodes Discover...
Published 02/16/23
In this episode, host Olivia Neal speaks to Gulsanna Mamediieva, of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. Gulsanna shares how the government has embraced digital transformation and digital identity, and how this has supported citizens during the war. Olivia Neal [host] | LinkedIn  Gulsanna Mamediieva [guest] | LinkedIn Microsoft Public Sector Center of Expertise for more information and transcripts of all episodes Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at...
Published 02/02/23