Program Overview
Established under Executive Order N-30-25 to modernize California state government through internal talent — practitioners embedded across agencies to drive measurable outcomes in efficiency, service delivery, and customer experience.
Health & Human Services Agency
| Fellow | Department |
|---|---|
| Henri Aghaei Baradaran | Dept. of Developmental Services |
| Bryanna McAdams | Dept. of Child Support Services |
| Kattya Trinh | Office of Technology & Solutions Integration |
Henri Aghaei Baradaran
Research Data Analyst, Research and Data Analytics Branch
Dept. of Developmental Services · Health & Human Services
- Over a decade of data analysis experience across insurance, energy, and public sectors
- Technical proficiency in SQL, Tableau, Power BI, and Python
- Translates complex data into actionable insights for DDS programs serving 500,000+ Californians
Bryanna McAdams
Manager, Office of Strategic Planning — Program Innovation Unit
Dept. of Child Support Services · Health & Human Services
- 13+ years providing child support services at county and state levels
- Developed programs supporting military, incarcerated, and housing-insecure parents
- Applies behavioral economics principles to enhance the customer experience
Kattya Trinh
All-Hazards Dashboard Product Owner & CalHHS GIS Administrator
Office of Technology & Solutions Integration · Health & Human Services
- Led the All-Hazards Dashboard to national NASCIO recognition (2023)
- Cloud-based real-time tool covering floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and power shutoffs
- Background in emergency management, IT, and public sector innovation
Natural Resources Agency
| Fellow | Department |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Betancourt | Natural Resources Agency |
| Nikki Hatcher | Dept. of Water Resources |
Elizabeth Betancourt
Natural and Working Lands Policy Advisor
Natural Resources Agency · Natural Resources
- Two decades of engagement with California's resource challenges
- MS Watershed Science (Colorado State), BS Environmental Biology (UC Davis)
- Invited by the National Academy of Sciences to present on DOE policy priorities
Nikki Hatcher
Contracts & Procurement Services Branch Manager
Dept. of Water Resources · Natural Resources
- 17 years of state acquisition experience in IT and non-IT contracting
- Leads DWR's 5% Contract Reduction Pilot — increasing efficiency and reducing spend
- Recognized throughout state government as a go-to procurement expert
Transportation Agency
| Fellow | Department |
|---|---|
| Ben Bressette | Caltrans, Research Division |
| Liyuan Guo | Dept. of Motor Vehicles |
| Lt. Marc Peachey | California Highway Patrol |
Ben Bressette
Chief of Planning, Policy, and Program Development
Caltrans, Research Division · Transportation
- Economics and urban planning background
- Manages the Caltrans Innovation Program — supporting technology adoption across districts
- Expertise in performance-based planning, asset management, and transit data standards
Liyuan Guo
Equal Employment Opportunity Officer
Dept. of Motor Vehicles · Transportation
- Leads equity, fairness, and accessibility efforts across one of California's largest departments
- Previous experience in HR within the Office of Civil Rights and Resolution
- Focused on improving service delivery for underserved communities
Lt. Marc Peachey
Assistant Special Representative to the Legislature
California Highway Patrol · Transportation
- 17+ years with CHP — assignments from Redwood City to Donner Pass
- 10 years on CHP's Special Response Team, responding to disasters and civil unrest
- Former Ernst & Young financial services — bridges private and public sectors
Government Operations Agency
| Fellow | Department |
|---|---|
| Lorna Brisco | Dept. of General Services |
| Jennifer Uyeda Issertell | Dept. of Technology |
| Jeremiah Oakden | Dept. of Tax & Fee Administration |
Lorna Brisco
Chief, Office of Training and Administrative Services
Dept. of General Services · Government Operations
- 30+ years in California state government
- Experience across DGS, FI$Cal, Victim Compensation Board, and Dept. of Public Health
- Specializes in strategic planning, IT project management, and system design
Jennifer Uyeda Issertell
Deputy Transformation Officer & Assistant Deputy Director
Dept. of Technology · Government Operations
- Oversees the Technology Stabilization Fund — mitigating risks to critical state services
- During COVID: led contact tracing, vaccine management, and the EDD Strike Team
- Established blueprint for EDD improvements, reimagining technology for job seekers
Jeremiah Oakden
Business Taxes Administrator III
Dept. of Tax & Fee Administration · Government Operations
- 20 years dedicated to improving customer service and tax compliance processes
- Manages compliance and audit programs in Sacramento, Stockton, and Redding
- Encourages experimentation across teams: "Yes, let's try it out"
Environmental Protection Agency
| Fellow | Department |
|---|---|
| Kannan Krishnan | OEHHA |
| Christina Marin-Fitzhugh | Air Resources Board |
| Brent Vanderburgh | State Water Resources Control Board |
Kannan Krishnan
Assistant Deputy Director for Scientific Programs
OEHHA · Environmental Protection
- Toxicologist with leadership in academia, private sector, and non-profit research
- Launched OEHHA's transformational effort to embrace modern scientific assessment methods
- Driving faster, more responsive chemical assessment for California regulatory needs
Christina Marin-Fitzhugh
Branch Chief, Human Resources / Personnel Officer
Air Resources Board · Environmental Protection
- 25+ years of dedicated California state service
- Expertise spanning HR, contracts, budgets, and health & safety
- Fosters cross-departmental connections that drive efficiency and excellence
Brent Vanderburgh
Project Director, UPWARD Initiative
State Water Resources Control Board · Environmental Protection
- 16+ years at SWRCB — recognized expert in government innovation and geospatial data
- Leads the $60M UPWARD initiative including $43M CalWATRS system modernization
- Making ~40,000 water rights publicly accessible for the first time via interactive mapping
Military Department
| Fellow | Department |
|---|---|
| SMSgt Blake E. Carter | CA Air National Guard |
| Jai London | California Military Department |
| SSgt Kelton Pisano | California Military Department |
SMSgt Blake E. Carter
Personnel Information Management Technician, Air Division
CA Air National Guard · Military Department
- Created the A1 Connect platform — revolutionizing action item processing across California
- Established the first-ever CA Air National Guard Wing Collaboration meeting (5 Wings)
- Drives organizational effectiveness through strategic technology integration
Jai London
Services Procurement Supervisor
California Military Department · Military Department
- IT services and contracts specialist adapting CMD to updated procurement rules
- Leading CMD's procurement model restructuring into a centralized approach
- Navigating new generative AI compliance regulations and evolving security standards
SSgt Kelton Pisano
Emergency Finance Travel & Fi$Cal NCO
California Military Department · Military Department
- Expert in data analysis and Power BI
- Creating automatic dashboards tracking wildfire firefighting costs statewide
- Reducing workload for finance staff managing emergency expenditures
Corrections & Rehabilitation
| Fellow | Department |
|---|---|
| Samantha Kissane | CDCR — Office of Internal Affairs |
| Chris Siino | CDCR — Facility Operations |
Samantha Kissane
Chief, Centralized Screening Team, Office of Internal Affairs
CDCR · Corrections & Rehabilitation
- 17+ years at CDCR in executive leadership across HR, operations, and statewide programs
- Led major initiatives in policy development, program activation, and operational reform
- Fosters meaningful collaboration across CDCR's complex correctional system
Chris Siino
Associate Warden, Level III Operations
CDCR · Corrections & Rehabilitation
- Career progression from Correctional Officer at San Quentin to Associate Warden at Solano
- Special Assistant to the Deputy Director of Facility Operations
- Led comprehensive revamp of staff misconduct policy and institution-wide reform
Governor's Office Entities
| Fellow | Department |
|---|---|
| Molly Linares | California Volunteers |
| Will Robinson | Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation |
Molly Linares
Deputy Director, Digital Design and Delivery
California Volunteers · Office of the Governor
- Built digital infrastructure for #CaliforniansForAll connecting people to volunteer opportunities
- Implemented ServiceForce database supporting the Alumni Network
- Co-launched the inaugural Women of Color LeadStrong Fellowship at LeaderSpring Center
Will Robinson
Legislative Director
Office of Land Use & Climate Innovation · Governor's Office
- 14+ years of state service across multiple levels of California government
- Key roles establishing climate, equity, and community-focused policy at LCI
- Previous legislative roles at Caltrans, High-Speed Rail Authority, and the Governor's Office
Program Leadership
30+ years of state service. Former Secretary of GovOps and State CIO. Leads efficiency and GenAI implementation across California government.
Pioneer of agile procurement and human-centered design. Former Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission. Key figure in transforming CA's approach to IT modernization.
Founded CalAcademy (2024), training 5,000+ state employees in innovation skills. 20+ years in education. Oversees Governor's Innovation Fellows program.
21 Fellows. 9 Agencies. One Mission.
Modernizing California state government through the people who know it best.
Governor's Innovation Fellowship — Cohort 1 · February 2026