Liana Bailey-Crimmins: Profile Overview
Role: State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director, California Department of Technology
Journey & Achievements:
- Liana Bailey-Crimmins has been instrumental in guiding California through various technological and cybersecurity advancements.
- As a leader, she has shown resilience and adaptability, overcoming challenges and celebrating successes in her tenure.
- Her role involves a significant focus on improving the lives of Californians through technology, indicating her dedication to public service and innovation.
Insights on Tech Leadership:
- Leading in government technology requires balancing innovation with maintaining security and privacy.
- A key part of her leadership involves navigating complex issues such as cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital transformation.
- She has demonstrated a commitment to leveraging technology to enhance public services and improve operational efficiency.
Future Goals & Projects:
- Bailey-Crimmins likely aims to continue advancing California’s technology infrastructure, focusing on areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital equity.
- Her future goals may include further integration of emerging technologies to improve government services and citizen engagement.
- She might also prioritize fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within the CDT and across government agencies.
Profile:
Liana Bailey-Crimmins, the State CIO of California and Director of the California Department of Technology (CDT), is a dynamic leader in the field of government technology, with a clear focus on people-centric approaches and innovative solutions. Appointed in June 2022, Bailey-Crimmins brought over 30 years of experience in state government technology to her role.
Her leadership philosophy, “People first, security always,” reflects her commitment to prioritizing the needs of both the state’s residents and her team. This approach is central to her strategy in managing the vast technological landscape of California. Bailey-Crimmins has a keen interest in cybersecurity, ensuring that the state’s technology infrastructure is secure and resilient against evolving threats. Under her guidance, the CDT has focused on enhancing cybersecurity training and capabilities, recognizing the critical nature of safeguarding California’s digital assets against malicious activities.
Bailey-Crimmins has also been instrumental in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities in various areas such as employee training, procurement reform, and technology funding. One significant initiative is the Technology Modernization Fund, a $25 million grant program established in 2021. This fund targets smaller, high-value IT projects to rapidly improve digital state services and enhance the security of California’s digital government. The fund demonstrates her emphasis on agile solutions and rapid service delivery.
During her tenure, she has overseen the development of a new state Technology Modernization Fund support model, bypassing traditional funding models to enable more immediate and impactful technological advancements. This model signifies a shift towards a more agile and responsive approach to technology management in the state.
Bailey-Crimmins also plays a pivotal role in the state’s broadband initiatives, particularly the “Broadband for All” program. This program reflects California’s commitment to closing the digital divide and highlights the essential role of broadband in providing vital services and opportunities. The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, a significant part of this program, involves a $6.5 billion investment to create a 10,000-mile broadband network, ensuring high-speed connectivity for all Californians.
In terms of workforce development, she has been focusing on capitalizing on the recent tech industry layoffs to bolster state government recruitment. Recognizing the opportunity to recruit from a pool of highly skilled technologists and leaders who have been laid off from the private sector, Bailey-Crimmins views California state government as a potential destination employer for the next generation of tech professionals.
Her approach to technology modernization includes focusing on incremental wins and creative solutions that allow for continuous modernization without being hindered by budget constraints. This approach emphasizes the importance of ongoing progress and adaptation in government technology.
In addition to her focus on technology, Bailey-Crimmins is committed to addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the state IT workforce. Noting the relatively low representation of women in the state IT workforce, she is keen on encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM fields, seeing this as essential for the future of technology leadership in the state.
Bailey-Crimmins’s leadership in the California Department of Technology exemplifies a blend of strategic vision, innovation, and a deep commitment to public service. Her focus on cybersecurity, workforce development, and technology modernization, along with her efforts to close the digital divide and foster diversity in the tech workforce, positions her as a transformative leader in government technology.
For more detailed insights and updates on her initiatives and achievements, you can explore the California Department of Technology’s website, which provides updates and insights into her initiatives and the department’s progress.
