Greg Knaddison
Big Win:
Greg played a key role in evaluating and implementing the Google Apple Exposure Notification Express System (ENx) for Colorado's COVID-19 response. He enabled automated verification code delivery, which was a game-changing innovation because it resulted in 20 times more notifications being delivered daily. When considered at scale, this breakthrough potentially averted millions of COVID-19 cases worldwide when adopted by other states and countries. As part of embodying the CDS values of inclusivity and accessibility. Greg championed the adoption of real-time Spanish and sign language interpretation during the ENx press conferences,
Big Learning:
During his time at CDS, Greg gained a deeper understanding of the importance of psychological safety and vulnerability in fostering a successful team environment. This insight helped him overcome leadership challenges he had faced in previous roles and set him up for success in his subsequent position as Chief Technology Officer at the Morris Animal Foundation.
Advice:
"Absolutely take the chance and apply! While the experience was different than I imagined, it exceeded my expectations for personal development and the opportunity to make a difference. A key element to each of my engagements was being curious, open-minded, and humble: the opportunities and problems had a variety of unexpected constraints and root causes. I hope you do the same."
When asked about the strangest thing he learned about Colorado since joining CDS, Greg said: "I didn't understand how Colorado's cities and counties operate many programs separately from the state, creating a patchwork of practices and software that vary depending on where a Coloradan is located."
You’ve been granted a superpower to fix one bureaucratic process with a snap of your fingers. What do you fix? Benefits enrollment! I’d love for people who need support to be able to get it without trouble.
Ploy Buraparate
Big Win:
Ploy stepped up to serve as Acting Director of the Colorado Digital Service for six months while the Director was on parental leave. During her tenure, she successfully maintained the team's momentum, ensured its functionality, and even improved its capabilities. Under her leadership, CDS continued to deepen its impact and extend its reach across other agencies and the public.
Big Learning:
Ploy learned that the challenges in government technology work do not magically get easier, but individuals get better at navigating them. She discovered the concept of the "Groan Zone" - the period it takes to become proficient in public technology work. Ploy found that over time, as one passes through more Groan Zones, they become better at navigating them and the process becomes less painful.
Advice:
"Ask for help when you need it. There are people for you to vent to. There are so many people to go to for mentorship and advice. Ask for air cover, ask for resources, and advocate for what you need. Ensuring you can deliver something good to many members of the public is a heavy task. It is one you never need to carry alone."
When asked about Groan Zones:
"For CDS and teams with our model to survive we need to try to find ways to help minimize the time it takes to get out of the Groan Zone with the hopes that it helps more people to clear the bar and get back up again faster. For me, the founding team worked to document as much as they could, tell their stories, and create loud and visible impact and that helped to minimize my own time in the Groan Zone. The more people you clear through the Groan Zone, the more allies you have in the war of minimizing administrative burdens in the delivery of government services. And over my time in this work, I have seen so much growth in resources, partnerships, and communities to help you get back up again. "
Janell Schafer Cody
Big Win:
Janell built a team of almost 60 people from a mix of OIT contractors, temporary contractors, and staff, and achieved a major turnaround in Colorado's behavioral health technology performance. In previous years, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), a major funder accounting for over 60% of the BHA’s work, had classified the BHA’s performance in technology as among the worst in the nation. Janell built and led a team to successfully address the state's historically poor standing in this area, achieving recognition as one of the nation's strongest tech and data teams, according to their SAMHSA auditor. This accomplishment demonstrates strong leadership and effective execution in the face of a significant challenge. This year Governor Polis awarded Janell with Statewide Outstanding Public Service Award in recognition of her strategies to advance the behavioral health technology ecosystem in Colorado
Big Learning:
As the adage in digital government states, "Every challenge in digital government is ultimately a procurement challenge." Early in her career, Janell recognized the importance of using procurement not as a regulatory hurdle, but as a strategic lever for change. She discovered that by investing time in gaining a deep and nuanced understanding of historical standards, legal frameworks, and interpersonal dynamics, she could leverage this knowledge to design groundbreaking solutions that were previously thought to be impossible. The results? Janell has saved governments an estimated $450 million through her innovative procurement strategies for infrastructure and technology.
Advice:
Janell’s advice to people looking to make system change is rooted in user-centricity, “we need to meet people where they’re at, not just tell them where they need to end up” she explains,”it’s about crawling down into the canyon with them, not shouting from the other side.”