2022 NAGW National Conference Speakers

Aaron Ogle is a Technical Program Manager at Google.org. He manages Google.org's Fellowship program, which offers full-time pro bono support for nonprofits and civic entities. He has collectively managed dozens of projects supporting these organizations in using technology to advance their missions. 

Ms. Batts-Latson manages the DINFOS PAVILION website and teaches graphic and web design at Frederick Community College. 

As the self-titled, super teacher "HappieTeach" and masked superhero "BattyLatty" she `fights crimes against design one learner at a time.`

I have been working with and supporting Governments for the past 6 years and have been our Director of Support & Knowledge for the last 3 and specialize in helping governments realize their ideal outcomes in going digital and paperless

Brian has been serving businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities since he founded interGen web solutions in 2006. He has a strong interest in integrating diverse data sources into an intuitive user experience, providing robust hosting environments, and matching business needs with effective solutions.

Chris is a lead web developer at Chesterfield County, Virginia, where he advances innovative digital engagement initiatives on the eGovernment Services team. Chris earned his bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Design from Winthrop University and has spent over nine years developing data-driven user experience solutions in local government, leading to over 20 awards and distinctions, including the Virginia Governor's Technology Award for Best Citizen Portal and being recognized as an Overall Government Experience Winner by the Center for Digital Government.

Connor McFadden is an award-winning cinematographer, photographer & editor working in Atlanta, Georgia. Raised in Philadelphia, he began making short films at age seven and in 2014 he graduated with honors from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV/Film and a concentration in New Media. Connor's corporate video work ranges from local small businesses to $10 billion corporations. Additionally, he has lensed short films, music videos, interviews, and visual art projects.

David Herr has been working in the accessibility industry for over 10 years, focused on document accessibility after a long career in IT. He earned his CPACC from IAAP and often is a speaker at CSUN and many other accessibility conferences. Currently, he is the Vice-President of Enterprise Solutions at CommonLook where he works with clients and partners on solutions for document accessibility across their organizations.

Don Torrez has worked with more than 350 local governments to better understand web accessibility and how to best comply with laws and guidelines. 

Don is a Certified Accessibility Coordinator with the ADA and has produced webinars and white papers in the US and Australia.  He also has written a training curriculum on Web Accessibility and speaks out for greater awareness in electronic disability issues.  His vision is to remove the fear and confusion from this issue.

Erin Hattersley is a Program Manager at Google.org.  Together, with Rasmi Elasmar, they manage Google.org’s Fellowship program, which offers full-time pro bono support for nonprofits and civic entities. They have collectively managed dozens of projects supporting these organizations in using technology to advance their missions.

Gregg is the Director of Innovation and Insights for Larimer County, Colorado & Mountain Region Director for NAGW. Gregg is also CCGCIO certified, as well as a Certified Government Digital Service Professional (CGDSP).

Ms. Buge currently leads digital media and communication efforts for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Hadiza provides digital media oversight in both web technologies and web communication to other divisions in ATF. In her current position, Hadiza oversees the development of agency policy to incorporate communication activities across, print, web, and audiovisual products and delivers guidance to other non-communication staff on communication products.

Prior to ATF, Hadiza led the crisis communication team on Ebola in West Africa and the web communication in the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation and Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention where she created and provided oversight for social media accounts, managed the websites (including writing and editing content) and also served as the division’s SharePoint administrator facilitating many user-centered web redesigns, several preventions, and awareness campaigns, and creating and implementing an award-winning DHAP web request system allowing for streamlining and better managing of the content.  

She led agency-wide collaboration efforts and created and/or contributed to the creation of several manuals regarding digital processes that allow for institutional knowledge to be shared. She has created and helped lead the implementation of social media plans for three divisions and was a pioneering member of the team that led the first social media campaign at CDC.  Hadiza has won center, agency and department, and other industry awards for her work.  

Before her time at CDC, Hadiza worked as an International Assignment Editor/Producer for CNN International and CNN USA.

Harish founded Interpersonal Frequency with a vision of creating a unique software development firm dedicated to empowering public organizations and government municipalities with high-end, modern digital technologies. Combining his real-world expertise in civic technology, management, and digital marketing with a passion for data-driven tools and processes, he is always seeking new ways to bring user experience and engagement to the fore.

Harish developed Interpersonal Frequency's innovative Voice of Citizen and Voice of Patron analytics platform to gather data that enables us to analyze user paths and feedback, recognize gaps, drive client business solutions, and broaden online capabilities. Today, over 17 million people are supported by this technology. 

Heather Shirm currently works as Digital Marketing and Communications Manager for Palm Beach County. Her team oversees content for the county's Internet and Intranet websites as well as all social media outlets.  She is responsible for writing and updating the official county social media policy and for archiving all social media posts. In 2015, her social media policy won the first-ever GSMCON Golden Post Award for Best Government Social Media Policy.

John has worked in web development since 2000, in roles including design, coding, usability, and accessibility. He thrives on the challenge of facilitating delightful, engaging experiences for aural and visual users alike. He holds a master's in information science from the University of Michigan School of Information, an undergraduate degree in mass communications from Goddard College, and a CPACC certification from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.

Formerly a National Politics Producer and news designer at the Washington Post, Ken was a key player in designing some of the Post’s most impactful and historic coverage, including the election and inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2008 and the Virginia Tech Mass Shooting in 2007 which won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. Ken is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Known for her dynamic presentations and infectious enthusiasm, Kirsti has more than a decade of experience developing innovative strategies to match content needs of all shapes and sizes. Her interdisciplinary background in museum education, training, and content strategy and her experience managing large libraries of online content has honed her knack for educating in engaging ways and creating processes that stick. 

A creative analytic with focus areas of product innovation, project management, UX/UI, content development and analysis, communication ethics, data-driven decision making, and multi-channel marketing, Lauren has cross-industry experience as a communications and content professional having worked in the public sector, non-profits, higher education, and local government. She has a deep love of storytelling in all its various mediums and forms.

The lead content analyst for Chesterfield County, Virginia's Information System Technology eGovernment Services team, she is an advocate for accessible and meaningful content and human-centered design. This Spider Ram holds a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communications Studies, Philosophy, and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies from the University of Richmond and a Master of Product Innovation from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Luke specializes in working with city, county, and state governments on how to use technology to increase resident engagement and create more accessible and inclusive web and digital services. Luke was part of the U.S. founding team of OpenCities, which is now part of Granicus’s Government Experience Cloud. He also was a leader at the national nonprofit Code for America where he launched and grew the organization’s PeerNetwork, connecting hundreds of government innovators to share best practices.

CGDSP with 20+ years working on the web, 16+ years in Local government, and is currently working as a Solution Architect for the City of Fayetteville North Carolina

Monica Grover is an FBI public affairs specialist with 10 years of digital communication experience.

She creates and edits content for the Bureau's web and social media teams. She also manages the FBI's award-winning podcast series Inside the FBI.

Monica has a passion for plain language and loves her newfound role in telling stories in audio form!

NeKeisha Philippeaux is Web Communications Specialist who has over 10 years of service with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). She is currently the Acting Branch Chief of the Web Media Branch. She oversees the maintenance of ATF.gov, ATF en Espanol, the bureau's digital memorial, digital signage system and more. She has received awards for her outstanding work and continues to make strides in the digital communications realm.

Rachael Taft joined Manatee County Government in April 2017, coming from a background in journalism, PR, and marketing in the private and nonprofit sectors. She manages the County's website and social media, works across departments to develop new digital tools to help serve the public, and assists with a variety of communications initiatives as part of the Information Outreach team. An avid traveler, Rachael lived in eight different states and countries before choosing Florida as her home.

Rasmi Elasmar is a Technical Program Manager at Google.org. Together, with Erin Hattersley, they manage Google.org’s Fellowship program, which offers full-time pro bono support for nonprofits and civic entities. They have collectively managed dozens of projects supporting these organizations in using technology to advance their missions.

Scott has more than a decade of experience in leading and implementing multi-level programs and strategies leveraging the ever-changing digital landscape. His interest in digital transformation began in collegiate athletics where he led the launch of the CAA Digital Network -- a driver in building sports exposure, sponsorship assets, and league-wide coverage. A career path change led him into public service but did not alter his vision for digital transformation. Since arriving at Olathe, Scott has guided the City through a strategic and phased change in digital content/service delivery and continues to look for ways to transform the customer experience.