Signature Speaking Topics

Headlines often celebrate the triumphs of data-driven government, but they rarely reveal the reality of the journey: the bureaucratic hurdles, the political battles, and the daily grind of turning a bold vision into an operational reality. This is that story. In this candid and unvarnished keynote, Josh Martin takes you "in the trenches" of his decade-long career transforming Indiana into the nation’s preeminent leader in data analytics. From his early days as a program director fighting for efficiency projects to his role as the state's first Chief Data Officer managing a $10M+ operation and leading the state's data response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he shares the raw, real-world lessons that can only be learned through experience.

In today's government, data isn't just a byproduct of operations; it's a core strategic asset. Yet for many leaders, the path from possessing massive amounts of data to generating real-world value is blocked by organizational silos, technical debt, and a culture of risk aversion. This session moves beyond theory to deliver a proven, battle-tested blueprint for establishing enterprise-wide data strategy and governance. Drawing on a decade of experience building the nation's leading state data analytics hub from the ground up, Josh Martin provides an executive-level guide for transforming data from a fragmented liability into your state's most powerful engine for efficiency, innovation, and trust.ion text goes here

What do a Fortune 500 company and a state government have in common? They are both massive, complex enterprises struggling to turn siloed data into a clear competitive advantage. While the goals may differ—profit vs. public good—the fundamental challenges of strategy, governance, technology, and culture are identical. This session offers a unique perspective from a leader who successfully executed a data transformation in arguably the most complex environment of all: an entire state. As the architect of Indiana’s nationally acclaimed data enterprise, Josh Martin shares a battle-hardened playbook that is directly applicable to any large corporation seeking to break down silos, build trust, and unlock the true ROI of their data assets.cription

Every state agency sits on a mountain of valuable data. The trillion-dollar question is how to connect it. For decades, government has been hamstrung by data silos—technical and political barriers that prevent collaboration and hide critical insights. This session provides the definitive playbook for dismantling those silos. Drawing from his direct experience building a fully integrated, enterprise-level data hub from the ground up, Josh Martin provides a step-by-step guide for leaders ready to architect a modern data enterprise. He details the strategic, technical, and governance moves required to connect disparate systems, foster true cross-agency synergy, and build a unified data ecosystem that serves the entire state.ption text goes here

Artificial Intelligence is no longer science fiction; it is rapidly becoming a reality in public service. While the potential for AI to improve efficiency, service delivery, and decision-making is immense, the risks—from algorithmic bias to privacy erosion and loss of public trust—are equally significant. For government leaders, navigating this landscape isn't just a technical challenge, it's an ethical imperative. This session provides a clear, pragmatic framework for responsible AI adoption. As a leader who oversaw the creation of state-level AI policies and guidance, Josh Martin demystifies the hype and offers a balanced approach for harnessing the power of AI while safeguarding public trust, ensuring fairness, and maintaining accountability.scription

Many government agencies have invested heavily in data technology—dashboards, visualization tools, and data warehouses. Yet, many still struggle to see a meaningful change in how decisions are made. The reason? A data-driven culture is not built with software; it’s built with people. This session goes beyond the technology to address the most critical and challenging part of any data transformation: the human element. Drawing on his experience launching a statewide data proficiency program that empowered over 4,000 state employees, Josh Martin shares a powerful change management playbook for fostering a true data-driven culture. He provides practical strategies for building data literacy at all levels, breaking down fear of data, and embedding data-informed thinking into the daily rhythm of government.cription text goes here

What does it truly take to lead a data revolution inside government? This keynote offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the journey of transforming a state into a nationally recognized data and analytics leader. As Indiana’s Chief Data Officer, Josh Martin navigated the immense political, organizational, and technical challenges to build a world-class data enterprise. In this session, he shares the hard-won lessons, strategic pivots, and leadership principles that were critical to his success. From securing the initial executive mandate to scaling an organization to 50+ staff and a $10M budget, this is the inside story of what works, what doesn't, and what's next in the future of data-driven government.escription