Meet the first cohort of the Governor’s Innovation Fellows.
Henri Aghaei Baradaran
Research Data Analyst, Research and Data Analytics Branch
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
California Health and Human Services Agency
Henri has over a decade of experience in data analysis. He worked in the insurance industry and at an energy management company as a data analyst. He is proficient in Excel, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, and Python. He specializes in turning complex data into actionable insights to support effective decision-making and improve public services.
Elizabeth Betancourt
Natural and Working Lands Policy Advisor
Department of Water Resources (DWR)
California Natural Resources Agency
Elizabeth provides leadership and advisement on critical policy issues like the energy transition and economic development. With over a decade of experience in state government and complementary experience in the local and federal government, as well as the private sector, she adeptly navigates complex and politically sensitive matters. Her leadership in the bioeconomy and alternative fuels contributes to the state’s success in meeting its climate goals. Her contributions have been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences, which recently invited her to present at a panel informing the U.S. Department of Energy’s priorities. In her private life, she operates a farm-based program supporting at-promise youth develop life skills and transition to adulthood.
Ben Bressette
Chief of Planning, Policy, and Program Development Office
Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
California State Transportation Agency
Ben leads the Planning, Policy, and Program Development Office in Caltrans’ Research Division. His team works on policy and planning research, public transportation studies, research programming, and data analysis. He also manages the Caltrans Innovation Program, helping districts and divisions adopt new technologies and build a culture of innovation through training and support. With a background in economics and urban planning, his career focuses on developing strategies and programs that improve government effectiveness in transportation—ranging from performance-based planning and asset management to setting data standards for the transit industry.
Lorna Brisco
Chief of the Office of Training and Administrative Services
Department of General Services (DGS)
Government Operations Agency
Lorna is a seasoned executive with over 30 years in state government, specializing in business system analysis and client relationships. She has worked at various departments including the Department of FI$Cal, Victim Compensation Board, Department of Public Health, and State Compensation Insurance Fund. She excels in strategic planning; policy management; and disability, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. She had a strong background in IT project management, system design, and implementation.
Senior Master Sergeant Blake E. Carter
Personnel Information Management Technician, Air Division
California Air National Guard
California Military Department (CMD)
Blake constantly demonstrates exceptional innovation through technical and organizational initiatives that transformed the Air Staff’s effectiveness. His innovative spirit fueled the creation of the A1 Connect platform, revolutionizing action item processing and enhancing multi-department productivity through improved data management and transparency across California. These efforts culminated in establishing the first-ever CA ANG Wing Collaboration meeting. It created an unprecedented inter-wing cooperation framework that set new organizational standards across 5 Wings. Through deep systems analysis, he routinely identifies inefficiencies and implements innovative workflow optimizations across multiple units, eliminating administrative bottlenecks and generating significant time savings. These innovations have transformed organizational effectiveness through strategic technology integration, cross-functional collaboration, advanced data analytics, and systematic process improvement.
Liyuan Guo
Equal Employment Opportunity Officer
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
California State Transportation Agency
Liyuan leads efforts to promote equity, fairness, and accessibility across one of the state’s largest departments. She is proud to be part of DMV, which has made big strides in modernization in recent years. In that same spirit, she implemented innovative ideas and led initiatives to improve operational efficiency both in her current role in the Office of Civil Rights and Resolution and previous roles in the human resources field. She joined the Governor’s Innovation Fellows because she believes innovation is at the heart of the Golden State. She believes that to better serve Californians, public servants need to take the initiative to lead changes in how California delivers services, especially for communities that have been underserved or overlooked. She is excited to collaborate with other Fellows across departments and fields to innovate and create meaningful impact.
Nikki Hatcher
Contracts and Procurement Services Branch Manager, Division of Business Services
Department of Water Resources (DWR)
California Natural Resources Agency
Nikki is a seasoned manager with 17 years of state acquisition experience in all areas of contracting and procurement, including IT and non-IT. She develops and oversees procurement and contracting material and training to ensure DWR is educated and compliant with the laws, rules, and regulations governing state acquisition. In alignment with her passion for innovation, she was instrumental in the development of, and is currently leading, DWR’s 5% Contract Reduction Pilot Project. This is an effort to increase efficiency in contract use as well as reducing overall contract spending by 5%. Her vast depth of knowledge, leadership ability, drive for process improvement, innovative spirit, and willingness to share her expertise has made her a much sought-after resource throughout the state. She is eager to contribute her valuable expertise and competencies to continue to improve processes across state government.
Jennifer Uyeda Issertell
Deputy Transformation Officer and Assistant Deputy Director
California Department of Technology (CDT)
Government Operations Agency
Jennifer oversees the Technology Stabilization Fund and leads efforts to proactively identify and mitigate risks to the stability and performance of critical state services. She partners with state entities to stabilize and enhance service delivery, ensuring resilience and effectiveness in technology systems across state government. During the COVID-19 pandemic and California’s emergency response efforts, Jennifer was mission-tasked to the Government Operations Agency. She led key initiatives in contact tracing, vaccine management and distribution, and public health response. She was also the project manager for the Employment Development Department (EDD) Strike Team. They were tasked with establishing a blueprint for improvements at EDD, including the reimagining of their technology systems to improve customer experience.
Samantha Kissane
Chief, Centralized Screening Team, Office of Internal Affairs
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
With over 17 years of experience at CDCR, Samantha has served in multiple executive leadership roles overseeing Human Resources, Business Services, Institutional Operations, and statewide programs. She led major initiatives in policy development, program activation, and operational reform while fostering collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Her career reflects a commitment to public service, organizational effectiveness, and leadership across CDCR’s complex correctional system.
Kannan Krishnan
Assistant Deputy Director for Scientific Programs
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
California Environmental Protection Agency
A toxicologist by training, Kannan held managerial and leadership roles in academia, the private sector, and a non-profit research organization before joining OEHHA in 2021. He was instrumental in getting OEHHA’s transformational effort underway to embrace new scientific methods to assess chemicals of importance to California in a timely manner. He loves all forms of snow sports and bird watching, while also collecting and painting traditional dolls for storytelling.
Molly Linares
Deputy Director, Digital Design and Delivery
California Volunteers
Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement
Molly has worked with California Volunteers for 4 years. She started as an Email Manager supporting the #CaliforniansForAll initiative to connect Californians to volunteer opportunities across the state. Previously, she served as a Digital Integration Specialist where she assisted in implementation of California Volunteer’s database, ServiceForce, to support the Alumni Network. Before joining California Volunteers, Molly was a Program Coordinator for LeaderSpring Center. She helped launch the inaugural Women of Color LeadStrong Fellowship, which brings together Women of Color leaders in the nonprofit sector. In her free time, Molly enjoys running and hanging out with her 9 pound chihuahua, Michi.
Jai London
Services Procurement Supervisor
California Military Department (CMD)
Jai specializes in IT services and contracts. She is an adaptive innovator who continues to find solutions in the increasingly complex framework of IT procurement. She has been on the front lines as CMD adapts to updated rules for IT and non-IT services, including new generative AI compliance regulations and security standards. She is also supporting the expansion and re-structuring of CMD’s procurement model into a centralized approach. With Executive Order N-30-25’s aim of simplifying IT project approval and streamline procurement practices, she is excited to join the Fellow and help develop innovative, people-centered solutions that can truly benefit the lives of Californians.
Christina Marin-Fitzhugh
Branch Chief, Human Resources
California Air Resources Board (CARB)
California Environmental Protection Agency
Christina brings over 25 years of dedicated state service to her role as Personnel Officer at CARB. With a diverse background spanning Human Resources, Contracts, Budgets, and Health and Safety, she offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in public service administration. She is excited to join the Governor’s Innovation Fellows, where she looks forward to sharing her extensive expertise and engaging in meaningful collaboration with peers across departments. She is eager to contribute to innovative solutions and foster connections that drive efficiency and excellence in state government.
Bryanna McAdams
Manager, Office of Strategic Planning, Program Innovation Unit
Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)
California Health and Human Services Agency
Bryanna has worked in California providing child support services at the county and state level for over 13 years. She led the development of programs and partnerships to better support parents in several specialized populations including: military and veteran; current or formerly incarcerated; unsheltered or experiencing housing instability; and struggling with substance abuse, mental health disorders, or other disabilities. In 2020, she moved to DCSS where she currently oversees the Office of Strategic Planning – Program Innovation Unit. She leads her team in developing and implementing California’s Strategic Plan, developing automated forms and workflows streamlining internal and customer-facing processes, using principles of behavioral economics to enhance customer experience, and facilitating business sprints to develop solutions to large and small organizational concerns. She lives in sunny San Diego with her partner, daughter, and their incredibly pampered pups.
Jeremiah Oakden
Business Taxes Administrator III
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
Government Operations Agency
Jeremiah manages the compliance and audit programs in the Sacramento, Stockton, and Redding field offices. He began his career with the Board of Equalization and spent the last 20 years committed to improving customer service, tax compliance processes, and the overall taxpayer experience. In the office, he can be found talking to team members about their day-to-day experiences, asking how we can do better, and saying things like, “Yes, let’s try it out.” At home, he spends time attending youth sporting events and chauffeuring teenagers back and forth from practices.
Lieutenant Marc Peachey
Lieutenant
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
California State Transportation Agency
Marc has been with CHP for over 17 years. His assignments included Redwood City, Truckee, Quincy, and the Donner Pass Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility. He served on CHP’s Special Response Team for over 10 years. He responded to natural disasters and civil unrest throughout the state. In addition to his field assignments, he was a sergeant in the Office of Inspector General and currently serves as the Assistant Special Representative to the Legislature. Before joining CHP, he worked at Ernst & Young LLP for almost 5 years within a specialized revenue assurance group. He looks forward to being a Fellow and sharing his unique perspective as law enforcement and a member of CHP.
Staff Sergeant Kelton Pisano
Emergency Finance Travel and Fi$Cal specialist
California Military Department (CMD)
Kelton works for CMD as the Emergency Finance Section Reimbursement and Fi$Cal NCO. He uses his skills in data and tools like Power BI to make processes faster and easier for the organization. Right now, he is creating automatic dashboards that track wildfire firefighting costs. These dashboards cut down on repetitive data requests and reduce workload.
Will Robinson
Legislative Director
Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI)
With over 14 years of state service across multiple levels of California government, Will oversees LCI’s broad legislative portfolio. During his tenure, he played key roles in the establishment of new climate, equity, and community focused policy bodies and functions in the department. Before his time at LCI, he held multiple legislative roles at the California Department of Transportation and the California High-Speed Rail Authority, as well as various positions in the Office of the Governor of California. Throughout his career he has focused on complex and impactful policy spaces, demonstrating leadership in bringing emerging policy needs together with the state’s legislative functions.
Chris Siino
Associate Warden
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
Chris began his career in 2008 as a Correctional Officer at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC). Chris was promoted to Correctional Sergeant and Correctional Lieutenant while at SQRC. In 2022, Chris was promoted to Captain with the Female Offender Programs and Services/Specialized Housing unit at CDCR Headquarters, which oversaw multiple institutions and Statewide Visiting. While a Captain, he served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Director of Facility Operations and assisted with the revamp of the staff misconduct policy. In 2024, he was promoted to Associate Warden of the Level III Operations at California State Prison, Solano.
Kattya Trinh
All-Hazards Dashboard Product Owner / CalHHS GIS Enterprise Agreement Administrator
Office of Technology and Solutions Integration (OTSI)
California Health and Human Services Agency
With a background in public sector innovation, emergency management, information technology, and finance, Kattya brings deep experience delivering people-centered, data-driven solutions that are lean, purposeful, and built for impact. A servant leader known for turning complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies, she is highly regarded for her strategic mindset, collaborative spirit, and strong negotiation skills, qualities that consistently build trust and alignment across agencies and teams. Under her leadership, the All-Hazards Dashboard earned national recognition from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers in October 2023 for its innovative data and visualization approach that enhances effectiveness and efficiency in emergency management. Her leadership is grounded in a simple motto: People first. Purpose always. Progress together.
Brent Vanderburgh
Project Director, UPWARD Initiative
California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
California Environmental Protection Agency
Brent is the Project Director for the Updating Water Rights Data for California (UPWARD) initiative. He leads a section of scientists, engineers, and analysts dedicated to modernizing the data processes and technology that power California’s Water Rights priority system. With over 16 years of experience at State Water SWRCB, he specializes in enhancing government efficiency by developing innovative data processes for various programs. Recognized for his expertise in government innovation and geospatial data acquisition and management, he has influenced modernization efforts across multiple programs and divisions, helping to establish a more efficient, data-driven, and transparent future for SWRCB.