Gov. Gina M. Raimondo says your role will focus on opening up government and using data to solve problems. How do you interpret transparency when it comes to state governance?
Data is key to transparency. We need to be looking beyond just posting government data sets, to tools that empower citizens to use their own data in meaningful ways. For example, information from smart-grid technologies can help us see how much energy we’re using, or apps can help us plan a faster commute using public transportation. Data becomes meaningful when it helps citizens make more informed choices.
What will be your first foray into using data to solve a Rhode Island problem?
My focus at the moment is to develop the priorities for the Office of Innovation based on listening to citizens. Innovation is interesting in the sense that the best ideas often come from unexpected places – and rarely top-down.
What are your initial priorities?
Often the people closest to the problems have the best solutions. So we’re going to go through a process of “idea sourcing” and determine the priorities for the office based on what we learn. We will have a variety of ways to do that, including sharing ideas for innovation with us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/InnovateRI) and Twitter.
How will you use your office to attract talented staff to innovative roles in state government?
Recruiting top talent is critical to making government effective. … The top companies don’t just post a job description on a website and hope someone good applies – they actively recruit. Additionally, we need to create new ways to leverage individuals who want to make a difference but aren’t planning to make a career out of government service. When I was in [Washington,] D.C., I helped create a program called Presidential Innovation Fellows, where highly talented individuals from the private sector could spend a year or two working to tackle a specific challenge alongside career government employees.
How will your presence at Rhode Island College impact research and development opportunities around the state?
Being connected to a research institution is one of the most important elements of this new office. This signals a new approach to solving problems by working across traditional silos. •
