What's Next for Digital Government? Look Beyond 'Silicon Valley Superheroes'

Much has been made of the federal government’s attempts to attract top-flight tech talent from Silicon Valley. Over the past few years, the Obama Administration has launched two teams of digital fixers -- the 18F team at the General Services Administration and the White House’s US Digital Service team -- staffed with Facebook, Google and Apple alumni. But the next phase of the strategy to inculcate innovative digital practices in the halls of government might be to focus on the smartest people already in the room.

“Right now, there's a lot of excitement about...superheroes from Silicon Valley,” said Susannah Fox, chief technology officer of the Department of Health and Human Services. But it’s also important to think about how to “build up the entrepreneurial skills from within the agency,” Fox added. “There are lots of people who have devoted their lives to public service who also have great ideas." Fox says both elements are important.