| Thank you for joining us for the 2026 Data Governance Summit! |
Thursday, May 21, 2026
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Utah Valley University, Sorensen Center, Grand Ballroom
Utah Office of Data Privacy
Department of Government Operations
Smith College of Engineering and Technology
Utah System of Higher Education
Utah League of Cities and Towns
Utah Association of Counties
Department of Workforce Services
Utah Office of Data Privacy
More coming soon!
This summit will include three tracks for various needs and specialties:
Leadership & CAO Guidance— Building the Business Case Designed for agency directors, Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), and key decision-makers, this track focuses on the economics and strategic resourcing of data governance. Sessions will tackle the reality of building mature privacy programs with limited leverage. Attendees will learn how to justify investments in crucial tech tools (like auto-redaction and data discovery), navigate the "No Budget, No Staff, No Leverage" hurdle, and define exact, measurable evidence to prove maturity levels to oversight bodies.
Best for executive directors, deputy directors, Chief Administrative Officers, division
directors, city and county executives, agency leadership teams, general counsel, and
others accountable for organizational compliance and program support.
This track is for leaders legally responsible for ensuring privacy and data governance
work inside their organizations.
Statewide Vision and Strategy — Exploring the Future of Data Governance and Privacy Preserving Technologies.
Best for legislators, policy advisors, executive branch strategists, government affairs
staff, state privacy leaders, legal counsel, and others shaping the future direction of privacy, data governance, and trusted digital services
in Utah.
This track explores how the State plans to protect citizen privacy rapidly advancing technologies, ensure government systems are efficient safe, and aligning records management requirements detailed across various statutes.
Operational Implementation — The Operational Playbook Designed for the "boots on the ground," this track dives into the daily workflows required to meet UGDPA and GRAMA standards. Focus areas include moving from theory to practice through the 'Records-First' Inventory Clinic (converting GRAMA records into actionable compliance maps), understanding Privacy Artifacts 101, and operationalizing data minimization. This track is all about increasing efficiency while maintaining compliance.
Best for privacy officers, records officers, IT managers, security staff, program
managers, project managers, administrative staff, compliance staff, legal support
staff, and other personnel responsible for carrying out day-to-day privacy and data governance work.
This track is built for the people doing the implementation.
Together, we’re not just solving technical challenges — we’re shaping the future of responsible government. Data Governance is Built Here.
Please check-in for the event at the registration table, located just outside the Grand Ballroom.
This keynote outlines Utah’s long-term vision for governing data in a way that balances privacy, transparency, and responsible use. It begins with a look at the end state Utah aims to achieve—one where individuals and communities trust that governmental entities manage data lawfully, securely, and with clear purpose. From there, the session will walk through the strategies shaping that journey, including the development of State Endorsed Digital Identity (SEDI), verifiable records, scalable data governance models, responsible AI use, and thoughtful approaches to automated decision-making. All governmental entities play a role in this effort. Achieving this shared vision will require coordination, experimentation, and steady progress over time. By working together, Utah can build systems that strengthen public trust, improve service delivery, and create lasting value for every community across the state.
Livestream Link: Coming Soon
 Welcome to the Summit! Justin Jones Executive Director, Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy Justin Jones has served as Executive Director of the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy since August 2021, overseeing the Institute’s operations, programs, fundraising, and partnerships. Prior to this role, he was UVU’s Senior Director of Donor Relations and Annual Giving, and earlier served as Chief of Staff to two university presidents, helping guide the transition to President Astrid S. Tuminez. Jones previously worked as Vice President of Public Policy and Communications for the Salt Lake Chamber, advocating for key issues at the state and federal level. His career also includes leading crisis communications at Rio Tinto Kennecott during the Bingham Canyon Mine collapse and holding strategic roles with the Utah Transit Authority, Utah County Health Department, and the administrations of Governors Michael O. Leavitt and Olene Walker.  Keynote: Utah's Data Governance Vision Christopher Bramwell Utah Chief Privacy Officer Christopher Bramwell serves as Utah’s Chief Privacy Officer and Director of the Office of Data Privacy, where he leads statewide efforts to modernize governance and balance of privacy, transparency, and use of data. He helped draft and implement the Government Data Privacy Act and is building tools and frameworks to support privacy programs across all levels of government. Christopher is also a father of three, an avid runner, and is currently building a cabin in the Utah mountains. |
This keynote panel builds on the vision presented in the preceding session by moving from long-term direction to practical strategy. Panelists will discuss the real policy steps being taken today to advance Utah’s data governance vision, including legislation, statewide programs, funding priorities, and cross-governmental entity coordination efforts.
The discussion will focus on how deliberate policy choices are creating the legal frameworks, governance models, and implementation pathways needed to move Utah governmental entities from vision to practice. By aligning leadership, resources, and partnerships, these efforts are laying the foundation for a future where Utahns can trust how their data is governed.
 Senator Kirk Cullimore Utah Senate Majority Leader, District 19 Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore was elected to the Utah Senate in 2018 and represents District 19, the southeast part of Salt Lake County and sections of northeast Utah County. He currently serves as the Majority Leader for the Senate Majority Caucus. Sen. Cullimore received an associate’s degree in music from Utah Valley University. He then served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines. After returning, he continued his education and received a bachelor’s degree in music from Brigham Young University. He subsequently taught music for six years and managed a music teaching studio. Sen. Cullimore then went on to pursue a law degree at the University of Oklahoma and began his law career in Oklahoma primarily in Federal Indian Law. He moved back to Utah and runs his own law practice focusing on general business representation, land use, water development and technology issues. |
 Marvin Dodge Executive Director, Utah Department of Government Operations Governor Spencer Cox appointed Marvin Dodge Executive Director of the Utah Department of Government Operations in April 2023. The department includes Administrative Rules, Archives & Records, Facilities Construction & Management, Finance, Fleet Services, Human Resources, Data Privacy, Purchasing & General Services, Risk Management, and Technology Services. Prior to his appointment with GovOps, Mr. Dodge served as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services at both Southern Utah University and Snow College. His service also included working for three Utah Governors including Michael O. Leavitt, Olene S. Walker, and Jon M. Huntsman Jr. in various assignments including: Deputy Executive Director of the Utah Department of Administrative Services, Chief Financial Officer for the Utah Department of Workforce Services, Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, Administrator for the Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council, and other administrative functions. |
 Representative Paul Cutler Utah House of Representatives, District 18 Paul Cutler was elected to the Utah State Legislature in 2022. He serves as Vice-Chair of the House Economic Development & Workforce Service Committee. He previous served 12 years as a Centerville Mayor & Councilman. Paul has a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Utah and an MBA from the Marriott School at Brigham Young University. When not debating legislation, he works as an Engineering Director for a global tech company, leading consulting teams that build and optimize massive scale wireless, optical, and data center networks for large service providers. |
This session provides a foundational overview of Utah’s State-Endorsed Digital Identity (SEDI) framework and the strategic vision behind establishing a common identity fabric across all governmental entities. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of what SEDI is, why it was created, and how it enables a consistent, interoperable approach to identity verification, authentication and other users across governmental entities
The session will explore how SEDI can help reduce fraud, eliminate duplicative identity systems, and improve operational efficiency, while providing a shared, secure toolset that entities can build upon to modernize services. It will also introduce key concepts such as user-controlled identity, privacy protections, and standards-based interoperability that underpin Utah’s approach.
Designed as an entry point, this session will equip participants with the knowledge needed to begin evaluating their current identity-related processes and preparing for how SEDI can be incorporated into identity verification, authentication, and broader service delivery within their organizations.
Location: Ragan Theater (see map)
Livestream Link: Coming Soon
Target Audience: Policymakers, executive leaders, and senior government professionals at both the state and local level who are focused on designing the future of privacy, data governance, and trusted digital services in Utah.
 Representative Kristen Chevrier Utah House of Representatives, District 54 Representative Kristen Chevrier began her service in the Utah legislature on January 1, 2025. She has dedicated over 30 years to Utah’s political process, as a leader in both local and state Republican Party leadership and as a strong legislative advocate–on a state and national level–for parental rights, informed consent, and data privacy. She co-founded a local informed consent advocacy organization that has been instrumental in educating legislators and policymakers over the past 11 years and in helping to pass legislation doctor/patient relationship, rein in agency authority, and protect and bolster informed consent. Kristen and her husband Brian raised their family in Utah and are grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of this great state.
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 George McEwan Utah Privacy Architect George serves as the Privacy Architect for the State of Utah within the Office of Data Privacy, leveraging extensive experience in technology and public service. Previously, he held key leadership positions, including Chief Strategy Officer for the Division of Technology Services and IT Director for the Department of Health during the pandemic. As a former Vice President of Engineering and Centerville City Councilman, George brings a unique blend of technical expertise and civic engagement. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is a seasoned storyteller, captivating audiences at state festivals with tales drawn from his experiences as a soldier, pilot, international traveler, and inventor.
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 Steven McCown Utah Privacy Commissioner Steven McCown is a seasoned technologist and privacy advocate, currently serving as a commissioner on the Utah Privacy Commission.With over 35 years of experience in software architecture, cybersecurity, and digital identity, he is also the Chief Architect at Anonyome Labs, a company focused on privacy-enhancing technologies.McCown has held leadership roles in organizations such as RFinity and TekStarts, and has contributed to national security initiatives during his tenure with the U.S. Air Force and Idaho National Laboratory. He actively participates in global privacy and identity standards development through his involvement with the Sovrin Foundation, Trust Over IP, and the Decentralized Identity Foundation. McCown holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University and resides in Mapleton, Utah.
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 Joe Jackson, Panel Moderator Utah Chief Technology Officer Joe Jackson brings a decade of public sector leadership to his current role as Chief Technology Officer for the State of Utah's Division of Technology Services. Throughout his career with Technology Services and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Joe has focused on providing government agencies with innovative technologies and accessible data. His approach blends practical technology and management experience with his academic background in biomedical engineering and business administration to drive efficiencies in public service delivery.
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Target Audience: Executive leaders responsible for building and sustaining organizational compliance, including Chief Administrative Officers, county commissioners, mayors, city managers, and other senior leaders at the state and local level legally responsible for privacy programs.
Elected officials and chief administrative officers are ultimately accountable for their entity’s data governance obligations. This leadership session is designed to provide a clear understanding of your responsibilities and the key actions required to set your entity up for success. Participants will learn the foundational steps leaders must take to establish direction, allocate resources, and ensure accountability. Without informed leadership and deliberate action, data governance programs will struggle to succeed.
Location: Center Stage (see map)
Livestream Link: Coming Soon
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Christopher Bramwell Utah Chief Privacy Officer Christopher Bramwell serves as Utah’s Chief Privacy Officer and Director of the Office of Data Privacy, where he leads statewide efforts to modernize governance and balance of privacy, transparency, and use of data. He helped draft and implement the Government Data Privacy Act and is building tools and frameworks to support privacy programs across all levels of government. Christopher is also a father of three, an avid runner, and is currently building a cabin in the Utah mountains.
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Target Audience: Staff implementing privacy and data governance requirements in their organizations, including privacy officers, records officers, IT staff, and other assigned support personnel.
Privacy and data governance programs often struggle to gain leadership support when they are viewed only as compliance obligations. This session focuses on demonstrating the return on investment (ROI) of privacy and data governance to both elected, appointed officials and the public. Participants will learn how to clearly communicate the value of privacy maturity—not just for legal compliance, but for operational efficiency, risk reduction, and responsible innovation.
Location: Sorensen Center 206 (see map)
Livestream Link: Coming Soon
 Jodi Shegrud Agency Information Privacy and Security Director, Department of Government Operations Bio coming soon. |
 Marilee Richins Deputy Executive Director, Department of Government Operations Bio coming soon. |
 Shanna Durrant Utah Department of Public Safety Bio coming soon. |
Located in the foyer just outside the Grand Ballroom, each sponsor will have a booth where you can learn about their mission, initiatives, and upcoming projects. It's a great opportunity to connect and explore what’s ahead!
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