Through its weekly hacknights and BetaTalks, BetaNYC hosts events to demystify government, data, technology, and design. For our last BetaTalk of 2014, we introduce Minerva Tantoco, New York City’s FIRST Chief Technology Officer, to New York City’s civic technology community.
“There is a great opportunity in New York City for government and the tech community to work together to challenge the status quo and improve people’s lives. I’m honored to join the de Blasio administration and look forward to working with City agencies to transform our government – and our city – with technology and innovation.” – Chief Technology Officer Minerva Tantoco, Sept 9 2014
Almost four years ago at New Work City, we hosted a town hall and welcomed the City’s First Chief Digital Officer. One year ago, we launched the People’s Guide to a Digital New York City. Within this resident-driven civic technology roadmap, the community outlined 31 policy initiatives. Our sixth recommendation was the strengthening of the City’s technology leadership. With the appointment of Mrs. Tantoco and the development of the City’s Office of Technology and Innovation, we get exactly that!
The BetaNYC community is excited to host this historic event. In preparation, the community crowdsourced a list questions. Starting with her initial interest in technology, to future initiatives around Government IT talent, infrastructure, and open data, New Yorkers passionate about the future will have an unprecedented opportunity to engage directly with the City’s new technology leadership.
At 7:00 PM Wednesday evening, with the generous support of Microsoft New York, tune into the Twitter hashtag #nycCTO and follow the conversation. Thanks to the Internet Society of New York, we will record the proceedings and share them in the days to come.