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This panel will dive into Governor Inslee’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence. Part of the EO’s focus is on the benefits and transformational effects AI can have on state government delivery of services to Washington residents while also considering the risks and impacts on communities. This panel will explore the development and implementation of work directed by the Executive Order. Join experts from the fields of technology and public policy as they examine the impact of this order on public trust, responsible AI, and the future of AI governance.
Katy Ruckle
State Chief Privacy Officer
WaTech
Katy Ruckle was appointed as Washington state's Chief Privacy Officer in 2020. Since then, Katy has published Washington's foundational privacy principles and launched statewide training on privacy and data protection for public employees. In 2023, Katy received the Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award for her privacy leadership in the state. In 2024, Katy earned two national leadership awards: GovTech’s Top 25 Doer, Dreamer, and Drivers, and StateScoop’s Top 50. Currently, Katy serves as co-chair to the State’s AI Community of Practice and published guidance for public procurement of automated decision systems. Katy is also leading work on the Governor’s Executive Order on AI and serves as the appointed representative from WaTech on the AGO AI Task Force.
In previous roles, Katy created and directed the privacy program at the state's Department of Social and Health Services -- overseeing public records, records management, legal discovery, and HIPAA compliance. Before that she served as the agency’s Contracts Counsel, advising on complex contract and procurement issues regarding health care and technology.
Katy is a licensed attorney and was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 2005. She also holds certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) in US privacy law (CIPP/US) and privacy program management (CIPM) and is recognized as a Fellow of Information Privacy from the IAPP. She presently serves as an officer on the board of the Washington Government Lawyers Bar Association and volunteers as a mediator at the Pierce County Center for Dialog and Resolution. She has worked for Washington state since 2006.
Nick Stowe
State Chief Technology Officer
WaTech
Nick Stowe was appointed WaTech’s state Chief Technology Officer in March 2023. As the CTO, Nick is responsible for setting the technological vision for the state of Washington and driving forward transformational technology initiatives to improve the delivery of services to residents.
Nick oversees the Architecture and Innovation Division (AID) at WaTech, which is comprised of enterprise architecture, enterprise cloud computing, geospatial information systems, and data management programs. He also co-chairs Washington state’s AI Community of Practice. All of the programs within AID are focused on enabling agencies to improve information sharing and using technology to improve the way the state delivers services to Washingtonians.
Nick, who joined WaTech in June 2021 as the state’s Chief Enterprise Architect, brings 15 years of architecture and technology IT experience to his new role. Prior to working at WaTech, Nick served as the CIO for both the Department of Commerce and the Employment Security Department.
Tavares Terry
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Director
WaTech
As WaTech's Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tavares leads the charge in making sure DEI principles are woven into every corner of the agency. Before taking on this role, he was the Director of Communications, Government, and External Relations at the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), where he juggled a wide range of responsibilities, from legislative outreach to equity and inclusion, labor relations, public disclosure, accessibility, and even emergency risk management. Tavares earned his Master’s in Public Administration from The Evergreen State College.
Joe Wilcox
Career Pathways Manager
Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board
Joe is the Career Pathways Manager at Washington’s Workforce Training Board, where he has worked since 2018. He is primary areas of focus include managing federal career and technical education (CTE) programs including the Carl D Perkins funding, along with special project management, workforce policy development and implementation, analyzing Future of Work and artificial intelligence implications for business and workers, legislative support activities, and other related activities.
Prior to taking a position at the Workforce Training Board, Joe worked as a business analyst and journalist for 13 years in dozens of countries around the world, having researched and reported on a wide range of industries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
