Join the Emerging Technology Community of Interest for our next membership meeting on July 9, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET. This live webinar will be hosted by the IoT Working Group.
Title: Smart Infrastructure at Scale: Building Trusted and Connected Communities Through IoT and AI
Description
Smart infrastructure is no longer simply about connected devices — it is about securely integrating IoT, AI, data, governance, and operational systems to build trusted, resilient, and intelligent ecosystems that improve how cities, communities, municipalities, and critical infrastructure operate and serve people.
Hosted by ACT-IAC’s Emerging Technology Community of Interest (ET COI) and the IoT Smart Infrastructure Working Group, this live webcast brings together leaders from government, industry, and municipal innovation environments to explore how smart cities and connected infrastructure initiatives are evolving from isolated pilots to scalable modernization efforts that drive operational resilience, citizen services, public trust, and community impact.
Panelists will discuss real-world use cases and transformational initiatives spanning cybersecurity and governance, blockchain-enabled civic modernization, AI-enabled operational ecosystems, and trusted digital infrastructure. The conversation will also explore opportunities and challenges related to interoperability, workforce readiness, operatio al trust, and scaling modernization across increasingly connected environments.
Grounded in evolving national technology roadmaps and modernization strategies, this discussion will emphasize how Government, Industry, and Academia can collaborate to enable trusted, intelligent infrastructure ecosystems of the future.
Moderator
- Pete Tseronis, Founder, Dots and Bridges
Panelists
- Ann Mehra, Board Advisor, Fulton Bank
- Charmyne Cyr, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Department of State
- Ebony Thompson, City Solicitor, City of Baltimore
- Cara Rose, Director of Workplace and Collaboration Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer, NASA
Objectives
- Explore how IoT, AI, blockchain, and connected infrastructure ecosystems are transforming Smart Cities, public services, operational resilience, and community outcomes.
- Examine how governance, cybersecurity, interoperability, operational trust, and AI risk management are shaping the future of connected modernization initiatives.
- Highlight real-world operational exemplars and lessons learned associated with scaling Smart Infrastructure beyond isolated pilots.
- Discuss how Government, Industry, Academia, and municipalities collaborate to operationalize trusted and intelligent infrastructure ecosystems.
- Reinforce the importance of community-centered modernization, workforce readiness, and citizen impact within Smart Infrastructure initiatives.
Speaker Bios
Pete Tseronis is the Founder of Dots and Bridges®, a strategic advisory and thought-leadership platform dedicated to connecting people, ideas, and institutions across government, industry, and academia to advance mission-driven innovation and public-good outcomes. Through Dots and Bridges®, Pete designs and leads trusted convening spaces, such as the Bits, Bites, and Insights® newsletter and a storytelling-focused YouTube channel, that highlight the people and programs shaping the future of technology, infrastructure, and society. His work humanizes complex challenges, translates emerging technologies, and promotes honest, cross-sector dialogue that boosts collaboration, trust, and action. Pete brings more than 30 years of leadership at the intersection of technology, policy, and operations, including 25 years in the U.S. federal government. Beginning at the Pentagon, he rose to the Senior Executive Service, serving under four presidential administrations, three Cabinet-level departments, and the Executive Office of the President. He was appointed Chief Technology Officer at both the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Education, where he led enterprise-scale modernization initiatives in highly regulated, mission-critical environments spanning critical infrastructure sectors, advanced analytics, cyber-physical systems, and citizen services. Today, Pete is a trusted advisor, strategist, and ecosystem builder, working with federal and state agencies, national laboratories, technology providers, investors, and academic institutions to turn innovation into scalable, secure, and sustainable results. He serves on several Strategic Advisory Boards, where organizations draw on his experience to navigate digital transformation, reduce infrastructure and supply chain risks, and responsibly adopt advanced capabilities, especially in Smart and Secure Cities/Communities. A defining hallmark of Pete’s work is his commitment to modernizing, transforming, and innovating digital, physical, and social infrastructure. His approach emphasizes risk management, operational trust, and long-term resilience, enabling the delivery of public, private, and hybrid services more efficiently, securely, and equitably. Industry leaders frequently cite his ability to simplify complexity, align diverse stakeholders, and bridge policy, technology, and mission execution as a key differentiator. In recognition of his leadership and impact, Pete has been named one of the “10 Most Influential CEOs to Watch” and a recipient of the “2026 Engage Fed Citizen Services 150.” Pete holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Villanova University and a Master of Science in Information and Telecommunications Systems from Johns Hopkins University.
Ann Mehra serves on the board of Fulton Financial, a $34 billion Lancaster-based financial institution. She was nominated by the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs and appointed by Congress as an Industry Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, helping develop the bipartisan Internet of Things strategy. Since 2019, Ann has been a Technical Advisor to the U.S. Defense Health Agency, pioneering virtual critical care for rural hospitals to prevent pandemics and disasters. With over 25 years of strategy and IT experience in public-private partnerships, she now works with leaders to ensure America’s dominance in Critical and Emerging Technologies, including UAS, minerals, space, and smart cities. She led healthcare and safety verticals at CA Technologies (Broadcom) and Splunk (Cisco), and at Sun Microsystems (Oracle), where she grew revenue from hundreds of millions to billions, building a regional partner ecosystem. Ann has built large enterprise programs for civilian and defense agencies, grew up in Northern Virginia, graduated from George Washington University and Harvard, and is an AI Executive Scholar at MIT. She is a Six Sigma Green Belt, council member of Mid-Tier Advocacy, and advises startups LedgerDomain, Styra, and Inventwood.
Charmyne Cyr is the Chief Information Security Officer for the State Department’s Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (R), guiding cybersecurity, data governance, AI risk management, cloud strategy, incident response, and IT governance across a $160M global portfolio. She develops governance frameworks for data and AI risk, advances R’s AI/ML strategy, and strengthens security programs supporting global operations. Currently on detail to the Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Technology as Acting Project Portfolio Manager, she aids enterprise-wide technology modernization, application governance, and digital solutions. Previously, she held senior roles, including Senior Technical Advisor and Strategic Information Security Officer, managing IT portfolios, automation, cybersecurity, and risk management, as well as overseeing over $2.7 billion in IT investments. Charmyne has a master’s in technology management and graduate certificates in CIO Leadership, Information Strategy, Digital Transformation, and Global IT Leadership. A U.S. Army veteran, she brings a security-focused, innovative approach to public service. Originally from Southern California, she and her family live in Northern Virginia, enjoying the beach and outdoors.
Ebony Thompson On January 29, 2024, Ebony M. Thompson was sworn in as Baltimore's first woman and openly gay City Solicitor, following unanimous City Council confirmation. She advises the Mayor, City Council, and others on legal matters. Her prior roles include Deputy and Acting City Solicitor. At the Law Department, her efforts secured more than $266 million from McKesson and AmerisourceBergen in Baltimore's opioid epidemic case, bringing total restitution to more than $668.5 million. She has advanced efforts on vacant housing, blockchain land records, and legal reforms, including a pilot program to record property deeds on a blockchain, making Baltimore the first U.S. city to do so. She's ensuring the Police Department’s compliance with a 2017 DOJ consent decree, achieving full compliance in two areas. She has also initiated lawsuits against ATF, Hyundai, and Kia, and drafted new consumer protection laws. During her tenure, she served as Interim Chief of Staff for the Mayor, overseeing legislative, communications, and constituent affairs, including reducing squeegee-related crime by 85%. Her career began at Venable LLP, where she specialized in complex legal matters. She earned her JD from the University of Baltimore with honors, along with degrees from Brown University and American InterContinental University, plus a MIT blockchain program. Recognized as a Rising Star and Ones to Watch, she served eight years as a U.S. Marine Reservist and holds securities licenses. A Baltimore native, she lives nearby with her three daughters.
Cara Rose is the Director of Workplace and Collaboration Services in the Office of the Chief Information Officer at NASA, where she leads teams that deliver secure, user-centered, and scalable digital services that enable mission success and deliver outstanding customer experiences across the agency. Her portfolio focuses on modernizing collaboration capabilities and equipping NASA’s workforce with intuitive, reliable tools that support innovation and operational excellence. Before joining NASA, Cara spent nearly 21 years at the Social Security Administration (SSA), where she held a series of increasingly senior leadership roles. Most recently, she served as Deputy Associate Commissioner in the Office of Analytics and Improvement, leading efforts to translate data into actionable insights that inform enterprise decision-making. Earlier roles within SSA’s CIO organization included leadership positions in Enterprise Architecture, where she advanced large-scale modernization initiatives, and Director of Digital Services in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, where she used technology and data to deliver innovative services and foster culture change aligned with organizational goals. Cara’s experience also includes budget management, vendor oversight, and IT project management, providing a broad perspective on delivering complex technology programs in large federal environments. A native of the Baltimore, Maryland, area, Cara lives there with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
United States