Just returned from the NASCIO 2025 Mid-Year Conference in Philadelphia, and there’s a lot to unpack. In this episode of Thriving in Ambiguity, I delve into the key takeaways from the event, shedding light on the evolving landscape of state IT leadership.

Key Highlights:

• Cybersecurity remains the top priority for state CIOs, marking its 12th consecutive year at the forefront. Despite its prominence, discussions at the conference revealed a surprising lack of dedicated sessions on the topic, prompting questions about the depth of engagement on this critical issue.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surged to the second spot in CIO priorities, reflecting its growing influence in state IT strategies. Sessions emphasized the transition of AI from experimental to essential, with a focus on data quality and governance as foundational elements for successful implementation.
• Digital Identity initiatives are gaining traction, yet concerns about privacy and data management persist. The debate centers on balancing the convenience of digital IDs with the imperative to protect citizen data from potential misuse.
• Workforce Modernization is a pressing concern, with states exploring innovative approaches to bridge skill gaps. Notably, Pennsylvania’s pilot programs demonstrate the potential of AI in streamlining processes and enhancing training for a vast workforce.
• Legacy System Modernization is underway, but challenges remain. States are grappling with the complexities of updating outdated infrastructures while ensuring continuity of services.
• Enterprise Architecture Standards are being leveraged to maximize productivity and cost savings. States like Michigan and Utah are leading the way in implementing standards that streamline IT operations and enhance service delivery.

Tune in for an in-depth analysis of these topics and more, as we explore the current state and future direction of state IT leadership.

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💬 Engage with us: Share your thoughts on the evolving priorities of state CIOs and the implications for public sector innovation.

#NASCIO2025 #StateCIO #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalIdentity #WorkforceModernization #LegacySystems #EnterpriseArchitecture #PublicSectorInnovation

A tragedy no school ever expects — and the hard lessons we learned too late.

In this episode of Thriving in Ambiguity, I share the real story behind a crisis at Howard High School that changed everything. As the IT Director at the time, I thought we were ready. We weren’t. And today, I’m revealing what we got wrong — and what you must get right before it’s too late.

In this episode:

• Why the best technology isn’t enough without real-world training
• How social media misinformation made everything worse
• Critical actions to take before an emergency strikes
• How to prepare your leadership, IT, and PR teams for a true crisis

If you’re a school leader, IT director, or anyone responsible for student safety, these lessons could save lives — and careers.

Don’t wait for tragedy. Prepare today.

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📢 Share this episode with a colleague — the conversation could make all the difference.

#SchoolSafety #CrisisManagement #LeadershipUnderPressure #ThrivingInAmbiguity #EmergencyPreparedness #PublicSectorLeadership

AI isn’t just disrupting industries—it’s coming for companies that move too slow.

In this no-fluff episode of Thriving in Ambiguity, I sit down with AI strategist and keynote speaker Chris Carr to pull back the curtain on what’s really happening behind the scenes with generative AI. Spoiler: it’s not a “someday” problem. It’s a right now problem.

Here’s what we break down:

• How companies are quietly using AI to do 40 hours of work in under 5 minutes

• Why “pilot mode” is just a polite way of falling behind

• The rise of AI agents, memory, and autonomous decision-making

• How deepfakes, voice clones, and synthetic avatars are already reshaping HR, sales, and customer support

• Real-world use cases for AI in hiring, onboarding, sales strategy, and even preserving your legacy

• The simple framework to start building AI into your business—safely and strategically

This isn’t theory. This is happening. Right now.

And companies that fail to act? They’re handing the market to the ones who will.

📍 Hosted by Steve Mancini, HPE Solutions Advisor & host of Thriving in Ambiguity

📣 Don’t forget to subscribe, drop a comment, and share if this hit home.

🚨 Shadow AI is here—and it’s not just a buzzword. Employees are bypassing IT to use generative AI tools in secret, often exposing sensitive data in the process. In this episode of Thriving in Ambiguity, Steve Mancini breaks down what Shadow AI is, why it’s exploding, and what organizations can do to get ahead of it.

👉 Featuring insights from AI strategist Chris Carr and real-world stories from the field.

🔒 Learn how to secure your AI future before it’s too late.

🔧 Explore how private AI models like HPE’s “AI in a box” can change the game.

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that bell so you never miss a breakdown.

In Episode 10 of Thriving in Ambiguity, I sit down with Jason Hebbe, former Deputy CIO for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to talk shop about what it really takes to lead IT in state government.

We cover everything from:

• Multi-cloud strategies that actually work
• How to rein in rogue tools across agencies
• Why partnerships fail (and how to fix them)
• Smarter ways to navigate RFPs and procurement
• Building trust to avoid shadow IT
• Where AI and cybersecurity are headed in public sector tech

Jason brings over 30 years of IT experience to the mic, and this one is packed with insight you can use immediately.

Time

Topic

0:00:00

Intro + Jason Hebbe’s Public Sector Journey

0:03:28

Motivation Behind Serving in Government IT

0:06:56

Aligning Technology with Business Needs

0:09:42

Streamlining Statewide IT and Tool Consolidation

0:12:29

Driving Communication and Change Across Agencies

0:15:15

Avoiding Shadow IT Through Inclusion

0:16:38

Enterprise Contracts and Budget Optimization

0:18:43

Avoiding RFPs with Smarter Procurement

0:20:48

Best Practices for Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Strategies

0:25:39

Cloud Native vs. Lift-and-Shift

0:29:07

How Partners Can Bring Real Value

0:33:59

The Role of Cybersecurity and AI Over the Next 5 Years

0:38:08

Clean Data and Governance for AI Success

0:43:00

Final Thoughts and Career Advice from Jason Hebbe

In this episode of Thriving in Ambiguity, I sit down with Mike Shelborn from HPE’s Zerto team to talk about how state and local government agencies can radically rethink disaster recovery and ransomware resilience.

We break down:

✅ Why traditional backup isn’t cutting it anymore

✅ What Continuous Data Protection (CDP) actually means

✅ How Zerto helps agencies recover in minutes — not days

✅ Real-world examples from the public sector

✅ How Zerto fits into hybrid cloud and “Cloud Smart” strategies

If you’re an IT leader navigating legacy tech, tight budgets, or increasing cyber threats, this episode is a must-watch.

👉 Ready to explore Zerto for your agency? Reach out and let’s talk.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on public sector tech, leadership, and staying ahead in a world of constant change.

We all know Siri kinda sucks—but what if your AI could actually get things done for you, without even asking? That’s the promise of agentic AI, and it’s not sci-fi anymore.

In this episode of Thriving in Ambiguity, host Steve Mancini breaks down how agentic AI takes things to the next level—planning, reasoning, and acting autonomously. From NVIDIA’s push to make it mainstream, to real-world examples in healthcare, customer service, and beyond—this is your guide to the next big leap in AI.

No fluff, just real talk on how AI is about to stop answering questions—and start solving problems.

Join Steve Mancini on Thriving in Ambiguity as he breaks down how HPE Private Cloud Business Edition (PCBE) and HPE VM Essentials can simplify your VMware environment—or even replace it. Discover how HPE’s disaggregated hardware design lowers licensing costs, and see why the GreenLake Cloud Console is a game-changer for unified management across networking, servers, storage, and more. If you’re curious about alternatives after Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, or just want a streamlined private cloud option, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• Disaggregated hardware benefits

• HPE Alletra MP and 100% data availability

• Side-by-side VMware and VM Essentials deployments

• GreenLake Cloud Console’s unified management

• PCBE as a fully managed service (Private Cloud Enterprise)

Action Items:

• Check out HPE GreenLake for demos

• Request a cost assessment

• Reach out to an HPE rep or partner for deeper insights

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