Jess Berrellez

My passion for and study of digital equity led me to working at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) where I am the Executive Officer in the Office of Digital Transformation (ODT). I helped to establish ODT and, as a member of the executive team managing technology and data services at FDA, I work closely with the CIO to shape the agency’s technology strategy. The agency's role is broad and deep; FDA products touch every aspect of our lives. The magnitude of this mission continues to inspire me 13 years later. As we continue to innovate in the federal health tech space, we unlock new ways to address societal challenges and build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

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My vision is to build the best technology workforce and workplace in government, and I believe we will get there. A key part of accomplishing this is ensuring that the federal workforce represents the diversity of our communities. Latinas represent less than 1 percent of leaders in tech. We are also significantly underrepresented in the federal workforce, particularly at the senior executive level. I want to see this change throughout my career. Inspiring and supporting students and early career professionals is integral to my journey. I've received national recognition for my educational equity volunteer work. My proudest public service career milestone is founding the aimHI Summer Incubator Program for diverse high school students. I'm honored to play a small role in growing the next generation of technology professionals and public servants.

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