A coalition of former government officials announced the launch of the California Center for Government Innovation (CCGI), a nonprofit innovation hub focused on modernizing California government program delivery through human-centered design, common-sense approaches, and emerging technologies.

Led by three former gubernatorial appointees with decades of experience spanning three California governors, the new organization will host activities and conduct research to help inform new strategies for driving meaningful innovation in California government. With a unique background in government and a history of balancing daily operational demands with the thriving industry ecosystem in California, the group is creating a resource for current officials to explore new ideas driven by the state in a brand-neutral way.

Principals include Marybel Batjer, who served as California’s first Secretary of the Government Operations Agency, has served in the cabinet of three governors, and was most recently the president of the California Public Utilities Commission, Michael Wilkening, former California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary, who later served as advisor to Governor Newsom on innovation and digital services, and Keely Bosler, who served as cabinet secretary for Governor Brown and was director of the California Department of Finance in both the Brown and Newsom Administrations.

“While progress has been made over the past decade to modernize the way state government partners with the private sector to upgrade technology systems, numerous challenges remain, especially with the rapid pace of technological innovation,” said Marybel Batjer. “The CCGI will serve as a safe place to design and explore new approaches to delivering government services.”

The CCGI is being launched as a public benefit nonprofit (501c3) and will strive to be a center of excellence and leadership, where new applications and guiding policies around program design and technology can be developed between government officials, industry experts, philanthropy and academia to enhance government delivery. Uniquely, the center will focus on program-level problem statements that maintain the dialogue at a practical level, aiming for outcomes independent of any given technology or process.

“I am excited to support government initiatives that improve the lives of Californians through thoughtful program delivery design and the practical application of new digital technologies,” said Keely Bosler.

“We plan to host an innovation lab for state leaders to consider the art of the possible, designed as a safe space for industry and government leaders to collaborate and share knowledge,” said Michael Wilkening. “The lab will explore improving government services through technology and process modernization, separated from the pressure of sales and other distractions.”

In consultation with California’s state technology leaders, the CCGI was developed over a period of months as part of last year’s Forum on Emerging Technologies, hosted by TechCA, which will provide administrative support to the new organization and serve as a liaison to the technology industry in California. The CCGI will be engaging with philanthropic organizations as potential partners for this initiative.

As an independent entity, the CCGI will host meetings and seminars, conduct research, and provide administrative services for initiatives designed to modernize government. The CCGI is based in Sacramento.