TAG-Ed

TAG Tech Workforce & Legislative Summit

Innovate, Educate, Legislate

July 24th, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM

 

Join us on July 24th at Troutman Strategies as we bring Georgia’s top minds together to explore pressing issues facing the tech workforce, as well as the policies needed to drive innovation and economic growth. Attendees can expect to gain insights into key legislative initiatives impacting the industry and will have the opportunity to network with government representatives and technology leaders.

This annual event enables dialogue between leaders in Georgia’s tech workforce and legislators, addressing critical challenges and opportunities in technology employment, education, and policy development.

 

Event Highlights: 

  • Insights into Georgia’s computer science graduation requirement
  • Panels featuring state leaders, educators, and tech professionals
  • Aligning education with skills demanded in the workforce
  • How apprenticeships can build skilled talent pipelines

The Problem

The TAG Tech Workforce & Legislative Summit addresses critical issues such as workforce shortages in the tech sector, challenges in education, and the need for policy reform to foster innovation and economic growth. The event brings together Georgia’s tech workforce leaders and legislators to discuss legislative initiatives, workforce development strategies, and the role of technology in shaping the state’s future economy.

 

Workforce Talent Gap

  • With Georgia projected to create an additional 100,000 jobs by 2033, our event focuses on how the workforce to meet this demand. As new jobs emerge, the gap between available skilled talent and employer needs will widen if workforce development doesn’t keep pace.

Legislative Visibility

  • Many are unfamiliar with our legislature’s policymaking agenda, particularly in the tech sector, resulting in limited awareness of their efforts to address workforce challenges.

 

 

Our Solution

 

Educational Alignment

  • The event brings together educators and industry leaders to discuss aligning educational programs with the skills demanded by the tech sector. This ensures that graduates are job-ready and can seamlessly transition into the workforce.

Workforce Development

  • Georgia employers are increasingly adopting skills-based hiring practices, removing barriers to employment. This approach focuses on the competencies of candidates rather than traditional credentials, thereby widening the talent pool and addressing workforce shortages.

Innovation and Creativity

  • The event fosters dialogue between tech professionals and legislators, highlighting policies that promote innovation and economic growth. Attendees gain insights into legislative initiatives affecting the industry and can network with government representatives to influence future tech policies.

 

 

2025 TAG Tech Workforce & Legislative Speakers and Panelists

Tech Workforce Speakers

Donna Ennis

Donna Ennis

Associate VP - Georgia AIM

Stephen Kamanũ Ichatha

Stephen Kamanũ Ichatha

Senior Program Manager - Google

Beverly Wright

Beverly Wright

VP Data Science & AI - Wavicle

Panelists: Legislative Innovation for Georgia’s Tech Future

Arlene Beckles

Arlene Beckles

Georgia State Representative - District 96

Bethany Ballard

Bethany Ballard

Georgia State Representative - District 147

Michael Caldwell

Michael Caldwell

Mayor of Woodstock, GA

Brad Thomas

Brad Thomas

Georgia State Representative - District 21

Panelists: Building Georgia’s Tech Workforce Ecosystem

Moderator: Noelle London

Moderator: Noelle London

Founder & CEO - Illoominus

Charlinda Catchings

Charlinda Catchings

Business Management Lead, Collaboration Center - Cisco

Justin Haight

Justin Haight

Director, Talent Partnerships - Metro Atlanta Chamber

LaShaun Solomon

LaShaun Solomon

Assistant VP, Strategic Partnerships - Pyramid Consulting

Thank you to our event sponsors!

 

     

 

2024 TAG Tech Workforce & Legislative

Summit Speakers and Panelists

Dr. Beverly Wright

Dr. Beverly Wright

Keynote Speaker - VP of Data Science & AI, Wavicle Data Solutions

Brad Vaughan

Brad Vaughan

Legislative Speaker - Legislative Director & Counsel, Office of the Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones

Wesley Ross

Wesley Ross

Legislative Speaker - Deputy Commissioner of Legislative and External Affairs, Georgia Department of Labor

William Gaston

William Gaston

Legislative Speaker - Broadband Infrastructure Manager, Georgia Technology Authority

Rep. Scott Hilton

Rep. Scott Hilton

Legislative Panelist - Georgia House Representative

Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick

Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick

Legislative Panelist - Georgia House Representative

Rep. Lisa Campbell

Rep. Lisa Campbell

Legislative Panelist - Georgia House Representative

Steven Ferguson

Steven Ferguson

Tech Workforce - Speaker, Managing Director, Georgia AIM

Ramanth Chellappa

Ramanth Chellappa

Tech Workforce Speaker - Associate Dean, Emory University, Goizueta Business School

Dr. Loretta Daniels

Dr. Loretta Daniels

Tech Workforce Speaker - Executive Director, TAG Education Collaborative

Kyle Tothill

Kyle Tothill

Tech Workforce Panelist - Partner & Chief Revenue Officer, Collective Insights

Jason Sankey

Jason Sankey

Tech Workforce Panelist - Chief Information Officer, City of Atlanta

Valarie Mackey

Valarie Mackey

Tech Workforce Speaker - President & CEO, WrightNow Solutions

Brandon Ona

Brandon Ona

Tech Workforce Panelist - Director of Apprenticeships & Business Services, Technical College System of Georgia