Overview

May 7
11AM PT, 2PM ET

Register

For many organizations, AI has already proven its value in maintaining program integrity and detecting fraud. The real challenge now is making it work consistently across programs and at scale for government agencies.

Even though data and machine learning can help agencies uncover improper payments and protect public funds, there remains a pressing question: How should we operationalize this without adding complexity, risk or compliance exposure?

This webinar will break down what it takes to embed AI into day-to-day operations, connect data across programs and build a sustainable approach to program integrity and fraud prevention that holds up under scrutiny. This is the second entry of a three-part Insight Session series exploring AI's transformative impact on government operations.  

You’ll learn:

  • The complexities of fraud in siloed areas such as pension systems, unemployment systems, social services/health services and tax systems
  • How to set up fraud detection in real time from a technology and resource perspective to support faster, more accurate decision-making
  • What it takes to meet compliance and audit requirements while using AI to monitor programs, track activity and document outcomes
  • How to unify data across systems and programs to uncover patterns, reduce improper payments and strengthen program integrity

Attend the live webinar to obtain your complimentary certificate of attendance!

Speakers

Tina Carkhuff, Ph.D. headshot

Tina Carkhuff, Ph.D.

Industry Advisor, Splunk

Tina Carkhuff is an Industry Advisor with Splunk and brings over 25 years of experience in Information Technology, working in healthcare, higher education, and government. Before joining Splunk, she worked as a Vice President leading Gartner’s Executive Programs for Education and Healthcare. Tina is a doctoral candidate studying for her Ph.D. in Organization and Management at Liberty University in Virginia. Her studies focus on using data analytics to inform decisions within an organization. Tina’s dissertation topic is “The Role of Data Analytics in Detecting Unemployment Insurance Fraud: A Case Study of State Governments in the United States.” Tina is passionate about helping IT executives transform their organizations through the effective use of data. She has led and consulted on digital transformations for many organizations. She has served as the CIO for the City of Houston, served in the US Army, and is a retired law enforcement officer. Tina lives in Houston with her husband of 25 years and two boys, ages 19 and 21, and has three dogs. Her older son is an entrepreneur and her younger son is a non-verbal autistic boy. Tina and her family donate time to their school district to help special education teachers learn how to use augmentative and alternative communications technology with families to help find after-school care for families with special needs kids.

Karen Johnson headshot

Karen Johnson

Consultant Partner

With nearly four decades of dedicated service in public service, Karen Johnson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the citizens of California. Appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger and continuing her service under Governor Brown, she has held several executive roles across major state departments including the Department of Health Care Services, State Board of Equalization, Covered California, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Her focus on modernizing significant systems under her purview, coupled with her role as COO where she led a vast workforce and managed budgets exceeding $100 billion, underscores her status as a transformative leader—a fact validated by numerous awards and recognitions.

From January 2017 to December 2024, Johnson served as the Chief Deputy Executive Director, Operations at Covered California. In this critical role within the executive leadership team, she was instrumental in setting strategic directions and overseeing leadership across the Administrative Services, Financial Management, and Information Technology Divisions. Her primary mission to boost organizational effectiveness involved shaping, driving, and evaluating operational policies and procedures. Johnson excelled in coordinating day-to-day operations, leading cross-divisional project plans, and addressing issues impacting both operational and financial health, thereby ensuring Covered California’s seamless operation.

Before joining Covered California, Johnson significantly contributed as the Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), where she was pivotal in operational management and played a key role in policy implementation and alignment with the department's mission. Her tenure as the Deputy Director of Administration for the California State Board of Equalization further highlights her extensive background in public administration and policy implementation.

Johnson’s academic achievements are as notable as her professional ones. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in accounting, from St. Louis University. Her unique blend of practical experience, leadership skills, and academic qualifications positions her as a foundational member of Covered California's executive team, propelling the organization towards achieving its operational and strategic objectives.

Chris Perkins headshot

Chris Perkins

Staff Solutions Architect, Splunk

As a cybersecurity consultant and architect with 19 years of experience, I have a passion for helping organizations secure their lines of business, innovate using data analytics, and improve their overall security posture. My expertise spans multiple technology and functional domains, and I have a strong track record of designing, delivering, and implementing new technologies for clients in various industries, including higher education, healthcare, government, utilities, and finance.

I am a trusted advisor and client success advocate, always striving to earn exceptional feedback from stakeholders. In addition to my professional work, I am deeply committed to giving back to my community through volunteering. I am a Microsoft TEALs volunteer computer science teacher at Santa Teresa High School and a Technical Mentor in the CyberPatriots program, and I always look for ways to help mentees along the way.

My key focus areas in recent years have been K-12 and election infrastructure security, but I also enjoy working with clients in a variety of sectors. I am currently working on a groundbreaking project called ODAM (Operationalizing Data Analytics Methodology) which aims to assist organizations of all kinds with operationalizing data analytics and driving value from data.

Deb Snyder headshot

Deb Snyder

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Deb is an accomplished C-level executive, influencer and educator who has dedicated her career to improving state and local government services through policy and technology innovation. She has a broad range of experience in government programs, policy, cybersecurity, privacy and information technology. She formerly served as New York state’s chief information security officer, where she led the state’s cybersecurity programs and directed the NYS Cyber Command Center. She works with organizations and universities to strategically strengthen cybersecurity programs, defenses and preparedness, and to create and inspire the next generation of cyber leaders

Sean McSpaden headshot

Sean McSpaden — Moderator

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Sean McSpaden is an executive level information technology professional with over 30 years of experience in the private, non-profit, and public sectors. His background includes the start-up and management of several small businesses and he has served on the Board of Directors or in Executive Director positions for several 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Sean’s public service experience includes progressively responsible positions as an IT analyst, and in statewide coordination, management and leadership positions within the Executive and Legislative branches of Oregon state government.

© 2026 All Rights Reserved. E.Republic LLC
Privacy & AI / Do Not Sell My Personal Information