The Opportunity Project Demo Week 2020

What inspires students to use their tech skills for social good? What are the biggest barriers to pursuing a career in civic technology, and do higher education institutions have an obligation to address them? Join us to hear from Harvard, George Mason and Villanova students who participated in the inaugural TOP University Sprint  through a panel moderated by Andreen Soley, Director of New America’s Public Interest Technology University Network.

An intimate discussion with inspiring and dynamic leaders from tribal communities on their needs during exceptionally challenging times, the  work currently being done by tribal organizations,  and the most effective and appropriate ways to create external partnerships that ultimately put native communities’ well-being at the center of it all.  Tune in for a rare opportunity to hear from our native leaders, and the wisdom, concerns and suggestions they have to share. Featuring speakers from Choctaw Nation, Tsuut'ina Nation, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

It’s been 5 years since the launch of TOP:  What have we learned? As we cross the finish line of our 12th sprint cycle, with nearly 150 products completed, we’re realizing more than ever what TOP is really about: Changing the way government employees think about collaboration and innovating with data. Changing the way the public thinks about the government’s capacity to support them.  Improving data quality by opening up conversations with end users. And so much more. In this transparent conversation with some of our most respected innovation colleagues, we’ll dig into the lasting impacts of TOP and other programs, the remaining challenges of sustaining these efforts, and what new innovation leaders and career civil servants should take away.  Featuring speakers from 10x, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Partnership for Public Service and The Opportunity Project.

When WWII veterans served, they made up 11% of the US population… today, in the midst of our longest running conflicts, it’s less than 1%. What burden has that placed on our vets, especially when many are not truly heard about what they’ve seen and experienced? With an average 22 veterans lost by suicide per day, there is clearly work to do, and today’s tech and services may not be cutting it.  Hear from writer, veteran, advocate, designer, and general truth speaker Ben Sledge about his story and the conversations we need to have.  Featuring a TED-style talk by Ben and a fireside chat between veterans about their collective experiences and how technology and The Opportunity Project community can support.

Spotify serves you up the weekly discover playlist of your dreams, Netflix is in your head about exactly what you want to watch… how do all these tools in our pocket curate the perfect (and sometimes not so perfect) information for us?  Join us to learn from industries trailblazing data curation to understand what it is, why it’s important, and how curating federal data can help the nation.  Warning: this is NOT a panel with federal agency CDOs!  Prepare for enlightening and novel thoughts from the data leaders you don’t hear about all the time.  We’ll also feature the Data Curation Hub, TOP’s answer to what we do about curating federal open data for end users. Featuring speakers from Redfin, SAP, and more.