Francesca Ioffreda, Maryland’s Chief Innovation Officer, Named Chief Influencer

The Communications Board® names Francesca Ioffreda, Chief Innovation Officer for the State of Maryland, a Chief Influencer.

What does it take to drive innovation in government and create meaningful change for the people it serves? In this episode of Chief Influencer, Francesca Ioffreda shares how Maryland is tackling complex challenges such as childhood poverty, economic mobility, and business growth through collaboration, human-centered design, and data-driven decision-making.

Drawing on experience from Harvard University, the Brookings Institution, and the Greater Washington Partnership, Ioffreda discusses how her commitment to expanding opportunity led her to become Maryland’s first-ever Chief Innovation Officer.

Ioffreda explains that the most effective innovation efforts begin not with technology, but with people. Through partnerships with organizations such as Bloomberg Philanthropies and initiatives like the Maryland Community Business Compass, she is helping build new models for public service that prioritize listening, trust, and measurable outcomes. She also explores the role of artificial intelligence in government, emphasizing that technology should empower public servants to spend more time solving human problems. Throughout the conversation, Ioffreda demonstrates that lasting influence comes from bringing stakeholders together, building consensus around shared goals, and turning bold ideas into practical results that improve lives.

Host: Lesley Lopez
Guest: Francesca Ioffreda
Producer: The Communications Board
Sponsor: The George Washington University College of Professional Studies

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Transcript