Data is the Mission: Clare Martorana on Tech, Talent, and Trust in Government

June 24, 2025

Presented by Booz Allen

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Clare Martorana, former Federal CIO, shares a candid and forward-looking perspective on the federal government’s progress—and persistent struggles—in managing and maximizing the value of data. Martorana emphasizes that data is more than just a technical resource; it’s the backbone of effective government operations and a critical enabler of the artificial intelligence transformation underway across agencies.

Martorana begins by framing the federal data landscape as a vast and uneven ecosystem. With 24 CFO Act agencies and over 400 additional federal entities, each agency is at a different stage in its digital maturity. Despite pockets of excellence, the government lacks consistent practices, strong semantic understanding, and shared standards around metadata. “Data is the connective tissue of government,” she says. “And we’ve struggled to manage it as such.”

A key obstacle, Martorana explains, is the misalignment between the pace of technological change and the government’s ability to secure sustained, long-term funding. She believes Congress must play a more proactive role in enabling agencies to invest in future-ready infrastructure. The lack of predictable funding hampers agencies’ ability to modernize systems, train staff, and implement strong data governance practices.

Martorana points to the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF)—where she served on the board—as an example of a vehicle that helps bridge that funding gap. Many of the TMF projects approved under her tenure were focused on data strategy, governance, and management. For her, this isn’t accidental. “Computers are just bricks without data,” she notes. “Everything revolves around data—and also around the customer using that data effectively.”

She’s particularly passionate about designing systems with users in mind. Whether the “customer” is a federal employee at the border or a public user accessing services, digital systems must be intuitive and serve real-world needs. For this reason, Martorana champions a strong focus on customer experience, rooted in data-driven decision making.

Martorana also underscores the importance of cross-agency collaboration. Initiatives like GSA’s Centers of Excellence and Quality Service Management Offices (QSMOs) offer a model for agencies to share best practices and avoid duplication. She praises the continuity of these efforts across presidential administrations and argues against rebranding effective programs for political reasons. “Technology is purple,” she says. “It’s not red or blue. It’s about solving problems.”

Talent is another pillar in her vision. She stresses the need for a modern federal workforce—one that can be upskilled, reskilled, and trusted to navigate rapid tech shifts. Just as important are trusted vendor partnerships that bring private sector innovation into federal spaces. Martorana sees trust and leadership as the linchpins of success.

Looking ahead, she’s optimistic. With advances in AI and the promise of quantum computing on the horizon, Martorana sees a unique opportunity to build digital twins, conduct advanced testing, and modernize how agencies operate—if they can unify around data, talent, and mission. “We have a moment right now,” she says, “to learn from each other and move the whole ecosystem forward.”