Stephen Caines is an accomplished technology policy professional with a proven track record in government, academia, and the public sector. He currently serves as the Chief Innovation Officer and Budget Director for the City of San José and as Senior Advisor to Mayor Matt Mahan.

 

In these roles, Stephen leads the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation in developing innovation-based public-private partnerships, enhancing city services through pilots and process improvements, and promoting best practices through initiatives like the GovAI Coalition. As Budget Director, he helps shape the City’s March and June Budget Messages, guides departmental proposals, and works closely with community partners and public stakeholders on budget-related priorities.

 

Prior to his tenure with San José, Stephen completed a two-year residential fellowship at CodeX – The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, where he researched government and law enforcement use of facial recognition and surveillance. He was also a member of the Day One Project’s Technology Policy Accelerator Cohort and was published in The Oxford Handbook of AI Governance. Stephen holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami School of Law with a concentration in the Business of Innovation, Law & Technology.

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Stephen is passionate about expanding access to STEM and technology policy education for youth, increasing government transparency, and building strong, community-based partnerships between the City and local non-profits. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Good Karma Bikes, a California Nonprofit of the Year Award winner.

Smita serves as the Deputy Chief Innovation Officer for the City of San Jose, collaborating with the Innovation and Policy teams to shape the city’s approach to technology, community engagement, and human-centered design. She is passionate about bridging the gap between technology and policy to create impactful, inclusive solutions that meet the needs of all residents.

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Before joining San Jose, Smita completed the Coro Fellowship, a prestigious rotational program that provided her with consulting experience across nonprofit, campaign, government, and private sector organizations. This diverse background has given her a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate complex challenges and bring together stakeholders to create meaningful change.

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Smita’s career also spans the tech industry, where she worked as a program manager in both large corporations and startups. She led cross-functional teams to bring hardware and software products to market, driving innovation and product development. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, Smita co-created low-cost, transformative products designed for rural

communities, demonstrating her commitment to solving real-world problems through technology and collaboration.

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Driven by the belief that the best solutions are co-created with communities, Smita focuses on designing innovations that are not just technologically advanced, but also deeply aligned with the needs and aspirations of the people they serve.

Keith Hertzberg is the Budget and Innovation Advisor for the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation in the City of San Jose. In this role, Keith plays an integral part in helping the city navigate the intersection of technology and budgeting. He advises city leadership on how to integrate innovative solutions with budgetary planning, ensuring that technology-driven initiatives are effectively supported by city resources.

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Keith’s approach to budgeting is rooted in a deep understanding of how emerging technologies can transform government services and city operations. He works closely with various departments to identify opportunities for innovation, streamline processes, and deliver cost-effective solutions that improve service delivery and enhance the quality of life for San Jose residents.

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With a keen interest in technology and a problem-solving mindset, Keith is dedicated to ensuring that San Jose remains a leader in using innovation to drive efficiency and better outcomes for its community. His work supports the city’s efforts to leverage new technologies in areas such as smart infrastructure, data analytics, and digital services, while also ensuring that these initiatives are aligned with the city’s operational goals.