Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced that Francesca Ioffreda will serve as the state’s new chief innovation officer.
“Our administration has been, and always will be, data-driven and heart-led. Francesca Ioffreda’s experience developing collaborative, data-driven solutions to big problems makes her the right choice to lead Maryland’s ambitious innovation agenda,” said Gov. Moore. “She is widely recognized as a leader with a record of delivering results that make life better in our communities. I thank her for raising her hand to serve.”
In her new role, Ioffreda will lead a seven-person Innovation Team with expertise in data analysis, insight development, rapid prototyping, and project management. The team is focused on helping state agencies develop, test, and incubate novel efforts that will advance the Moore-Miller Administration’s fight to reduce child poverty. The governor’s office said the Innovation Team will be funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Back in June, Gov. Moore entered into a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies to promote public sector innovation. The partnership established the Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported state Innovation Team. Up until now, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Team program has worked with 83 cities across nine countries and four continents. Maryland is the first state in the nation to implement this model.
“When government leaders want to be ambitious – and embrace creativity, data, transparency, and resident results – Bloomberg Philanthropies is glad to support them, every step of the way,” said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “Governor Moore has focused state agencies on an ambitious mission – reducing childhood poverty – and we are excited to support Francesca and the new Innovation Team as they support State agencies to unlock creativity, collaboration, and new approaches on these challenging issues.”
Prior to her new role, Ioffreda founded Breakthrough Strategy Partners, which helps build communities through strategies that promote cross-sector collaboration, innovation and workforce development. Ioffreda also served as vice president for inclusive growth and talent initiatives at the Greater Washington Partnership.
