Maryland hires Francesca Ioffreda as new chief innovation officer

Maryland is appointing Francesca Ioffreda as its new chief innovation officer and to lead the state’s Innovation Team, which is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Gov. Wes Moore announced Wednesday.

With over a decade of experience in economic development, data analysis, insight development, rapid prototyping, and project management, Ioffreda will oversee the seven-person Innovation Team focused on helping state agencies develop, test, and pilot public sector programs.

“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,” Gov. Moore, who established the Innovation Team in June, said in the announcement. “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.”

Alaska, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Utah have also added a chief innovation officer to their payrolls in recent years, seeking to transform the culture of state governments and use new strategies to improve government operations and address complex challenges, such as housing, poverty, and economic development.

Prior to her new role, Ioffreda recently founded Breakthrough Strategy Partners, which helps build thriving communities through strategies that promote cross-sector collaboration, innovation and workforce development, according to her LinkedIn profile. She also served as vice president for inclusive growth and talent initiatives at the Greater Washington Partnership and secured a $4.7 billion, five-year commitment to expand opportunities for underrepresented groups in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.