Maisha Dottery

CIO State of California

Maisha Dottery, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the State of California, assumed her role in July 2021, spearheading transformative growth in information technology. Under her strategic leadership, she established a sustainable model for IT services, capital planning, and talent acquisition, advancing the Department's mission-critical work. A visionary Executive CIO, Maisha champions a collaborative ethos encapsulated by her motto: "We Over Me." This principle underscores her commitment to teamwork, both within the organization and with external partners. Her leadership style fosters a culture valuing diverse perspectives, encouraging innovation, and driving operational excellence. Beyond her executive role, Maisha, an adjunct professor, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of IT professionals. Active in the broader IT community, she serves on the executive council for the Public Sector Network and contributes to California's Public Sector CIO Academy Conference. Under Maisha's guidance, CSD gained acclaim for its cutting-edge rapid project delivery, exemplified by the $1.5-billion 2023 California Arrearages Payment Program (CAPP). CAPP, a testament to lean systems agile principles, and collaborative innovation, effectively delivers services to citizens in need. Maisha's extensive experience in large-scale automation projects reflects a strategic vision and a commitment to innovation. Her leadership, marked by the tagline "We Over Me," inspires positive change, leaving an indelible mark on both her organization and the broader IT community.