CATEGORY 3 - USING INNOVATION, DATA, AND BREAKING DOWN ORGANIZATIONAL BARRIERS
RURAL DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION CENTER
U.S. Department of Agriculture
JACKI PONTI-LAZARUK
Chief Innovation Officer
DR. JAMES BARHAM
Director, Data Analytics Division and RD Assistant Chief Data Officer
DR. KASEY MARTIN
Chief, Program Evaluation Branch, Data Analytics Division
CHRISTOPHER WHALEY
Senior Data Scientist, Program Performance Branch, Data Analytics Division
SARA LOE
Program Coordinator, Regional Development and Assistance Branch
CELINA MARTINEZ
Social Scientist, Regional Development and Assistance Branch
DR. AMANDA HOPE
Senior Social Science Analyst, Data Analytics Division
ALEXANDRIA ANDERSON
Partnership Liaison Specialist, Regional Development and Assistance Branch
CHRIS STEVER
Chief, Regional Development and Assistance Branch
MARIE PITTMAN
Partnership Liaison Specialist, Regional Development and Assistance Branch
KARL LECKRONE
Chief, Program Performance Branch, Data Analytics Division
MELISSA NG Partnership Liaison Specialist, Regional Development and Assistance Branch
Under Ms. Ponti-Lazaruk's leadership as the Chief Innovation Officer at the Rural Development Innovation Center within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is being recognized for their significant strides in enhancing public service and transparency in government operations.
Ms. Ponti-Lazaruk has driven the creation of transformative initiatives aimed at improving how the USDA's Rural Development (RD) communicates and engages with the public. Central to her efforts is the Rural Data Gateway, launched in FY 2023, which provides comprehensive access to over 12 years of RD investment data. This online platform includes 20 integrated dashboards and visualizations, enabling users to explore RD's funding allocations across more than 70 programs. By making this data easily accessible and user-friendly, the Rural Data Gateway enhances transparency, reduces FOIA requests by 30%, and fosters stronger partnerships between RD and rural communities, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
In addition to improving transparency, Ms. Ponti-Lazaruk has championed equity through the Creating Opportunities through Rural Engagement (CORE) project. This initiative focuses on underserved rural areas identified through geospatial and data analysis, engaging local leaders to understand their needs and barriers to accessing RD programs. By integrating equity training, project trackers, and engagement guides, CORE has facilitated meaningful connections with nearly 700 communities and invested $387 million in underserved areas since 2022. This project not only enhances access to resources but also builds trust and demonstrates RD's commitment to equitable service delivery across all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Overall, Ms. Ponti-Lazaruk's initiatives have transformed RD's approach to public engagement and service delivery, setting a benchmark for government transparency and equitable outreach in rural development. Her leadership underscores a commitment to user-friendly data access, effective community engagement, and improving the overall customer experience with government services.