Advisory Panel for Excellence in Digital Benefits Delivery (APEX)

The Advisory Panel for Excellence in Digital Benefits Delivery (APEX) is an advisory group hosted by the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) and Digital Benefits Network (DBN). This advisory group meets twice annually.

What is APEX?

The Advisory Panel for Excellence in Digital Benefits Delivery (APEX) engages and empowers government and nonprofit practitioners to explore accessible, equitable, and ethical service journeys, and to elevate actionable examples of excellence that can be broadly shared and adopted across the digital benefits ecosystem, including through the Digital Government Hub.

What is the Purpose of APEX?

APEX provides a space for advisors to imagine and discuss the future of digital benefits delivery, including understanding service journeys holistically, envisioning what good delivery looks like, and identifying what needs to happen to fully realize and implement those aspirations. APEX advisors are government leaders and nonprofit experts who:

2024 APEX Advisors

Samantha Brookshire, Oregon Department of Human Services

Justin Brown, Center for Public Sector AI

Colleen Burns, Code for America 

Michael Burstein, US Digital Service, HHS, Facing a Financial Shock

Christina Burt, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Megan Cage, US Digital Service, The White House

Marcie Chin, US Digital Response

Julia Dale, Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency

Sarah Esty, US Department of Health and Human Services, Facing a Financial Shock

Jeramia Garcia Ramadan, Arizona Department of Economic Security

Sarah Gilliland, New Practice Lab at New America

Holli Hagan-Rice, Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Hillary Hewko, National Association of State Workforce Agencies

Rebecca Heywood, US Digital Response

Natasha Ibrahim, Maryland Department of Labor, Family and Medical Leave Insurance

Elizabeth Laird, Center for Democracy and Technology

Jenna Mayer, US Department of Agriculture

Ben Mays, National Association of State Workforce Agencies

Melanie McEwen, NASWA 

Paula Melton, Missouri Department of Social Services 

Virginia Perry, New Jersey Department of Labor and  Workforce Development

Maricar Pilotin-Freitas, Hawaii State Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations, Workforce Development Division

Alekya Prathivadi, US Department of Agriculture

Elizabeth Roberts-Smith, Missouri Department of Social Services

Yameche Robinson, US Department of Agriculture

Elliot Schreur, Maryland Department of Labor

Andrew Sharpe, US Department of Agriculture

Tim Shaw, Aspen Institute, Financial Security Program

Louisa Sholar, US Digital Corps

Nathan Singer, Oregon Department of Human Services

Symonne Singleton, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Sara Soka, Code for America

Andrew Stettner, US Department of Labor

Jessica Weeden, New Practice Lab at New America

Natasha Weller, Missouri Department of Social Services

Sylvie Williams, Internal Revenue Service, Taxpayer Experience