Michael Wilkening

Michael Wilkening is a former senior government official recognized for leading digital transformation and HHS policy initiatives across multiple Administrations. Wilkening is a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and holds Board and Advisory roles across various organizations driving outcomes across the HHS and broader public services ecosystem. With an over 25+ year career in California state government, Wilkening held multiple senior leadership roles, including serving as Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, California’s first Special Advisor on Innovation and Digital Services, and Chair of Covered California. He worked directly with agency leaders to drive large-scale systems modernization, data governance, and cross-sector innovation, including chairing California’s Innovation & Technology Task Force during the COVID-19 response. Wilkening also served in the federal government as Senior Advisor for Technology and Delivery at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and in the Executive Office of the President.