Sunlight’s annual unconference, TransparencyCamp, is right around the corner on Sept. 11-12! (If you haven’t registered yet, make sure you grab your tickets!) We couldn’t be more excited to host the open government community here in D.C. to chat how open data, technology and civic engagement can be used to provide more transparent governing bodies and healthier, happier communities.

If you’ve never been to a TCamp before, we like to start the day with some energizing talks that highlight interesting stories and work happening around the community. We’ve been honored with a great line up of opengov champions to kick off this year’s TCamp — read more about the featured speakers below!

Traci Hughes, director of D.C.’s Office of Open Government

As the first-ever head of D.C.’s Office of Open Government, Hughes is bringing greater transparency to our nation’s capital — on the local level. Hired in April 2013, she ensures that over 170 boards and commissions adhere to the Open Meetings Act, and oversees the compliance of over 60 district government agencies with the Freedom of Information Act, including the Executive Office of the Mayor and city council. She advances transparency policies and programs impacting all of local government, aiming to increasing access to records and creating a more responsive government through the use of civic engagement tools.

Waldo Jaquith, director of U.S. Open Data

Jaquith has earned the unofficial title of “OpenGov Champion” for his work in making America more transparent. He’s currently the director of U.S. Open Data, assisting governments of all sizes with technical and practical advice on how to set up open data systems and more easily share relevant government data with citizens. Recently, he joined Sunlight as a Senior Technical Advisor. Before founding U.S. Open Data, Jaquith worked on federal open data initiatives in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, including the creation of Ethics.gov. Check out Jaquith’s personal website to see more of his accomplishments.

Anca Matioc, former director of Desarrollando America Latina and international open data advocate

Matioc is a global “meta-community organizer” who strives to open up data using innovative technologies. She’s the former director of Desarrollando America Latina, a Latin American apps challenge to create civic and social apps using open data, and the co-organizer of AbreLatAm, a Latin American open data and government unconference. She’s also passionate about increasing citizen participation, accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Romania. Currently, Matioc is finishing her M.A. in Development Practice at Columbia University.

Erie Meyer, founding member of the U.S. Digital Service

Serving in a number of roles within both the public and private sector, Meyer has been at the forefront of civic tech for several years. She’s currently an integral part of the USDS, where her team is tasked with using the best of product design and engineering to transform the way government works for American people. Before this, Meyer was a Senior Advisor to U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park, where she worked on the White House’s open data initiatives; prior to that she worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, helping found the Tech and Innovation Team and serving as editorial director of the Digital Team.

Meyer is also a co-founder of Tech Ladymafia, a global network of women who work in and around the Internet. She was recently named one of Forbes’ 2014 “30 under 30” for technology, and made FedScoop’s list of D.C.’s “Top 50 Women in Tech 2015.”

Andrew Nicklin, director of open data at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Government Excellence

Nicklin is a fixture of the local open data community, with tremendous experience in creating and guiding municipal data programs. At the newly formed Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University — a partner alongside Sunlight in the What Works Cities initiative — he’s in charge of helping U.S. cities inform and transform through open data. Before this, he directed the state of New York’s transparency program as the head of Open NY and launched several efforts within New York City, such as NYC Open Data and the NYC BigApps competitions.

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Many thanks to all our speakers! We can’t wait to get this party started. And don’t forget, TransparencyCamp is happening Sept. 11–12 at Gallaudet University. Don’t miss out, register today!