Hi, I'm Eric Hysen
Tech & AI Executive | Former DHS CIO & CAIO
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About

I've spent the last decade leading large-scale technology, data, and AI transformation efforts, most recently as CIO and Chief AI Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. There, I oversaw IT for a 250,000-person agency, scaled cloud adoption, modernized legacy systems, strengthened cybersecurity resilience, and made DHS a leader in responsible AI implementation.

Earlier in my career, I was a founding member of the U.S. Digital Service and worked as a product manager and engineer at Google. I've led cross-functional teams through complex technical and organizational change, with a deep focus on delivery, user needs, and long-term impact.

I'm currently an Executive Fellow at UC Berkeley and exploring executive roles where I can help organizations drive meaningful technology transformation across digital modernization, product strategy, and applied AI.

Work Experience

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UC Berkeley

2025 - Present
Executive Fellow in Applied Technology Policy
This non-residential, part-time program brings together leaders across sectors to engage with the university community on the future of technology, AI, and digital governance. My fellowship project focuses on strengthening AI governance and risk management through interoperable data standards to help organizations move beyond one-off compliance and toward scalable, systems-level approaches.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security

2021 - 2025
Chief Information Officer
Appointed by President Biden as Chief Information Officer to lead efforts to modernize and secure DHS’s use of information technology in support of its missions. Oversaw $10B in annual IT spend across DHS and lead a DHS IT workforce of over 10,000 employees and contractors.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security

2023 - 2025
Chief AI Officer
In September 2023, named by Secretary Mayorkas to concurrently serve the Department’s first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. Developed the Department’s AI Roadmap and launched its first three pilots in Generative AI. Created the DHS AI Corps to recruit AI talent. Created and implemented comprehensive policies for responsible and trustworthy AI use.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security

2021 - 2023
Deputy Under Secretary for Management (Acting)
Led initiatives to transform the DHS organization including improving employee morale, restructuring the budget, and modernizing hiring, training, and personnel security practices. Oversaw finance, human capital, procurement, readiness support, security, program accountability, biometrics, and the Federal Protective Service.
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Biden-Harris Transition Team

2020 - 2021
Technology Strategy & Delivery
Led development of technology delivery action plans for top policy priorities.
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National Conference on Citizenship

2020 - 2021
Senior Fellow, Policy Design & Implementation
Developed roaddmap to rebuild the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program through concrete recommendations for innovations in policy, personnel, process, and systems to reinvigorate U.S. humanitarian diplomacy, maintain the rigorous vetting of refugees, and securely increase refugee admissions multifold. Scoped and launched policy implementation projects in areas including the social safety net and election security. Contributed to the design of an executive education program to prepare experienced technology leaders for public service.
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California Office of Digital Innovation

2020 - 2021
Special Consultant & Projects Lead
Led strategy, prioritization, and project scoping for a new office created by Governor Newsom to improve services for the people of California through a human-centered approach to design and technology. Managed response to technology and operational issues with unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

2017 - 2020
Director of Operations, Policy & Advocacy
Helped build the Justice & Opportunity Initiative, spanning Criminal Justice Reform, Immigration, Economic Opportunity, and Housing Affordability. Led the development of immigration reform strategy. Developed and executed strategy for using tech and data to improve social service delivery, integrating technical exploration, human-centered design, and grantmaking.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security

2015 - 2017
Executive Director, DHS Digital Service
Created a new office of 35 software engineers, product managers, designers and process engineers charged with tackling critical challenges from the President and Secretary of Homeland Security through technology, data, and design. Led efforts to modernize refugee admissions, immigration benefits processing, the import/export system, and technology procurement.
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The White House

2014 - 2015
Founding Member, U.S. Digital Service
One of the first ten members of a new team inside the White House using design and technology to deliver better services to the American people. Product Manager for efforts to modernize the American immigration system.
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Google

2009 - 2014
Product & Program Lead, Politics & Elections
Led product development to drive voter participation and civic engagement through Google’s products and open data. Launched voting information in Google Search used over 23 Million times to find polling places in the 2012 US election, along with Civic Information API, live election results map, and voter registration guide.

Skills

AI Innovation & Responsible Use
Digital Transformation
Customer Experience
Cybersecurity
Product Management
IT Governance & Risk Management
Legacy Modernization
Tech Policy
Projects

DHS Highlights

A few of my proudest accomplishments from my time at DHS.

AI Innovation & Risk Management

AI Innovation & Risk Management

Developed the DHS AI Roadmap and hired 50 AI experts to scale responsible AI use across the Department. Deployed generative AI pilots and employee productivity tools. Established and implemented governance & risk management policies across 160 AI use cases. Shared best practices through Public Sector Gen AI Playbook.

AI Innovation
Risk Management
Talent & Hiring
Customer Experience Transformation

Customer Experience Transformation

Launched Department-wide Customer Experience (CX) initiative. Delivered a CX metrics dashboard and cut more than 20 million hours of public administrative burden. Institutionalized human-centered design across services, improving experiences ranging from Global Entry and TSA PreCheck to applying for disaster assistance.

User Experience
Service Design
Product
Southwest Border Tech Integration

Southwest Border Tech Integration

Launched and led effort to digitize paper-based processing and automate data transfers across agencies, achieving 75% digital processing for noncitizen encounters within a year and saving millions of hours of officer time. Developed key performance indicators for operations and dashboards to drive decision-making.

Data Integration
Automation
Legacy Modernization
Cybersecurity Modernization

Cybersecurity Modernization

Strengthened cybersecurity resilience by creating the Hack DHS bug bounty program, enhancing supply chain risk management, and launching the Cybersecurity Talent Management System to recruit top talent. Served on the FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board and Federal Acquisition Security Council.

Cybersecurity
Public-Private Partnerships
Speaking

Public Speaking

I've spoken to audiences of all sizes and levels about digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity, customer experience, and more, from testifying before Congress to presenting at large conferences. Here are a few highlights.

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    Keynote: Tech in Gov 2025 Australia

    Canberra, Australia

    Delivering a keynote address on "Managing AI innovation and responsible use with government" and participating in a panel discussion "Leadership in an age of rapid digital evolution."
  • P

    Panel: ISC2 SECURE Washington, DC 2025

    Washington, DC

    Upcoming panel discussion on "AI and the Innovation vs. Security Debate: Striking the Right Balance."
  • P

    Presentation: National Association of Counties Annual Conference

    Tampa, FL

    Presented to county executives and other officials on the impacts of artificial intelligence on local government.
  • P

    Panel: EDGE24 Security Summit

    San Diego, CA

    Panel discussion on "AI, Cybersecurity, and Critical Infrastructure."
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    Testimony: House Committee on Homeland Security

    Washington, DC

    A full Committee hearing entitled “Finding 500,000: Addressing America’s Cyber Workforce Gap.”
  • P

    Panel: Kellogg Corporate Governance Conference

    Evanston, IL

    Discussion on "What Corporate Boards should know about Artificial Intelligence" with board members, CEOs and C-suite leaders representing 225 corporate boards.
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    Training: FEMA Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship

    London, UK

    Presented to senior crisis leaders from across U.S. federal agencies, state governments, and international partners on the impacts of artificial intelligence on crisis response and emergency management.
  • T

    Testimony: House Committee on Oversight & Accountability

    Washington, DC

    Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation hearing entitled “How are Federal Agencies Harnessing Artificial Intelligence?”
  • T

    Testimony: Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs

    Washington, DC

    Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight hearing entitled "Securing the Nation: Modernizing DHS's Mission-Critical Legacy IT Systems"
Contact

Get in Touch

I'm exploring full time executive roles along with advisory, consulting, board, and speaking opportunities. Please reach out via LinkedIn or email to best reach me.