On September 24, 2024, Ieva Žilionienė, Consultancy Business Lead at NRD Companies, moderated the high-level expert panel titled “Future-Ready Governance: Pioneering Tomorrow’s Public Sector” at the GovTech Leaders Conference in Vilnius. This event brought together public sector innovators from across the globe, emphasizing the Baltics, particularly Lithuania, as leaders in GovTech innovation.

The conference opened with keynote addresses from prominent female leaders, including Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, Deputy Minister for Economy and Innovation Erika Kuročkina, and Romualda Stragienė, Director of the Innovation Agency of Lithuania. Adding global insight, Tamara Srzentic (US) and Laura Yarrow (UK) shared best practices on digital transformation in public governance.

The Future of Public Sector Governance: A Focus on People and Leadership

The expert panel moderated by Ieva Žilionienė featured discussions with Giulio Quaggiotto, former Head of UNDP’s Strategic Innovation Unit, Tamara Srzentic, Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media of Montenegro, and Dr. Mantas Bileišis, Vice-Rector for Studies and Research at the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania. The panel stressed that public sector transformation is not just about technology—it’s about people, skills, and leadership.

As the world rapidly changes and becomes more interconnected, the public sector must adapt, moving beyond its traditional, rule-bound nature. The panel focused on how to prepare for the future by building leadership that fosters collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning.

Key takeaways from the Panel

During the panel, Ieva Žilionienė emphasized the following key takeaways:

• Islands of Excellence: Public sector innovation should be tested in smaller, focused areas, but overall trust is built on improving the average performance across the entire sector.
• Humble Leadership: Leadership in public sector transformation is less about pushing reforms and more about facilitating collaboration, learning, and adaptability. This approach, pioneered by Finland, can help governments navigate complex societal challenges.
• Building Competence: Leadership should invest in developing the skills and competencies of their teams, allowing them to experiment and grow, preparing institutions to handle future challenges in diverse contexts.

GovTech Innovation: A Baltic and Global Perspective

The conference reinforced Lithuania’s role as a GovTech leader, showcasing the country’s forward-thinking public tech landscape. Lithuanian and international experts emphasized that “the future is now”, and that innovation should be embedded into government operations rather than treated as an exception. Local innovation, they argued, can serve as a catalyst for global impact.

NRD Companies: Supporting Government Transformation Globally

With years of hands-on experience, NRD Companies continues to support governments worldwide by offering practical solutions tailored to the specific needs of public sector transformation. From digital services to e-government initiatives, NRD Companies helps public institutions break down silos, foster innovation, and develop resilient, future-ready governance models.

The GovTech Leaders Conference was a significant reminder that the public sector’s future hinges not only on technology but also on people, collaboration, and strong leadership. NRD Companies remains committed to driving this transformation and supporting governments on their journey toward more sustainable and innovative futures.