Jennifer Pahlka

Jennifer Pahlka

Keynote Speaker: Former Deputy Chief Technology Officer At The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Founder of Code for America

Jennifer Pahlka Biography

Jennifer Pahlka is the author of "Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better" and a Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center and the Federation of American Scientists. In 2010, she founded Code for America, a national nonprofit that brings the principles and practices of the digital era to government.

In 2013, Pahlka took a leave of absence from Code for America to serve as U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the Obama administration. There, she helped found the United States Digital Service (USDS), which brings world-class technologists and designers to government to improve digital service delivery. She served on the Defense Innovation Board, started by the late Ash Carter, under Presidents Obama and Trump.

At the start of the pandemic, she also co-founded United States Digital Response, which helps government meet the needs of the public with volunteer tech support. Presently, she serves as the organization’s board chair.

Pahlka is the winner of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, the David Packard Award, the Oxford Internet Institute’s Technology and Society Award, the National Democratic Institute’s Democracy Award, and was selected by ​Wired​ magazine as one of the people who have most shaped technology and society in the past 25 years. Her 2012 TED Talk, “Coding a Better Government,” has been viewed over one million times. A Yale University graduate, Pahlka holds fellowships with Ashoka, the National Academy of Public Administration, and the Volcker Alliance.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Jennifer Pahlka and other top speakers and celebrities.

Jennifer Pahlka Speaking Topics

Policy Divides; Delivery Unites

Politics is often described as “how the policy gets done.” But how the policy gets implemented – its delivery – is a whole different kettle of fish. Elites think in terms of policy, but the rest of the country knows about delivery. We know about it because it’s the fabric of our daily lives. When what government delivers disappoints or, worse, frightens or insults us, it shapes who we are as citizens, whether left or right. Improving our ability to deliver not only serves both parties, but it also strengthens our democracy.

Everyone Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Face

When healthcare.gov first launched, with millions enrolling, it served a total of eight users on its first day. But by the end of the first enrollment period, the site had helped even more people than had been planned before its disastrous launch. And when the agency responsible for the site took on its next big project, it was on time, dramatically under budget, and so easy to use that their clients, used to constant frustration, wondered if they landed on the wrong website. That punch to the face turned into a dramatic transformation. How can you turn adversity into resilience?

Are We Starving Government By Design? Or Starving It of Design?

Longstanding fights over big government vs. small government are getting our country nowhere. We can have a government that’s less burdensome on businesses and the public and gets better social outcomes, and the key isn’t necessarily more money. It’s recognizing that what operates our government today is a mess of policy, process, and technology that has accrued over time without ever being designed to do what we need it to. Redesigning the machinery of public services is a choice we can and should make. What does that look like, and how do we make it happen?

Jennifer Pahlka Videos

Fixing Government: Bottom Up and Outside In | Jennifer Pahlka
Jennifer Pahlka | Skoll Award 2018
Jennifer Pahlka: "Code for America" | Talks at Google

How do I book Jennifer Pahlka to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jennifer Pahlka for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jennifer Pahlka, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jennifer Pahlka or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Jennifer Pahlka for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Jennifer Pahlka, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $30,000 - $50,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jennifer Pahlka, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Jennifer Pahlka speak about?

Jennifer Pahlka is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Business, Technology, Innovation, Social Media, Government, Leadership, STEM, Women in Tech, Authors, TED and Female Leadership.

Where does Jennifer Pahlka travel from?

Jennifer Pahlka generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Jennifer Pahlka?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jennifer Pahlka for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jennifer Pahlka for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jennifer Pahlka or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Jennifer Pahlka is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Business, Technology and Innovation. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jennifer Pahlka for live events is $30,000 - $50,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Jennifer Pahlka generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Padmasree Warrior, Esther Dyson and Dr. Rumman Chowdhury. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jennifer Pahlka for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/01/2025.

Jennifer Pahlka Speaking Topics

  • Policy Divides; Delivery Unites

    Politics is often described as “how the policy gets done.” But how the policy gets implemented – its delivery – is a whole different kettle of fish. Elites think in terms of policy, but the rest of the country knows about delivery. We know about it because it’s the fabric of our daily lives. When what government delivers disappoints or, worse, frightens or insults us, it shapes who we are as citizens, whether left or right. Improving our ability to deliver not only serves both parties, but it also strengthens our democracy.

  • Everyone Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Face

    When healthcare.gov first launched, with millions enrolling, it served a total of eight users on its first day. But by the end of the first enrollment period, the site had helped even more people than had been planned before its disastrous launch. And when the agency responsible for the site took on its next big project, it was on time, dramatically under budget, and so easy to use that their clients, used to constant frustration, wondered if they landed on the wrong website. That punch to the face turned into a dramatic transformation. How can you turn adversity into resilience?

  • Are We Starving Government By Design? Or Starving It of Design?

    Longstanding fights over big government vs. small government are getting our country nowhere. We can have a government that’s less burdensome on businesses and the public and gets better social outcomes, and the key isn’t necessarily more money. It’s recognizing that what operates our government today is a mess of policy, process, and technology that has accrued over time without ever being designed to do what we need it to. Redesigning the machinery of public services is a choice we can and should make. What does that look like, and how do we make it happen?

Jennifer Pahlka Videos

Fixing Government: Bottom Up and Outside In | Jennifer Pahlka
Jennifer Pahlka | Skoll Award 2018
Jennifer Pahlka: "Code for America" | Talks at Google
Jennifer Pahlka - TEDxPhilly

Jennifer Pahlka Reviews

  • I've worked with a few speakers bureaus in the past and you guys would rate at the top! very easy to work with, responsive and felt like understood our needs and listened to our feedback. Will use again!
    LiveRamp - Mar 08 2017

  • How do I book Jennifer Pahlka to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jennifer Pahlka for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jennifer Pahlka, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jennifer Pahlka or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Jennifer Pahlka for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Jennifer Pahlka, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $30,000 - $50,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jennifer Pahlka, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Jennifer Pahlka speak about?

    Jennifer Pahlka is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Business, Technology, Innovation, Social Media, Government, Leadership, STEM, Women in Tech, Authors, TED and Female Leadership.
  • Where does Jennifer Pahlka travel from?

    Jennifer Pahlka generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Jennifer Pahlka?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jennifer Pahlka for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jennifer Pahlka for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jennifer Pahlka or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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