Dear USDR community,
Five years ago, when we created U.S. Digital Response amid the uncertainty of the early pandemic, none of us could have predicted the remarkable organization it would become. What began as an urgent mobilization of technical talent has evolved into something truly special – a trusted partner to governments nationwide, helping them build the capacity to serve their communities effectively in the digital age.
Today, I'm delighted to share that after an extensive search process, Tina J. Walha will be leading USDR into its next chapter as our new chief executive officer.
Why Tina is the perfect fit
Throughout our search, we sought someone who embodies USDR's unique approach – blending technical expertise with deep empathy for the challenges facing government partners. In Tina, we've found a leader whose journey perfectly mirrors the spirit of our organization.
What sets Tina apart is her distinctive perspective. Before joining USDR's leadership team, she served as director of innovation and performance for the City of Seattle, where she experienced firsthand the hurdles governments face in delivering digital services. She came to USDR as a government partner first, which gives her an invaluable understanding of both sides of our work.
Since joining USDR as chief partnerships officer in 2021, Tina has demonstrated remarkable leadership. Her steady guidance during interim leadership periods and her strategic vision for our future have impressed everyone who works with her. She builds genuine relationships with partners, volunteers, and staff while maintaining unwavering focus on our mission.
The evolution of our impact
One of USDR's greatest strengths has been our ability to adapt while staying true to our core values. When I look at where we are today – with over 600 projects completed alongside nearly 550 partners across more than 50 states and territories – I see an organization that has matured without losing its heart.
State and local governments now face increasing pressure to deliver more with fewer resources. This reality makes USDR's role more vital than ever. Under Tina's leadership, I'm confident that USDR will deepen its impact in critical areas: supporting election officials, expanding access to essential benefits, building digital resilience, and helping governments thoughtfully adopt effective technology solutions.
Looking ahead
What excites me most about Tina's vision is how it honors USDR's foundations while charting a course for greater impact. She recognizes that technology alone isn't the answer – it's about building solutions that truly work for communities, designed with a deep understanding of their needs and constraints.
The depth of trust USDR has built with government partners creates a foundation for this next phase of work. With Tina at the helm, USDR will build on that foundation while continuing to evolve to meet the changing needs of our partners.
A personal reflection
Leading the CEO search has been a meaningful way for me to reconnect with the organization I helped create. I've been deeply impressed by how USDR has grown and evolved while maintaining its commitment to service and impact.
As I welcome Tina to this role, I'm filled with gratitude for everyone who has contributed to USDR's journey – our dedicated staff, our community of volunteers, our government partners, and the supporters who have made our work possible.
USDR was built by people who believe that technology can and should serve the public good. With Tina's leadership, that vision will continue to guide us as we work to make government more effective, accessible, and responsive to community needs.
Yours in public service,
Raylene Yung
