Speaking & Events

 

I deliver keynote addresses and participate in panels on government innovation, product leadership, organizational change, and building technology that serves the public interest.

Book Me for Your Event

I'm available for keynotes, panels, fireside chats, and workshops at conferences, universities, government agencies, nonprofits, and corporate events. I customize every talk for the specific audience and bring energy, authenticity, and actionable takeaways.

Speaking fee available upon request. Reduced rates for nonprofits, academic institutions, and civic organizations.

Contact me for availability.

Topics include:

Building Beloved Government Products: The Direct File Story
How we created a free tax filing service with 94% user satisfaction in 8 months, and what it teaches about product excellence in government

Leading High-Stakes Product Launches
Managing Congressional oversight, media scrutiny, and millions of users while maintaining product vision and team morale

What DOGE Got Wrong About Government Efficiency
Real lessons from inside federal digital services about what makes government work better (hint: it's not slash and burn)

Leading Through Chaos
Managing teams, stakeholders, and your own sanity during periods of intense political and organizational upheaval

From Bureaucracy to Velocity
Strategies for moving fast and shipping products in highly regulated, politically charged environments

From Startup Founder to Government Leader
Navigating leadership in tech and government as a woman, and building inclusive teams that deliver exceptional results

 
Merici Vinton on mainstage at the code for america summit in may 2025

Code for America
Mainstage presentation that highlights the key components that made Direct File successful, as well as a call to action that we can all have a role to play in higher standards for people - From Direct File to future: We can build a government that people actually love

President’s Management Council
A fun walk through of some of the key moments and decisions we made - good and bad - that helped make Direct File successful -Driving Results for All

Making Tax Filing Free and Easy
Announcing that Direct File was going to become a permanent service offered by the IRS at Code for America Summit

Government, Organizations, and Change

It’s the Little Things
TedX Birmingham; I love seeing organizations change, evolve, and how we can organize for that

How Open Data Is Changing the Banking Industry
from O’Reilly Ignite; fuller talk presented at O’Reilly Strata

Commission for Smarter Government
- Panel chair

The role of Government and Institutions in a COVID and post-COVID world


The Future is Community-Driven

Let’s Get Together - Not All Communities Are Created Equal
Station F (Paris), F is for Femme