Leading Superworkers in the Public Sector with Denise Hemke, CPO at NEOGOV - Modern CTO Recap

Podcast: Modern CTO

Published: 2025-09-24

Duration: 48 min

Summary

Denise Hemke, CPO at NeoGov, discusses the company's focus on providing tailored Human Capital Management solutions for the public sector, emphasizing compliance and fairness in their processes. She shares insights on managing over 20 products designed to serve the needs of public sector employees.

What Happened

In this episode, host Joel Beasley sits down with Denise Hemke, the Chief Product Officer at NeoGov, to delve into how her teams manage a diverse portfolio of over 20 products aimed at enhancing public sector operations. Denise explains that NeoGov is dedicated to the public sector, offering a Human Capital Management (HCM) suite that covers the entire employee journey 'from hire to retire', including essential tools for public safety agencies like law enforcement and emergency services.

Denise highlights the importance of building software specifically for the public sector, contrasting it with private sector tools that are often retrofitted. She emphasizes that compliance with union requirements and federal mandates is crucial, especially in recruitment processes. For instance, NeoGov's applicant tracking system incorporates features like PII blinding and veteran preference scoring to ensure fairness and eliminate bias, which is a significant departure from the common tech mantra of 'move fast, break things'. Additionally, Denise reflects on her personal connection to public service through her family, including teachers and law enforcement officers, which further fuels her passion for making a positive impact in this sector.

Key Insights

• NeoGov's focus on public sector needs leads to tailored solutions for HR processes.
• The importance of compliance and fairness in governmental software applications.
• Denise emphasizes the necessity of having dedicated leaders for managing diverse product lines.
• A personal connection to public service enhances Denise's commitment to improving government workflows.

Key Questions Answered

What specific products does NeoGov offer for public sector HR?

Denise explains that NeoGov provides a comprehensive Human Capital Management suite that covers the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement. This includes features like applicant tracking, benefits election, and payroll management. Additionally, NeoGov has a suite dedicated to public safety, which encompasses operational tools for law enforcement and emergency services, emphasizing the importance of policy and training management.

How does NeoGov ensure compliance with public sector mandates?

Compliance is a cornerstone of NeoGov's operations, with software specifically designed to meet union requirements and state and federal mandates. Denise points out that their applicant tracking system incorporates capabilities like PII blinding to prevent bias and automated eligibility lists to ensure fair access for candidates. This focus on compliance sets them apart from private sector tools that may not consider the unique needs of the public sector.

What is Denise Hemke's approach to managing a large product portfolio?

Denise mentions that managing a portfolio of over 20 products requires a strong team structure. She employs leaders who oversee groups of products, ensuring that each area has dedicated attention. This structure allows for better focus on user needs and product management. Denise emphasizes the need for her team to obsess over the users' requirements to build best-in-class solutions.

What motivates Denise Hemke in her role at NeoGov?

Denise's motivation stems from her personal connections to public service through her family, including educators and law enforcement officers. She understands the challenges faced by these professionals and is passionate about making their work easier and more efficient. Her commitment to improving government workflows is deeply personal, as she recognizes the emotional toll of these demanding jobs.

How does NeoGov differentiate itself from other HR software providers?

Denise highlights that NeoGov is not a private sector tool retrofitted for public use; rather, it was built specifically for the public sector from day one. This focus allows them to create solutions that address the unique challenges and requirements of governmental organizations, prioritizing fairness and compliance over speed and disruption, which are typical in the private sector.