BREAKING: Newsom Names New GovOps Undersecretary

Just one day after Government Operations Agency (GovOps) Undersecretary Sarah Soto-Taylor spoke with industry about the state’s technology path ahead, a new undersecretary has been named by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The announcement that Christine Harada would be taking the position came late Thursday from the governor’s office. She begins her new role Sept. 8.

“The Government Operations Agency is excited to welcome Christine Harada as Undersecretary,” Assistant Secretary of Communications Angela Musallam said in an email to Industry Insider. “Christine brings extensive experience from the federal level and will play a critical role in advancing our mission to serve Californians.”

Harada most recently served as a senior adviser at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget between July 2023 and January 2025. In addition to experience at the federal level, Harada also brings experience from the private sector, having served as president of i(X) Investments and on the boards of several companies.

Harada holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of the Arts in international studies from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Soto-Taylor was appointed to the position in October 2024 but had been with the agency since May of 2019, serving as the deputy secretary for business transformation and strategic development. Before joining GovOps, Soto-Taylor served in multiple capacities at Covered California and the California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board.

As of press time Friday, Musallam could not provide any additional information about Soto-Taylor’s next career steps.