Unemployment insurance has supported Americans through economic hardship for nearly a century. But its long history brings complex challenges: rigid systems, layered policies, and outdated tech that’s difficult to change.

In this episode of Data Driven Leadership, Jess Carter talks with Allison Johnson, director of Open UI at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). They discuss the challenges of modernizing unemployment systems and how Open UI is pushing for modular, transparent, and adaptable solutions in a space where innovation is often seen as risky.

From procurement hurdles to policy constraints, they unpack the structural barriers that have kept states locked into fragile systems for decades. Allison shares how Open UI is building a collaborative framework that reimagines how unemployment insurance can work better for both administrators and the people they serve.

Stick around ‘til the end of the episode for a sneak peek at something special we’ve never done before! Want to be part of it? Check out Jess' LinkedIn post or DM her to submit a question—we might feature yours in the upcoming episode.

Disclaimer: Open UI is an initiative intended to explore, document, and promote best practices in Unemployment Insurance technology including modular technical architecture and implementation. It is not currently a product being built, offered, or sold by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).

In this episode, you will learn:

• What state leaders should consider before launching a new system
• How Open UI is creating space for shared innovation across states
• Lessons in leadership and building trust for new initiatives

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Allison Johnson
• (06:29) Understanding the complexities of unemployment insurance
• (11:23) What Open UI is and why modularity matters
• (16:08) Procurement hurdles and Open UI’s potential
• (18:13) Modernization is an ongoing process
• (24:46) Building trust through transparency and small wins

Resources:

NASWA’s Open UI Initiative