Jade Piros de Carvalho was appointed Director of Broadband Development for the Kansas Department of Commerce by Lt. Governor David Toland in June 2022. Prior to joining the state, she spent seven years with rural broadband provider IdeaTek, where she managed government and public affairs including advocacy efforts for rural broadband expansion policy. She also spearheaded digital equity efforts for the company.

Additionally, Piros de Carvalho spent 10 years in local government as an elected official. She wrapped up a third term as mayor for the city of Hutchinson, KS in January. Passionate about community service, Piros de Carvalho is the recipient of multiple public service awards for her volunteer work with civic and nonprofit organizations and was named USA Today’s Kansas Woman of the Year in March 2023.

Piros de Carvalho holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wichita State University and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri, Columbia