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How Agentic AI Will Transform Local Government-Citizen Interactions

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Dr. Bill Brantley, President of Brantley Advanced Social Sciences Applications, a state and local government consultancy. Connect with Bill on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: "Abundance" by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson What I’m watching: "Ludwig" What I’m listening to: Pantsuit Politics podcast As technology advances, citizens' expectations rise. Local governments must keep up in an...

Podcast: From Animator to Deputy City Administrator with Kim Nakahodo, North Kansas City, MO

Kim Nakahodo Deputy City Administrator City of North Kansas City, MO LinkedIn Kim Nakahodo, a 2020 ELGL Top Influencer and Deputy City Administrator for the City of North Kansas City, Missouri joined to podcast to discuss her journey in local government. She shared the value of professional organizations and the importance of empowering and engaging...

In Government People We Trust

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Michael Baskin, human, serving Montgomery County MD. Michael is also chief innovation officer and an executive coach. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn, Bluesky, or (for a rural setting), Instagram. What I’m reading: "Exhalation: Stories" by Ted Chaing / "Mindwise" by Nicholas Epley What I’m listening to: Hidden...

Meet the 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government

2025 Top Influencers in Local Government

Every year ELGL asks our members to nominate outstanding public servants for the Top Influencers in Local Government list. The recognition honors people who make a difference in their communities and the larger local gov network, and who demonstrate ELGL values of joy, creativity, connection, dependability, and equity through their work and public activities. In...

Caitlin Lewis

No. 1 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. Executive Director | Work for America | Caitlin Lewis is meeting by the moment by connecting former federal employees to careers in local and state government. As executive director of Work for America, Lewis is a...

Rebecca Heywood

No. 2 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. Head of Governments Team | U.S. Digital Response | Rebecca Heywood is dedicated to forging connections in government among both individuals and organizations. Rebecca stands out for her leadership in cross-agency partnerships and showing up for...

Maraskeshia Smith

No. 3 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. City Manager | City of Santa Rosa, CA | Maraskeshia Smith broke barriers as the first Black woman to serve as city manager of Santa Rosa, CA, and works tirelessly to elevate others in public service....

Rudy de Leon Dinglas

No. 4 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. Chief of Staff | Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University | Rudy de Leon Dinglas is a dynamic leader dedicated to advancing performance management and data practices in local government. As chief of...

Robert Neiuber

No. 5 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. Senior Human Resources Director | City of Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Robert Neiuber is enthusiastic about growing the local government workforce — and making current employees feel valued and motivated. Passionate about building inclusive, high-performing workplaces,...

Michael Paulhus

No. 6 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. Town Manager | Town of Plainfield, CT | Michael Paulhus is a forward-thinking local government leader who is breaking down barriers between municipalities and the communities they serve. His work is rooted in a simple but...

Adrianna Tušek Erickson

No. 7 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. DEI Coordinator | City of Chandler, AZ | Adrianna is creating a culture of learning and joy that brings people together to tackle difficult topics. As the DEI coordinator at the City of Chandler, AZ, Adrianna...

Safeea Ali

No. 8 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. Strategic Communications Manager | City of Fort Lauderdale, FL | Safeea Ali is the heart of public service — someone who understands that local government is about people, not just policies. Safeea is a communications expert...

Lauren Tayara

No. 9 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. Senior Management and Budget Analyst | Mecklenburg County, NC | Lauren makes local government work better and feel more human. Lauren is a senior management and budget analyst at Mecklenburg County, NC, where her work makes...

Ryan Hanschen

No. 10 2025 Top Influencers in Local Government See the compete list of Top Influencers in Local Government. Community Engagement Manager | City of Boulder, CO | Ryan Hanschen is at the heart of the City of Boulder’s efforts to make public participation more inclusive and meaningful. He leads with a mix of humility,...

Dear Public Servants: This One’s for You

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Ashley Bailey, senior communications associate for the Georgia Municipal Association in Atlanta, GA. Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: "Make Work Meaningful: Discover How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee" by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles What I’m listening to: Professional Troublemaker: The...

Podcast: Local Responses to Intoxicating Hemp with Glen Cole, Rolling Meadows, IL

Glen Cole Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director City of Rolling Meadows, IL Bio Glen Cole, the Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director for City of Rolling Meadows, Illinois joined the podcast to discuss intoxicating hemp regulation at the local government level. He shared how intoxicating hemp is different than recreational marijuana and...

One Word: Rest

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Chaquinta Fisher, I.T. Support Manager for McLennan County, TX. Connect with Chaquinta on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: The Book of Leviticus – The Bible What I’m listening to: The Basement with Tim Ross podcast What I’m watching: “The Equalizer” I recently had a 16-hour work day, five hours of sleep...

The Freedom of No

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Jackie Wehmeyer, Senior Director of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Parkland, FL and proud member of ELGL’s Board of Directors. Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn. What I’m lamenting: I went to the last City of Parkland Farmer’s Market of the season this morning. Until November...

Podcast: Role of the Assistant Manager and Nonpartisan Leadership with Emily Colon

Emily Colon Former Deputy City Manager City of Lakeland, FL LinkedIn Emily Colon, former Deputy City Manager for the City of Lakeland, Florida, joined the podcast to talk about her career and two important management concepts. She recently wrote about the importance of nonpartisanship and she discussed how it can be a superpower for local...