Citizen Engagement at the Crossroads: Innovation, Governance, Procurement, and Local Leadership

In an era of fragile public trust and complex governance challenges, citizen engagement is no longer a supplementary activity—it is a core function of effective public administration. This panel brings together distinguished NAPA Fellows and experts to dissect the multifaceted challenge of building a responsive, collaborative democracy. Each panelist offers a unique lens on how to move from a model of “government for the people” to one of “governance with the people.”  

Throughout the discussion, panelists highlight practical examples, structural barriers, and emerging innovations. The discussion will conclude by exploring how these different perspectives can be synthesized to build a more resilient and effective 21st-century public service.

Panelists:

David Gragan (Interim Chief Procurement Officer, City of Palm Bay, Florida)

Valerie Lemmie (Senior Advisor for State and Local Government, Kettering Foundation)

Matt Leighninger (Vice President, National Civic League; Director, Center for Democracy Innovation)

Patricia Martel (ICMA West Coast Regional Director)

Register here.