Authentic Citizen Engagement: A Leadership Roundtable on Strategic Governance

How do we move from “government for the people” to “government with the people”? Join us for a dynamic roundtable discussion featuring distinguished leaders in public administration to explore the frameworks required for truly authentic engagement. Our panel will discuss the essential pillars of modern governance, strategies for true participatory democracy, and how to ensure equitable representation for marginalized voices. We will also address the practical challenges of balancing professional technical expertise with meaningful community input. Don’t miss the opportunity to join the dialogue and gain the insights necessary to lead in an era of evolving civic expectations. 

Panelists: 

Julia D. Novak, CEO/Executive Director, International City/County Management Association (ICMA)

Doug Linkhart, President, National Civic League 

Marcia Conner, Executive Director, National Forum for Black Public Administrators 

Rob O’Neill, Executive in Residence, Riley Center at the College of Charleston, and former Executive Director, International City/County Management Association (ICMA)

Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr., City Manager, City of Sanford, Florida 

Moderator: 

Wendy D. Chen, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Public Administration, Texas Tech University, and author of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Public Sector (Oxford University Press). 

Click here to view the July 2026 LGWG event - Citizen Engagement at the Crossroads: Innovation, Governance, Procurement, and Local Leadership.