GovEx Data Points
Episodes
#112 - Former NYC data chief Mike Flowers on AI, Trust, and the Future of City Data
28 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- Why cities need faster, smarter decision-making and why empathy, judgment, and trust still matter most in the age of AI.--- In this episode, Flowe...
#111 - D.C. CDO Matt Sokol on the AI-Driven Future of City Government
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- Matt Sokol discusses why better data is the foundation for successful AI, smarter services, and public trust.--- In this episode, Sokol shares how...
#110 - Beyond Dashboards: How Boston’s CDO is Rethinking City Services
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- Boston’s Chief Research and Data Officer, Shin-pei Tsay, shares how cities can shift from analytics to impact by focusing on user experience, tr...
#109 – How AI Is Redefining the Chief Data Officer Role
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- Justin Elszasz, former Chief Data Officer for Baltimore and GovEx advisor and CDO-in-Residence, shares what it takes to lead data strategy, naviga...
#108 - Meet the CDOs: Melisa Breda on Trust and Responsibility in the Age of AI
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- Melisa Breda, former Chief Data Officer for Buenos Aires, and GovEx advisor and CDO-in-Residence, shares a candid look at what it takes to make da...
#107 - Trust Through Results: Data, Evidence, and the Future of Public Service
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- Michele Jolin, CEO and co-Founder of Results for America, and Oliver Wise, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence, ...
#106 - From Vision to Impact: Lessons from GovEx's First 10 Years
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- Beth Blauer and Oliver Wise reflect on the roots, risks, and real-world impact of building a data-first culture in government.--- What began as a ...
#105 - From Potholes to Predictive Power: How One City Is Using AI to Stay Ahead
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- With support from the City Data Alliance AI Track, Luján de Cuyo embraced AI and shifted from reactive repairs to proactive service delivery.--- ...
#104 - What’s Your AI IQ? How Cities Are Measuring and Making Progress
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
--- The AI Capacity Quiz is helping cities reflect, compare, and take confident steps forward--- The GovEx team created the AI Capacity Quiz to help l...
#103 - AI City Showcase: How Guatemala City is using AI to Combat Climate Change
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- The city developed its AI prototype as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance AI Track--- As one of eight cities in the Bloomberg...
Rewriting a Narrative: How El Paso’s mayor is using data to highlight the city’s promise
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- Mayor Renard Johnson’s participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative offers an example of the power of data storytelling.---...
#101 - City Spotlight: Recife leads a wave of Latin American AI innovation
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- With Conecta Recife and “zero-click” service delivery, the Brazilian tech hub is creating scalable solutions to address resident needs.--- Our...
#100 - The Chief Data Officer: An Essential and Evolving Role in the Age of Generative AI
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- Miami CDO Cheriene Floyd shares how Generative AI is shifting the way cities think about their data.--- A Chief Data Officer’s role in cities is...
#99 - Cities as Engines of Innovation: Insights from GovEx Executive Director Oliver Wise
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- Oliver Wise has been a data leader in local and federal government, as well as the private sector, and as GovEx’s new Executive Director, he’s...
#98 - Making Visions Reality: The African Mayoral Leadership Initiative
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- The innovation program that helps African leaders leverage data tools to achieve legacy goals--- Today, we’re talking about the African Mayoral ...
#97 - Making Data Accessible: The BREATHE Center’s Lung Health Dashboard
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- How can data storytelling improve health outcomes and save lives? The Lung Health Dashboard offers one example.--- Today’s episode explores how ...
#96 - Equipping Staff to make Better Decisions: The JHU Travel Emissions Dashboard
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, transportation accounts for 28% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. For short trips, flying i...
#95 - The GovExperts: The "Squishier" Side of Data Use in Cities with Vidushani Jayalal
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- The GovExperts is a Data Points mini-series spotlighting the brilliant minds at GovEx who are shaping the future of public sector data work. Today...
#94 - The GovExperts: What Data-Driven Culture Means for Cities with Dr. Sara Bertran de Lis
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- The GovExperts is a Data Points mini-series spotlighting the brilliant minds at GovEx who are shaping the future of public sector data work. Today...
#93 - Communicating with Data: How Do Cities Measure Up?
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- How well do cities communicate with data? What opportunities are they missing? --- GovEx Senior Research Manager Dr. Jacquie Greiff and Senior Res...
#92 - The GovExperts: The Power of Effective Instructional Design with Dr. Jessica Arends
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- The GovExperts is a Data Points mini-series spotlighting the brilliant minds at GovEx who are shaping the future of public sector data work. Today...
#91 - 2024: The Year Cities Learned to Stop Worrying and Love AI
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
--- Outgoing GovEx Executive Director Amy Edwards Holmes reflects on a momentous year for cities and data--- While the characters in Dr. Strangelove, ...
#90 - Strengthening Community Food Systems: Resilience Strategies in Adams County, Colorado
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
--- In this episode of Data Points, GovEx’s Meg Burke sits down with Tessa Cushman, the Food Access and Systems Coordinator in Adams County, Colorad...
#89 - Co-creating Solutions for Economic Mobility: The Opportunity Accelerator
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
--- In partnership with Results for America, GovEx helps empower communities to solve problems.--- In the latest episode of Data Points, we get an ove...
#88 - The GovExperts: Potential of public sector AI with Andrew Nicklin
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
--- The GovExperts is the new mini-series from GovEx Data Points spotlighting some of the top minds in public sector data. In our inaugural episode we...
#87 - Increasing Access while Reducing Emissions: Iowa City’s Fare Free Pilot Program
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iowa City and GovEx collaborate to solve a problem: How do you gather ridership data without fares?--- In the latest episode of the Data Points podcas...
#86 - Celebrating 10 Years: Reflections on the DATA Act and the future of open data
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
--- GovEx Executive Director Amy Holmes introduces highlights from the organization’s recent event marking the DATA Act’s 10th anniversary--- In t...
#85 - Teaching Mayors to Tap Data’s “Sneaky Super Power”: Bringing People Together
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
--- The Data Track at Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative helps leaders to the see the people behind city-level data.--- Today, we’re throw...
#84 - Women’s History Now: The Women Behind the Coronavirus Resource Center
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
--- In this episode, we celebrate Women’s History Month by talking to some of the women who made history by leading the development of the Coronavir...
#83 - City AI Connect: Risk vs. Opportunity in Government AI
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
--- In this episode, we discuss City AI Connect, a global learning community and digital platform for cities to trial and advance the usage of generat...
#82 - A Year In Review: A conversation with GovEx Executive Director Amy Edwards Holmes on her first year of leadership
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest Data Points Podcast from the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University (“GovEx”), GovEx Chief of Staff ...
#81 - Democratizing Data in City Workforces: A conversation with Baltimore Chief Data Officer Justin Elszasz
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest Data Points podcast from the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University (GovEx), GovEx Research Manager Jacq...
#80 - Food System Resilience: A Planning Guide for Local Governments
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Among the lessons many cities learned from the COVID-19 pandemic was that local governments need to be better prepared for disruptions to the food sys...
#79 - The Charge to Invest in Intersectional Culture Change in Cities
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The past several years have revealed a major shift in the way we relate to our jobs, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing political and ci...
#78 - It Takes a Village: The Value of Place-Based Partnerships in Racine, WI
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Place-based partnerships can serve a major role in supporting governments’ commitment to serving and improving the lives of residents. But partnersh...
#78 - It Takes a Village: The Value of Place-Based Partnerships in Racine, WI
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Place-based partnerships can serve a major role in supporting governments’ commitment to serving and improving the lives of residents. But partnersh...
#78 - It Takes a Village: The Value of Place-Based Partnerships in Racine, WI
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Place-based partnerships can serve a major role in supporting governments’ commitment to serving and improving the lives of residents. But partnersh...
#77 - Public Health Data Lessons Learned: The Pandemic Data Initiative
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how unprepared our public data reporting practices were to handle such an event. Incomplete, poorly-formatted, or irreg...
#77 - Public Health Data Lessons Learned: The Pandemic Data Initiative
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how unprepared our public data reporting practices were to handle such an event. Incomplete, poorly-formatted, or irreg...
#77 - Public Health Data Lessons Learned: The Pandemic Data Initiative
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how unprepared our public data reporting practices were to handle such an event. Incomplete, poorly-formatted, or irreg...
#76 - From the “Start” of Innovation to a New Center for Innovation – A Conversation with Amanda Daflos
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Innovation is about solving problems. Every problem and crisis a city encounters can unlock new opportunities to innovate and create better results fo...
#76 - From the “Start” of Innovation to a New Center for Innovation – A Conversation with Amanda Daflos
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Innovation is about solving problems. Every problem and crisis a city encounters can unlock new opportunities to innovate and create better results fo...
#76 - From the “Start” of Innovation to a New Center for Innovation – A Conversation with Amanda Daflos
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Innovation is about solving problems. Every problem and crisis a city encounters can unlock new opportunities to innovate and create better results fo...
#75 - “Did you get my email?”: A conversation on collaboration
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When tackling society’s big challenges, we often find ourselves collaborating with other departments or organizations external to our own. But as an...
#75 - “Did you get my email?”: A conversation on collaboration
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When tackling society’s big challenges, we often find ourselves collaborating with other departments or organizations external to our own. But as an...
#75 - “Did you get my email?”: A conversation on collaboration
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When tackling society’s big challenges, we often find ourselves collaborating with other departments or organizations external to our own. But as an...
#74 - Data Science: Easy as P.I.E.
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Governments are often on the hook for some of society’s most pressing challenges. How can city leaders find novel and flexible solutions to address ...
#74 - Data Science: Easy as P.I.E.
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Governments are often on the hook for some of society’s most pressing challenges. How can city leaders find novel and flexible solutions to address ...
#74 - Data Science: Easy as P.I.E.
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Governments are often on the hook for some of society’s most pressing challenges. How can city leaders find novel and flexible solutions to address ...
#73 - Saving for the Future with Lansing SAVE
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can cities and their partners help families start saving money for their children’s future college or career training expenses? Since 2013, Lans...
#73 - Saving for the Future with Lansing SAVE
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can cities and their partners help families start saving money for their children’s future college or career training expenses? Since 2013, Lans...
#73 - Saving for the Future with Lansing SAVE
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can cities and their partners help families start saving money for their children’s future college or career training expenses? Since 2013, Lans...
# 72 - Framing Results with the Results Framework
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accountable, transparent government is something we all strive for in public service. But how do we make this aspiration a reality? It's not enough to...
# 72 - Framing Results with the Results Framework
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accountable, transparent government is something we all strive for in public service. But how do we make this aspiration a reality? It's not enough to...
# 72 - Framing Results with the Results Framework
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Accountable, transparent government is something we all strive for in public service. But how do we make this aspiration a reality? It's not enough to...
#71 - A Year in Review: The Economic Mobility Policy Forum
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're joined by the Economic Mobility Forum's Policy Fellows as they wrap up a year of research and discussion at the Johns Hopkins University ...
#71 - A Year in Review: The Economic Mobility Policy Forum
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're joined by the Economic Mobility Forum's Policy Fellows as they wrap up a year of research and discussion at the Johns Hopkins University ...
#71 - A Year in Review: The Economic Mobility Policy Forum
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're joined by the Economic Mobility Forum's Policy Fellows as they wrap up a year of research and discussion at the Johns Hopkins University ...
#70 - Forging Ahead Despite COVID-19
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The disruptive effects of COVID-19 were widespread, but that didn't prevent the City of Paterson, NJ from moving forward on mayoral priorities. Today,...
#70 - Forging Ahead Despite COVID-19
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The disruptive effects of COVID-19 were widespread, but that didn't prevent the City of Paterson, NJ from moving forward on mayoral priorities. Today,...
#70 - Forging Ahead Despite COVID-19
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The disruptive effects of COVID-19 were widespread, but that didn't prevent the City of Paterson, NJ from moving forward on mayoral priorities. Today,...
#69 - COMIT: A Maternal Vaccination Policy Tracker by JHU
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is it safe for pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19? What if they're breast feeding? The answer, it turns out, is hard to find, and it de...
#69 - COMIT: A Maternal Vaccination Policy Tracker by JHU
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is it safe for pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19? What if they're breast feeding? The answer, it turns out, is hard to find, and it de...
#69 - COMIT: A Maternal Vaccination Policy Tracker by JHU
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is it safe for pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19? What if they're breast feeding? The answer, it turns out, is hard to find, and it de...
Data Points Episode #68 - The eSchools+ Initiative
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're joined by the creators of the eSchools+ Initiative, a program designed to address inequity caused by school closures through connecting p...
Data Points Episode #68 - The eSchools+ Initiative
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're joined by the creators of the eSchools+ Initiative, a program designed to address inequity caused by school closures through connecting p...
Data Points Episode #68 - The eSchools+ Initiative
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're joined by the creators of the eSchools+ Initiative, a program designed to address inequity caused by school closures through connecting p...
Data Points Episode #67 - Love Your Block in Lancaster, PA
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss the Love Your Block program in the City of Lancaster. Love Your Block is a Cities of Service initiative that con...
Data Points Episode #67 - Love Your Block in Lancaster, PA
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss the Love Your Block program in the City of Lancaster. Love Your Block is a Cities of Service initiative that con...
Data Points Episode #67 - Love Your Block in Lancaster, PA
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss the Love Your Block program in the City of Lancaster. Love Your Block is a Cities of Service initiative that con...
Data Points Episode #66 - Baltimore's CleanStat Initiative
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we discuss our engagement with the City of Baltimore and its CleanStat program. We'll also look at how the city relied on this ini...
Data Points Episode #66 - Baltimore's CleanStat Initiative
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we discuss our engagement with the City of Baltimore and its CleanStat program. We'll also look at how the city relied on this ini...
Data Points Episode #66 - Baltimore's CleanStat Initiative
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we discuss our engagement with the City of Baltimore and its CleanStat program. We'll also look at how the city relied on this ini...
Data Points Episode #65 - Knowledge Management in City Government
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We know that collecting and analyzing data generates insights. But how can we transform those moments of insight into enduring knowledge that guides t...
Data Points Episode #65 - Knowledge Management in City Government
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We know that collecting and analyzing data generates insights. But how can we transform those moments of insight into enduring knowledge that guides t...
Data Points Episode #65 - Knowledge Management in City Government
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We know that collecting and analyzing data generates insights. But how can we transform those moments of insight into enduring knowledge that guides t...
Data Points Episode #64 - GovEx Engagement with Rochester, MN
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we take a look at GovEx's engagement with the City of Rochester, MN to support their affordable housing initiative. We'll look at where the ini...
Data Points Episode #64 - GovEx Engagement with Rochester, MN
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we take a look at GovEx's engagement with the City of Rochester, MN to support their affordable housing initiative. We'll look at where the ini...
Data Points Episode #64 - GovEx Engagement with Rochester, MN
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we take a look at GovEx's engagement with the City of Rochester, MN to support their affordable housing initiative. We'll look at where the ini...
Data Points Episode #63 - Distance Learning During COVID-19
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're all under pressure to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. But how can we make the most of this time, and what benefits of this situation might we...
Data Points Episode #63 - Distance Learning During COVID-19
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're all under pressure to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. But how can we make the most of this time, and what benefits of this situation might we...
Data Points Episode #63 - Distance Learning During COVID-19
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're all under pressure to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. But how can we make the most of this time, and what benefits of this situation might we...
Data Points Episode #62 - Food System Resilience during COVID-19
01 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on food system resilience. Joined by two graduate students focused on this work, we’ll take a look at ...
Data Points Episode #62 - Food System Resilience during COVID-19
01 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on food system resilience. Joined by two graduate students focused on this work, we’ll take a look at ...
Data Points Episode #62 - Food System Resilience during COVID-19
01 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on food system resilience. Joined by two graduate students focused on this work, we’ll take a look at ...
Data Points Episode #61 - Asheville Reparations
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we join the City of Asheville’s Equity and Inclusion Director Kimberlee Archie and IT Director Jonathan Feldman to discuss the city's work on...
Data Points Episode #61 - Asheville Reparations
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we join the City of Asheville’s Equity and Inclusion Director Kimberlee Archie and IT Director Jonathan Feldman to discuss the city's work on...
Data Points Episode #61 - Asheville Reparations
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we join the City of Asheville’s Equity and Inclusion Director Kimberlee Archie and IT Director Jonathan Feldman to discuss the city's work on...
Data Points Episode #60 - Food Insecurity & Teens
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
During the holidays, food drives and charitable giving campaigns raise awareness of food insecurity, but people experience disruptions in access to he...
Data Points Episode #60 - Food Insecurity & Teens
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
During the holidays, food drives and charitable giving campaigns raise awareness of food insecurity, but people experience disruptions in access to he...
Data Points Episode #60 - Food Insecurity & Teens
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
During the holidays, food drives and charitable giving campaigns raise awareness of food insecurity, but people experience disruptions in access to he...
Data Points Episode #59: Improvement Science in Education
19 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When we thinking of measuring outcomes in education, we often think of test scores as the ultimate indicator. But a team of practitioners and research...
Data Points Episode #59: Improvement Science in Education
19 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When we thinking of measuring outcomes in education, we often think of test scores as the ultimate indicator. But a team of practitioners and research...
Data Points Episode #59: Improvement Science in Education
19 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When we thinking of measuring outcomes in education, we often think of test scores as the ultimate indicator. But a team of practitioners and research...
Data Points Podcast Episode 58 - Counties and Data
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
At GovEx, a lot of our work is focused on cities. But counties play a crucial role in using data to improve public outcomes as well. From health to el...
Data Points Podcast Episode 58 - Counties and Data
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
At GovEx, a lot of our work is focused on cities. But counties play a crucial role in using data to improve public outcomes as well. From health to el...
Data Points Podcast Episode 58 - Counties and Data
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
At GovEx, a lot of our work is focused on cities. But counties play a crucial role in using data to improve public outcomes as well. From health to el...
Data Points Podcast Episode 57 - Ethics and Algorithms
20 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Algorithms are a growing part of government work. They play a part in items ranging from traffic light decisions to criminal sentencing and a variety ...
Data Points Podcast Episode 57 - Ethics and Algorithms
20 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Algorithms are a growing part of government work. They play a part in items ranging from traffic light decisions to criminal sentencing and a variety ...
Data Points Podcast Episode 57 - Ethics and Algorithms
20 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Algorithms are a growing part of government work. They play a part in items ranging from traffic light decisions to criminal sentencing and a variety ...