Public Sector Podcast: Ohio's Local Government: Challenges and Opportunities in Innovation and Technology

In this episode, Kimberly Roy Wilson, Director of The Office of Information Technology & Services, City of Cleveland, shares her perspective as a longtime public sector technology leader on how innovation and adaptability have become essential for local government operations—especially following the challenges exposed by the pandemic. With over 28 years in the technology space and responsibility for citywide IT in Cleveland, Kimberly discusses the importance of aligning tech with community needs, fostering communication, and building public trust through transparent and citizen-centric digital services.

Key Insights:

• Pandemic as a Catalyst for Change: The COVID-19 crisis revealed critical gaps in virtual capabilities and spurred a shift toward innovation as a standard practice in local government.
• Understanding Community Needs: Success in digital transformation relies on aligning technology solutions with the specific capabilities and expectations of residents, rather than following broader trends blindly.
• Overcoming Funding & Bureaucracy: Balancing innovation with limited resources and navigating bureaucratic structures requires creativity, small wins, and strategic communication with stakeholders.
• Civic Engagement & Transparency: Involving citizens and businesses early in the innovation process increases the impact and acceptance of new technologies.
• The Cost of Inaction: Failing to modernize risks disconnecting government services from the daily lives of residents, threatening trust and relevance.

Why You Should Listen:

If you're a public sector leader navigating technology adoption, digital equity, or citizen engagement, Kimberly offers grounded advice and inspiring insights on how local governments can lead innovation—one incremental change at a time.

Quotable Moment:

"Innovation should be about what improvement means for your environment. It doesn’t have to be big—small wins can change culture over time."

Listen to the full episode to learn:

• How Cleveland is building AI-driven service efficiencies
• What it means to meet citizens “where they are” in the digital age
• Leadership strategies for pushing innovation forward despite resistance or resource constraints

If this episode gets you thinking — don’t miss your chance to hear more from Kimberly and other senior public sector leaders from across Ohio live and in person on May 13 at Government Innovation Showcase Ohio https://publicsectornetwork.com/events/government-innovation-showcase-ohio-columbus-2025/