2020 Virtual Fall Meeting

Download the Fall Meeting program.

Welcome from Jeff Neal, Chair, Academy's Board of Directors

On-Demand: Foster Social Equity

The Academy formed a series of Working Groups of its Fellows to address Grand Challenges in Public Administration. These Groups were charged with producing one or more papers to advise the Administration in 2021 (whether reelected or newly elected) on the key near-time actions that should be taken to begin addressing Grand Challenges. View this video to learn more from the Fostering Social Equity Working Group featuring:

• RaJade Berry-James, Associate Professor, Public Administration, North Carolina State University
• Gary Glickman, Chair, Academy Standing Panel on Social Equity in Governance
• Michael Jacobson, Deputy Director, King County Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, King County, Washington
• Demetra Nightingale, Institute Fellow, Urban Institute
• Margaret Simms, Non Resident Fellow, Labor, Human Services and Population, Urban Institute

Download the working group's papers:

• Improving Child Well-Being & Reducing Food Insecurity
• Promoting Social Equity in an Evidence-Based Policy Environment

On Demand: Ensure Electoral Integrity & Enhance Voter Participation

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Ensure Electoral Integrity & Enhance Voter Participation" featuring:

• Edie Goldenberg, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan
• Eric Hirschhorn, Former Under Secretary for Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce
• Nancy Tate, Co-chair, 2020 Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative
• Barry Van Lare, Former Deputy Executive Director and Director of Management Consulting and Training, National Governors Association

Download the working group's papers:

• Protecting Elections and Enhancing Participation: An Agenda for 2021
• Stepping Up to the Challenge

On Demand: Modernize & Reinvigorate the Public Service

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Modernize & Reinvigorate the Public Service" featuring:

• Jeff Neal, Chair, Academy Board of Directors
• Jason Briefel, Partner, Shaw Bransford & Roth

Download the working group's action plan. 
***This session was graciously sponsored by Shaw Bransford & Roth.

On Demand: Make Government AI Ready

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Make Government AI Ready" featuring:

• Erik Bergrud
• Jim Hendler
• Kaye Husbands Fealing
• Theresa Pardo
• Alan Shark

Download the working group's action plan.

LIVE: Elmer B. Staats Lecture: Fostering Social Equity through Public Administration

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern

Naomi M. Barry-Pérez

Director, Civil Rights Center U.S. Department of Labor
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LIVE: Book Talk with Brownlow Book Award Winner

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Her book Bending the Rules: Procedural Politicking in the Bureaucracy (University of Chicago Press, 2019) explores how unelected bureaucrats leverage procedures in order to exercise influence in the policymaking process.

Rachel Augustine Potter

Assistant Professor of Politics, University of Virginia
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MODERATOR: Joseph Mitchell

Director of Strategic Initiatives, National Academy of Public Administration
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LIVE: Managing Technological Challenges

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern

MODERATOR: Martin O'Malley

Former Governor of Maryland
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Fran Berman

Edward P. Hamilton Distinguished Professor in Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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Theresa Pardo

Director of the Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany, State University of New York
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Renee Wynn

Former Chief Information Officer, NASA
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On Demand: Create Modern Water Systems for Safe & Sustainable Use

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Create Modern Water Systems for Safe & Sustainable Use" featuring:

• Gerry Galloway, Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Affiliate Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, College Park
• Joe Mitchell, Director of Strategic Initiatives and International Programs

Download the working group's action plan.

On Demand: Steward Natural Resources & Address Climate Change

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Steward Natural Resources & Address Climate Change" featuring:

• Bob Perciasepe, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
• Barry Rabe, J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Environmental Policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan
• Joe Mitchell, Director of Strategic Initiatives and International Programs

Download the working group's action plan.

On Demand: Agile Research and Teaching

This panel presentation will be an update on Agile adoption and implementation in government, drawing on the panelists’ research. Ines Mergel will provide an overview of how Agile has become imperative in the context of failure of large-scale waterfall projects. Agile is a user-centric and iterative framework, which enables public organizations to be nimble and adapt quickly to changing needs and demands. Sukumar Ganapati will explain the characteristics of Agile, and the opportunities and challenges of implementing it in public agencies. Andrew Whitford will outline the research gap on Agile from public administration perspective, and how it offers new pathways for researchers. Agile provides a new way of hypothesis driven “modeling through” (instead of muddling through), agile policy implementation and administrative change. The panel will conclude with pedagogical implications of how public affairs schools can include agile competencies in their curriculum, leading to a discussion of next steps for research, practice, and teaching. The panel features:

• Dan Chenok
• Ed DeSeve
• Angela Evans
• Sukumar Ganapati
• Don Kettl
• Anne Khademian
• Ines Mergel
• Andrea Norris
• Andy Whitford

Learn more about the Agile Government Center here.

On Demand: Connect Individuals to Meaningful Work

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Connect Individuals to Meaningful Work" featuring:

• Rich Callahan
• Terry Gerton
• David Gragan
• Mark Pisano
• John Vanyur

Download the working group's action plan.

On Demand: Build Resilient Communities

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Build Resilient Communities" featuring:

• Ellen Glover
• Pat Martel
• Stephen Hamill

Download the working group's action plan.

LIVE: Business Meeting

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Featuring:

• President's Report by Terry Gerton, President and CEO, National Academy of Public Administration
• Treasurer's Report by Randy Lyon, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Development, National Academy of Public Administration
• In Memoriam by Jeffrey Neal, Chair, Academy Board of Directors

LIVE: Standing Panel on Technology Leadership

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Topics to be discussed:

• Technology leadership – Identifying Skillsets for Today and Tomorrow.
• Top Ten Tech Trends that will Impact Public Administration in 2021.
• Setting the NAPA Panel’s Research Agenda – all ideas are welcome.

LIVE: Standing Panel on Executive Organization and Management

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

The meeting will cover the following topics: 

• Developing a post-election discussion in December on potential management priorities for the next administration/term
• Developing an agenda for meetings and initiatives in 2021, including next steps on the Grand Challenges papers for Collaborative Governance and Civic Engagement, and other potential activities.

LIVE: Standing Panel on Intergovernmental Systems

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

The Intergovernmental Standing Panel will review its progress the past year in 4 areas: (1) Federalism.us, a new NAPA-launched online convening place on better federalism, intergovernmental relations, and multilevel democracy, including a new online data book; (2) intergovernmental cases & tools /essential practices; (3) grants management; and (4) our joint work with the NAPA local government working group on the current fiscal stress of state and local governments. It will also briefly consider objectives, deliverables, and other next steps for the coming year in those 4 and other areas, including where, when, and about what to provide input to the federal executive branch and Congress.

LIVE: Standing Panel on International Affairs

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

TITLE: Keeping Course When the Compass Spins: Leadership, Governance, and Diplomacy in an Age of Uncertainty & Surprise

SPEAKER: Dr. David J. Stuckenberg

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LIVE: Standing Panel on the Public Service

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

The Standing Panel on the Public Service, focused on the Grand Challenge to Modernize & Reinvigorate the Public Service, is intent on expanding the Academy’s influence to support meaningful and positive change around public workforce issues. In this meeting, we will describe and ask for feedback on the Standing Panel’s 2021 Annual Plan to address:

• Rebuilding Trust in, and within, the Public Service at All Levels of Government;
• Expanding Diversity and Inclusion and Improving Social Equity in Public Service; and
• Exploring Centralization versus Decentralization in Workforce Policy (e.g., Role of OPM).

We will also discuss the recent Executive Order Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-creating-schedule-f-excepted-service/). If you are interested in learning more about these issues and contributing to the work of the Standing Panel on the Public Service, please join our meeting.

LIVE: Standing Panel on Social Equity in Governance

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

LIVE: Ensuring Environmental Sustainability

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

MODERATOR: Nicole Darnall

Associate Dean of Faculty Success and Strategic Partnerships, College of Global Futures, Arizona State University
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Stan Meiburg

Director, Graduate Programs in Sustainability, Wake Forest University
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Felicia Marcus

William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow, Stanford University's Water in the West Program
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Kathryn Sullivan

Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies
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On Demand: Develop New Approaches to Public Governance and Engagement

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Develop New Approaches to Public Governance and Engagement" featuring:

• John Kamensky
• Carolyn Lukensmeyer
• F. Stevens Redburn

Read the referenced Election 2020 papers:

1. Engaging Americans and Increasing Public Trust: An Agenda for 2021 and Beyond
2. Enhancing Public Governance: An Agenda for 2021 and Beyond

Download the presentation slides.

***This session was graciously sponsored by WAEPA.

On Demand: Advance National Interests in a Changing Global Context

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Advance National Interests in a Changing Global Context" featuring:

• Joyce Barr
• Michael Brintnall
• Patria de Lancer Julnes
• Marcelo Giugale

Download the full action plan.

***This session was graciously sponsored by the Robertson Foundation for Government.

On Demand: Advance The Nation's Long-Term Fiscal Health

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Advance The Nation's Long-Term Fiscal Health" featuring:

• John Bartle
• Doug Criscitello
• Sallyanne Harper
• Mike Pagano
• Marvin Phaup
• Justin Marlowe

Download the full action plan.

***This session was graciously sponsored by the Grant Thornton.

On Demand: Ensure Data Security & Individual Privacy

View this video to learn more from the Election2020 working group on "Ensure Data Security & Individual Privacy" featuring:

• Jane Fountain
• Jim Hendler
• Costis Toregas

Download the full action plan.

LIVE: Strengthening Social & Economic Development

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern

MODERATOR: Jodi Sandfort

Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota; Incoming Dean, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington
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TC Broadnax

City Manager, City of Dallas, TX
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Lisa Gordon

President and CEO, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
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Robin Kramer

Managing Director, The Smidt Foundation
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LIVE: Plenary - Public service/Private resilience: Pandemics are Personal

1:00 -2:15 p.m. Eastern

This plenary will consider pandemics --past and present --from multiple perspectives, including what the public expects from the government and public servants. Dr. Schuchat will discuss challenges related to sustaining trust through a prolonged pandemic and review selected strategies for fostering resilience in both individuals and communities.

Dr. Anne Schuchat

Principal Deputy Director Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Rear Admiral (Ret.), U.S. Public Health Service
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LIVE: Protecting & Advancing Democracy

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern

MODERATOR: Chris Mihm

Managing Director for Strategic Issues, US Government Accountability Office (GAO)
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Elaine Kamarck

Senior Fellow, Governance Studies Program; Director, Center for Effective Public Management, Brookings Institution
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Jane Lute

Chief Executive Officer, Sicpa SecurInk Corporation
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Academy's 12 Grand Challenges in Public Administration

• 12 Grand Challenges in Public Administration
• Election2020 Action Plan Papers
• Education Resources - a collection of podcasts and corresponding Election 2020 papers and other content related to the Academy's 12 Grand Challenges.

Academy's Agile Government Center

More information on this partnership between NAPA and the IBM Center for the Business of Government.

Academy's Management Matters Podcast

Check out the Academy's weekly podcast series, Management Matters. Listen now!

COVID-19 Resource Platform

COVID-19 Resource Platform- relevant articles from the Academy fellows, resources from the Federal and Local governments, and on-the-ground perspectives from the Academy fellows' communities.

2019 Fall Meeting Proceedings

Miss the 2019 Fall Meeting? Check out the proceedings here.

In Memoriam

Every year the Academy honors those Fellows we have lost. Please find tributes to each of them in our in Memoriam book.
. 

City of Gaithersburg, Maryland

Congratulations Tanisha Briley!

E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University

Congratulations Jared Llorens!

Grant Thornton Public Sector LLC

Check out Grant Thornton's latest article by Fellow, Doug Criscitello on "Fixing America's failing fiscal health."

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University

Learn more about the Wilder School.

Indiana University O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Congratulations Dean Siân Mooney!

Management Systems International | A Tetra Tech Company

Congratulations Joseph Christoff!

Robertson Foundation for Government

Shaw Bransford & Roth

• Learn about the Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C. legal and government affairs practice..
• Find Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C. on the GSA Schedule..
• Check out their free resources FEDmanager, FEDagent, and the FEDtalk podcast.. 

SICPA Securink Corp.

Congratulations Jane Lute!

Taylor Strategies

University of Georgia School of Public & International Affairs

Congratulations Gene Brewer and A. Nikki Clowers!

University of Nebraska Omaha College of Public Affairs and Community Service

Congratulations Dr. Angela Eikenberry!

WAEPA

• 2020 Federal Benefits Guide
• About WAEPA: Learn about life insurance For Feds, By Feds
• WAEPA vs FEGLI Calculator
• 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Group Term Life Insurance for Federal Employees

Academy Board Meeting (open to Fellows)

12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

The Academy's Board of Directors will meet prior to the start of the Fall Meeting. All Fellows are welcome to join. Please register.