CIVIC Tech Leadership Institute
November 2-6, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin – Downtown Capital
The CIVIC Tech Leadership Institute is a premier, one-week executive program designed for Texas IT leaders in local government navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of technology, public service, and governance. As cities face increasing demands around cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital accessibility, and data stewardship, today’s technology leaders must go beyond technical expertise to lead with vision, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.
CIVIC—Civic Innovation, Vision, Infrastructure, and Collaboration—equips participants with the strategic leadership skills, practical tools, and policy awareness needed to drive secure, accessible, and citizen-centered technology initiatives. Through focused sessions on AI, cybersecurity, legal alignment, customer service optimization, data and project management, and leadership development, the Institute prepares municipal IT leaders to deliver modern, resilient, and trusted digital services for the communities they serve.
Schedule
Monday, November 2, 1:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 3, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 4, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 5, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday, November 6, 8:30 a.m. – Noon
Location
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin – Downtown Capital
303 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Agenda
Day #1: Monday, November 2
1:00 p.m. | Welcome and Overview
Pamela Foster Brady, Director, GCMD, LBJ School | UT Austin
Mark Leavenworth, IRM Education and Outreach Coordinator, DIR
1:10 p.m. | CIVIC Tech Welcome
Tony Sauerhoff, Executive Director, State CIO, Chief AI and Innovation Officer, DIR
1:20 p.m. | Introductions
2:00 p.m. | DIR Roadmap
John Hoffman, Chief Technology Officer, DIR
Mark Leavenworth, IRM Education and Outreach Coordinator, DIR
2:20 p.m. | Collaborating with Legal Counsel
Jennie Hoelscher, General Counsel, DIR
3:15 p.m. | Break
3:30–4:30 p.m. | Executive Communications
Pamela Foster Brady, Director, Executive Education, LBJ School | UT Austin
Day #2: Tuesday, November 3
8:30 a.m. | Strategies to Optimize Customer Experience
Endi Silva, Chief Experience Officer, DIR
10:15 a.m. | Break
10:30 a.m. | Leadership Strategies: Emotional Intelligence
Trent Thurman, Assistant Dean, Executive Education, LBJ School | UT Austin
12 p.m. | Lunch (Provided)
1:15 p.m. | Championing Digital Accessibility: The Pivotal Role of Leadership
Marie Cohan, Statewide Digital Accessibility Program Administrator, DIR
2:15 p.m. | An Introduction to the Mock City Council Briefings
Pamela Foster Brady, Director, GCMD, LBJ School | UT Austin
Mark Leavenworth, IRM Education and Outreach Coordinator, DIR
3:00 p.m. | Break
3:15 p.m. | Texas Data Management
Neil Cooke, Statewide Chief Data Officer, DIR
3:45–4:30 p.m. | Managing Organizational Change
Trent Thurman, Assistant Dean, Executive Education, LBJ School | UT Austin
Day #3: Wednesday, November 4
8:30 a.m. | AI for Texas Government
John Hoffman, Chief Technology Officer, DIR
Amy Kelley, Chief Information Officer, DIR
Dave Tucker, Director of Digital Services, DIR
Meredith Noel, Director of Applied AI, DIR
10:00 a.m. | Break
10:15 a.m. | Mock City Council Briefing Workshop
Pamela Foster Brady, Director, GCMD, LBJ School | UT Austin
Mark Leavenworth, IRM Education and Outreach Coordinator, DIR
12 p.m. | Lunch (Provided)
1:15–4:30 p.m. | The Facilitative Leader
Dr. Eileen Dowse, Organizational Psychologist, Global Consultant
5:00–6:00 p.m. | Networking Session
Day #4: Thursday, November 5
8:30 a.m. | Cultural Hacks to Create a High-Performing Workforce
Lisa Jammer, Chief People and Cultural Officer, DIR
9:30 a.m. | Break
9:45 a.m. | The IT Leader’s Role in Procurement
Lisa Massock, Chief Procurement Officer, DIR
10:45 a.m. | Cybersecurity and the IT Leader
Em Landon, Texas Cyber Command
Jonathan King, Texas Cyber Command
10:45 a.m. | Criminal Justice Information Systems
Major Steven Stone, DPS
12 p.m. | Lunch (Box Lunch Provided)
1:15 p.m. | Project Management Essentials
Craig Meyers, Director, Project Management Office, DIR
2:00 p.m. | Managing Growth
Stuart Smith, City of Leander
3:00 p.m. | Break
3:15–4:30 p.m. | Mock City Council Briefing Workshop
Pamela Foster Brady, Director, GCMD, LBJ School | UT Austin
Mark Leavenworth, IRM Education and Outreach Coordinator, DIR
Day #5: Friday, November 6
8:30 a.m. | Mock City Council Briefings
Kerrica Laake, Chief Information Officer, City of Austin
Kent Souriyasak, Assistant City Manager, City of Leander
Amy N. Kelley, Chief Information Officer, DIR
11:00 a.m. | Debrief
11:15 a.m. | Summary: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
Pamela Foster Brady, Director, GCMD, LBJ School | UT Austin
Mark Leavenworth, IRM Education and Outreach Coordinator, DIR
11:45 a.m. | Graduation and Group Picture
12:30 p.m. | Lunch (Box Lunch Provided)