From mental health to AI to political discourse, the 2024 annual conference aims to inform and educate attendees about all aspects of working in local government. With the conference only a few weeks away, check out a few sessions and events you’ll want to pencil in.

Sunday Keynote

GovAI Coalition: Shaping the Future of AI in the Public Sector, Jaime Wascalus

September 22 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Jaime Wascalus is the director and chief information officer for the city of Saint Paul and a GovAI Coalition board member. She is responsible for planning and administrative work in the direction, development, coordination, and implementation of enterprise-wide information services, business and resident outreach efforts, and city communications technology. Wascalus holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and German from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

At the opening general session, she will present “GovAI Coalition: Shaping the Future of AI in the Public Sector.”  Attendees will also hear keynote speaker Shawn Kanungo present “The Age of Infinity—Generative AI & Our Future” and get a complete understanding of AI’s role and capabilities in local government.

Tuesday Gamechanger

The Dignity Index: An Innovative Strategy for Easing Divisions and Solving Problems, Tami Pyfer

September 23 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Tami Pyfer is chief of staff and VP external for UNITE, a national organization seeking to ease division across political and cultural differences. She is also co-creator of the Dignity Index, an eight-point scale for measuring the dignity or contempt in the language we use with each other when we disagree. Before her work with UNITE, she served for seven years as education policy advisor to former Utah Governor Gary Herbert, where she was involved in state-level policy development, coalition building, and stakeholder engagement. She held local and state elected offices for 12 years: eight years on the Logan City Council and four years on the Utah State Board of Education. Pyfer’s professional training is in special education and before her appointment to serve on the governor's executive team, she taught at Utah State University, preparing teachers to work with students with disabilities. 

Education Session

Mental Health in Local Government: Failures, Blockers, & Successes, Johnny Crowder

September 24 | 2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

Mental health has quickly become one of the most talked about and prioritized topics in local government. But now that the awareness piece is in place, what actions can leaders take to transform their teams and neighborhoods? And once those decisions are made, how can they avoid the common pitfalls that doom many public health initiatives before they even start? Join Johnny Crowder, founder and CEO of ICMA's official mental health partner, Cope Notes, for an in-depth, tactical discussion about how to ensure your next mental health launch—whether internal or resident-facing—changes and saves lives.

A certified recovery peer specialist, Crowder provides audiences a toolkit of self-care and wellness techniques they can put into practice to re-wire the brain for positivity over time, coupled with a blueprint for making mental and emotional well-being a cultural cornerstone in any workplace.

Thriving Communities Reception

September 23 | 5 - 7 p.m.

Join us Monday evening in The Westin Pittsburgh's Allegheny Ballroom for the Thriving Communities Reception. Learn about available resources, including technical assistance and funding from ICMA's sponsored programs.