City of Davis

My strategy for building effective relationships with stakeholders always comes back to communication and being genuine. I believe authenticity is incredibly important in building lasting relationships. I try to be myself while remaining professional, transparent and thoughtful about what I can share.

Responsiveness also matters. I make it a priority to get back to people, even if it is simply to let them know an answer may take time. I also invest in relationships by attending stakeholder events, learning about their work and remembering what matters to them. Relationships are a two-way street, and the more time and energy I invest, the deeper the connection and better the outcomes.

Most importantly, I do what I say I am going to do and strive to be consistent with everyone. I recognize that my integrity and reputation extend beyond the workplace, particularly because I live in the community I serve.

Bridging the Gap between Government and the Community

Clear public communication plays a huge role in building trust, especially in today’s fast-moving social media environment. It has always been my M.O. to speak and write simply and to approach communication from the perspective of the resident or community member: What matters to them? What questions will they have? What do they actually need to know?

I encourage our teams to simplify how we communicate. Government jargon or overly complicated explanations do not help the public understand what we are doing or why. Clear communication means making information accessible and understandable while respecting the complexity of the issue and the intelligence of the audience.

I put this into practice through the City of Davis’ social media, press releases and our new Hello, Davis newsletter, which is designed to provide digestible, useful information about topics our community cares about. Across each platform, my goal is the same: make city information easier to understand, relevant and accessible to the people we serve.

Clear communication means making information accessible and understandable while respecting the complexity of the issue and the intelligence of the audience.

Aligning Project Communication with Community Priorities

I try to get involved in projects early because good communication and community engagement should be part of the process, not something added at the end. Early involvement gives me time to understand the issue, identify what the community may care about or question and determine when and how information or opportunities for input should be shared.

I also encourage staff to think about communications and branding from the beginning, even if my initial role is simply to listen and build my own understanding. That gives us time to do the necessary prework and communicate thoughtfully rather than reactively.

I think of the project or decision as the focus, but community priorities as the funnel it has to travel through. The decision may not change, but how we communicate, engage and help people understand it absolutely can.

Using AI Responsibly While Preserving Public Trust

I think AI will increasingly shape how the government communicates and operates. Community members are using AI to research issues, formulate arguments and challenge government decisions, while staff are using it to work more efficiently. We need to be thoughtful about how we use it, what information we put into these systems and how we maintain authenticity and trust. AI can be a valuable tool for organizing information, framing ideas and improving efficiency, but the judgment, review and relationships behind the work still need to be human-centered.

Another trend is the growing expectation for faster, more direct communication from government. People are accustomed to receiving information immediately and expect the same from public agencies. The challenge will be meeting that expectation without sacrificing accuracy, context or thoughtful engagement. Being first is less important than being clear, credible and responsive.

Advice for Public Affairs Professionals

Do not hesitate to find mentors or reach out to people in the profession, and do not feel like you need to have just one mentor. Different people can help you grow in different areas of your career. One person may be great at helping you build your network, another may strengthen your writing or communications skills and someone else may offer a perspective on leadership or work-life balance. Build a network of people you trust and can learn from throughout your career.

I would also tell people that personal credibility matters. Who you are outside of work, how you present yourself on social media and, most importantly, how you treat people all contribute to your reputation. It is no longer six degrees of separation—it often feels like one or two. People know people, and how you show up and what people say about you will follow you. I do not think I would be where I am in my career without having built strong personal credibility and a genuine reputation for getting things done, following through and being a great partner to work with.

Finally, be curious and learn beyond your specific role. Public affairs touches nearly every part of an organization. Understanding how different departments and people work makes you a better communicator, a stronger advisor and ultimately a more effective professional.