Smart Cities Connect makes it possible to connect with smart city leaders from across the U.S. and around the world who are all actively working to improve their local communities. I have the pleasure of sharing a conversation with Genesis Gavino, who is the Chief of Staff at the City of Austin. Previous to this esteemed role, she served as the Special Assistant to Austin’s City Manager. She has more than seven years of leadership experience at the City of Dallas and approximately three years at the City of Tacoma. She describes herself as a “Public servant dedicated to building resilient cities rooted in equity and inclusion” and has lived up to that statement in all of her previous endeavors. Somehow she also finds time to pursue her doctorate in Public Administration and Public Policy at the University of Texas at Arlington. Genesis is an exceptional leader and it is a pleasure to share her insights.

Chelsea: Hi Genesis. What do you think is the biggest opportunity for smart cities in 2025? 

Genesis: The biggest opportunity for smart cities in 2025 is deepening community-driven innovation to advance digital equity and climate resilience—despite the political rhetoric around banning DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Rather than retreating from inclusion, smart cities have a unique opportunity to double down on co-creating solutions with communities rather than for them. Bridging the digital divide is not just about access to technology; it’s about ensuring historically marginalized communities have a seat at the table in shaping the future of their cities. This means investing in digital navigators, public Wi-Fi, and workforce development programs that meet people where they are—ensuring that smart city advancements are truly for everyone.

At the same time, climate change remains an urgent challenge. Smart infrastructure, from energy-efficient buildings to climate-responsive transit systems, must be designed with input from the very communities that are disproportionately impacted. By embedding equity into smart city strategies, we can ensure that sustainability efforts are not just top-down mandates but collaborative solutions that improve lives while reducing carbon footprints.

The intersection of digital inclusion and climate action isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a competitive advantage. Cities that embrace this approach will be more resilient, more innovative, and better positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Chelsea: Given your enthusiasm for (insert answer from question 1) what do you think is/are the biggest obstacles to achieving that vision or goal? 

Genesis: The biggest obstacle to achieving this vision is the resistance to equity-centered policymaking, often driven by political rhetoric that seeks to dismantle DEI efforts.

Despite the clear economic and social benefits of inclusive smart city initiatives, some policymakers and institutions continue to push back against programs that prioritize historically marginalized communities. This resistance not only threatens funding and policy support but also risks sidelining the very voices that are critical to shaping effective solutions.

Another significant challenge is the siloed nature of digital equity and climate resilience efforts. Too often, these initiatives operate separately, when in reality, they are deeply interconnected. Smart cities must break down these silos by fostering cross-sector collaboration among government agencies, private industry, and community organizations.

Finally, ensuring sustained investment and political will is essential. While many smart city initiatives receive initial funding through grants or pilot programs, long-term success requires structural commitments—such as dedicated municipal budgets, policy frameworks, and partnerships that embed digital equity and climate resilience into core governance practices.

Overcoming these obstacles requires strong leadership, coalition-building, and a commitment to ensuring that smart city advancements work for everyone, not just the most politically convenient populations. By staying the course and demonstrating the tangible benefits of community-driven innovation, we can build cities that are not only smarter but also more just, resilient, and future-ready.

Chelsea: Tell us about your journey to becoming a smart city leader? Did you always imagine being in this professional sector? 

Genesis: I didn’t set out to work in smart cities specifically, but my career has always been about breaking down barriers—whether in digital access, public policy, or community engagement. My professional work and academic research in digital equity, administrative burdens, and policy feedback led me to see firsthand how technological advancements and infrastructure investments often fail to reach the communities that need them most. That realization pushed me to think beyond traditional public service roles and into the intersection of technology, equity, and governance.

As I worked to bridge the digital divide, I found that the challenges of connectivity, access, and participation weren’t just about technology—they were about climate resilience, economic mobility, and community power. The same systemic barriers that limit digital access also shape who benefits from smart infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and innovation-driven economic development. So, rather than choosing a single sector, I’ve followed the work where it needs to go, ensuring that smart city advancements don’t just serve the privileged few but become tools for equity and inclusion.

Now, in an era where some seek to limit DEI efforts, I see even more urgency in this work. Smart cities can’t just be about efficiency and innovation—they must be about justice, resilience, and community-driven progress. It wasn’t necessarily the path I planned, but it’s the one that makes the most impact.

Chelsea: If you could change one thing about the smart cities sector, what would that be? How would you influence the future?

Genesis: If I could change one thing about the smart cities sector, it would be shifting from a top-down, tech-first approach to one that prioritizes community-driven solutions. Too often, smart city initiatives focus on innovation for innovation’s sake, rather than addressing the real needs of the people they’re meant to serve. By centering equity and inclusion—despite the political rhetoric against DEI—we can ensure that smart infrastructure, digital access, and climate resilience efforts actually improve lives, especially for historically marginalized communities.

I’ll continue advocating for policies that embed digital equity and climate justice into smart city planning, breaking down silos between sectors and amplifying community voices in decision-making. When we co-create solutions with communities rather than for them, we don’t just build smarter cities—we build more just, resilient, and inclusive ones.

Genesis, Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!