# Betsy Gardner Senior Editor and Communications Manager ![Headshot of Betsy Gardner](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_4_5__320x400/public/2025-05/Betsy%20Headshot%20resize.jpg?itok=nvAtKx5x) email [betsy\_gardner@hks.harvard.edu](mailto:betsy_gardner@hks.harvard.edu) - [ Linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-gardner-2018ba132/) Betsy Gardner (she/her) is the Senior Editor and Communications Manager for Data-Smart City Solutions and the Producer of the Data-Smart City Pod at The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. Prior to joining Data-Smart, Gardner worked in a variety of roles in higher education, including Research Programs Manager at Emerson College, Assistant Director of Training at Northeastern University, and researcher and writer at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. She has several publications through the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and the Lincoln Institute and has written for Government Technology and Governing Magazine. Gardner holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Policy from Northeastern University, a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Boston University, and a graduate certificate in Digital Storytelling from the Harvard Extension School. ## Articles and Research [### Federal Data, Local Impact: What Cities Need to Know ](/fed-data-city-impact) June 17, 2026 Host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Denice Ross, Director of Federal Data Policy at the Federation of American Scientists, about the relationship between local and federal data, what city CDOs should prioritize, and why cities have untapped power to shape... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) [### Enacting StatGPT ](/enacting-statgpt) June 15, 2026 A workbook for city leaders and public servants to learn how to develop an AI-enabled StatGPT tool for city management, moving beyond theoretical discussions by developing and testing AI performance management tools. [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) , [Marcelle Momha](/people/marcelle-momha) ![Group of people around a wall of post-it notes](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Untitled%20design%20%2811%29.png?itok=cq-lvWvj) [### Building an AI-Ready City Government ](/building-ai-ready-city-government) May 27, 2026 City leaders are eager to deploy AI, but the real opportunity lies in preparation: building the right organizational structures, expertise, and culture first. Host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Teddy Svoronos, senior lecturer in public policy at the... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) [### Redesigning Broken and Legacy Systems to Unlock Innovation with Communities ](/redesign-system-innovation) May 13, 2026 Host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Dr. Francisca Rojas, executive director of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, about how technology and design are helping cities understand what residents actually need—and why legacy systems... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) [### How Seattle Built a Benefits Portal to Share Benefits Widely ](/seattle-benefits-portal) May 06, 2026 Learn how Seattle created CiviForm by co-designing with residents and staff. A step-by-step guide for cities building integrated benefit access platforms. [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Seattle city skyline](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/seattle1.jpg?itok=oYDhajag) [### The Promise and Peril of AI in Criminal Justice Systems ](/promise-peril-justice-ai) April 22, 2026 AI is being deployed across courts, police departments, and corrections systems. Without the right guardrails, it could amplify existing biases. But, with care and attention, there are opportunities to improve the experience of people within these same... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) [### Supporting Childhood Opportunity Starts With Environmental Justice ](/childhood-opportunity-environmental-justice) April 08, 2026 Lead pipes aren't just a water infrastructure problem—they're connected to poverty, violence, and lost opportunity. Milwaukee's mayor explains why removing them matters to public safety and economic mobility. Host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Milwaukee... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) [### From Reactive to Preventive: How AI Transforms Public Works ](/ai-public-works) April 01, 2026 Most cities respond to infrastructure problems after residents report them. What if they could detect and prevent them first, while serving every neighborhood fairly? Host Stephen Goldsmith sits down with Daniel Pelaez (CEO of CYVL), Khahlil Louisy... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) [### How Fort Worth Moves Millions ](/how-fort-worth-moves-millions) March 19, 2026 The city of Fort Worth accommodates millions of people across 13 counties, jurisdictions, and transportation entities, working closely with hundreds of stakeholders. To outline and plan the future of transportation, the city created a dynamic, data-driven... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Skyline of Ft Worth with cars driving over a bridge in the foreground](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/AdobeStock_301608382.jpeg?itok=bxfwhbGS) [### Agentic AI Comes to City Hall ](/agentic-ai-city-hall) March 11, 2026 Data-Smart City Pod host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Boston CIO Santi Garces and Harvard Business School Professor Mitch Weiss to explore the "growing gap" between AI capability and organizational adoption. [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) [### How Cities Can Measure What Actually Matters ](/cities-measure-what-matters) March 05, 2026 What does a city government owe its residents? Host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Eyal Feder-Levy, CEO of Zencity, to explore how GenAI is fundamentally transforming the way cities measure, understand, and respond to resident needs. For decades... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) [### Personalizing Government at Scale: Denver's AI Strategy ](/personalizing-denver-ai) February 04, 2026 Host Stephen Goldsmith sits down with Suma Nallapati, Chief AI and Information Officer for the City and County of Denver, to explore how Denver is using generative AI to collapse bureaucracy and make government fundamentally more responsive to residents... [Betsy Gardner](/people/betsy-gardner) ![Podcast microphone against a blank background](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/datasmart/files/podcast_microphone.jpg?itok=4DFCjXf2) Show morerefresh