In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, we're giving you access to one of our most impactful panels from the 2025 Academy National Conference: Bridging the Gap – State and Local Capacity in a Shifting Federal Landscape

The panel is moderated by Nisha Botchwey, Dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and features David Adkins, Executive Director of the Council of State Governments, Julia Novak, Executive Director and CEO of the International City/County Management Association, and Matt Chase, CEO and Executive Director of the National Association of Counties. 

This was an in-depth discussion of the challenges facing state and local governments as they deal with a shifting landscape of federal government support. What's happening today, tomorrow, and in the future? Check it out now!

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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In this in-depth panel discussion from the 2025 National Conference, moderator Norm Ornstein of American Enterprise Institute talks to an all-star panel including Loren DeJonge Schulman of the Federation of American Scientists, Mindy Romero from the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC's Price School, Soren Dayton of Foundation for American Innovation, and Cecili Wake of Democracy 2076. The conversation took on a wide range of topics about how American governance could and should develop over the next half-century. 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood sits down with Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute and a leading voice on federal spending and entitlement reform, and Academy Fellow Rob Shriver, Managing Director of the Civil Service Strong and Good Government Initiatives at Democracy Forward and former Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to reflect on the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Together, they explore its root causes, economic and social impacts, and the lessons policymakers can draw to prevent future crises. Tune in for an insightful discussion on governance, fiscal responsibility, and the ripple effects of political gridlock.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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This episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features Frank Fukuyama, author, political scientist and professor at Stanford University, Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings Institution, and Philip Howard, founder and chair of Common Good for "The State of Public Administration" in front of a live audience during the 2025 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 3. 

Part 2 of this episode features questions from the Academy Fellows in attendance about reform efforts, and how to foster communication with the public.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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This episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features Frank Fukuyama, author, political scientist and professor at Stanford University, Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings Institution, and Philip Howard, founder and chair of Common Good for "The State of Public Administration" in front of a live audience during the 2025 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 3. 

This captivating discussion about the state of American public service, how to rebuild and retool government capacity, and where we go from here. 

This episode is split into two parts, with the audience Q&A to follow next week, so stay tuned!

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor and Academy President and CEO James-Christian Blockwood sat down for a discussion in front of a live audience during the 2025 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 3. 

The conversation covered a wide range of topics including ongoing plans for resizing and reshaping the federal workforce, how to attract early career people to public service, and the role technology is likely to play over the rest of the second Trump Administration. 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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Government data is having a moment, but you knew that already, because data is every moment! What's happening with how governments large and small keep track of how they're serving their people? 

Nick Hart of the Data Foundation and Richard Coffin of USAFacts joined James-Christian Blockwood on the podcast this week to talk about what's new and exciting in the enormous and expanding universe of government data. How can we serve the public better? And how will we know that we have? Data! 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, Carol Weissert, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Florida State University, and Jonathan Womer, Director of the Department of Administration for Rhode Island, discuss the changing role of state governments and implications for policy, budgeting, and public service delivery. The conversation delves into issues of partisanship, federal-state relations, legislative shifts, and the use of data and AI in government operations. It examines the impact of decreasing federal support, the rise of state initiatives, and the increasing public demand for effective governance.

01:25 Exploring Shifts in State Government Roles

02:35 Challenges in Federal-State Relations

05:12 Impact on Healthcare and Social Services

06:53 Innovations in State Management

08:33 Intergovernmental Relations and Expertise

10:37 Public Trust and Government Effectiveness

16:11 Fiscal Strategies and Budgeting

19:08 Advice for State Leaders

21:50 Concluding Thoughts on State Governance

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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This week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features key selections from a recent Academy Standing Panel. 

It is clear the federal government impacts local government, city and county leaders have always had to leverage federal resources, but can that continue given budget constraints and the increasingly partisan political environment? 

Panelists highlight the impact of federal decision-making on services to people in communities (and foreshadow that the pressure and consequences will soon be felt), raise important questions about the size of government and how budgets dictate policy, and suggests what changes and investments are needed going forward.

Tanisha Briley, City Manager, Gaithersburg, MD
Michael Jacobson, Deputy Director, King County Office of Performance Strategy & Budget, WA
Vince Micone, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, Department of Labor

Also featured on the full event:  Abby Andre, Executive Director of the IMPACT Project
Chris Koliba, Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, Policy & Governance, University of Kansas
View the full event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLmE5Lva4Y&t=4286s

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, experts dive into the evolving challenges in election security and administration. Featuring insights from Kathleen Hale, Professor emerita of Political Science at Auburn University and Executive Director of the Election Center, and Derek Tisler, counsel and manager in the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, the episode explores the shifting role of federal support, the importance of state and local level resources, the critical nature of community trust, and the innovations that are reshaping how elections are conducted. The discussion highlights the necessity of reliable funding, continuous technology updates, and robust information-sharing practices to ensure the integrity and resilience of the American election system.

01:13 Exploring Election Security Challenges

02:23 Federal Government's Role in Election Security

03:39 Election Officials' Response to Security Gaps

07:26 Building Trust and Resiliency in Elections

14:09 Modernizing Election Systems

19:07 Lessons from International Election Systems

23:09 Future of Elections and Preparation

25:49 Qualities of Great Election Officials

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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This week's episode of Management Matters features an external view on what's happening in American governance, and the quest to learn more about how international observers are thinking about American global leadership. 

Academy Fellows and governance scholars Andrew Podger (Australia) and Alasdair Roberts (Canada) join host James-Christian Blockwood for an in-depth discussion.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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This Critical Conversations Special Event highlights the Academy’s upcoming report, Bringing AI to Main Street – Maximizing Artificial Intelligence's Positive Impact on Municipal Economies, a research initiative sponsored by Google to support local and regional leaders in navigating the fast-evolving AI landscape.

Episode also features Academy Fellow Marcelo Giugale.

Learn more about the report at https://napawash.org/academy-studies/aieconomy 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood delves into public governance and the challenges posed by declining trust in democratic institutions. Joined by Loren DeJonge Schulman, an expert in national security, public service reform, and organizational strategy, the discussion centers on the importance of being outcome-focused and engaging communities to improve government efficacy. Schulman shares insights from her diverse career and what could be next in the best of all worlds. Explore the role of future-oriented thinking in shaping effective public administration with us.

00:00 Introduction: Trust in Government

00:33 Exploring Governance and Innovation

00:51 Guest Introduction: Loren DeJonge Schulman

01:13 Diving into Public Governance

01:53 Challenges in Public Administration

04:40 The Importance of Community Engagement

07:01 Skills and Expectations in Public Service

09:11 Reimagining Government Structures

20:01 Current Federal Policies and Implications

23:33 Advice for Public Administrators

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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We may be in an incredibly important moment for reimagining and reinventing  what government can be. On this week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, we talk to Academy Fellow Dan Chenok, Executive Director of the IBM Center for the Business of Government, and Philip Howard, Founder and Chair of Common Good, about some of the possibilities of this consequential moment for government. 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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Academy Fellows Angela Bailey and Jeffrey Neal, former Chief Human Capital Officers at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, talk about tough problems and forward-looking solutions on this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood. 

What makes for a good workforce leader? How can we create a government workforce that's built for the 21st Century and beyond? Find out this week!

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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In this episode of 'Management Matters,' host James-Christian Blockwood explores how communities can adapt to a changing environment. Guests Jim Murley, Academy Fellow and former Chief Resilience Officer for Miami-Dade County, and Dr. Heidi Roop, Director of the University of Minnesota's Climate Adaptation Partnership, discuss the distinctions between adaptation, resilience, and mitigation. 

They also emphasize the importance of local government, individual preparedness, and effective coordination among agencies to tackle climate challenges. Our guests underscore the need for actionable science and strategic policies to help build resilient communities.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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What do procurement specialists really do? How does the practice fit into the function of modern government operations? Academy Fellow David Gragan, former Chief Strategic Operations Officer at the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), and Angela Shell, Chief Procurement Officer of the California Department of General Services, help us demystify the world of procurement. With everything from emergency management to the construction of roads, schools, and hospitals, you'd be surprised how much requires a procurement specialist, and these experts are here to tell us why. 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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Education is a system, and today, all systems are subject to reform efforts. Academy Fellow Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, and Martha Bohrt, Interim Executive Director of the National Association of Schools of Public Administration and Policy (NASPAA), join host and Academy President & CEO James-Christian Blockwood to tackle a big question: How does public administration education need to change? 

From widening continuing education opportunities to the benefits of accreditation and independent review, these experts in the field of higher education explore the future of education, how to get there, and what it means for students across the globe. 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

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What is the role of government in facilitating an equitable society? What kind of country do we want to live in? Big questions need real answers as government reevaluates and seeks to challenge us to think critically about the role of equity in public life.

Academy Fellows Kimberly Walton, CEO of SynergyUSA and formerly of Department of Homeland Security and Department of Commerce, and Chris Koliba, the Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, Policy & Governance at the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), join Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood for a discussion about how we should think about equity and diversity in the Trump era. 

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This episode features highlights from our timely and candid Critical Conversation exploring the evolving landscape of U.S. national defense and homeland security.

 Our distinguished panel of Academy Fellows will examine how to align strategy, resources, and operational readiness in a rapidly changing environment.
Featured Speakers:
Jane Holl Lute – Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Michael McCord – Former Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Defense
Peter Levine - Senior Fellow, Institute for Defense Analyses

Moderated By James-Christian Blockwood, President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration

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In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood explores the evolving dynamics between the executive branch, Congress, and the judiciary with guests Yuval Levin of American Enterprise Institute and Academy Fellow Robert Shea of GovNavigators. The discussion delves into the (self-imposed) weakening role of Congress, the impact of expanding populism on public administration and the federal workforce, and the current and future roles of the judiciary in maintaining constitutional balance. 

01:22 The Role of Congress in the Balance of Power

06:16 Judicial Oversight and the Courts

10:25 Federal Workforce and Accountability

14:51 Populism and Government Criticism

17:35 Opportunities for Government Reform

21:25 Final Thoughts on Democratic Institutions

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Host James-Christian Blockwood discusses the status of science and government with Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, and Chavonda Jacobs-Young, former Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, and Chief Scientist at the US Department of Agriculture. They address the challenges facing the scientific community, including funding cuts, workforce issues, public trust, and the need for international collaboration. They emphasize the importance of science in addressing societal challenges and the critical need for federal investment to maintain the US's global leadership in science and technology. The discussion highlights the potential short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts of reduced federal funding for science and stresses the importance of scientific integrity and data-driven policymaking in government.

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Special Crossover Episode with AI in the Public Sector, Season 3! 

AI has the potential to transform the way citizens interact with the government and the way agencies deliver services to citizens.  In previous episodes in this series we have heard from a number of Executive Branch leaders on the promises and potential risks of AI and how it's starting to transform government -- internal processes, service delivery, cybersecurity, and so on. Today, we turn our attention to the branch of government at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue and hear from Congressman Don Beyer, the Representative from Virginia's 8th congressional district. He's served in that position since 2015. The district is in the heart of Northern Virginia and includes Alexandria, Falls Church and Arlington. Let's see how some Congressional leaders are viewing AI and their early thinking about its potential.

James-Christian Blockwood hosts Xavier de Souza Briggs of the Brookings Institution and Daniel Stid of American Enterprise Institute. This conversation explores the multifaceted role of philanthropy in society, particularly in the context of governance, civil society, and the impact of the Trump administration on nonprofits and higher education. Briggs and Stid discuss the historical significance of philanthropy, its influence on policy, and the challenges faced by educational institutions. They also examine trends in charitable giving and the importance of maintaining a pluralistic approach to philanthropy for the future of civic engagement.

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 In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood talks with Secretary Bob McDonald and Commissioner Martin O'Malley, two seasoned government executives from Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, to discuss approaches to public service, leadership philosophies, and the transformative changes they implemented in their respective roles. 

They explore the challenges of modernizing government, the importance of leadership in change management, and the role of data-driven decision-making and technology in improving government services. The conversation also touches on the future of Social Security and veteran services, emphasizing the need for hope and effective leadership in navigating these challenges.

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