The workplace is undergoing a seismic shift. Are you prepared to lead through unprecedented transformation, shaped by shifts in technology, demographics, expectations, and values?

What We Will Cover

This 90-minute webinar decodes trends reshaping the local government workforce landscape. 

You'll gain strategic insights into:

• Emerging technological influences.
• Shifting demographic dynamics.
• Evolving workplace expectations.
• Strategies for talent attraction and retention.

Stay ahead of the curve. Join us and learn to transform workforce challenges into organizational opportunities.

ICMA-CM: Participation in free coaching webinars qualifies for ICMA-CM (voluntary Credentialling Program) credit.

Learning Objectives

Understand and Recognize Key Workforce Trends. Explore emerging trends such as hybrid work models, generational shifts, technological advancements, and equity and inclusion.

Strategic Retention. Discover strategies to attract and keep top talent in a competitive and changing labor market.

Adapt to Changing Employee Expectations. Gain insights into what today’s workforce values, such as flexibility, professional development, and meaningful work.

Can't attend? Register and watch on-demand.

Visit the ICMA Coaching Program for more coaching and mentoring resources.

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Meet the Speakers

Peggy Merriss Executive Director, Georgia City-County Management Association

Rebecca Vice  Assistant City Manager, Anna, Texas

Dr. Leisha DeHart Davis  Professor of Public Administration at the UNC- Chapel Hill School of Government

Michael Brandt  City Manager, Thomasville, North Carolina

Patrick Ibarra Co-Founder, The Mejorando Group

Read Peggy's Bio

Peggy Merriss has a passion for furthering local government excellence and innovation through service, teaching, and being a mentor and advisor. For 35 years she served the City of Decatur, GA including over 25 years as the City Manager and since retiring she has served as the Interim City Manager for Sandy Springs, GA and the Acting City Administrator for Pine Lake GA. Currently she serves as the Executive Director for the Georgia City-County Management Association and on the faculty of the Athenian Program and the Women in the Civic Arena. 

Peggy completed a MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was recognized with the “Distinguished Service Award” in January 2019. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Converse College, Spartanburg, SC, where she was recognized with the “Career Achievement Award” in April 2012. In 2022, Peggy was elected as a National Academy of Public Administration Fellow. She was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Association Hall of Fame in 2018. She has also completed the SEI program at the UVA and received her ICMA Credential Manager designation in 2003. She previously served as the President of ICMA, having completed a term as President in 2002-03, the first woman, and youngest person, to ever hold the office.

 At the end of 2020, she completed ten-years of service on the ICMA-RC Board of Directors (now Mission Square), serving as the first woman chair. The Georgia City/County Management Association recognized her with the Pillar of Professional Excellence Award, and she was awarded the “Georgia Excellence in Public Service Award” for a city appointed official. An avid traveler, she recently visited her seventh continent with a trip to Antarctica. She looks forward to completing her goal of visiting all 50 US states and all 10 Canadian provinces.

Read Rebecca's Bio

Rebecca joined the City Manager’s Office in 2013 and later served as Organizational Development and Employee Engagement Administrator before promoting to Assistant City Manager in 2019. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Political Science from University of North Texas and a Master of Public Administration from University of Texas – Arlington. Rebecca currently provides leadership to city departments including Parks and Recreation, Community Development Corporation and Human Resources. She serves as an Advisory Board member of the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce as well as staff liaison to the Community Engagement Advisory Board. She also manages a variety of special assignments for the City including the Legislative Program, strategic planning, franchise utility agreements, and community Ad Hoc Committees.

Read Dr. Leisha's Bio

Dr. Leisha DeHart-Davis is a professor of public administration at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government. She directs the Local Government Workplaces initiative, which helps local governments improve recruitment and retention by listening to employees and acting on that feedback. Her current research includes citizen incivility and employee voice in local government. 

Read Michael's Bio

Michael Brandt, AICP, has served as the City Manager of Thomasville, NC since December 2020. Previously, he served as Assistant City Manager of Thomasville (2 years) and served as Town Manager of Mayodan, NC (7 years), and served as the first Town Manager of Summerfield, NC (8 years). In his various management roles, he has instituted strategic plans, created two economic development Main Street programs (Thomasville and Mayodan), and has developed or redeveloped numerous park facilities (ball fields, amphitheater, pool facility, among other projects).  He has worked to create better employee work conditions, including staff surveys, salary and compensation plans, employee safety programs, and other employee support programs.

A strong proponent of professional servant leadership, he places a strong emphasis on leadership development, and making sure his staff have the resources, training, and support necessary to accomplish the strategic priorities of the City Council. He is a proud University of South Carolina Fighting Gamecock alumni (BA International Relations/Political Science); and holds a Master of Urban & Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans.

Read Patrick's Bio

Patrick is co-founder and partner of the Mejorando Group, an organizational effectiveness consulting firm that brings fresh thinking, innovation, and next practices to help leaders succeed in the 21st century. Mejorando is a Spanish word meaning “getting better all the time” and it reflects Patrick and his firm’s approach with clients who seek to improve the performance of their organizations and the individuals within them. Offering consultation, facilitation and training services, the Mejorando Group’s clients include a variety of local governments throughout the nation.