Strategic Partnerships, Inc. salutes you, public sector officials: The Profiles in Power section spotlights and recognizes powerful figures across America’s public sector landscape. This week’s Profile in Power is Christianne Simmons, Fort Worth’s Chief Transformation Officer
My public career highlights and education
My career has primarily centered around local government budget. Recently, my focus has expanded to strategy, performance and data analytics. One highlight: building the FWLab, the City’s innovation engine that combines budget, data and performance. I have an MPA which grounded me in principles of municipal finance and public service.
What I like best about public service
I appreciate making decisions that tangibly improve people’s daily lives. This is especially true at the local level, whether it’s street maintenance, public safety, or investments like parks or libraries. These multi-departmental efforts take collaboration, curiosity and trust-building, both internally and in the community. I really enjoy that process.
Some of the best advice I have ever received
When I stepped into a bigger role, I experienced some self-doubt, especially alongside peers with more dominant leadership styles. A mentor reminded me not to lead like someone else, but to lean into my ‘secret sauce’ of collaboration and relationships. I think about this when impostor syndrome creeps in!
Something I wish more people knew about my division of government
By attending a public meeting, you have access to top decision makers. At Fort Worth’s budget meetings, a resident can speak directly to city management, police and fire chiefs, and nearly all department heads. These are people in roles that can affect real change who want to hear from you!
A current project or initiative that I am working on
We are undertaking a transparency initiative in my city, so we’re collaborating heavily with departments to harness their data and create visualizations for public consumption. From police response times to financial dashboards, capital project delivery to athletic fields usage – we’re visualizing and reporting on our activities in new ways.
One thing outside of government service people may not know about me
I’m a certified Zumba instructor, a podcast junkie (though I dislike audioBOOKS, go figure!) and am married to a policeman-turned-beekeeper. Never a dull moment with him and our bustling family of five!
