League of California Cities - Annual Conference and Expo [Local Goverment]
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About the event

Annual Conference and Expo

Local Government, More Technical Speaker Proposal

League of California Cities – Annual Conference & Expo
October 8–10, 2025 | Long Beach, CA
Event Info: https://www.calcities.org/education-and-events/event/2025/10/08/default-calendar/annual-conference-and-expo

Overview

We are pleased to present several recommended speakers in the Technical Understanding of Local Government talk track for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo. These experts offer practical insights into the complex systems and emerging innovations shaping the future of cities. Each speaker brings a strong foundation in public policy, infrastructure, economic trends, and technology—with a direct connection to how local governments operate, adapt, and lead through change.

Timothy Papandreou
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Founder & CEO of Emerging Transport Advisors, Global Thought Leader on Emerging Technologies

Speaker Fee: up to $15,000 + $2000 Flat Travel Fee to cover RT Airfare, Ground Transfers, Hotel in addition, up to 1-2 nights provided by Organizer

Timothy is based near Palm Springs, CA, Travel and Expenses may not be required

Speaker Highlights

Speaker Showreel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrzzehvC0JE

Speaker Video - The Art of Building a City - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDU5D58SfBQ&t=90s

Speaker Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/timothy-papandreou

Why Timothy?

Timothy Papandreou is a globally recognized authority on smart mobility, transportation, and urban innovation. As the Chief Innovation Officer at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), he led groundbreaking projects to modernize transit infrastructure, promote sustainability, and integrate emerging technology into everyday city operations. Working closely with the Mayor’s Office, city departments, and regional partners, Timothy helped shape San Francisco’s approach to future-focused urban planning. His ability to navigate the intersection of public policy, city operations, and tech innovation makes him an invaluable voice for civic leaders ready to take bold steps forward.

Topic - Smart Cities, Real Solutions: Planning the Future of Mobility and Infrastructure [will customize]

Description: This keynote guides municipal leaders through the evolving landscape of urban mobility and infrastructure. Timothy breaks down the trends—from AI and EVs to autonomous transit and climate resilience—and helps attendees develop a roadmap for thoughtful, citizen-centered innovation that meets both today’s needs and tomorrow’s demands.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understand how emerging technologies are shaping cities
  • Learn strategies for building equitable and sustainable mobility systems
  • Explore ways to integrate innovation into your infrastructure planning

Highlights:

  • Former Head of City Innovation at Google X – Waymo
  • Chief Innovation Officer at SFMTA, where he collaborated directly with the Mayor’s Office on major infrastructure initiatives
  • Advisor to civic agencies, regional planners, and global forums on urban futures
“Thank you so much for your incredible energy! Many have commented on your presentation and perspectives specifically.”- Multinational Development Corporation. Toronto, Canada
“Timothy, as you were such an excellent speaker at the TRANSITION Forum, I’m writing to invite you to speak again at this year’s event” - Transition Forum, Paris,  France
“Tim - your session was a blinder! so many takeaways- everyone was furiously taking notes!.” - Private Equity Firm, London, UK
Leonard Lane
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Global Supply Chain, Sustainability & Technology Integration Expert, Celebrated UC Irvine Professor

Speaker Fee: up to $10,000 + $2000 Flat Travel Fee to cover RT Airfare, Ground Transfers, Hotel in addition, up to 1-2 nights provided by Organizer

Leonard is based in Corona Del Mar, CA; travel and expenses may not be necessary

Speaker Highlights

Speaker Video: FutureAiSummit'24  | California, Irvine Üniversitesinden Prof. Dr. Leonard Lane - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_1KQ9tGhC4

Speaker Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/leonard-lane

Why Leonard?

Leonard Lane is a global strategy expert with deep experience in helping organizations—both public and private—manage disruption. While his background is rooted in corporate supply chain and innovation, Leonard customizes his insights to show how city systems can become more adaptive, efficient, and forward-thinking.

Topic - The Future of Supply Chain in a World of Disruption (customizable for civic systems)

This keynote explores what cities can learn from modern supply chain strategies to improve efficiency, service delivery, and crisis response. Leonard offers a powerful framework for leading through disruption—whether driven by climate, technology, or population shifts—and helps public officials future-proof their approach to governance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how supply chain thinking can optimize city services
  • Learn to anticipate disruption and plan with agility
  • Explore case studies that inspire new thinking in public systems

Highlights:

  • Senior faculty at the Merage School of Business, UC Irvine
  • Global consultant to Fortune 100 firms and government agencies
  • Ideal for smart city, infrastructure, and operations planning sessions
Todd Hirsch
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Navigator of Economic Disruption, Author

Speaker Fee: $15,000 + $2500 Flat Travel Fee to cover RT Airfare, Ground Transfers, Hotel in addition, up to 1-2 nights provided by Organizer

Todd travels from Calgary AB Canada

Speaker Highlights

Speaker Reel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQTmUsqs5RA

Speaker Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/todd-hirsch

Why Todd?

Todd Hirsch is a renowned economist who brings clarity and context to complex economic shifts. Known for his relatable speaking style and storytelling approach to data, Todd helps city officials understand how local economies are influenced by global change—and what that means for policy and planning.

Topic - Strategic Moves: Navigating Change in Uncertain Times

Description:
In this insightful and timely keynote, Todd breaks down the global and local economic forces shaping our world—from labor trends to inflation to climate resilience. He then translates those insights into strategic thinking tools city officials can use to build more adaptive, future-ready communities.

Audiences will leave with:

  • A clear understanding of the forces at play in the economy, society, and geopolitics.
  • New ways to think about the morphing nature of the economy in the 21st century.
  • Practical tools to manage any onslaught of disruption.

Highlights:

  • Former Chief Economist of ATB Financial with 15+ years of experience translating complex economics for everyday audiences
  • Bestselling author of four books on economic resilience, including Spiders in Space and The Boiling Frog Dilemma
  • Frequent contributor to The Globe and Mail, CBC, and other major media outlets
  • Advisor to government agencies, nonprofits, and industry groups on navigating economic disruption
  • Recognized for delivering highly engaging, story-driven keynotes that make economics practical, relevant, and even fun
"Todd was extraordinary. We loved hearing from him and he delivered exactly what we were looking for. He navigated some tough questions while remaining neutral and positive. We also loved having him spend some time getting to know our group." - The Alliance of Community Association Management
"Todd's perspective on adapting to change and his holistic view of what makes an economy thrive was inspiring to our team. He's a unique and memorable guest speaker whose ability to connect with our audience and leadership team made our session a huge success. I highly recommend Todd for his thoughtful content, clear and energetic delivery, and joyful collaboration." - Renée Francis, Senior Manager, Executive Communications, Finance - Autodesk - San Francisco
Joseph Kopser
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Speaker, Author, Investor, Innovation Expert

Speaker Fee: $12,500 + $2000 Flat Travel Fee to cover RT Airfare, Ground Transfers, Hotel in addition, up to 1-2 nights provided by Organizer

Joseph travels from Texas

Speaker Highlights

Speaker Highlights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X0xIMf5YUI&t=106s

Speaker Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/joseph-kopser

Why Joseph?

Joseph Kopser is a seasoned tech entrepreneur, military veteran, and public policy innovator who bridges the gap between government, business, and technology. With real-world experience advising cities on mobility, energy, and workforce transformation, Joseph is uniquely positioned to help municipal leaders navigate the intersection of innovation and governance. In 2013, he was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for his efforts in Energy and Transportation. In 2014, his company, RideScout, won the U.S. Department of Transportation Data Innovation Award. In 2018, Joseph ran for Congress in a race that attracted more voters than any of the 36 districts in Texas. Losing by less than 3 points in a heavily gerrymandered district, Joseph demonstrated that voters want civility and problem solvers in Congress.

TOPIC - Leadership and Strategy in a Changing World

Based on his book, catalyst, Joseph will walk the audience through how change works, why disruption is happening more quickly, how to adapt, and what leadership it necessitates. He also identifies several emerging catalysts that are altering market and geopolitical realities today and demonstrates how corporate, government, and academic sectors can thrive amid these transformations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understand how workforce, tech, and civic systems are evolving
  • Learn actionable strategies to future-proof your city
  • Explore innovation through a public policy and service lens

Highlights:

  • Decorated U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, Bronze Star recipient, and graduate of West Point and Harvard Kennedy School
  • Co-founder of RideScout, winner of the U.S. Department of Transportation Data Innovation Award
  • Named a White House Champion of Change for leadership in energy and transportation
  • Former Congressional candidate in Texas with a campaign focused on civility and bipartisan problem-solving
  • Author of Catalyst and inaugural Chairman of the CleanTX Foundation, supporting cleantech innovation and policy
"I have collaborated closely with Joseph for many years in the area of sustainable mobility in my role at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a pioneer and leader in many areas. I have had the great pleasure to be on several conference panels with him over the years and have greatly enjoyed our interactions on stage and off. He is passionate about making a positive contribution to society, and this is evident when he speaks to a group. He is a talented connector and communicator. " - S.S., CO-DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH CENTER, UC BERKLEY
"Joseph was recently a panelist at our University's Don Edward Lecture Series. We only bring in top notch and nationally known speakers for this venue; speakers who have the experience and knowledge to make a contribution to not only our students, but the community in which our University resides. Joseph performed beyond expectations. He deftly spoke to the audience about veterans issues and synchronized his comments with those of the preceding panelists without a break in the theme of the program. I know his speech was well received because after the event, students and veterans from the community approached him to thank him for delivering such a heartfelt and motivating talk and to ask more questions and continue to engage him more. As an educator hosting an education lecture series, I couldn't have had a better outcome." - L.L., PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY FELLOW, SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
"We recently hosted large transportation technology summit as a part of CES in Las Vegas using Joseph as our facilitator and lunchtime speaker. I am still receiving comments from attendees about how AMAZING he was. The amount of research and effort he put into learning about our community, our industry, and our speakers' bios was unlike anything I have experienced. I was nervous about the event because it was our first of such magnitude, but within 10 minutes of him starting the program, my heart was bursting with pride. I knew right away it was going to be a successful day due wholly to his energy, competence and communication skills." - T.Q., CEO, REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OF SOUTHERN NEVADA