In Episode #5, co-hosts Mike Sarasti and Mark Wheeler chat with civic innovation leader Eliza Erickson to explore how local governments can shape innovation ecosystems within and outside of city hall. From her unexpected leap into government work to managing a flagship portfolio in Philadelphia, Eliza spills the tea on what it takes to grow and shape innovation as a city service. Some highlights:

• People, Place, and Process: Eliza lays out her career-defining mantra and how this framework shaped Philadelphia's innovation efforts: the Innovation Academy, Innovation Fund, and Innovation Consulting (internal and external to government).
  
  
• Fix the Basics Before Innovating: Eliza explains, “We couldn’t fully dive into innovation until we knew IT systems were solid, people’s computers worked, and data was secure.” She highlights how foundational work builds the trust and stability necessary for innovation teams to thrive.
  
  
• Innovation as a City Service: Eliza and Mike discuss how local government is well-suited to deliver innovation consulting programs. A bold move taken years ago by the city of Philadelphia to “not stay in your lane, government.”
  
  
• Challenging the notion that proximity to executive power is essential for innovation success: There are benefits to being positioned outside the mayor’s office.

In a heartfelt close, Eliza calls for more people to embrace public sector work—your impact is immediate.

On the local music front—Mike and Mark recount their epic iiiPoints music festival experience; Soulwax, Disclosure, Toro y Moi, Sacred Souls, Justice, Bar Italia, and Parliament Funkadelic.

Follow Eliza (Pollack) Erickson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapollack/ elizaphl.bsky.social

Mike: @sarasti.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarasti/ @rakermusic.bsky.social

Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwheelerphl/ https://markaroo.medium.com

@#cities #publicsector #innovation #government #publicpolicy

Thanks to Earl Grant for his voice on the fake advert “Translator Gator” and Raker for our musical intro/outros. https://open.spotify.com/track/4JqywsINKEWZucDNYlnBBU?si=da45e2c66825465b