#690 Finance, Innovation, and Emerging Trends with Chris Morrill and Shayne Kavanagh, GFOA

#690 Finance, Innovation, and Emerging Trends with Chris Morrill and Shayne Kavanagh, GFOA

Author: Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) August 22, 2025 Duration: 57:13

Two guests rejoined the podcast to discuss finance and innovation. Chris Morrill, Executive Director, and Shayne Kavanagh, Senior Manager of Research, at the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) discussed their work. They talked about GFOA's research initiatives and how they are helping organizations deal with recent changes in federal funding. They shared why GFOA is changing its membership structure. They talked about a new finance innovation lab effort and their upcoming Innovator in Residence position. They also reflected on local government trends from the last 10 years.

Host: Ben Kittelson


Ever wonder who actually keeps your city running or what it takes to turn a policy idea into a reality on your street? GovLove-A Podcast About Local Government pulls back the curtain, offering genuine conversations with the people dedicated to public service. Produced by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL), this series moves beyond headlines and council meetings to focus on the human stories behind local governance. Each episode features a different voice from the civic ecosystem, whether it's a seasoned City Manager navigating a budget crisis, a Mayor championing a new initiative, or an intern bringing fresh perspective to a longstanding challenge. The discussions delve into the practicalities of their professions, the policies they craft and implement, and the personal motivations that drive their work. You'll hear about both the triumphs and the setbacks, providing a nuanced, ground-level view of how communities function and evolve. This isn't a theoretical lecture; it's a collection of candid interviews that reveal the problem-solving, passion, and occasional paperwork that define local government. Tuning into this podcast feels like grabbing coffee with someone who knows the inside story, offering listeners a deeper appreciation for the often-unseen efforts that shape our daily lives. If you're curious about civic engagement, considering a public sector career, or simply want to understand the mechanics of your own town, these conversations provide an essential and engaging listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government
Podcast Episodes
#691 The Scenic Route to City Hall with Peggy Flynn, Petaluma, CA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:37
Peggy Flynn, City Manager for the City of Petaluma, California, joined the podcast to talk about fostering a culture of innovation, transparency, and engagement. She also discussed delivering effective and efficient publ…
Best of: Employee Onboarding Best Practices with Benjamin Mead-Harvey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:33
This week we're sharing one of our favorite interviews from the GovLove archive. This episode originally aired in August 2021 and is all about successful employee onboarding. Benjamin Mead-Harvey, Instructional Designer…
#685 10 Years of Local Government Stories with GovLove [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:01
Join the GovLove co-hosts as they celebrate GovLove turning 10 years old! It has somehow been 10 years of sharing local government stories from across the country. The co-hosts reflected on those years and the growth of…