GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government

Christine Cordon, City Manager for the City of Westminster, CA joined the podcast to discuss the importance of ethical leadership. She shared her journey as a woman in leadership in local government and how she earned the prestigious Cal-ICMA Ethical Hero Award. She also talked about the need to rebuild excitement for people to work in local government.
This episode was recorded from the 2026 ICMA Conference in Long Beach, CA.
Host: Lauren Palmer

Rebecca Graffy, Director of Government Transformation at Partners for Public Good joined the podcast to discuss improving procurement in local government. She shared the importance of the procurement process and how Partners for Public Good helps local governments. She also talked about success stories in improving procurement.
This episode was recorded from the 2026 ICMA Conference in Long Beach, CA.
Host: Lauren Palmer

John Peraza, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Moreno Valley, California joined the podcast to discuss multiple topics in local government. He shared the important role of ethics and use cases of AI in local government. He also discussed the need to grow and develop leaders who are in the middle of their career.
This episode was recorded from the 2026 ICMA Conference in Long Beach, CA.
Host: Lauren Palmer

GovLove Co-Host Lauren Palmer was joined by several friends of the pod to recap the 2026 ICMA Conference. John Schwend is the Town Manager at the Town of McCandless, PA, Mike Ekey is the Assistant City Manager at the City of Belton, MO, John Peraza is the Assistant to the City Manager at the City of Moreno Valley, CA, Kassandra Aleskova is the Management Assistant in the Economic Development Department for the City of Buckeye, AZ, and Stephanie Mason is the Township Manager at Doylestown Township, PA. They discussed their favorite sessions at the conference, ideas they wanted to bring back to their communities, and the time commitment it takes to serve on the ICMA and ELGL Boards.
This episode was recorded from the 2026 ICMA Conference in Long Beach, CA. 
Panel: John Schwend, Mike Ekey, John Peraza, Kassandra Aleskova, Stephanie Mason, and Lauren Palmer

Aaron Marcavitch, Director of Economic and Community Development for the Town of Enfield, Connecticut joined the podcast to talk about redevelopment. He shared the importance of redevelopment and the role of historic preservation. He also discussed how to shift the perception of a community.
Host: Marissa Baum