A Week of Leadership, Learning, and New Connections

Excerpt:

This past week, I had the privilege of attending Deloitte University for the GPS State Government Simulation. It was a time of strategy, collaboration, and growth—followed by an inspiring visit with a new friend leading in the City of Lewisville.

GPS State Government Simulation

This past week, I had the privilege of attending the GPS State Government Simulation at Deloitte University (DU), our firm’s Leadership Center. The program ran from Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon, and it was a powerful experience of collaboration, policy design, and strategic thinking.

Deloitte University: where leadership and strategy come alive.

Spending time at DU is always special—it’s not just about the simulation itself, but about the way it pushes us to think bigger, act bolder, and lead with both vision and responsibility.

Inside the simulation: wrestling with strategy, priorities, and tradeoffs.

Extending the Experience Beyond DU

After the close of the program on Friday, I had the unique opportunity to extend the leadership journey in a very practical way. Through connections made earlier this summer at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), I had met Chris Lee, the Chief Information Officer of the City of Lewisville, Texas.

Chris kindly invited me to spend the afternoon with him before I headed back to the airport.

Standing on the steps of Lewisville City Hall.

Our time together was both relational and inspiring. Chris took me on a tour of Lewisville, introduced me to the Deputy City Manager he reports to, and welcomed me into City Hall—a place where decisions that impact thousands of residents are made every day.

Inside the Lewisville Council Chambers: where policy meets practice.

We even shared a meal together at a Nigerian restaurant called Lagos in Lewisville, which made me feel right at home.

Grateful for new friendships: Chris Lee and I at City Hall.

Bridging Communities

This experience at DU and in Lewisville reminded me once again of the role I feel called to play—as a bridge builder. Whether it’s connecting the dots between the private and public sectors, between technology and people, or between cultures and communities, I believe the future belongs to leaders who know how to create these bridges.

Our simulation team’s work: aligning strategy with fiscal responsibility.

I’m grateful for the invitation to participate in the State Government Simulation at Deloitte University, and I’m equally grateful for the friendships and connections that continue to grow from my journey at Harvard Kennedy School.

It’s moments like these—when leadership, learning, and community intersect—that remind me why I do what I do.