Stephanie Wernet is stepping into the spotlight as Cleveland's new Chief Innovation & Technology Officer (CITO) under Mayor Justin M. Bibb’s administration. The City of Cleveland announced its inaugural day with a promise to revamp its technological sphere. In the age where quick bytes and instant connectivity define our pulse, Wernet tasks herself with overhauling the digital experience for both municipal operations and citizen engagements.
With a backdrop of myriad expertise ranging from the nonprofit sector to healthcare, Wernet carries with her decades of nuance and knowledge that are pivotal in spearheading technological growth in a manifold environment. According to the official City of Cleveland news release, Mayor Bibb praised his new CITO as a visionary leader set to propel Cleveland's digital evolution. Wernet's previous stints include a transformative journey at Breakthrough Schools and influential roles at Goodyear, McKinsey & Company, and IBM.
Her endeavors as Vice President of Information Technology at Breakthrough Schools witnessed her lead a transition to wholly online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, a feat for 4,000 students and 500 faculty members. This track record positions her as a forerunner for the challenges that City Hall's upgrade presents.
"The City of Cleveland has made great progress in its work toward a more modern and responsive City Hall, through the open data project, the overhaul of 311 and increasing access for residents to interact and conduct business with the city online," Wernet expressed. Her ambition rings clear: to thrust Cleveland's service delivery into a digital renaissance. She touts an MBA from Stanford's Graduate School of Business and an electrical engineering bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
