The City of Boston recently announced a significant move in their Innovation and Technology Cabinet, appointing Shin-pei Tsay as the new Chief Research and Data Officer. This move is expected to further advance the city's capabilities in data and analytics, enhancing services for residents across the board. Santiago Garcés, Boston's Chief Innovation Officer, expressed his confidence in Tsay's ability to integrate data, design, and governance in a way that will improve the efficiency and equity of city services.
"Great data and research allow us to embrace the possibility of Boston," Garcés stated in a release from the city's official website. “I’m thrilled for how Shin-pei’s leadership across data, design, and governance will help deliver great city services to all. This appointment signifies the incredible progress Boston has made in using data to empower our employees and constituents, make our services more efficient and reliable drive equity, and learn together.” Tsay herself acknowledges the honor and opportunity to build upon the city's legacy of innovation.
In her new role, Tsay will work closely with city departments to ensure that the tools of innovation are effectively meeting today's challenges while also aiming for future goals. Her previous work, which includes being the executive director for the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, has prepared her to take on this multifaceted position. Tsay's experience handsomely covers a range of urban challenges and shows her commitment to the development of sustainable, accessible public spaces.
"I am incredibly honored to step into this role and continue building upon Boston's legacy of innovation,” Tsay told the City of Boston's news site. Tsay plans to utilize her experiences from her previous roles such as global policy director for Cities and Sustainability at Uber and founder of Make Public, a social impact analysis firm, in her new position. With a B.A. from Cornell University and a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science, her academic background, reinforces her diverse professional portfolio.
The Innovation and Technology Cabinet of Boston, known within the circles as DoIT, encompasses a variety of projects that span from cybersecurity to digital equity. The department boasts a sizeable team of over 170 staff members dedicated to the upkeep of the city's public-facing digital infrastructure. Tsay's appointment reflects Boston's commitment to harnessing the potential of data to improve citizen experiences and promote equitable outcomes for all those who call the city home.
