Carla Mays, MPA

About

For more than fifteen years, I have advised governments, Indigenous nations, philanthropic institutions, and global partners on responsible technology adoption, climate‑aligned development, and inclusive innovation. As Co‑Founder and Head of Global Research at #SmartCohort, I have delivered more than 2,000 hours of technical assistance to public administrators, supporting AI impact preparedness, data governance, digital transformation, and climate‑resilient infrastructure planning. My work integrates AI, policy, finance, and urban planning to help institutions modernize systems while centering equity and long‑term impact planning for this AI era. My experience includes leading cross‑sector initiatives, developing governance frameworks, and conducting research on Indigenous development, climate finance, and decolonized planning models across North America. I have supported more than 150 public‑sector leaders in navigating emerging technologies, designing ethical AI practices, developing public policy to help municipalities deal with new AI economic and technological impacts.

Experience

Education