Brandi Braun is the Deputy Innovation Officer for the City of Columbus. In this role, she helps lead and oversee Smart Columbus, an initiative born from the Smart City Challenge Grant, through which Columbus beat out 77 other US cities to become the model for connected cities of the future. Brandi also helps lead enterprise- wide innovation strategies aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness throughout the City. Brandi previously served as the Chief of Community Relations for Columbus Recreation and Parks, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Ohio Department of Commerce, and Assistant City Administrator for Gahanna, Ohio. Brandi has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Public Administration, a Six Sigma Black belt and is a graduate of Leadership Columbus.