Emily Royall

Emily’s career has focused on advancing public interest technology through strategic procurement and governance. Her professional experience spans academic, non-profit, and government organizations, including City Form Labs in Singapore, the Massachusetts Office of Information Technology (MassIT), and the City of San Antonio, where she served as Emerging Technology Division Head and Smart Cities Administrator. In San Antonio, she established the city’s first smart cities program, Smarter Together, laying the groundwork for more equitable and community-driven approaches to innovation. She has served on the boards of UrbanAI and the GovAI Coalition, a network of more than 850 public agencies advancing responsible AI in the public sector and has advised UN-Habitat’s “People-Centered Smart Cities Flagship Program,” authoring six playbooks for local governments worldwide. Recognized as one of GovTech’s 2025 Top 25 “Doers, Dreamers & Drivers,” Emily continues to champion the use of technology as a bridge for democratic participation and public good. She holds a Master’s in City Design & Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.