City's RVA Engage model featured as a best practice in public participation and budget transparency

Richmond, VA — Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond , served as a featured practitioner for the Certificate in Innovative Leadership in Public Administration, hosted by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies .

Mr. Donald presented Input to Impact: A People-Powered Approach to Governance and Budgeting , highlighting RVA Engage, Richmond’s civic engagement and budgeting model designed to expand public access, strengthen fiscal transparency, and elevate resident voice early in the budget process.

“Budgets are not just financial documents — they are a reflection of community values,” Mr. Donald said. “RVA Engage is built around the principle people first, people always , empowering residents to understand how government works and contribute meaningfully to decisions that affect their daily lives.”

RVA Engage combines public town halls, Budget 101 education sessions, and online participation tools, giving residents direct access to department leaders and clear insights into how the City builds and balances its budget. The model encourages informed dialogue before budget proposals advance, reinforcing accountability and trust between residents and local government.

The NFBPA Executive Leadership Program  convenes public sector leaders nationwide to explore innovative governance strategies. Mr. Donald’s session shared practical approaches for administrators and policymakers working to strengthen civic engagement, align public spending with community priorities, and build trust in government processes.

During the session, Mr. Donald engaged a cohort of senior public administrators from Washington, D.C.; Woodbridge, Va.; Columbus, Ohio; Cambridge, Mass.; Union, N.J.; Greensboro, N.C.; and Seattle, Wash. Participants represented core city functions, including human resources, workforce and employment services, public health, youth programs, budget and evaluation, research and performance, libraries, public affairs, and executive services.

Mr. Donald shared lessons from Richmond’s RVA Engage model in a cross-department setting that mirrors real-world city operations — aligning resources, outcomes, and community priorities — guided by his principle: people first, people always.

The presentation shared with program participants is available online, along with additional information about RVA Engage, upcoming budget town halls, and opportunities for public participation, at go.rva.gov/engage.