Hillary Orr and Rachel Stern join CivStart’s already impressive Board as Niles Friedman is elected to Board Chair for a third year.
WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 11, 2025 – CivStart, the nonprofit hub sparking innovation in local government, is excited to announce the appointment of two new board members—Hillary Orr and Rachel Stern—and the continuation of Niles Friedman as Board Chair for a third consecutive year. These appointments come as CivStart focuses on expanding its impact through initiatives such as its Govtech Accelerator, its online Innovation Hub, and its growing Venture Partner Network, alongside hosting its premier annual event, the State of GovTech Summit in Arlington, VA this June.
CivStart’s mission and programs are strengthened by the combination of experienced leadership from CivStart’s thirteen continuing Board Members alongside the fresh perspectives from these two appointments. With Hillary and Rachel’s extensive expertise in government operations, finance, technology, and innovation, CivStart is poised to further its strategic goals and expand its influence in the GovTech sector.
Hillary Orr – Local Government Leader in Transportation and Innovation
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director of Transportation for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, has extensive networks and experience across the country with other innovative local government leaders. She has firsthand experience of CivStart’s programs, from participating in the challenge-based procurement program to mentoring startups in the CivStart GovTech Accelerator. Hillary’s experience in navigating local government challenges and her passion for leveraging technology to drive public sector transformation make her an ideal fit for CivStart’s board. Her involvement will help expand CivStart's accelerator, bring critical expertise in transportation and sustainability, and further strengthen partnerships with local governments and community leaders.
Rachel Stern – Founder of GovTech Ventures and Investor in Early-Stage GovTech Companies
Rachel Stern, founder of GovTech Ventures, has been a dedicated partner of CivStart, supporting the organization as both a mentor for startups and advisor to CivStart. With her deep knowledge of the GovTech investment landscape, Rachel is uniquely positioned to offer valuable guidance on financial sustainability, venture partnerships, and scaling GovTech companies. Her expertise in fundraising and early-stage investment will be instrumental as CivStart continues to grow its Venture Partner Network and provides critical support to both investors and entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the complex govtech market.
Niles Friedman – Experienced Executive and CivStart Board Chair
Niles Friedman, a global leader in public sector innovation and digital transformation, has been elected to provide invaluable leadership as Board Chair for a third year. Niles brings over 15 years of experience collaborating with government leaders, startup founders, and technology experts to drive public sector change. His strategic guidance has been a key element in the success of CivStart’s flagship programs, such as the GovTech Accelerator, the Innovation Hub, and its annual State of GovTech Summit. Niles’ expertise in navigating cross-sector collaborations and his passion for GovTech make him a critical driver of CivStart’s ongoing efforts to promote government innovation.
Sparking Innovation in 2025 and Beyond
The continued leadership of Niles Friedman, alongside the fresh ideas and expertise that Hillary Orr and Rachel Stern bring to CivStart, represents a powerful combination of continuity and innovation. Together, they will play a critical role in advancing CivStart’s mission to support local governments in addressing their most pressing challenges through innovative technology solutions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hillary and Rachel to the board as we work to further CivStart’s mission and ignite innovation in local government,” said Niles Friedman, Board Chair of CivStart. “Their unique expertise, combined with our collective commitment to transformative change, will drive CivStart’s next phase of growth and help bring forward the technologies, startups, and leaders that will shape the future of government.”
“CivStart is at a pivotal moment as we expand our role as an end-to-end innovation platform for local government,” said Anthony Jamison, CEO of CivStart. “Hillary and Rachel bring invaluable expertise that will help us deepen our impact, connecting early-stage startups with government leaders, supporting investors in navigating the public sector govtech market, and ensuring that transformative solutions reach the public sector.”
To see all our board members, please click here.
Comments