I-NAPA Boba Breaks are monthly informal virtual meetings held on every second Friday of the month at 9:00 a.m. PST | 11:00 a.m. CST | 12:00 p.m. EST to provide a professional networking opportunity for Asian and Pacific Islander public administrators, students, and vendors serving the public sector to connect and network. Join I-NAPA for this unique opportunity to connect!

Click here for more information and to register.

Current NACA Members and 2026 Friends of NACA are invited to join the May 7 virtual NACA Idea Exchange. Attendees will learn from their peers via facilitated discussions in breakout rooms. Come to connect with your county peers from across the nation!

TOPIC: How communities are supporting/funding Human Services Systems (Developmental Disabilities, Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, Children Services, Public Health).

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CST
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MST
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. PST

Location: Virtual/online via Zoom

Cost: Free (This is a members-only event. This virtual Idea Exchange is for NACA members AND 2026 Friends of NACA sponsors.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This event is brought to you in partnership with Mission Square Retirement and NACo EDGE.

After registering, your membership and sponsorship status will be verified. If verified, you will receive a confirmation email which will include Zoom credentials. Questions? Email NIU Secretariat, Paula Freeze.

In this webinar, speakers from MissionSquare Research Institute will discuss their annual “Trends to Watch” report, highlighting predictions for developments that will help shape workforce strategies in the year ahead. From the rising importance of financial wellness and guaranteed income to the human impact of artificial intelligence (AI), the Institute’s findings underscore a common theme: organizations that pair innovation with intentional investment in their people will lead the way.

DATE: April 30, 2026

TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST

COST: Free!

Presenters:

Zhikun Liu, PhD., CFP®, Vice President, Head of MissionSquare Research Institute

Dr. Zhikun "Dennis" Liu is the Head of MissionSquare Research Institute, bringing a rich blend of industry expertise, academic excellence, and research acumen. His career spans significant positions at the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Empower Retirement, where he notably contributed to financial wellness and retirement readiness through innovative financial planning models and engines, including the acclaimed Ballpark E$timate®, My Total Wealth®, and the Financial Wellness Scoring System.

Dr. Liu's extensive academic background is marked by his experience teaching at Texas Tech University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Texas. He has taught a wide array of subjects, ranging from economics to personal finance and mathematics. In addition to his teaching credentials, Dr. Liu is a distinguished CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

A prolific contributor to academic and industry literature, Dr. Liu's research papers are frequently cited in the news media, and he is a sought-after speaker at conferences. His leadership and contributions in the field underscore his commitment to enhancing financial literacy and retirement planning strategies.

Gerald Young, Senior Researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute

Mr. Young serves as Senior Researcher at MissionSquare Research Institute. In this role, he conducts quantitative and case study research on workforce issues, public retirement plans, shared staffing, DEI, financial wellness, and other related topics.

Prior to joining the Research Institute in 2017, he worked with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for over two decades on performance management, police recruitment, organizing best practices symposia, and researching smart communities and local government innovation. He has also served local government directly for eight years with the cities of Chula Vista and Loma Linda, California, with a focus on budgeting and program evaluation.

His research has been covered by a variety of publications including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Federal News Network, Pensions & Investments, PlanSponsor, Politico, Axios, Route Fifty, and American City and County, among others, as well as the IBM Center for the Business of Government. He has presented at various state, national, and international conferences.

Mr. Young earned a master's in public administration from the University of Kansas and bachelor's degrees in mathematics / computer science and political science from Loyola University Chicago.

You can email Gerald at GYoung@missionsquare.com.

The task of maintaining ethical leadership while avoiding partisanship has never been more critical.  Local government organizations are challenged to support a balance that inspires trust, fosters transparency, and upholds the principles of democracy while embracing their roles as guardians of integrity and inclusivity.

SPEAKERS:

1. Pamela Davis, Assistant City Manager, City of Boulder, CO

2. Michelle L. Ferguson, Executive Vice President, Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. and former Assistant City Manager of the County of Arlington, VA

3. Michael S. Land, City Manager, City of Coppell, TX

DATE: March 18, 2026

COST: Free!

TIME: 10:30 am PT / 11:30 am MT / 12:30 pm CT / 1:30 p.m. ET

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

ICMA PRACTICE AREAS: [1] Personal and Professional Integrity, [4] Staff Effectiveness, and [6] Strategic Leadership

ICMA TOPICS: Ethics and Leadership

FOR JOB TITLES: Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO), Department Head, Mid-Management and Entry-Level Staff, and Student and Intern

The ICMA Coaching Program offers free one-to-one coaching to ICMA members. If you are an ICMA member, register on CoachConnect to choose a coach, and explore more Coaching Resources.

The March 5, 2026 2026 SheLeadsGov Virtual Summit tackles those realities head‑on, offering guidance rooted in lived experience and actionable expertise. This event will bring together seasoned practitioners, rising leaders, and strategic thinkers for three powerful panel discussions that address the realities women face in public service. 

Register today to join this dynamic, future‑focused webinar. You’ll be equipped with tools, insights, and inspiration to thrive in today’s complex civic landscape. 

Click on the source link below for more information and to register today!