Stephen Goldsmith is the Derek Bok Professor of Urban Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School and directs the Bloomberg Center for Cities' Data-Smart City Solutions, focusing on how data analytics and community input can improve government-citizen relationships. He also leads the Project on Municipal Innovation, supporting mayors in sharing best practices and enhancing efficiency, and oversees initiatives such as the Civic Analytics Network, Chief Equity Officers Network, and Mayoral Leadership in Education Network. Previously, Goldsmith served as Deputy Mayor of New York City and Mayor of Indianapolis, known for his work in public-private partnerships and privatization. He was also the chief domestic policy advisor for the George W. Bush campaign in 2000, Chair of AmeriCorps, and district attorney for Marion County, Indiana. He has authored several books on urban policy, including The Twenty-First Century City, The Responsive City, A New City O/S, Collaborative Cities, and Growing Fairly: How to Build Opportunity and Equity in Workforce Development. His most recent book, Growing Fairly: How to Build Opportunity and Equity in Workforce Development, was released in February 2022.

He is recognized as a leading author on local government and applied technology. He writes regularly for Government Technology and Governing Magazines and has frequently appeared in national publications including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe and New York Times.