Elizabeth Crowe, the city of Cleveland’s director of urban analytics and innovation (Urban AI), is now serving as interim chief innovation and technology officer (CITO).
Stephanie Wernet previously held the position, having started as CITO in August 2024 following an expansion of the position’s duties earlier that year. Wernet resigned Jan. 29, according to an email from the city’s Chief Communications Officer Sarah Johnson.
“We are still determining if we will launch a search for this role or revisit previous candidates,” Johnson said.
Crowe was tapped as interim CITO on Feb. 11, according to a LinkedIn post from Cleveland Chief of Staff Ryan Puente. Doug Miel, who was the assistant director of Urban AI, is now serving as its interim director, Johnson said.
“As we continue to modernize and enhance the way we serve our community, [Crowe’s] experience and steady leadership will help guide this important work forward,” Puente wrote, emphasizing her leadership experience and understanding of technology’s potential to impact services.
Crowe joined the city in August 2022 after working in data and analytics for JumpStart Inc.; her official title then was director of quality control and performance management. At the time, Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb’s administration was seeking City Council approval to rename the Office of Quality Control and Performance Management to the Office of Urban Analytics and Innovation — which was approved the following month.
Although her title changed, Crowe’s focus for Cleveland government — to lead its analytics efforts — remained. Her work with the city has included strategic planning through Urban AI, and establishing Urban AI as its data and process center. Data analytics has also helped the city address public communications by modernizing 311 processes to better inform decision-making.
