Nicola Graham

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT NICOLA GRAHAM

Nicola is an advocate for public sector innovation and a leader in smart city development for Dublin City Council. With 19+ years of experience, she plays a critical role as Smart City Programme Manager; advancing innovative solutions and strategic partnerships to improve and enhance service delivery in the City of Dublin. Since taking on her role in 2019, Nicola has led and implemented numerous initiatives that explore the use of new and emerging technologies. Technologies include: Gen AI, 5G, Free Public Wi-Fi, IoT, 3D Modelling, AR/VR and Drones. Her greatest strength is her capacity to build, develop and maintain relationships, a skill highlighted by her productive collaborations with local and international stakeholders, i.e. public bodies, private industry and universities. Her networking efforts led to Dublin\'s participation in Bloomberg Philanthropies\' EU Capital Cities Digital Innovation Program, securing valuable consultancy support for a digital transformation project. She succeeded in obtaining matched funding from Enterprise Ireland, channelling a total of €1m investment for innovative solutions, stimulating economic growth and encouraging SMEs and start-up participation with local government. The impact of her work is significant, delivering free public WIFI at 33 locations across the city, improving internet connectivity in local communities to support digital literacy programs and aiming to reduce digital poverty in areas that needed it most. Nicola’s efforts to utilise innovative procurement processes have de-risked public sector contracting relating to technology solutions by highlighting that alternative, more flexible procurement options exist. Her leadership in launching Ireland\'s first \"pilot-to-buy\" procurement approach was recognized on a European level, and was shortlisted for an EU Innovation Procurement Award in 2022 and won the Smart Docklands Business Forum Award in 2023. Nicola\'s current focus relates to the procurement of an IoT flood monitoring system and the Smart Docklands Pilot Challenge. Her portfolio includes high-profile EU projects and initiatives, like Twin 4 Resilience (digital twins) and the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights. Recently completed projects include coordination of Smart Dublin’s presence at the Smart City World Congress in Barcelona and the delivery of a staff showcase during Public Sector Transformation Week, underpinning her commitment to continuous improvement and promotion of better public services that meet the changing needs of the people working, living or visiting Dublin.