Pete Peterson stands as a prominent national figure, renowned for his expertise as a speaker and writer on critical issues encompassing civic participation and the innovative application of technology to enhance governmental responsiveness and transparency. His career is marked by significant contributions to fostering public engagement and promoting effective governance in the digital age.
Peterson’s foundational role as the inaugural executive director of Common Sense California underscores his commitment to bi-partisan solutions in governance. This organization’s merger with the Davenport Institute at the School of Public Policy in 2010 culminated in the formation of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership, further solidifying Peterson’s influence in the field.
A cornerstone of Peterson’s impact lies in the co-creation and co-facilitation of the acclaimed training seminar, “Public Engagement: The Vital Leadership Skill in Difficult Times.” This program has equipped over 4,500 municipal officials with essential strategies for effective public engagement. Expanding on this, he also played a key role in developing “Leading Smart Communities,” a program dedicated to exploring the transformative power of technology in reshaping local government operations and citizen interaction. His leadership extends to the academic sphere, as demonstrated by his chairmanship of the Governance Committee for the Public Interest Technology-University Network (PIT-UN), highlighting his dedication to integrating technology into public service.
Beyond his organizational leadership and training initiatives, Pete Peterson is a prolific writer, contributing insightful commentary on public engagement to esteemed news outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle, alongside numerous influential blogs. His scholarly contributions are equally notable, including the chapter “Place As Pragmatic Policy” in Why Place Matters: Geography, Identity, and Civic Life in Modern America (2014) and “Do-It Ourselves Citizenship” in Localism in the Mass Age (2018). These publications showcase his deep thinking on the intersection of civic life, policy, and community.
Peterson’s commitment to public service is further exemplified by his board memberships with the Jack Miller Center and the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. He also lends his expertise to the National Advisory Council for the Ashbrook Center and the Scholars Council for Braver Angels, organizations focused on civic education and bridging political divides. Representing the School of Public Policy within the Public Interest Technology-University Network (PIT-UN), he actively fosters collaboration between academia and technology for the public good. His past service includes membership on the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship, convened by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and the Leadership Council of California Forward, a bipartisan reform organization. His experience also encompasses a public affairs fellowship at The Hoover Institution, adding to his diverse background in policy and governance.
In 2014, Pete Peterson further extended his public service by running as the Republican candidate for California Secretary of State, demonstrating his dedication to electoral integrity and civic participation at the state level.
Pete Peterson’s Engagements: Panels and Presentations (2018-Present)
Pete Peterson’s active engagement in public discourse is evident through his extensive participation in panels and presentations. Since 2018, he has moderated and contributed to numerous significant discussions, addressing a wide range of topics relevant to contemporary challenges in governance, technology, and civic life. These engagements demonstrate his versatility and expertise in facilitating critical conversations across diverse platforms.
His recent activities include moderating discussions on international relations, such as “Confronting the Major Challenges Facing the West” and “Bipartisan Approaches to International Religious Freedom.” He has also led conversations on domestic policy issues, including “The F.R.E.E. Program to Promote Economic Opportunity” and “Why should Our Leaders Care about Human Flourishing?”. Peterson’s expertise extends to the intersection of technology and governance, as seen in his moderation of “Religious Freedom, Elections, and Free Speech Online” and “Smart Cities for Dummies.”
His participation in events like the “Building Connected Communities” conference at Harvard and the “Our Common Purpose Higher Ed Roundtable” by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences highlights his commitment to fostering dialogue within academic and community settings. Furthermore, his involvement with organizations like the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and Faith & Law underscores his dedication to engaging with diverse audiences on crucial topics ranging from modern-day slavery to the role of religion in public life.
Pete Peterson’s consistent presence as a moderator, panelist, and speaker across a broad spectrum of events solidifies his position as a thought leader and a key contributor to public discourse on vital issues shaping society today.
