11: Enriching Environments

Jonathan will never forget that first $150 he earned. He had always been fascinated by technology, read popular computing magazines, and he learned to program. His older brother was into technology, too, and Jonathan learned more by watching and working with him. Jonathan had an insatiable curiosity and by age 11 he had enough technology and programming know-how to write an electronic learning game based on the popular Speak & Spell device. It sold well, which is how he earned the $150, an enormous sum for a kid growing up in Dublin, Ireland. His dad, too, reinforced his passion for technology and creative innovation. As a teen his interests broadened further. His circle of friends changed and, like many teens, he got into music, learning guitar and piano. He formed a band and performed in local venues. Inwardly, Jonathan enjoyed the personal excitement from learning and writing new songs and, outwardly, he loved the atmosphere and buzz of playing to live audiences. More interesting opportunities arose. He was offered a university scholarship to study in the US. He and his brother started a pre-internet tech company. A few years later Jonathan applied for and received a US visa and his green card. Not long after that he was offered a technologist job with Coopers & Lybrand, which ultimately became PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), where he worked for many years. Jonathan embraced the rapid shifts and advances in technology at that time. PwC benefits helped pay for education, so he earned his PhD in Information Systems. He absolutely loved the opportunities his work in the company's technology innovation group provided, enabling him to work with inspiring colleagues on fascinating client projects. After PwC Jonathan joined O'Reilly Media and was then subsequently recruited to be Chief Information Officer for the City of Palo Alto, California. Government work would be different, and he wondered if it would be as vibrant as the private sector. But like everything else he had done Jonathan decided to jump at the opportunity, seeing it as a chance to learn about government work in a city considered the epicenter of high tech. Thinking he would stay for 3 years, he ended up staying for 7 years. Early in his tenure he was invited to speak at a conference in France and over time he found himself doing more speaking and audience workshops. As CIO for a city he was introduced to a wide range of smart cities issues, and his expertise grew. Media coverage and speaking engagements followed. He was recognized as one of the world's Top 100 CIOs. “Without question this government CIO job changed me,” said Jonathan. Opportunities opened up with LinkedIn Learning, as did advising work with cities around the world, and he now works with a wide range of organizations, speaking at events and authoring best-selling books. Jonathan is fueled by his love of innovation and education, the by-product of a lifetime of enriching, supportive environments and his own, personal appetite for learning. From developing a Speak & Spell-Like software application to helping teach the world about the merits of smart cities Jonathan found his future.