Joanne Parker
SPEAKER

Joanne Parker

Chief Executive Officer, Open Cities Lab (OCL)

Joanne Parker is the Chief Executive Officer at Open Cities Lab (OCL), where she leads the organisation with a clear vision and deep expertise in public-sector engagement. With 15 years of relevant experience, she specialises in development economics, product innovation, and strategic planning. Joanne contributes to OCL’s mission by overseeing the curation and development of digital tools that empower governments and civic actors to improve decision-making and service delivery. Her work focuses on creating sustainable, evidence-based solutions that enhance accountability and urban resilience, particularly for marginalised communities. Previously, as OCL’s Chief Product Officer, she was instrumental in co-creating methodologies for digital transformation and managing large-scale infrastructure initiatives. Her background in economic research and multi-disciplinary team leadership ensures that OCL's technical outputs remain grounded in practical, real-world impact and public value.