Ruthbea Yesner

, IDC

Panel Discussion: How to Make a City Smart

Fireside Chat: Overcoming the Challenges (WITI Study Analysis)

Ruthbea Yesner is the Vice President of Government Insights at IDC. In this practice, Ms. Yesner manages the US Federal Government and the Worldwide Smart Cities and Communities Global practices. Ms. Yesner's research discusses the strategies and execution of relevant technologies and best practice areas, such as governance, innovation, partnerships and business models, essential for Smart City and Community development. Ms. Yesner's research includes Big Data and analytics, artificial intelligence, Open data and data exchanges, digital twins, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and mobile solutions in the areas of economic development and civic engagement, urban planning and administration, public safety, transportation, and energy and infrastructure. Ms. Yesner contributes to consulting engagements to support state and local governments and IT vendors' overall Smart City market strategies.

BACKGROUND
Ms. Yesner contributes to the IDC Community and in publications such as Government Technology, Government Computer News, CivSource, M2M Evolution, CIO magazine, SmartGrid News, Connected World and FedTech magazine. She has contributed to U.S. publications such as American City & County, StateTech, .Gov magazine covering technology in the Middle East, and iThome a Taiwanese IT magazine. Ms. Yesner's publications include a chapter with PTI and the Global Institute on the first developmental model for smart cities in Smart Cities for a Bright Sustainable Future: A Global Perspective which is available on Amazon. Her latest publication is on smart city measurements and assessments, published in February 2017 in Managing for Social Impact: Innovations in Responsible Enterprise, by Springer. She is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry events.

Ms. Yesner has had several roles at IDC over the past 15 years. Ms. Yesner helped launch the IDC end-user research Vertical Group as the Director of Vertical Views following five years as a Consulting Director for large-scale international projects that provided strategic and tactical marketing services, including market opportunity assessments, competitive analysis, and cost/benefit analysis.

Ms. Yesner joined IDC following work as a product manager in Internet start-ups in Silicon Valley. Prior to that, she worked in state social services as a director of programs serving young adults and adolescents diagnosed with substance abuse and mental health issues.

EDUCATION/INDUSTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Ms. Yesner holds a BA from Wesleyan University, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston College with an MBA and MSW joint degree.

On January 20th, 2016, Ms. Yesner was presented with the James Peacock 2015 Memorial Award for excellence in her contributions to IDC research and IDC clients.