Margaret Brisbane is the chief information officer and director of the Information Technology Department (ITD) for Miami-Dade County. She has 19 years of public-sector IT experience with the county, previously serving as a deputy director, assistant IT director and division director.
Before moving to the public sector, she worked for the Burger King Corporation almost nonstop from 1989 to 2005, moving up the corporate ladder from a telecommunications manager to a work group computing manager, director of restaurant system support and director of vendor management and service delivery.
As for her current position, Brisbane is primarily responsible for leading a team of IT professionals to meet the county’s technology needs and overseeing all enterprise solutions, geospatial systems and other major technology projects.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international marketing from Florida International University and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Industry Insider — Florida: How do you define “digital transformation”? How far along is your organization in that process, and how will you know when it’s finished?
Margaret Brisbane: Digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into all areas of an organization, fundamentally changing how we operate and deliver value to our community. It goes beyond digitizing existing processes; it involves rethinking workflows, enhancing customer experiences and leveraging data to drive more informed decision-making.
In Miami-Dade County, we’ve made significant strides in this journey. However, digital transformation is an ongoing process. It’s not a project with a defined endpoint but rather a continuous evolution as technology advances and the needs and demands of our community change. Digital transformation is measured by our ability to adapt and innovate in response to new challenges and opportunities.
IIFL: What tech, modernization or AI projects is Miami-Dade County currently working on? Are there any projects in the works that you are excited about?
Brisbane: Artificial intelligence is something that is being prioritized to benefit the growing demand of our residents.
AI has so much potential to enhance the citizen’s journey across Miami-Dade County’s website and services. We all know AI has been around for a long time. But now that it has reached this critical point, the question is, how can we implement it in a way that preserves the integrity of our data and services?
We are working on understanding the power of AI by doing. Our teams have led the way on developing our AI report, which was approved by our Board of County Commissioners. This document provides employees with guidance/guardrails and a road map for future innovations.
At ITD, our teams are developing a few exciting AI-powered projects currently in beta testing.
During eMerge Americas last month, we showcased an early beta of the Paw-fect Match, an AI experience developed in partnership with our Animal Services Department. This AI initiative matches users to available shelter pets based on lifestyle and desired pet characteristics. The goal of this tool is to help residents adopt a new member of the family that best suits their lifestyle and needs, minimizing the likelihood of returns.
These types of tools are certainly fun and have a big impact on our departments and, ultimately, our customers. But they also serve as opportunities for our teams to understand this new technology by doing and hone a process for implementing these AI solutions.
IIFL: What do you read to stay abreast of government technology/SLED sector developments?
Brisbane: To stay current on government technology and the SLED sector, I regularly read a mix of industry publications, government reports and thought leadership content. Government Technology* magazine, the National Association of Counties (NACo), Gartner and Forrester Research, LinkedIn and industry blogs are a few of the resources I engage to stay informed about the latest developments and ensure that our county’s technology strategies remain aligned with industry best practices. Several of these forums are excellent for networking and building strong relationships.
IIFL: What do you think is the greatest technology challenge for Miami-Dade County?
Brisbane: The challenges in Miami-Dade County are numerous, so we focus on the following areas of priority:
- Managing the rapid pace of technological change while ensuring that our systems and services remain accessible, efficient and equitable and our workforce is trained to support the current and future technologies.
- Ensuring that the technology initiatives meet the needs of the county departments and align with the needs of our residents. Proper alignment ensures a high level of service delivery, meeting the needs of internal and external customers. Addressing these challenges requires a strategic approach that balances innovation with inclusivity and sustainability. With a strong focus on AI, our teams are working collectively to identify opportunities and use cases that will drive efficiencies for our residents.
- As we strive to make data-driven decisions, the challenge of effectively managing and analyzing vast amounts of data becomes increasingly significant. We must ensure the accuracy and transparency of the data while maintaining the infrastructure to support future needs. The goal is to support the vision of our mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, and to ensure that Miami-Dade County’s technology ecosystem is always future ready.
IIFL: What advice would you give someone who would like to lead an IT department?
Brisbane: Good leadership in IT requires a commitment to lifelong learning. As technology rapidly evolves, staying updated on emerging trends, best practices and new tools is essential. Continuous learning empowers you to make informed decisions and drive innovation within your department.
Leading an IT department is about managing change. Whether it’s implementing new systems, responding to crises or adapting to evolving user needs, flexibility is key. Embrace the need to pivot when necessary and cultivate a culture of agility and adaptability within your team. By fostering an environment where learning and flexibility are prioritized, you’ll be better equipped to lead your department through any challenge.
Take the time to build strong relationships, both internally and externally. Networking with your peers leads to information sharing around challenges and solutions. As we always say in the SouthFloridaCIO group, “The answer is always in the room.”
IIFL: What professional or affinity groups do you belong to? Do you volunteer, and would you like to share that experience with readers?
Brisbane: It is important to give back to your community, both personally and professionally.
I have a passion for mentoring and have had the opportunity to give back by establishing a mentoring program between the county’s IT department and a local high school IT academy, which is now in its 12th year. I also developed and chaired the chamber’s youth leadership program for three years and have mentored several students, helping them to develop their technical and business skills. I have led the Virtual Role Model Mentoring Program for ITWomen, matching college-bound ladies with professional technology and engineering mentors.
I participated in the Technology Committee for both the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Beacon Council and served on the United Way Women’s team for several years.
Most recently, I was selected as the chair for the SouthFloridaCIO group, a member of the Inspire Leadership Network.
IIFL: What conferences do you attend?
Brisbane: Conferences provide opportunities for staying ahead of industry trends, engaging with fellow leaders and discovering innovative technologies that can enhance our services. They also offer a platform to showcase our county’s successes, gain insights from others’ experiences and forge partnerships that benefit our community. We actively participate in key events like eMerge Americas, NACo Legislative and Government Conference, Gartner Symposium, South Florida Business Journal and CIO conferences. I am committed to attending relevant conferences that can help us leverage new information and drive meaningful improvements for our residents.
IIFL: What are you reading or listening to for fun? What do you do to unplug in your downtime?
Brisbane: Fun comes in many forms, and reading and traveling are both passions, one for learning and the other for seeing the world. To fill the void of travel time, I use the opportunity to listen to books about comedy, leadership, technology and personal growth. Most recent books included The Zen of Listening, Dare to Lead, The Power of Giving Away Power and Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime.
To unplug, I travel. Some trips are with friends, others with family. My most recent trips included a trip to Portugal with girlfriends of 50-plus years, an annual trip to Martha’s Vineyard with my daughter and grandson, and currently planning a trip to Morocco with my husband. These passions keep me balanced and grounded.
*Note: Government Technology is part of e.Republic, Industry Insider — Florida’s parent company.
