GIS/ValTech 2027

This session will be a fireside chat on leadership, communication, and technology adoption in the modern Assessor’s Office. Technology modernization projects are often evaluated by how successful they are at meeting implementation timelines, budgets, and system functionality, which are frequently measured through various metrics. Yet the long-term success of these projects is frequently determined by something less technical and more human: how leaders prepare, communicate with, and support their people through change.

Recent advancements in technology hold great potential for assessment offices, but these adoptions also face an equally important challenge: helping employees communicate change confidently and clearly while strengthening public trust. Oftentimes taxpayers are unfamiliar with the assessment process and may interpret change through uncertainty rather than understanding. How leaders prepare their teams to communicate those changes can significantly influence public confidence through the transition to new technology.

The speakers bring two perspectives shaped by their experiences to this conversation. With 15 years of experience in the assessment industry, Jennifer Rearich shares firsthand experiences from one of the nation's largest assessor's offices, discussing the realities of technology modernization, data management, and organizational change. Yara Banks, with more than 25 years of experience in fair housing investigations, civil rights compliance, and organizational accountability, complements that perspective by exploring how leadership, communication, and organizational culture influence employee adoption, reduce unnecessary resistance, and help employees explain complex changes in ways that build understanding and trust rather than defensiveness.
Together, they will share practical strategies for leading modernization efforts, preparing employees for change, and strengthening communication with both internal teams and the communities they serve.