The Aussie Pushing for an Open Oakland

Next City isn’t just a news website, we are a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire social, economic and environmental change in cities. Part of how we do that is by connecting our readers to urban changemakers and holding an annual Vanguard conference bringing together 40 top young urban leaders. Steve Spiker was a 2012 Vanguard.

Spike (Steve Spiker)

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Next City isn’t just a news website, we are a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire social, economic and environmental change in cities. Part of how we do that is by connecting our readers to urban changemakers and holding an annual Vanguard conference bringing together 40 top young urban leaders. Steve Spiker was a 2012 Vanguard.

Name: Steve “Spike” Spiker
Current Occupation: Executive Director, OpenOakland
Hometown: Alice Springs, Australia
Current City: Oakland, CA
Twitter Tag: @spjika

I drink: coffee, good coffee
I am an: extrovert who likes solace at times
The area I grew up is: crazy outback, way beyond rural

What was your first job? Cowboy on a cattle ranch and slaughterhouse.

What is your favorite city and why? London, for the pace, the cultures, the food and the Metro.

Spike and Lucy


What do you do when you are not working? Love on my daughters and wife, run a landscape photography business.

What do you like most about your current job? Changing social conditions, making our city better.

What is the coolest project you worked on? Implementing a national early childhood survey to identify health and developmental needs in young children.

What are the hard parts about your job? People not wanting to share data. (For more on this topic, read this week’s feature, Welcome to the Open Data Movement’s Turbulent Teenage Years)

What is the biggest challenge facing cities today? Housing affordability and equity.

What makes a successful leader? A balanced ego and desire to support those working for you.

What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)? Make Oakland a really open, data driven city.

What’s the best professional advice you have received? Listen more.

Who do you most admire? Gary Haugen, head of IJM, fighting modern day slavery.

What do you look for when hiring someone? Adaptability.

What career advice would you give an emerging urban leader? Find a way to work on things you are passionate about, but never fail to listen to those who want to critique you; They’re often right.

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Tags: next city vanguard

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