Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
Episode 370 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Sponsored by Tyler Technologies
Communities don’t become exceptional by accident.
Behind every thriving downtown, every well-maintained park, every new library, and every neighborhood where people feel connected is a team of public servants making thousands of intentional decisions over many years.
Few people understand that better than Brenda Eivens.
On Episode 370 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, I sat down with Brenda, the City Manager of Cedar Park, Texas, to discuss what it takes to lead one of America’s fastest-growing cities while never losing sight of the people who make a community feel like home.
Brenda’s journey into local government wasn’t planned. An English major who began her career in human resources, she discovered municipal leadership through graduate school and a willingness to keep saying “yes” to new opportunities. That openness eventually led her from HR Manager to Assistant City Manager and, in 2005, to City Manager—a role she has now held for more than two decades.
Throughout our conversation, one theme kept emerging: growth should never come at the expense of community.
It’s easy to celebrate the visible accomplishments of local government—new roads, libraries, parks, recreation centers, public safety facilities, and economic development. But Brenda reminds us that those projects are only successful when they create places where people feel connected, supported, and proud to live.
Her leadership has guided Cedar Park through explosive population growth, political change, natural disasters, and shifting community needs. Yet rather than focusing on projects or accolades, Brenda continually points back to relationships.
She shares why mentorship transformed her career, why great leaders don’t need to have every answer, and why building trust across councils, staff, and residents is the foundation for long-term success.
One of my favorite moments came when Brenda reflected on leading through crises, including a devastating tornado early in her career. She described watching firefighters and city leaders remain calm while the community rallied together to help neighbors in need. It’s a powerful reminder that local government isn’t just about providing services; it’s about creating the conditions where communities can respond with resilience, compassion, and hope.
For anyone leading a city, county, department, or organization, Brenda’s story offers an important lesson: leadership isn’t measured only by what you build. It’s measured by the people you develop, the trust you earn, and the community you help create.
If you’re navigating growth, preparing for leadership, or simply looking for encouragement from someone who has spent decades serving with humility and purpose, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Listen to Episode 370: Brenda Eivens: Growing with Purpose
This episode is sponsored by Tyler Technologies, the leader in empowering the public sector with software solutions that connect data, streamline operations, and improve service delivery. From AI to budgeting solutions, Tyler helps local governments build stronger, more resilient communities. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter →
The MLDC is where local government leaders go to grow, together. It’s the fastest-growing leadership development community designed specifically for the public sector, now paired with a comprehensive 9-month Leadership & Culture Program for those ready to elevate their leadership and their organization. Learn more at haltingwinter.com/mldc →
The HaltingWinter Podcast shines a spotlight on the people behind our cities and counties. Through candid conversations with local government leaders from across the nation, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and ideas shaping stronger communities while inspiring the next generation of public servants.
