Great cities don’t happen by accident—they’re built by bold ideas, smart leaders, and the occasional stroke of luck (or well-timed coffee meeting). Think global, act local, and always leave room for a little serendipity—because sometimes the best solutions come from the most unexpected places. The future of cities isn’t just about technology or policy; it’s about bringing the right people to the table, asking the right questions, and maybe, just maybe, changing the world one conversation at a time. And if anyone knows how to bring cultures together, it’s Amy—an American with an Italian passport, a German name, a British son, and a home in Dubai. If cities need a global perspective, she’s already living it!
Dr Amy Hochadel
Dr Hochadel is an expert in global cities working with local leaders, entrepreneurs, city and national governments around the world, including the Gulf states, India, ASEAN, East Asia, Africa, and the United Kingdom.
She is Vice President of the Urban Lab at Expo City Dubai in the UAE.
Dr Hochadel is the author of Local Leadership in a Global Era: Policy and Behaviour Change in Cities (2017, Palgrave Macmillan), exploring the changing role local leaders are playing in addressing local challenges through global engagement.
Dr Hochadel has over three decades of experience in politics & public policy and community, government, diplomatic and international relations. She has served as special adviser to Congressional and Presidential candidates across the United States, as well as for British Members of Parliament; and has been a guest lecturer at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
Dr Hochadel’s Doctorate is from King’s College London in International Political Economy, and she specialises in enabling local governments and leadership around the world to build globally focused, innovation-based economies.
Dr Hochadel is also certified in Advanced Public Diplomacy from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Communication; holds a Master’s degree in Psychology, specialising in Diversity Management from Cleveland State University; a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Ohio University; and an Associateship of King’s College in Theology.