Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark

Drawing on award-winning municipal leadership experience in southeast Florida, Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark guides the consulting firm Best Practice Cities, LLC. Her boutique, local government advisory firm has capacities that relate to marketing, branding, and fundraising for community events. In addition, Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark implements strategies that improve operational efficiency for local governments and help raise funds and awareness for projects essential to local economic and cultural arts health.

While serving as city manager of Coral Gables in 2016, Ms. Swanson-Rivenbark worked to expand open space while ensuring sustained downtown economic development growth. Engaging in efforts to preserve the city’s historic character, she marshaled civic forces to preserve the development-threatened H. George Fink Studio, which represents the origins of the unique “Mediterranean Style.”

Ms. Swanson-Rivenbark’s efforts included expanding local transportation options and implementing neighborhood traffic-calming measures. At the same time, she developed close relationships with community stakeholders such as non-profits, tourism groups, and the chamber of commerce. She also created an Art in Public Places program and envisioned a grant process for ensuring compelling and accessible cultural programming throughout the year.