Friday, November 21, 2025
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hinds Hall 347
Open Data is a concept that has gained popularity in recent years with governments looking to release datasets on different topics. During this talk we will start to look at what is being called the “Third Wave of Open Data” where is focuses on prioritizing datasets that have a high level of public impact.
The City of Syracuse recently launched an interactive map application using Open Datasets that update daily to try to create a user-friendly tool that a wide variety of residents and community members can use. Here some of our team will talk through the process that we took to build this, some of the tools that we used, and lessons that we have learned along the way.
Jason Scharf is a digital services leader, currently serving as the City of Syracuse’s Deputy Director of Digital Services. In this role, he helps manage the city’s websites, digital transformation, and third-party software implementations. He previously managed Open Data Syracuse, the city’s open data portal, which has helped make government data more accessible and transparent to the public. His dedication to civic technology and user-friendly digital tool development strengthens local government’s ability to serve their community members more effectively.
Sarah Pallo serves as Public Information Officer supporting the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development for the City of Syracuse. As part of the Communications Office, Pallo develops and distributes public information to proactively educate and engage the Syracuse community on projects and initiatives related to housing, neighborhood health and safety, property development, business opportunities, historic preservation, neighborhood planning, and sustainability. She also works with the public to answer questions and receive recommendations to help inform and improve agency programs and process. A Syracuse native, Pallo has spent the last fifteen years involved in support and development of local businesses in the city of Syracuse.
Jonah Tafuri is a Data and Mapping Analyst within the Data and Evaluation team in the Neighborhood and Business Development Department of the City of Syracuse. Jonah provides mapping and data analysis support to a number of city divisions including Neighborhood development, Business development, and the Grants division. As a recent graduate from the City of Syracuse with undergraduate degrees in both Policy Studies and Applied Data Analytics, Jonah specializes in data reporting, and designing maps to inform both the residents of the City of Syracuse and internal city operations.