Tamara Srzentić, Founder, Rebel Alliance, and Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media, 42nd Government of Montenegro
By Yogesh Hirdaramani
Meet the Women in GovTech 2024.
Tamara Srzentić, Founder, Rebel Alliance, and Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media, 42nd Government of Montenegro, shares her journey. Image: Tamara Srzentić
1. How do you use technology/policy to improve citizens’ lives? Tell us about your role or organisation.
This year we launched Rebel Alliance, an open civic org which embodies the new kind of leadership we need in today’s digital age— leadership that ignites hope and optimism, rather than fear and blame. That chooses to unite people, rather than divide them. With the rise of authoritarianism worldwide, it’s crucial for us to create spaces that uplift empathetic leaders who are committed to using “politics of kindness” as a force for good, by putting people at the center and before politics. Rebel Alliance provides a safe community for compassionate leaders to come together, share their experiences, and collaborate on solutions to the pressing challenges we face—whether it's climate change, economic disruption, or social injustice. What sets this effort apart is our focus on the common values we all share, regardless of privilege, position or political affiliation - empathy, curiosity, generosity & kindness.
We empower select politicians and government leaders by building capacity around them and connecting them with a network of technical experts, cutting-edge tools, and skilled volunteers. By activating "tiger teams" centered on human-centered design, we equip empathetic politicians and leaders in government with the resources necessary for effective delivery. This is essential, especially in a digital age where successful governance depends on capacity to deliver, not just policy. While elites often focus on the intricacies of policy-making, we recognize that it is the delivery that truly impacts people's lives. Improving our ability to deliver human centered policies and services strengthens our democracy, ensuring that we meet the diverse needs of all people we serve and leave no one behind.
Our equity centered community design methodology is based on meeting people where they are and co-creating solutions with them and not for them. It is grounded in empathic listening and humility, powered by multidisciplinary teams that focus on creating a space of psychological safety, uncovering people's real needs, and scaling iteratively by testing assumptions.Through these efforts, we’ve observed our fellows engaging deeply with their communities, advocating for policies that not only achieve results but also cultivate a sense of belonging and empowerment among the most marginalized.
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2. What was the most impactful project you worked on this year?
This year, one of the most impactful projects I worked on was focused on addressing violence against women in politics, an issue that is often dismissed as the "cost" of engaging in public life. This is an issue I faced every day when I was a Minister; constant threats, humiliation and sabotage have gravely affected me and my family all throughout my mandate. Every day, brave women step into the political arena, ready to dare greatly, yet they face attacks, hate, defamation, and even silencing. This not only belittles and shames individuals but threatens our democracy itself.
To tackle this, we established a supportive community focused on empowering women leaders. Our initiative fosters a network where women politicians can share their experiences and connect with each other, creating a safe space for collaboration. This community serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge and strategies on preventing gender-based violence while amplifying their voices in a supportive environment.
In addition to building this network, we conduct research to better grasp the behaviors that fuel this violence and implement pilot projects to showcase positive role models. By fostering discussions around these issues, we seek to create awareness and encourage a cultural shift in how society perceives women in leadership roles. We also launched a technology-driven initiative aimed at responding to online harassment. This movement combines citizen engagement with innovative tools to detect early signs of hate and respond proactively. By actively supporting targeted individuals, we aim to change the narrative surrounding women in politics and promote a safer, more inclusive political discourse.
Our commitment to this cause reflects the belief that true leadership is measured by whom we uplift, not whom we put down. We rise when we lift others. By collectively working to ensure that all voices are heard and valued, we not only empower women but strengthen the very fabric of our democracy.
3. What was one unexpected learning from 2024?
One unexpected learning/shakeups from 2024 has been the stark reminder of how quickly progress can be challenged. With the recent political shifts, including the loss of leaders like Kamala Harris, we’ve seen authoritarian regimes leveraging fear and division to assert their control. This serves as a wake-up call; it highlights the dangers of scarcity mentality and the marginalization of diverse voices, which only breeds further discrimination and abuse.
As we navigate this political landscape, it's clear to me that our collective work is not just necessary—it's urgent. We must commit ourselves to the audacity of hope, countering the narrative that tells us pluralism and collaboration is impossible. Hope requires resilience and boldness against those who say we can’t work together to build a shared future. Fostering a more inclusive, resilient society requires all of us to meet people where they are and build bridges to find common ground.
4. What’s a tool or technique you’re excited to explore in 2025?
I am not as much energized by the WHAT/tool/technique, as i am by digging into the “Radical HOW” - and with our efforts contributing to reimagining the leadership and culture in the digital age that leaves noone behind - I speak in great detail about this in other parts of this interview.
5. Everybody’s talking about AI today – give us your hot take on AI and what it means for the public sector.
How the governments around the world choose to respond to the changes AI brings is indeed critical, especially in the context and its use to improve government services.
In a fear of missing out, I observe many government leaders across the world rushing to sprinkle “advanced tech (AI) fairy dust” on a tech portfolio without a clear purpose or a clear match between the need and the solution. When you have a hammer everything looks like a nail; we need to be very cautious as a community not to treat AI as a hammer. There is a real risk that governments, especially those that lack sufficient basic digital expertise and delivery capacity, will buy AI tools in ways that are compliant with all the new guidance, but that fundamentally lack an understanding of the human problem they are trying to solve. Though technology is simply a tool and an enabler - not a solution.
Our ability to deliver for the people that we serve comes down to how much or how little capacity and competency we have to understand the human needs and to deploy these technologies thoughtfully. Once we understand the problem on the ground, then we can work backwards, and it might be meaningful to incorporate AI in delivering a solution more effectively but there's a whole other range of tools in our toolkit; things like policy, governance, process, or operations that might actually be more purposeful.
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6. What are your priorities for 2025?
A key initiative will be to build a community of practice around digital public infrastructure. We’re developing a framework and roadmap that emphasizes cultivating foundational digital infrastructure while fostering a collaborative approach to software development. By sharing assets beyond just code— playbooks, methods, techniques, design standards, plain language guides, outputs from user research, and best practices—we can engage as one team within the broader ecosystem. I’m also excited about the work being done through our non-partisan, open civic community that leverages a network of pro bono technologists and experts. This initiative is vital for tackling systemic challenges that public servants face as they strive to build their delivery capacity.
Ultimately, the work ahead is about lifting democracies through leadership that is grounded in generosity, humility, and kindness. We will empower all individuals to lean into their unique strengths and lead from wherever they are. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind in this journey toward a more inclusive and effective public service.
7. What advice do you have for public sector innovators?
To public servants everywhere.. You are not alone. Leadership is a mindset; not a title. Ground yourself in your passion and sense of purpose and lean on your superpowers.
With democracies around the world in jeopardy, one thing is clear: the work we’re doing together has never been more urgent. Nor has there ever been a better time to commit to the audacity of hope. Hope requires conviction and boldness and ignoring the conventional wisdom of a culture that tells us we can’t be hopeful and make a difference, no matter what space we lead from.
Do not lose belief that you can make the most meaningful difference. And don’t lose your sense of expectation — your expectation that political leaders do better, your expectation that people keep showing up, your expectation that we can create change if we organize and collaborate and work together. The moment we lose our expectation, that is when hope dies.
8. Who inspires you today?
These leaders are warriors of light, sometimes silent but fierce forces for good. They rise by lifting otters and empowering everyone around them to lean on their super powers and lead from where they are. They build with and not for, meet everyone where they are and leave no one behind.
They model the type of leadership the world today desperately needs to elevate, nurture and promote, in order for us to effectively solve the global challenges ahead: Leadership that ignites hope, abundance & optimism, rather than fear & blame. That chooses to unite people, rather than divide them. Leadership approach that is based on the common values we all share, regardless of privilege, position or political affiliation - empathy, curiosity, generosity & kindness.
I am in awe of you.
“We are the brave & brokenhearted. We write our own daring endings. We craft courage from failure. Compassion from shame, Love from heartbreak. Showing up is our power. We are rising strong.” from the Manifesto of the Brave and Brokenhearted by, one and only, Brene Brown.
Tamara served as the Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media of Montenegro (2020-2022). Under Tamara’s leadership Montenegro government reshaped key policies and standards, propelled public private partnerships, saved money, improved services and built lasting capability for innovation and digital service delivery. Previously, over the past two California administrations Tamara championed the course for the priority policy initiatives and digital service and public transformation strategies for the world’s 5th largest economy. She has built two startups for the state of California, recruited and cultivated world-class technology talent, and developed critical partnerships that changed how the government delivers services to the public.