The Road to Real Change

Chandler Runnells ’19 is turning big ideas into real change in her hometown of Austin, Texas. As a Business Process Specialist in the City of Austin’s Capital Delivery Services Department, she helps manage the Capital Improvement Bond set to go before voters in the 2026 General Election, a role where every decision has a tangible impact on the community.

No two days are the same. Chandler juggles Bond Election Task Force meetings, coordinates across city departments, manages executive schedules, and facilitates the Capital Project Review Board. It’s fast-paced, complex work that requires flexibility, sharp attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing information.

Her path to public service was not straightforward. Initially thinking she would go to law school, Chandler realized during her junior year of college that her passion lay in shaping policy that makes a real difference. Encouraged to explore graduate programs in public policy, she found her calling at UT-Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs and a deep love for local government, ultimately landing a job at the City of Austin.

What she loves most? Seeing her work come to life. From the roads people drive on to the parks they walk through, the Departmental Capital Improvement Projects touch daily life in meaningful ways. The challenge, of course, is navigating limited resources and putting some projects on hold, but Chandler sees every obstacle as part of the bigger picture.

"I always say that I love local government because it is a tangible policy—what you work on behind the scenes, you get to see it happen in real life. We use city facilities every day, whether it be the roads we drive on or the parks we walk through."

Chatham Hall, she says, gave her the grit and bravery to take on challenges with confidence. Those lessons, paired with curiosity, courage, and the willingness to seize every opportunity, have shaped her journey in public service.

Her advice to students: "My number one piece of advice is to never turn down an opportunity. Even if it means putting yourself in intimidating positions, no one is going to remember you if you are simply in the room. They will only remember you if you put yourself out there."

Chandler’s story is proof that meaningful work doesn’t always follow a straight path, but with determination, courage, and a willingness to leap, you can make an impact that matters.