The City of Aurora was named a winner of two national awards in the 15th Annual Granicus Digital Government Awards, according to an announcement on Apr. 15. The city received recognition in the Total Government Experience category, and Communications Manager Jon Zaghloul was honored with the Changemaker award.
These awards highlight organizations that excel in digital service delivery, operational efficiency, community engagement, and public transparency. The recognition matters because it reflects Aurora’s efforts to improve how residents interact with their local government through technology.
Aurora unified its website, 311 service, and communications platforms into one connected system designed for clarity and accessibility. This transformation aimed to make it easier for residents to find information, report issues, and engage with city projects. In just over a year, Zaghloul led initiatives such as launching a modernized city website and developing the Your Voice platform—which now hosts more than 50 projects—and introduced Aurora’s first weekly newsletter reaching over 160,000 subscribers.
Charlotte Lee, Director of CX & Innovation at Granicus said: “What sets Aurora apart is the relentless focus on making government easier for people. From finding information to reporting an issue to engaging with city projects, residents move through one seamless experience without friction or confusion.” Lee added that staff now work within clearer standards using more consistent tools.
Luke Norris, Granicus Vice President of Platform Strategy & Digital Transformation said: “Jon led a citywide leap forward — unifying Aurora’s website, engagement hub, and communications into one connected resident experience that feels modern, intuitive, and welcoming. He guided the shift from fragmented tools to a cohesive ecosystem where people can find information, ask questions, and participate without friction.”
The Digital Government Awards celebrate global organizations that show measurable impact through digital solutions and innovative approaches while strengthening public trust.
