Chris Ailes
Co-Founder | Public Service, Code Enforcement & Leadership
Chris brings experience spanning municipal government, code enforcement, and leadership development to Civic Meridian. A certified professional in code enforcement and experienced public-sector leader, he is dedicated to advancing the code enforcement profession, community improvement, and developing future leaders in the public space.
Eliza Hansen
Co-Founder | Public Service, Utilities & Leadership
Eliza brings experience spanning municipal government, utility operations, and the water industry to Civic Meridian. A licensed water professional and experienced public-sector leader, her career now includes helping utilities evaluate technology and solutions to address real-world operational challenges. She is passionate about developing the people who serve our communities through practical education, leadership development, and lessons grounded in firsthand experience.
Our Story
Built by public servants, for public servants.
Civic Meridian was founded by siblings Eliza Hansen and Christopher Ailes, but our connection to public service began long before either of us chose it as a career.
We were raised in a family of public servants, where service to others wasn't simply a profession—it was something we saw lived out every day. Our mother, in particular, had a profound influence on how we came to understand service, responsibility, hard work, and the importance of contributing to the community around us.
As our own careers took us into different areas of local government and public service, those early lessons stayed with us. We also came to recognize something important: the people entrusted with serving our communities deserve education and development created by people who understand the realities of the work.
Because some of the most valuable lessons aren't learned from a textbook alone. They're learned in the field, at the counter, in council chambers, during emergencies, through difficult conversations, and alongside the teams responsible for keeping communities running.
We created Civic Meridian to bridge that gap.
Our approach brings together real-world public-sector experience and practical education to help professionals grow throughout their careers, from frontline employees building their skills to supervisors learning to lead, experienced professionals maintaining their credentials, and organizations investing in stronger teams.
Today, Civic Meridian provides public servant development, leadership and coaching, code enforcement education, and water utility training, all connected by one purpose:
To strengthen the people who strengthen our communities.
Because when public servants have the knowledge, confidence, and tools to succeed, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
That is where purpose finds direction.