Equipping mayors and senior city leaders to tackle complex challenges and improve residents’ quality of life
Who we are
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative–a program of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University–is a collaboration between Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Bloomberg Philanthropies to equip mayors and senior city officials to tackle complex challenges in their cities and improve the quality of life of their residents.
The Initiative advances research and develops new curriculum and teaching tools to help city leaders solve real-world problems. By engaging Harvard graduate students in research and field work, the Initiative supports current city leaders while investing in future generations. The Initiative also advances the field of city leadership through teaching, research, and new curricular materials that help city leaders drive government performance and address pressing social problems.
Each year, a cohort of 40+ mayors and two senior leaders from each of their cities engage in an intensive leadership and management program developed and taught by faculty from Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School.
Since 2017, more than 500 Harvard students have participated in activities including fellowships and field courses to help mayors and city leaders make progress on a range of organizational challenges, and supported affiliated faculty in research projects on municipal governance, public management, and city leadership.
The Initiative advances the field of city leadership through teaching, research, and new curricular materials that help city leaders drive government performance and address pressing social problems.
Program Impact
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative has helped me learn from some of the finest throughout the country. I recommend the program to all mayors who want to accelerate their leadership and benefit their cities.Mayor Jim Ross
Arlington, Texas
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative has strengthened Long Beach’s capacity for meaningful and creative problem-solving that improves community outputs and our residents’ lives.Mayor Rex Richardson
Long Beach, California
What an extraordinary experience. It’s been the most fantastic year and there is no doubt I am a much better leader because of your generosity and support for civic leaders.Mayor Tracy Brabin
West Yorkshire, England
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative provided unparalleled access to global case studies, cutting-edge tools, and expert insights, empowering us to approach challenges with innovative, data-driven strategies.Mayor Fahad Albuliheshi
Madinah, Saudi Arabia
The faculty and staff of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative demonstrate an unwavering commitment not just to mayors’ professional growth, but also to the future success of our cities.Mayor Barbara Buffaloe
Columbia, Missouri
I came back to New Zealand from the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative a better mayor, with leadership frameworks to take and use.Mayor Tory Whanau
Wellington, New Zealand
