Williams Participating in Third Class of Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative
Mayor Steve Williams is ready to explore the latest in leadership and management practices, as one of 40 mayors chosen for an intensive education program with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
As a member of the Initiative’s 2019-2020 cohort, Mayor Williams is part of a class of mayors participating in a program delivered by faculty from Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School as well as world-class experts from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global network.
The yearlong program launches with a three-day convening for mayors in New York City beginning Sunday, July 14, 2019, which Mayor Williams is attending at no cost to the city.
Each day of the convening, mayors will attend classroom sessions focused on the latest management and leadership practices, using case studies and workshops developed at Harvard.
“I’m looking forward to the year ahead as a great opportunity for city leaders to meet, exchange ideas, and discuss how best to approach solving pressing problems for our citizens,” Mayor Williams said. “When it comes to tackling priority issues for Huntington like economic development and the opioid epidemic, my team is invested in using data, working across sectors, and anything else that may help produce results.”
Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term mayor of New York City, collaborated with Harvard University leadership to create the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative in 2016.
Collectively, Harvard University and Bloomberg Philanthropies aim to help mayors and their leadership teams manage the complexities of running a city, and to give these leaders opportunities to learn from one another. The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative will connect Mayor Williams to some of the university’s top educators, coaching from experts, a network of peers, and technical assistance. The program provides an opportunity to share practices and learn from fellow mayors about the promising ideas that are already helping to enhance the quality of life in cities around the world.
After the mayors convening, two senior-level city officials nominated by each mayor will attend a convening in August and attend virtual classes throughout the year. From the City of Huntington, Huntington Municipal Development Authority Executive Director Cathy Burns and Communications Director Bryan Chambers will participate in the yearlong program, and help Mayor Williams translate what they learn into organizational changes that improve life in Huntington.
Mayor Williams’ participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, and that of his two senior leaders – including tuition, accommodation, meals, and airfare – is fully funded by the program thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies.