Mayor Reed Gusciora explored the latest in leadership and management practices last week as one of 40 mayors chosen for an intensive education program with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is a collaboration among Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Kennedy School. Its mission is to inspire and strengthen city leaders as well as equip them with the tools to lead high-performing, innovative cities.
As a member of the Initiative’s 2019-2020 cohort, Mayor Gusciora 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 launched with a three-day convening for mayors in New York City on Sunday, July 14, 2019, which Mayor Gusciora attended at no cost to the city. Each day of the convening, mayors attended classroom sessions focused on the latest management and leadership practices, using case studies and workshops developed at Harvard.
The Mayor asserted that this program will “strengthen Trenton’s relationships, and help connect our city to others. Their innovative approaches will help to move the Capital City forward.”
Michael R. Bloomberg, founder 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 Gusciora 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 Trenton, Yoshi Manale and Adam Cruz will participate in the yearlong program, and help Mayor Gusciora translate what they learn into organizational changes that improve life in Trenton.
Mayor Gusciora’s participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, and that of his two senior leaders – including tuition, accommodation, meals, and airfare – was fully funded by the program thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies.
