Hailey
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu has earned a spot in the ninth cohort of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, a globally recognized training program designed to strengthen municipal leadership.
She joins 47 mayors representing 17 countries in this transformative experience aimed at enhancing public sector management through world-class training and collaboration.
Bridging the Public Sector Leadership Gap
Launched in 2017 through a partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School, the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is the first of its kind.
Its mission is to close the leadership gap in government by equipping mayors and senior city officials with critical tools, data-driven strategies, and a network of global peers to tackle pressing urban challenges.
To date, the initiative has trained over 359 mayors and more than 635 senior municipal officials across 41 countries, creating a ripple effect of innovation and efficiency within city governments worldwide.
Mayor Wu’s Vision for Wichita
“Strong communities require strong leadership,” said Mayor Lily Wu. “Being selected for this program is not just an honor—it’s a responsibility.
I look forward to bringing back cutting-edge governance strategies to Wichita and working alongside 46 peer mayors to push the boundaries of what’s possible in local government.”
Wu emphasized that this opportunity enables her to directly impact Wichita residents by strengthening transparency, responsiveness, and innovation in city hall.
What the Program Offers
A Nine-Month Transformative Experience
Hosted at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, the City Leadership Initiative spans nine months, combining classroom learning, virtual sessions, and real-world application.
Participants engage with Harvard faculty, policy specialists, and Bloomberg Philanthropies experts to sharpen leadership skills and develop actionable solutions tailored to their city’s needs.
Tools to Improve Local Outcomes
The program goes beyond leadership theory—it equips mayors and their teams to:
- Leverage data and evidence-based practices
- Foster cross-sector collaboration
- Improve organizational performance
- Drive meaningful outcomes for communities
Extended Opportunities for Cities
Once the core program concludes, municipalities—including Wichita—can access a range of continued support such as:
- Specialized educational programs for departments like economic development, human resources, civic engagement, and procurement
- The chance to host a Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellow for up to two years
- Access to a library of peer-reviewed research and instructional tools aimed at long-term organizational growth
Program Kickoff in New York City
Mayor Wu recently took part in the program’s initial four-day immersive session held in New York City, where she met with leading management experts and Harvard professors.
In August, two senior officials from Wichita will join their counterparts from the other 46 participating cities to begin the program’s next phase, reinforcing the city’s commitment to professional development and civic excellence.
Mayor Lily Wu’s selection for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative places Wichita at the forefront of innovative local governance.
With access to elite training, global expertise, and peer collaboration, this initiative will empower Wichita’s leadership team to implement impactful, data-driven changes for the betterment of its residents.
As Mayor Wu and her team embark on this journey, the city moves closer to becoming a model of resilient, modern governance.