Are you ready to shape the future of your local government and grow your career? The Emerging Leaders Development Program 2.0 is a six-month experience designed for early- to mid-level professionals who aspire to leadership roles in local government. The program offers flexible learning tracks, interactive workshops, networking and mentorship opportunities, and a keynote session, all focused on helping you build the skills to lead effectively in an evolving public sector.

Program Details 

The program is organized into three tracks, each focused on a key area of local government leadership. You can take courses across tracks to tailor the learning to your specific needs and career interests. Each track consists of four workshops led by expert facilitators. 

Track 1: Adaptive Leadership and Strategic Management

Learn to lead through complexity, change, and uncertainty. Workshops in this track:

• Strategic Planning and Service Delivery

• Leading Through Change

• Crisis Management and Resilient Leadership

• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

Track 2: Civic Innovation and Digital Transformation

Explore how to harness technology and leverage AI to improve public services and community outcomes. Workshops in this track:

• Digital Transformation in Local Government

• Data-Driven Decision Making

• Cybersecurity in Local Government

• Smart Cities and Emerging Technologies

Track 3: Resilient Communities and Sustainable Policy

Build capacity to address long-term societal challenges through policy, sustainability, and community engagement. Workshops in this track:

• Environmental Policy and Community Resilience

• Sustainable Development in Practice

• Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Planning

• Policy Innovation and Intergovernmental Relations

Program Components

• Interactive Workshops: Each three-hour workshop is led by a subject matter expert and focuses on practical leadership skills. You can choose workshops across tracks to align with your career interests and goals.
• Leadership Spotlight: A keynote session featuring an inspiring leader to help you reflect on the kind of impact you want to make in local government.
• Cohort Networking Sessions: Monthly sessions offer you the opportunity to connect with peers, share insights, discuss assignments, and support each other throughout the program.
• Mentoring Drop-In Sessions: Scheduled mentoring hours give you the chance to ask questions, get feedback, and talk through your portfolio work with experienced mentors.
• Leadership Portfolio: After each workshop, you’ll complete a task to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world context. These tasks build toward a portfolio that documents and showcases your growth and leadership capabilities. 

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?

Apply now to join a cohort of emerging leaders shaping the future of local government.

Who Is Right for the Program

The Emerging Leaders Development program was designed for local government professionals who currently report to city managers, assistant city managers, and department heads. These leaders are motivated, forward-thinking professionals committed to making a positive impact in their communities and eager to assume future managerial roles. They may hold a variety of roles and titles, such as assistant department heads, division managers, supervisors, team leaders, program coordinators, policy analysts, and project managers.