Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Mayor Mendez is ready to explore the latest in leadership and management practices, as one of 38 worldwide mayors chosen for an intensive education program with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
As a member of the Initiative’s Class of 2021-22, Mayor Mendez will be 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 four-day convening for mayors in New York City, which began Sunday, September 26, 2021. 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.
“Being chosen for the program alongside 37 of my peers from around the world is an honor for me,” said Mayor Mendez. “I’m looking forward to the year ahead as an opportunity to exchange ideas with some of the best and brightest mayors who represent a diverse group of leaders. It gives me an opportunity to tell the story of Brownsville on a global platform. I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg and Harvard for this amazing experience and for selecting me to be a part of it,” he continued.
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 2017.
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 Mendez 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 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 October and attend virtual classes throughout the year. From Brownsville, City Manager, Noel Bernal, and Director of Government and Community Affairs, Ramiro Gonzalez, will participate in the yearlong program and help Mayor Mendez translate what they learn into organizational changes that improve life in Brownsville.
Mayor Mendez’s 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.
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is the Flagship Program of the newly announced Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, and 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 has also advanced research and developed new curricula and teaching tools to help city leaders solve real world problems. Please visit the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative for more information regarding the program.
