Yearlong program provides 40 mayors and their senior leaders with world-class executive training and coaching to help deliver results for cities
FREETOWN – 20TH AUGUST, 2018 – The Chief Administrator Festus Kallay and the Councilor of Ward 427 Madinatu Kamara are going back to school this year to study leadership and management practices in a yearlong program at the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. They have been nominated as Senior Leaders by the Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who as one of 40 mayors was chosen for an intensive education program with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
The two (2) would be joining other senior-level city officials in New York to participate in the Initiative’s yearlong program, and translate what they learn into organizational changes that improve life in Freetown.
“I am delighted to be involved in such a prestigious course”- Festus Kallay
Madinatu Kamara of Ward 427 and Festus Kallay, as Senior Leaders, will be part of a class of dedicated senior-level city officials attending 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 in New York City beginning Sunday, July 22, 2018, which Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr attended at no cost to her city. Each day of the convening, Senior Leaders will attend classroom sessions focused on the latest management and leadership practices, using case studies and workshops developed at Harvard.
“I want to particularly thank Her Worship, the Mayor for the confidence reposed in me representing the Freetown City Council in New York. I would ensure to use my ability in flying the Sierra Leone flag high out there”- Councilor Madinatu Salamatu Kamara (Ward 427)
Michael R. Bloomberg, founder Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term mayor of New York City, collaborated with outgoing Harvard University President Drew Faust 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 have opportunities to learn from one another. The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative will connect Freetown City Council’s Senior Leaders 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 best practices and learn from fellow senior-level city officials about the promising ideas that are already helping to enhance the quality of life in cities around the world.
Chief Administrator Festus Kallay and Councilor Madinatu Kamara’s participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative – including tuition, accommodation, meals, and airfare – is fully funded by the program.
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.
Media Contacts:
Freetown: Koma Hassan-Kamara, info@fcc.gov.sl, +232 76 15 14 75
Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative:
Warren Dent, Warren_Dent@harvard.edu, +1-617-496-4219
Anna Burgess, Anna_Burgess@harvard.edu +1-617-496-4293