Tom Glynn, CEO of the Allston Land Company, will be the featured guest at this Director's Breakfast and will be leading the discussion about the 21st-century vision for Harvard's expanding Allston campus. RSVP here.

A conversation on public service with City Year co-founder and CEO Michael Brown ’83, J.D. ‘88, Massachusetts State Senator Eric Lesser '07 J.D. '15, and U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Kate Krolicki ’20, U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik ‘06, co-moderated by IOP Director Mark D. Gearan ’78 and IOP Vice President Maya Jenkins ’21.

A discussion with Author, Educated: A Memoir and Shorenstein Center A.M. Rosenthal Writer-in-Residence Tara Westover and Shorenstein Director Nancy Gibbs.

The 2019 Gustav Pollak Lecture with international disability rights activist Judith Heumann in conversation with Professor Hannah Riley Bowles.

Week 8: Pathways to Political Leadership

Join IOP Resident Fellow Alice Stewart and Kellyanne Conway (via video conference) to discuss her pathway in politics and role in the White House.

Guest: Kellyanne Conway (Counselor to the President, Trump Administration).

The lottery for this event has closed. Email notifications will be sent to attendees on Monday, November 4th. 

Week 8: When We Work Together, We Win: Exploring Effective Organizing Strategies for the 2020 Presidential Election 

In this study group, we will examine case studies, new approaches and organizing strategies that have led to unexpected major electoral and policy wins. We will focus on recent underdog campaigns, statewide referendums and ballot initiatives that were anchored and led by grassroots organizations and community-led efforts. We will examine recent legislative wins that have restored the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people in Florida, Louisiana and Alabama; established a community oversight board for police accountability in Tennessee; created water and sewer boards in rural southern communities; mandated the redrawing of voting districts in North Carolina, and increased minimum wage laws on the municipal and county levels. We will also explore progressive campaigns led in highly conservative and traditionally Republican states.  

Location: Institute of Politics (L-166) 

The IOP is excited to welcome back the Honorable Mitch Landrieu to campus for a special Pizza and Politics discussion on leadership and American politics with focus on the Louisiana Governor's election on Nov. 16th.

When Mitch Landrieu was sworn in as the 61^st Mayor of New Orleans, he inherited a city in turmoil. NOLA and its people were still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The city was on the brink of bankruptcy, had the highest-in-the-nation murder rate, and a police department under federal investigation. In 2016, Landrieu was voted “America’s top turnaround mayor” in a survey of mayors, compiled by Politico. 

Under his inspiring leadership, New Orleans is currently recognized as one of the nation’s great comeback stories. The economy is growing and diversifying, in large part due to collaborative efforts Landrieu supported during his time in office. He fast-tracked several projects and secured billions in federal funding for schools, hospitals, parks and recreation, and critical infrastructure. He also brought sound fiscal management, balanced budgets, ethical contracting, and transparency to City Hall. And, by making public safety a top priority, Landrieu reformed the police department and drove down the city’s record number of homicides.

Week 8: Old Dog Learns New Tricks: Transforming The Atlantic (and Other Media Stories)

Join Bob Cohn to learn how a magazine founded in 1857 discovered the will and creativity to reimagine itself just as new technologies and collapsing business models were convulsing the media industry. As digital editor and then as president, Bob helped drive the change that made The Atlantic a poster child for digital reinvention and a profitable company for the first time in anyone's memory.

Location: Institute of Politics (L-163)

Week 8: The Power is in the People: Keeping Community a Priority in Politics and Public Service

Too often politics forgets its purpose. It has become a circus of headlines, polls and drama that has people wondering if the government is working for or against them. In this session, we will talk with Addie Whisenant who formerly ran African-American communications for President Barack Obama and then for various clients at San Francisco based firm, Bully Pulpit. She will discuss why it was always important to include the people and community in the narratives around issues. We’ll also discuss how to stay rooted in community and make it a priority as one climbs the political ladder - staying true to yourself, your position and your community.

Guest: Addie Whisenant (Founder and Principal, AMW Strategies; Former Senior Director, Bully Pulpit Interactive; Former White House Senior Director, African American Media)

Location: Institute of Politics (L-166)

A conversation with Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen, Corporation for National and Community Service CEO, Barbara Stewart and IOP Director Mark D. Gearan on public service at home and abroad.

A conversation with University of Chicago's IOP Director David Axelrod, New York Times Columnist Frank Bruni, The Cook Political Report National Editor Amy Walter and Professor Maya Sen on the 2020 presidential election.

Week 7: China-Latin America Relations Panama's experience. Signing diplomatic relations in 2017.

The One-China policy. Once a country closed to the outside world, China has turned its attention to opportunities in other continents. Spearheaded by the Belt and Road Initiative, Latin America has not escaped attention. Contracts, loans, companies to execute contracts, and even labor are part of the equation. What does this represent for the region? What are the opportunities and threats?

Guest: Nicole Wong (Former Director of Foreign Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Panama; Independent Consultant, WG Consulting

Location: Institute of Politics (L-163)