vlog

  • On Campus
    Session Date
    -
    Application Deadline
    Program Fee
    $18,900
    Faculty Chair
    Linda Bilmes
    Program Director
    Daniel Abar
    Request Brochure

    Program Fee: The program fee includes tuition, housing, curricular materials and most meals.
    Executive Certificate: This program is a core program in the Public Leadership and Public Policy concentrations. This program can also be used as a third program for several concentrations in the Executive Certificate series.
    Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): This program aligns with one or more Executive Core Qualifications.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

*Program formerly known as Senior Managers in Government

The Executive Leaders and Government program at Harvard Kennedy School provides a unique opportunity for senior executives from around the world - across government, business, and nonprofit sectors - to strengthen their leadership capabilities and gain strategic insights.

This comprehensive two-week on-campus program, led by renowned faculty and industry practitioners across public policy, law, business, education, and technology focuses on the practical leadership tools and cross-sector strategies required to thrive in complex, collaborative environments.

Whether you're navigating national policy, corporate governance, or social impact initiatives, this program is designed to enhance your capacity to lead through disruption, build lasting coalitions, and drive results on a global scale. Through a dynamic blend of faculty lectures, case studies, simulations, and peer-led workshops, participants will explore:

  • Navigating bureaucratic and organizational complexity
  • Strategic decision-making and long-term planning
  • Political and stakeholder management
  • Budget optimization and resource alignment
  • Workforce strategy and talent development
  • Embracing AI, data analytics, and technological change
  • Crisis leadership and interorganizational coordination
  • Regulatory strategy and cross-border policy challenge

Program Curriculum

In today’s interconnected world, effective leadership requires insight that transcends borders, disciplines, and sectors. The Executive Leaders and Government program embraces this complexity by fostering a truly global and interdisciplinary learning environment.

The curriculum draws on the strength of Harvard Kennedy School’s pioneering research and cross-disciplinary faculty, integrating perspectives from public policy, economics, technology, law, leadership, organizational behavior, and beyond.

Participants join a diverse cohort of senior executives representing national governments, multinational corporations, international NGOs, and multilayered institutions from every region of the world. Each brings a unique perspective shaped by cultural, political, and economic contexts, creating a rich forum for knowledge exchange and peer-to-peer learning.

Beyond the classroom, structured networking sessions, collaborative group projects, and experiential site visits within the Boston innovation ecosystem deepen the learning experience and build lasting professional connections across continents and sectors.

Learning Objectives

Executive Leaders and Government targets the multifaceted and dynamic challenges faced by senior executives. Key learning objectives include:

  • Strengthen personal leadership and resilience in high-pressure environments
  • Design and implement effective policies with broad social impact
  • Master political navigation and coalition building
  • Develop strategies to improve organizational performance
  • Lead successful negotiations and resolve complex conflicts
  • Build inclusive, forward-thinking people strategies
  • Harness emerging technologies for strategic advantage

Application Information

Executive Leaders in Government is designed for executive-level personnel working in federal/national government agencies and their counterparts who wish to expand their professional and personal capabilities.

Recommended applicants include:

  • Senior career officials in the U.S. Federal Government:
    • Senior Executive Service (SES)
    • Senior Level (SL)
    • Scientific and Professional (ST)
    • Senior Congressional Staff
  • Senior-level military officials (e.g. 0-7+, General and Flag Officer level)
  • Senior career officials in international centralized governments (e.g. Deputy Minister/Director, Executive Director, Commissioner, Head of Division, etc.)
  • Corporate executives seeking perspectives on government decision making and leadership
  • Nonprofit executives aiming to examine public sector management best practices and share insights with executives in other sectors

What Participants are Saying

“This program opens the aperture of not only knowledge, but also allows you to understand partner Government Agencies, Foreign Governments, and Foreign Trade organizations as they relate to national and economic global security.”
LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), Director of Field Operations (DFO) for the Chicago Field Office
Arrow Down

Linda Bilmes discusses the Executive Leaders and Government program.

Faculty & Research

Linda Bilmes Photo

Linda Bilmes

Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Cornell William Brooks Photo

Cornell William Brooks

Hauser Professor of the Practice of Nonprofit Organizations; Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership and Social Justice

Juliette Kayyem Photo

Juliette Kayyem

Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security

Herman B. (Dutch) Leonard Photo

Herman B. (Dutch) Leonard

George F. Baker, Jr. Professor of Public Management, vlog; Eliot I. Snider and Family Professor of Business Administration, HBS
617-495-1117
Elizabeth Linos Photo

Elizabeth Linos

Emma Bloomberg Associate Professor of Public Policy and Management

Pippa Norris Photo

Pippa Norris

Paul F. McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics

Roger Porter Photo

Roger Porter

IBM Professor of Business and Government
617-496-4036
Hong Qu Photo

Hong Qu

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Eric Rosenbach Photo

Eric Rosenbach

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Malcolm Sparrow Photo

Malcolm Sparrow

Professor of the Practice of Public Management

Guhan Subramanian

Guhan Subramanian

Joseph Flom Professor of Law and Business, Harvard Law School
Douglas Weaver Professor of Business Law, Harvard Business School

Lawrence H. Summers Photo

Lawrence H. Summers

Frank and Denie Weil Director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government
Charles W. Eliot University Professor
617-495-9322

Request More Information
Access brochure and receive more information about the program
Access
Apply
Start your application and take the next step in your learning journey.
Related Resources

Admissions & Financial Information

Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education provides comprehensive admissions and financial information to help you make an informed decision. Learn more now!