Leading Together

Developing a Fresh Generation Of Civic Leaders in Worcester

Published Date : November 12, 2015
Author(s) : Ben Forman and Amy Dain

Research suggests collaborative leadership is a key distinction between comeback cities and those still struggling to tran­sition to the new economy. This raises the fundamental question: how do cities prepare the next generation of civic leaders to work together effectively? Studies show collaborative leadership thrives in cities where citizens trust their government, are engaged in the life of the community, and are tolerant of cultural differences. To see how Gateway Cities nurture these qualities in their residents, we visit Worcester for a firsthand look at leadership development programs run by the Latino Education Institute and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

This case study is the final installment in a series exploring collaborative leadership in successful Gateway City change initiatives. The first three papers examine the Five District Partnership, Lawrence Community Partnerships, and the Holyoke Safe & Successful Youth Initiative.

Meet The Authors

Ben Forman

Research Director, MassINC

Amy Dain

Research Associate

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