Hauser Leader-in-Residence

Hauser Leader-in-Residence. The Hauser Leader-in-Residence program is a distinguished fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School that embeds seasoned practitioners from diverse sectors into the academic community. Founded in 2017 through the generosity of philanthropists Rita E. Hauser and Gustave Hauser, the program is housed within the school’s Center for Public Leadership. Its core mission is to bridge the gap between theory and practice by enabling students to learn directly from leaders who have navigated complex challenges in public service, business, military, and social innovation.

Program Overview

The program operates as a core initiative of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, a graduate school dedicated to training public leaders. Each academic year, the program appoints a select group of accomplished individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their fields. These Leaders-in-Residence are fully integrated into the Harvard University ecosystem, contributing to the intellectual life beyond the Kennedy School to schools like Harvard Law School and the Harvard Business School. The program is designed to be highly interactive, moving beyond traditional lectures to foster mentorship, intimate discussions, and collaborative projects that address real-world issues like climate change, global health, and economic inequality.

Selection and Appointment

The selection process is managed by the Center for Public Leadership under the guidance of its faculty director and an advisory board. Candidates are typically nominated or apply based on a distinguished career marked by significant impact and a commitment to ethical leadership. The search committee, which includes senior faculty from the Harvard Kennedy School and sometimes representatives from other parts of Harvard University, seeks individuals with diverse geographic and professional backgrounds, including veterans of the U.S. Department of State, former CEOs of major corporations, renowned NGO founders, and retired flag officers from the U.S. Armed Forces. Final appointments are made with consideration for how a leader’s experience complements the current academic curriculum and student interests.

Roles and Responsibilities

Leaders-in-Residence undertake a multifaceted role within the Harvard Kennedy School community. Their primary responsibility is to teach or co-teach a course, often listed through the school’s Master of Public Administration or Master of Public Policy programs, drawing directly on their professional experiences. They regularly host office hours, lead small-group seminars, and participate in public forums like the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum. A key function is mentoring students one-on-one, providing career guidance and insights into navigating institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank, or the U.S. Congress. They are also expected to engage with research initiatives and contribute to the intellectual discourse at the Center for Public Leadership.

Notable Leaders-in-Residence

The program has hosted an array of prominent figures from various sectors. Past residents have included Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO; Michele Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; and Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach For America. Other notable individuals have been General Stanley McChrystal, former commander of International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; Rajiv Shah, former Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development; and Cecilia Muñoz, former director of the Domestic Policy Council under President Barack Obama.

Impact and Legacy

The program’s impact is measured by its deep integration of practical wisdom into the Harvard Kennedy School curriculum and its influence on future leaders. It has strengthened the school’s connection to global networks of power and policy-making, from Silicon Valley to Capitol Hill. Alumni of the program often maintain lasting relationships with the school, returning as speakers or donors. The legacy of the Hauser Leader-in-Residence program is evident in its enrichment of the leadership development model at Harvard University, creating a dynamic pipeline of experienced practitioners who help prepare students to address grand challenges like cybersecurity, democratic erosion, and human rights advocacy on the world stage. Category:Harvard Kennedy School Category:Harvard University fellowships Category:Leadership programs