The recent Center for Public Leadership Fellows Retreat was a transformative experience for our fellows, marked by engaging discussions and deep reflections on leadership, personal growth, and community connection.
The retreat featured a compelling fireside chat with CPL Co-Director Secretary Anthony Foxx and Jenny R. Yang, Former Domestic Policy Council as Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity, which opened our minds to the significance of language in public policy. Jenny's heartfelt story about sharing her childhood essay with her mother resonated deeply, illustrating how personal experiences can ignite a passion for public service.
In our Emirates Leadership Initiative cohort session, we embraced each other's diverse perspectives on leadership, focusing on direct communication and psychological safety. Engaging with Gen Z viewpoints challenged me to let go of outdated beliefs and cultivate a forward-thinking mindset.
The dynamic exchange between CPL Co-Directors Hannah Riley Bowles and Secretary Foxx was a great example of inclusive leadership. Their mutual respect and commitment to the CPL mission inspired us to prioritize collaboration over titles. Watching Professor Bowles gracefully pass the CPL directorship to Anthony was both calming and inspiring.
The alumni panel was another highlight of the retreat. CPL alumni shared powerful lessons on vulnerability and the importance of focusing on quality over quantity in our Harvard experiences. Their advice to cherish the journey and prioritize mental health resonated with all of us.
Nestled in the beautiful New England landscape, activities like morning hikes and nature-based education policy pitches for field experience trips allowed us to reconnect with our passions and each other. The pitch experience, though nerve-wracking, fueled our determination to advocate for meaningful causes.
Throughout the retreat, we established commitments to support each other’s growth through biweekly check-ins on our Intentional Learning Plans. This initiative aims to foster an environment where open dialogue and accountability thrive.
Overall, the retreat was a pivotal step in our journey. It ignited our commitment to personal growth and advocacy and reminded us that every experience shapes our path; we left with a renewed sense of purpose and readiness to make impactful changes in our communities.
by Dina Al Alami, Mid-career Master in Public Administration Candidate 2025, Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellow
The views and opinions expressed in Student Voices are the solely those of the author and are not endorsed by the Center for Public Leadership.