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Date and Location

May 15, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET
Bloomberg Center For Cities, Taubman Third Floor, Harvard Kennedy School

Contact

774-291-9032
Leading from the Ground Up: Mayors in Small Cities and Rural Communities

Two-thirds of Americans live in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 residents. This panel explores the complexities of governing small cities and rural communities, where leadership often extends far beyond city hall. From navigating economic shifts and aging infrastructure to building civic trust in tight-knit communities, mayors of smaller cities often juggle full-time jobs in addition to their roles and wear many hats: coalition-builders, emergency responders, grant writers, and community conveners. Join us for an insightful conversation with local leaders as they reflect on the innovative, adaptive approaches required to build strong, resilient communities in America's smaller cities and towns. 


Lunch will be available at 11:30 a.m. Event from 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Speakers and Presenters

Kristine Lott, Mayor of Winooski, VT;
Lisa Hicks Gilbert, Mayor of Elaine, AR;
Matthew Smith, Loeb Fellow 2025; Cofounder and Director, Building Common Ground;
Ren Hatt, Mayor of Green River, UT

Organizer

Additional Organizers

Harvard Graduate School of Design