In tough economic times, leadership becomes more important than ever to the sustainability and stewardship of local government.

Leadership ICMA is a highly competitive, intensive, two-year ICMA University program designed to cultivate key competencies needed for successful leadership at all levels of local government. Class members have at least three years of significant management experience and are currently in or will move to senior leadership roles in the near future. The program facilitates networking within the profession and enhances connections between local government managers and their professional association. 

This competitive program is limited to 15 candidates who are ICMA members and have at least three years of management experience in local government or a related field. The two-year program begins with a leadership orientation and immersion session held at ICMA in Washington, D.C. Led by ICMA Executive Director Bob O’Neill and ICMA Director of Leadership Development Felicia Logan, the first meeting includes sessions on ethics, performance measurement, and the democratic process.

The eight-day ICMA senior executive institute also is completed during the first year of the program. Program faculty is composed of well-respected academics who teach in public administration programs and local government executive institutes, local government practitioners, and other content experts. Classes are formed in June and the first meeting is held in Washington, D.C., during the first week in December. During the second year, class members work on team-based capstone consulting projects managed by Bob O’Neill.

All Leadership ICMA graduates receive one year of experience "credit" toward the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program. Graduates return to their communities with fine-tuned competencies in local government leadership, ethics and integrity, analytical skills, strategic planning, community building and organizational effectiveness, and are prepared with the tools and strategies to successfully overcome roadblocks.

To learn more, read testimonials from Leadership ICMA graduates, and to apply to the program, go to Leadership ICMA.  June 30 is the deadline to apply. 

A limited number of scholarship opportunities are available through the Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund.