City Leaders in Global Affairs program

Equipping America’s mayors and city officials with the geopolitical knowledge needed to lead in an interconnected world

Overview

American cities are on the frontlines of global challenges—from climate disasters and pandemics to migration flows and economic disruption. Yet, most city officials lack formal training in international affairs, even as their roles increasingly require global perspective and diplomatic skills.

The City Leaders in Global Affairs program will prepare American mayors and senior city officials  to navigate the complex intersection of local governance and global affairs. Through intensive training, briefings on current geopolitical events, and access to global experts, participants will develop the strategic insight and practical tools needed to represent their cities and communities effectively on the world stage.

The Challenge

70% of the world’s population will live in a city  by 2050. Global trends appear in cities first—often simultaneously and unexpectedly. When floods and fires intensify due to climate change, when pandemics disrupt supply chains, when cyberattacks target municipal infrastructure, mayors are the first responders to these global crises.

Today’s city officials face extraordinary opportunities and challenges in a complex world: 

• Managing relationships with global public and private sector actors 
• Representing their cities in international networks and diplomatic forums
• Coordinating with multinational organizations on issues, such as climate, migration, and economic development
• Protecting city staff and infrastructure from sophisticated foreign adversaries
• Navigating complex global economic trends that affect community prosperity 

American cities lag significantly behind their international peers in building capabilities to convert geopolitical challenges into opportunities to thrive. 

Why This Program Matters

Americans trust local government more than any other level of government to solve problems — at nearly 70% consistently according to Gallup polling. As federal leadership becomes increasingly polarized and inconsistent, American mayors serve as trusted, nonpartisan voices in U.S. global engagement.  

Recent federal cuts in funding, staff, and programs leave American cities more isolated, precisely when global challenges demand greater coordination and expertise at the local level.

Support for American mayors and city officials to engage globally is urgent, so that U.S. cities are protected from geopolitical risks and can take advantage of opportunities that keep residents safe, competitive, and thriving. 

Program Leadership

Leigh O’Neill is a Senior Advisor at the Institute for Global Affairs, where she leads global affairs education for city officials. She brings deep experience in leadership development for elected officials and their senior teams at all levels of government to better understand foreign policy and global affairs. This includes working with mayors and local leaders in cities, which are increasingly shaped by — and shaping — geopolitical trends.

Before joining IGA, Leigh was Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at the Inclusive Abundance Initiative, and earlier oversaw the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies, managing investments in leadership development for mayors around the world. She also served as Chief of Staff for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Government Innovation portfolio, working closely with city halls to translate global challenges into local solutions.

Leigh began her career in national security and foreign policy, including as Managing Director for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the Truman National Security Project and worked in the U.S. Senate, including for the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, focused on the Middle East. A Fulbright fellow in Jordan, she has also served as an election observer in Jordan and Lebanon.

A Boston native, Leigh earned her B.A. from Boston College and her M.A. in American Foreign Policy and International Economics from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

About the Institute for Global Affairs

The Institute for Global Affairs (IGA) is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative as an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting geopolitical literacy among civic leaders, business executives, and engaged citizens.

IGA’s mission is to give people the tools to navigate global challenges, foster civic engagement, and be informed decision-makers. Through the City Leadership in Global Affairs program, we extend this mission to the officials who serve on the frontlines of America’s engagement with the world.

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*The City Leadership in Global Affairs program is currently in development. For more information about program timeline and participation opportunities, please contact us at info@instituteforglobalaffairs.org.*