Bloomberg Philanthropies recently hosted its seventh class of mayors to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.

Mayor Kevin Hartke of Chandler was selected to be one of 40 local leaders in attendance July 17-19, when mayors from 27 U.S. cities and 13 international cities convened in New York City for the beginning of the program, during which they received a “crash course” in city leadership and management.

The mayors learned from “world- renowned experts, innovators, and thought leaders,” according to a news release, to help them tackle their cities’ complex challenges, lead through crisis, improve their residents’ quality of life and inspire action among their communities.

Once completed with the class, participants will be among 500 alumni of the program that includes former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg and current Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Hartke told the Chandler City Council the program was geared toward giving each of the 40 mayors more tools for better communication, problem-solving and to be truly data-driven.

“On a personal note, it was amazing for me to be in the same room with mayors from New Zealand, South Africa, the Netherlands, Canada and all over the U.S.,” Hartke told the council at its July 20 meeting. “To not just say we’re a city of innovation, but to really be that, and to take data-driven, to be able to tell our citizens exactly what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. There is nothing we can’t improve on.”

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke poses with an international select group of 40 mayors brought together in New York City in July. The Bloomberg Harvard …

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke poses with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in July. An international select group of 40 mayors brought …

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