In a transformative initiative, Yale Law School’s Carol and Gene Ludwig Program in Public Sector Leadership, housed under the Tsai Leadership Program, orchestrated a dynamic series of events throughout October, fostering stronger connections between students and the vibrant community of New Haven. The program, entitled the New Haven Leadership series, aimed to showcase diverse public sector leadership paths, bringing students closer to local leaders making significant contributions to the city.
Over two weeks, from October 12 to October 23, students engaged in a curated series of events featuring distinguished Yale alumni. These alumni, established in various professional sectors, shared insights on public sector leadership within government, community organizations, nonprofits, and the arts, all within the Law School’s home city.
Margie Adler, Executive Director of the Ludwig Program, highlighted the challenges of balancing law school and community involvement. The series was designed to overcome this by spotlighting organizations and career paths that allow students to become more connected to the New Haven community.
The first event focused on social entrepreneurship, featuring a panel with Jennifer McTiernan ’15, co-founder of CitySeed, and Jessica Sager ’99, co-founder and CEO of All Our Kin. Moderated by Ludwig Program Faculty Co-Director, Professor Jacob Hacker, the discussion explored the journey of these social entrepreneurs, emphasizing unconventional yet successful career paths for law school graduates.
The following day, students immersed themselves in the local arts scene with a visit to NXTHVN, a local arts fellowship program and incubator co-founded by Yale alumnus Titus Kaphar ’06 MFA. The tour provided a behind-the-scenes look at NXTHVN’s facilities, demonstrating how students could leverage their leadership skills to serve the community.
The series culminated in a fireside chat with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, who shared his experiences and efforts as a leader during the challenges of his tenure, including the initial COVID-19 outbreak. The conversation, led by Professor Cristina Rodríguez ’00, Ludwig Program Faculty Co-Director, provided students with valuable insights into leadership at the local level.
Nia Moore ’25, a Ludwig Fellow, found the events impactful, stating, “I was interested in attending that event to kind of break down that barrier between me as a student and New Haven as a larger community and hear about the mayor’s experience being a leader in the community.”
Adler expressed hope that the series deepened students’ connection to New Haven, emphasizing, “My hope is that they end up feeling a little bit more connected to the city that they live in.”
As Yale’s Ludwig Program continues to bridge the gap between students and the local community, these events serve as a testament to the program’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections and inspiring future public sector leaders.
