City of Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout is one of seven senior public officials selected from across Colorado as a 2022 Gates Family Foundation Harvard Fellow. She will attend a three-week program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in July. This prestigious group of individuals will serve as members of the Gates Family Foundation’s 42nd class of Harvard Fellows.
“It’s beyond an honor to be chosen to participate in the Kennedy School as a Harvard Fellow for 2022,” Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout said. “I’ve spoken to alumni of this program and they have called it nothing short of ‘life-changing,’ so I am excited to learn from others, share the innovative things we’re doing here in Grand Junction, and bring back everything I learn for the benefit of our city. The Gates Family Foundation is making a tremendous investment in leaders for all of Colorado through this fellowship.”
Senior executives from state and local governments across the country participate in this three-week intensive training. Individuals in the program work together and with Harvard faculty to analyze case studies of real issues, find interdisciplinary solutions to complex problems, and learn from each other in order to bring new ideas back for review and implementation in their organizations.
“My goal in participating in this fellowship is to work in tandem with other local public servants from across the country to find innovative solutions to the issues we are all facing, to pool knowledge and resources for the benefit of our communities, and to improve the way we all serve our constituents,” Stout said.
Since 1980, Gates' sponsorship has enabled more than 270 of Colorado’s top civic leaders to participate in the Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program.
The other six Colorado public officials selected from a competitive pool of 28 applicants include:
- Ginger White Brunetti, Executive Director, Denver Arts & Venues
- Liane Jollon, Executive Director, San Juan Basin Public Health
- Shontel Lewis, Director District B, Denver’s Regional Transportation District
- Andrew Marsh, City Administrator, City of Idaho Springs
- Kristin Stephens, County Commissioner, Larimer County
- Sean Strode, City Councilor, City of Rifle
Each spring, Gates invites elected, appointed, and career officials from state and local governments across Colorado to apply to the Kennedy School program. The Gates Fellowship pays all but a small portion of the $16,900 total program cost — which includes tuition, housing, curricular materials, and most meals. Participants or their employers must fund the balance. More information can be found on the Gates Family Foundation website.
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Contact: Sara Spaulding, Communications & Engagement Director | 970-244-1507 or saras@gjcity.org