Two senior City leaders join Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Executive Management
Training Program
CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 21, 2025 - Carmel Police Department Chief Drake Sterling and Carmel Fire Department Chief Joel Thacker have been selected for the ninth class of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. These City leaders join Mayor Sue Finkam, who is one of 47 mayors from 17 countries and the only Indiana mayor, in the multipartisan professional management training program.
Established by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School as a first-of-its-kind program to help close the gap in executive development for the public sector, the multipartisan Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative equips mayors and senior municipal officials with the tools and expertise to solve pressing local challenges, strengthen their city halls and improve outcomes for residents. All expenses for participants are being covered in full by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Since its launch in 2017, the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative has provided training to 359 mayors and over 635 senior municipal officials across 41 countries.
"It's an honor to represent the Carmel Police Department and the City of Carmel in this prestigious program," said Chief Sterling. "This leadership initiative provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with peers from across the world to help tackle complex issues. I'm eager to bring back new insights to better serve our residents."
Carmel Police Chief Drake Sterling. Photo courtesy of Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative brings together Harvard faculty, staff and students, alongside experts from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global network, to work with the mayors and their senior officials over the course of nine months.
“I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard program," said Chief Thacker. "It's a great platform for sharing best practices and learning new strategies. I look forward to applying what I will learn to enhance how CFD can increase our service to the community."
Carmel Fire Chief Joel Thacker. Photo courtesy of Bloomberg Philanthropies.
“Chiefs Sterling and Thacker’s participation in the program will ensure that we continue to improve the way we serve our incredible community," said Mayor Finkam.
Chiefs Sterling and Thacker last week joined 90 other municipal leaders in New York for the City Leaders program.
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