Senior Leadership Fellow Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

We are thrilled to congratulate Professor Awa Marie Coll Seck, recipient of the 2025 WHO Director-General’s Award for Global Health!

As a 2024 Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Prof. Coll Seck brought unmatched expertise and inspiration to our community. She taught the course “Women and Health: Catalyzing Transformation in Africa,” where she empowered students through her global leadership and deep commitment to equity.

Her decades of work in public health continue to shape lives across Africa and around the world. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her extraordinary and transformative impact.

Toutes nos félicitations, Professeure Coll Seck, pour cette distinction exceptionnelle. Nous sommes très fiers de vous.

Forum Galien Afrique / Prix Galien International Eric Andersen

A few weeks ago, our Menschel Senior Leadership Fellows, Roy Cooper, former Governor of North Carolina, and Marcia Fudge, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, were warmly welcomed by Harvard University Marshal Katherine O’Dair as part of their official introduction to the University.

Both are currently leading an eight-week course on Health Policy and Leadership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, sharing their expertise in governance, equity, and public service.

This week, we welcomed Dawn O’Connell as a Spring 2025 Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She kicked off her fellowship with a visit to campus and engaged with faculty and students in impactful discussions on public health preparedness, crisis management, and the future of emergency response.

O’Connell, former Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) (2021-2025), brought a wealth of experience to conversations on pandemics, biosecurity, and the challenges of sustaining long-term public health investments. She met with faculty members, participated in a studio panel event on pandemics and disasters, and engaged with students in a luncheon and a fireside chat.

We’re looking forward to continued engagement throughout the semester as she shares her wealth of experience in crisis management and health security with our students and faculty.

We’re thrilled to celebrate the successful conclusion of Miro Weinberger’s fellowship as a Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health!

Miro, former Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, spent the past eight weeks teaching his thought-provoking course: Health Policy and Leadership: Innovation, Improvisation, and Leadership on the Frontlines of America’s Public Health Crisis. In this class, Miro shared practical lessons on navigating complex public health challenges, drawing directly from his leadership experience, including his city’s response to COVID-19. Notable guest speakers included Peter Shumlin, former Governor of Vermont.

But Miro’s impact extended far beyond the classroom. He engaged deeply with students and faculty, including a fireside chat titled Leadership in a Global Pandemic: The Mayor’s Response to COVID-19. Organized by our outstanding Student Liaisons, Heather Soucy RN, MSN, CEN and Aminu Osman Alem MD MPH, the discussion gave students an inside look at leadership under pressure and the critical role of innovation during times of crisis.

We’re so grateful to Miro for his time, energy, and insight. His ability to blend real-world experience with thoughtful reflection has left a lasting impression on our students and the broader Harvard Chan community.

Thank you, Miro Weinberger, for inspiring the next generation of public health leaders!

Last week, former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky met with Harvard Chan students to discuss the intersection of clinical practice and public health policy. This is part of Dr. Walensky's Spring 2024 Menschel Fellowship at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she is currently leading a seminar series and sharing her journey from being an HIV policy researcher and Mass General Hospital ID Division Chief to becoming CDC Director; navigating major health crises including COVID-19 and the global MPOX outbreak.

Last week, former Minister of Health of Senegal and current Menschel Fellow Awa Marie Coll Seck, taught her third class of the Spring 2 semester, exploring the role and impact of community health workers in Senegal and Ethiopia, with special guest lecturer Lia Tadesse, Former Minister of Health of Ethiopia and current Executive Director of the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program. Prof. Coll Seck is teaching an eight-week course at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health h, examining the intersection of women's health and transformative initiatives in the African context.

This week, we launched our Spring 2024 fellowship program with Menschel Fellow Walensky, former CDC Director. Throughout the semester, Dr. Walensky will lead a five-session seminar series, drawing from her extensive background as an HIV policy researcher and the MGH ID Division Chief, leading up to her role as the 19th CDC Director. Her leadership during significant health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the global MPOX outbreak, will be a focus. The program offers students a chance to delve into public health, policy, and politics through interactive dialogue. For more details, visit the link in the bio.

This week, we launched our Spring 2024 fellowship program with Menschel Fellow Rochelle Walensky, former CDC Director. Throughout the semester, Dr. Walensky will lead a five-session seminar series, drawing from her extensive background as an HIV policy researcher and the MGH ID Division Chief, leading up to her role as the 19th CDC Director. Her leadership during significant health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the global MPOX outbreak, will be a focus. The program offers students a chance to delve into public health, policy, and politics through interactive dialogue. For more details, visit the link in the bio.

This week, we welcomed Mayor Lori Lightfoot to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health! 🌟 She engaged in the Harvard Chan Health Policy and Management departmental info session, connected with multiple Harvard Chan faculty members, and took part in the School's vibrant welcome activities.

During her tenure, Mayor Lightfoot will dedicate 8 weeks to instructing a course that delves into significant macro-level topics within national public health, shedding light on Chicago's experience in crafting data-driven and scientifically backed solutions to seemingly intractable challenges. These encompass not only the realm of COVID-19, but also extend to issues like structural racism, systemic underinvestment in Black and Latinx neighborhoods, public safety, and the mending of the social safety net. 🏥🌎

Yesterday, the Senior Leadership Fellows Program and the Harvard Chan Studio participated in the Summer Resource Fair, where we presented and promoted our program to students.

📣 Exciting Announcement! 📣

We are thrilled to introduce our Menschel Fellow for Fall 1 at : former Chicago Mayor, ! 🎉

Mayor Lightfoot brings her exceptional leadership expertise to the forefront, teaching an eight-week leadership course. 🌟

Throughout the program, she will engage with various student groups and faculty members, fostering an inclusive and empowering learning environment. 💪
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Stay tuned for more updates and get ready for a great Fall semester! 🍁