EXECUTIVE
EDUCATION

Looking to make a meaningful impact on your unsheltered and homeless community? In this session, learn about NLC University’s latest course, Local Solutions to End Homelessness. Participants will gain an overview of the complex factors driving homelessness in U.S. cities and explore evidence-based solutions that can create meaningful change in their community. 

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Identify the primary driver of homelessness.

2 . Distinguish individual vulnerabilities from root causes of homelessness.

3. Recognize disparities in homelessness.

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, local elected officials face a critical challenge: turning available funding into meaningful, lasting outcomes for their communities. This dynamic executive education session empowers leaders with practical strategies to attract, absorb, and sustain investment that drives long-term resilience and equitable growth. Participants will gain actionable insights into overcoming systemic barriers to capital deployment, aligning public policy with community priorities, and leveraging private investment for transformative change. Through real-world examples and expert guidance, this course delivers the tools needed to catalyze impactful development and ensure every dollar works harder for the communities that need it most.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Become familiar with the concept of capital absorption and the various elements of the framework.

2. Learn how capital absorption strategies can be used to identify and deploy community investment funding.

3. Learn how your community can lay the groundwork to initiate a capital absorption strategy.

Ready to harness the power of artificial intelligence to advance your city’s goals? Join Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities for an interactive, hands-on workshop designed specifically for government leaders. This session demystifies AI and shows how it can be a powerful tool to accelerate strategic priorities—from improving service delivery to enhancing community engagement. Participants will explore the essential data foundations for successful AI adoption, including boosting data quality, setting clear standards, and building trust through community involvement. Walk away with practical insights and a roadmap to begin your AI journey with confidence and clarity.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Gain a clear understanding of AI and its applications in city management.

2. Explore how AI can support your city’s strategic goals across departments.

3. Understand the practical applications of AI in city management, from emergency response to housing, public engagement and more.

4. Understand the data basics your city needs to start using AI.

5.Discover real-world examples demonstrating how cities are using AI and data to better deliver public services and impact residents’ lives.

Unlock the transformative power of retail and restaurant development in shaping vibrant, economically resilient communities. This executive education session is designed to equip you with the insights and strategies needed to harness the power of retail and restaurant development as engines of local prosperity.

Explore the latest trends in site selection, understand the economic and social impact of these businesses, and learn how successful municipalities are revitalizing downtowns, increasing sustainable tax revenue, and enhancing quality-of-life amenities that attract residents, employers and visitors alike. Walk away with actionable tools to strengthen your community’s economic future—while delivering visible, lasting impact for your residents.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Benefits of retail and restaurants in your community

2. Best practices for marketing your community to retailers

3. Business-friendly practices in national retail recruitment and downtown revitalization

City leaders play a pivotal role in shaping healthier, more equitable communities—and this foundational training shows them how. As part of NLC’s Cities of Opportunity initiative, this session introduces municipal officials to the essential strategies and insights needed to lead with health in mind. Participants will explore how their governance decisions directly impact community wellbeing, and gain a preview of the full online course designed to elevate their leadership in health equity. Whether you’re a seasoned official or new to city government, this session will help you unlock your potential as a catalyst for positive change.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Identify the core connections between municipal government leadership and health equity;

2. Learn about the Social Determinants of Health and the seven Capacities for Action as tools for improving health equity and wellbeing in their communities; and,

3. Gain understanding of the greater continuum of CoO programs and peer networks.

Unlock the untapped potential of housing as a catalyst for economic growth. Register for NLC University’s newest executive education course, Housing as an Economic Development Tool. Designed for local leaders and decision-makers, this session explores how housing strategies can drive workforce development, strengthen municipal finances, promote equity and ensure long-term community vitality. Join fellow municipal executives to gain fresh insights, practical frameworks, and actionable strategies that position housing at the heart of your economic development agenda.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. The economic consequences of housing inaction

2. Recognizing housing as a workforce attraction, retention, and business competitiveness advantage strategy

3. Identifying economic development tools available to support and finance affordable multi-family housing.

What if the key to a thriving, resilient city lies in its youngest residents? This session previews the latest NLC University course exploring how municipal leaders can unlock long-term economic, social, and civic benefits by embedding an early childhood focus into city planning and decision-making through a lens a whole child, whole family approach.

Participants will hear firsthand compelling data and case studies showing the economic and social returns of early childhood an early childhood agenda.

Attendees will gain:

• An understanding of how early childhood investments align with broader city goals
• Insights into practical strategies to start or expand early childhood initiatives, including cross-sector partnerships, funding mechanisms, and community engagement.
• Explore ways to partner with stakeholders such as workforce boards, developers, chambers, and community leaders.
• Early access to the spring 2026 course launch

Housing development is more than construction—it’s a strategic tool for shaping your community’s future. This session is designed specifically for local elected officials and municipal staff who want to better understand the financial side of housing and make informed decisions that drive equitable growth. Gain a clear, practical overview of the housing development process, with a focus on financial strategy, innovation, and real-world application. Learn how to evaluate project feasibility, structure deals, manage risk, and leverage emerging technologies to accelerate delivery and maximize community impact. Whether you’re reviewing proposals, setting policy, or leading community conversations, this session will give you the knowledge and confidence to support smarter, more sustainable housing solutions in your city or town.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Understanding the full housing development process, including site selection, project planning and the roles of key industry participants.

2. Analyzing financial feasibility and evaluate financing options, including debt, equity, tax credits and public-private partnerships.

3. Navigating regulatory and policy environments, and manage risks associated with real estate development.

4. Applying principles of sustainable and affordable housing, integrating best practices for long-term community impact 

Ever feel overwhelmed by the charts, graphs, and reports your staff presents? This session is your gateway to confidently interpreting data and using it to make smarter policy decisions. Designed specifically for elected officials and municipal leaders, this hands-on session introduces key data and statistical concepts in a clear, accessible way. Learn how to identify reliable data sources, ask the right questions, and connect data insights to real-world policy options. You’ll also get the chance to practice reading and analyzing data in a collaborative setting—so you leave with practical skills you can apply immediately.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Basic data and statistical concepts

2. Available data sources for policy makers

3. Practice with how to identify policy levers using publicly available data

4. A hands-on component in which elected leaders will develop a question for their staff to answer using data to inform a policy decision or issue they need to address.

In today’s fast-moving housing environment, speed and strategy are essential. This high-impact session, inspired by NLCU’s six-week Act Fast housing course, equips local leaders with proven tools to break through development bottlenecks and deliver results. Explore how municipalities are streamlining permitting, optimizing internal processes, and aligning policies to fast-track housing production. Through real-world case studies and success stories, you’ll learn how cities and towns like yours are overcoming common barriers and building smarter, faster, and more efficiently. If you’re ready to move from planning to action, this session will show you how to lead the charge in accelerating housing solutions that meet your community’s need.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Navigating the federal, state, and local housing policy landscape

2. Conducting effective housing needs assessments and market analyses

3. Implementing fast-track permitting processes

4. Reforming internal policies to support housing goals

Conflict is inevitable—but how you navigate it can define your leadership. This interactive session is designed specifically for municipal officials and staff who want to build confidence and skill in managing conflict effectively, both in the workplace and in community settings. Explore foundational concepts of conflict competence, learn practical tools to approach difficult conversations, and discover resources you can share across your organization. Through hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, you’ll gain insights that help turn tension into collaboration and strengthen your leadership impact.

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. An understanding of what conflict and collaboration are and are not, how they are connected, and why it matters

2. An introduction to key skills for productively navigating conflict

3. Insight into tools and resources that can help them continue their learning

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, local elected officials face a critical challenge: turning available funding into meaningful, lasting outcomes for their communities. This dynamic executive education session empowers leaders with practical strategies to attract, absorb, and sustain investment that drives long-term resilience and equitable growth.

Participants will gain actionable insights into overcoming systemic barriers to capital deployment, aligning public policy with community priorities, and leveraging private investment for transformative change. Through real-world examples and expert guidance, this course delivers the tools needed to catalyze impactful development and ensure every dollar works harder for the communities that need it most

Attendees will gain insights into:

1. Understand capital absorption and why it matters for local resilience and inclusive growth.

2. Identify barriers that prevent your community from leveraging available funding and investment.

3. Understand the role of local leadership in creating enabling environments through policy, convening power, and vision.