Robredo chosen for Harvard leadership program

MANILA, Philippines — Former vice president Leni Robredo was selected as one of the five “distinguished leadership practitioners” who will engage with students, faculty and other members of Harvard University in the United States.

The Center for Public Leadership (CPL) at Harvard Kennedy School announced the appointment of Robredo and four others as Hauser Leaders for the Fall 2022 semester.

“At a time when many challenges stem from leadership shortcomings, these Hauser Leaders bring to campus living examples of principled and effective public leadership,” said Deval Patrick, CPL co-director and professor of the practice of public leadership.

“Though from different experiences, these leaders share values, values applied in practical ways, that they can now share with the Kennedy School community,” he added.

According to Harvard, the Hauser Leaders Program hosts a unique portfolio of high-profile leaders and practitioners from public, nonprofit and private sectors.

“Hauser Leaders spend their time on campus advising students and engaging with faculty during richly programmed visits throughout the academic year,” read the program’s description.

“By teaching skill-building and leadership development workshops, engaging key external stakeholders, and advising students and alumni, Hauser Leaders enact the Center for Public Leadership’s mission to develop principled, effective public leaders who make positive change in the world. Hauser Leaders also inform Harvard curriculum by speaking in the classroom, engaging in research and case development, and sharing expertise with lead faculty,” it added.

Also appointed as Hauser Leaders were former US representative Jane Harman, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, United Negro College Fund president and chief executive officer Michael Lomax and The HOW Institute for Society founder and chairman Dov Seidman.

Robredo, who now chairs non-government organization Angat Buhay, said it was a huge honor to be invited to the program.

“I’m both thrilled and humbled be given this space to share my advocacies and experiences, alongside this roster of distinguished leaders from various fields and sectors. What a blessing it is to be returning to Cambridge for this opportunity,” she added.

Robredo’s second daughter, Tricia, is currently taking up Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery at Harvard. Her late husband, Jesse, and their eldest, Aika, also studied at the Harvard Kennedy School.