On November 21st, Civic Consulting Alliance, the University of Chicago and the Harris School of Public Policy jointly hosted a roundtable discussion on leveraging public-private efforts to tackle pressing urban issues.

Local and national leaders from the public, private and academic sectors explored past successes of high-impact public-private work, and areas for future collaboration and impact. Reflecting on past collaborations, panels and guests discussed the Chicago recovery partnership, the Community Anti-Violence and Restoration Effort, and the Summer Civic Fellowship program, through which graduate students in public policy, business, and non-profit administration join Civic Consulting Alliance to address important issues in the region.

Areas of potential future partnerships discussed included: 

• Working on projects that impact multiple cities by fostering collaboration between those working to address similar challenges
• Enhancing engagement with community organizations to increase the impact of a public-private partnership
• Collaborating with University of Chicago Booth to coach new leaders through a practicum course on public-private partnerships

"We've only scratched the surface on the possibilities to leverage university partnerships in making Chicago a great city for everyone," said Jim Glerum, who served as a panelist for the event. "We look forward to future collaborative efforts with the academic sector, and to continuing the conversation around our model."

Strategic Talent Solutions (STS) has been working with Civic Consulting Alliance and senior leaders at the Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) to launch the first CCHHS University Leadership Development Program. Over the last 12 months, STS consultants have worked to develop and implement a customized training program to support and promote the success of patient care leaders at CCHHS.

"Leadership development is a high-impact change enabler in any organization," said Elizabeth Howard, one of the STS consultants. "Through this program, we hope to give leaders the tools they need to help CCHHS achieve its vision."

The program's first cohort consists of 14 managers. These leaders were selected for their ability to be role models of effective leadership and high-quality patient service. Over the last three months, participants have shared best practices and learned a variety of techniques that will help them build strong relationships, manage conflicts, and solve problems. 

Participants engaged in simulations addressing real challenges they face as managers, and will apply the strategies they have learned to solve important issues within their areas of responsibility.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to work with Civic Consulting Alliance and CCHHS leaders. We have seen the direct impact of the program first-hand," said Sarah Rusakiewicz, another member of the STS team. 

In October, Rusakiewicz shared her insights on the importance of leadership development to effective hospital administration with MBA candidates at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business's annual Net Impact Conference, which focuses on how business school students can leverage their degrees for the good of the public.

Leaders across industries are just beginning to explore the insights of "Big Data" - the ability to capture, store and analyze vast amounts of data in real time.  Although we hear a lot about big data's impact in the private sector, its implications for the public sector are just as significant.