EVALUATION OF A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SERVICE PROFESSIONALS

The Milbank Memorial Fund (MMF) is an endowed foundation that works to improve population health by connecting leaders and decision makers with the best available evidence and experience. MMF’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), launched five years ago, seeks to cultivate leaders who can address the challenges and opportunities in today’s complex health policy environment by developing practical, hands-on leadership skills in future public service officials. In anticipation of a future redesign with a more virtual program model, MMF solicited a team to conduct ELP’s first formal program evaluation. The team designed and conducted interviews and surveys with past ELP participants and mentors, and analyzed the results using both qualitative and quantitative methods to identify key themes. With this evaluation, the team generated specific recommendations for improving program monitoring and data collection and implementing mechanisms to improve ELP’s mentorship, networking, curriculum, activities, and program format.