The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Leadership Institute and the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Public Service Speakers Bureau

America needs effective government now, more than ever. In addition to delivering vital services like disaster relief and preserving our natural resources, the stakes for our federal government have been raised by emerging challenges ranging from globalization to the threat of terrorism.

Good government starts with good people. Unfortunately, the quality of our federal workforce is in danger of being undermined by a growing retirement wave that will cost our government valuable experience and expertise, in addition to an inadequate pipeline of new talent into federal service.

Working with the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, the Annenberg Foundation has established two programs to help revitalize our federal workforce: the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Leadership Institute and the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Public Service Speakers Bureau. These initiatives will directly tackle two of the greatest challenges facing our federal workforce – the leadership gap and the knowledge gap.

Walter and Leonore Annenberg Leadership Institute

Experts all agree that when it comes to engaging workers and maximizing their talents, one factor consistently rises above all others – leadership. Regrettably when asked to comment on workplace environment factors, federal workers consistently rank “effective leadership” near the bottom. And when it comes to worker opinions of their leaders, government significantly lags the private sector. 
 

The Annenberg Leadership Institute will close the leadership gap by developing the leadership skills of a select cadre of talented federal workers through participation in a high-impact action learning project of essential importance to their agency. Project activities will be supplemented through a combination of coursework, networking events, and one-on-one coaching.
 

Walter and Leonore Annenberg Public Service Speaker’s Bureau

When college juniors and seniors were recently asked if they would consider federal jobs, 49% expressed interest. Only 13%, however, said they were knowledgeable about federal jobs. Closing the gap between interest and knowledge – in a way that helps young people understand they can make a difference -- is the federal government’s biggest recruiting challenge.
 

Through the Annenberg Speakers Bureau, dynamic federal employees will speak to students across the country about their federal experience and the work they do, both in person and virtually.