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August 20, 2026

Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter Launches Penn Initiative Connecting Past Mayors with Future Leaders

The first-of-its-kind Public Service and Policy Initiative brings accomplished local governing executives to Penn to translate experience into research, talent development, and policy innovation.

Mayor Reed, Mayor Nutter, Mayor Bynum
Michael A. Nutter (center), former Mayor of Philadelphia and managing director of the Public Service and Policy Initiative, with inaugural Impact Scholars Kasim Reed (left), former Mayor of Atlanta, and GT Bynum (right), former Mayor of Tulsa (Photo Kait Privitera)
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Mayor Reed, Mayor Nutter, Mayor Bynum
Michael A. Nutter (center), former Mayor of Philadelphia and managing director of the Public Service and Policy Initiative, with inaugural Impact Scholars Kasim Reed (left), former Mayor of Atlanta, and GT Bynum (right), former Mayor of Tulsa (Photo Kait Privitera)
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On Wednesday, the Weitzman School of Design formally welcomed former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum as its inaugural Impact Scholars.

“From its earliest days, Penn has been a place where civic leaders converge to share their experiences and deepen their knowledge for the betterment of society, and the Impact Scholars Program continues the tradition,” says Weitzman Dean and Paley Professor Fritz Steiner. “At a time when young Americans are expressing greater pessimism about civic life, it’s critical we connect them with public servants who are committed to transforming research into results.”

The Impact Scholars Program is a unique U.S. fellowship designed specifically for former local public executives. Built as a two-way exchange, the program gives experienced civic leaders a platform to:

  • Advance unfinished policy work;
  • Translate hard-won lessons into actionable guidance for other cities and future leaders; and
  • Connect directly with the next generation of changemakers.

The semester-long appointments for Fall 2026 mark the launch of the Impact Scholars Program and the Public Service Pipeline, two new programs within Penn’s Public Service and Policy Initiative (PSPI), which was founded by former Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter. Both programs are hosted in partnership with the Penn Institute for Urban Research.

“Serving as Mayor of Atlanta taught me that the toughest challenges cities face—including expanding economic opportunity, job creation, building a city where everyone can afford to live, fiscal strength, and keeping people safe—are never solved in a single term or even two terms. They require effort and constant vigilance,” says Kasim Reed, former Mayor of Atlanta. “The Impact Scholars program offers something rare: the chance for us to take what we learned in the arena and put it to work alongside Penn’s researchers and students who will serve as the next generation of leaders. I am grateful to Mayor Nutter and Penn for building this bridge between experience and the future.” 

“I am honored to join Mayor Reed as an Impact Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania,” says G.T. Bynum, former Mayor of Tulsa. “My greatest hope for our country is in local government, where leaders are still expected to work with a broad range of people and beliefs to deliver practical results. I am excited to work with and educate Penn students, who will be the future leaders of American communities. And I am very grateful to be invited to join this program by Mayor Michael Nutter, who has been a mentor and hero of mine for over a decade.”

Group photo with three mayors, Dean Steiner, Pres. Jameson

(Left to right) Fritz Steiner, Dean and Paley Professor, Weitzman School of Design; Michael A. Nutter, Former Mayor of Philadelphia; J. Larry Jameson, President, University of Pennsylvania; Kasim Reed, Former Mayor of Atlanta; and G.T. Bynum, Former Mayor of Tulsa, attend a breakfast on Penn’s campus to launch the Impact Scholars Program. (Photo Kait Privitera)

In addition to cultivating the next generation of civic talent, Mayors Reed and Bynum will collaborate with Penn researchers to translate local data into actionable strategies for local governments. Their feedback will inform the Philadelphia Economic Equity Project (PEEP), PSPI’s research group studying economic mobility in Philadelphia, ensuring that PEEP’s work is grounded in the realities of governing. 

Together, these programs bridge academic research, community data, and public leadership—creating direct pathways for students and researchers to collaborate with former local governing executives on cities’ most persistent economic and social challenges.

“Cities face increasingly complex challenges that require leaders who bridge research and real-world practice,” says Michael A. Nutter, former Mayor of Philadelphia and Managing Director of the Public Service and Policy Initiative. “My work with institutions like Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard’s Institute of Politics, University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, and Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics at SIPA inspired me to launch the Impact Scholars Program—a dedicated space where experienced local public executives can reflect on what they’ve learned, advance ideas that deserve a second life, and work alongside researchers and students to develop next generation solutions. I am honored to welcome former Mayors Kasim Reed and G.T. Bynum as our inaugural scholars.”

Throughout the semester, scholars will lead seminars for Penn students, and advise on research, white papers, and policy briefs for local decision makers.

Inaugural Scholars

Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed served two terms as the city’s 59th mayor from 2010 to 2018. During one of the nation's most challenging economic periods, his administration restored Atlanta's fiscal health through eight consecutive balanced budgets, increased city reserves from $7.4 million to $200 million, implemented pension reform, expanded public safety, and earned eight consecutive credit-rating upgrades. Reed is widely recognized nationally for his leadership in urban governance and economic development.

Former Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum served from 2016 to 2024 after eight years on the Tulsa City Council. He guided Tulsa through the COVID-19 pandemic and major natural disasters while leading transformative public investments, including the Gathering Place, Gilcrease Museum, and Zink Lake projects. His administration also initiated the search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, expanded civic innovation, and attracted significant private-sector investment to the city. Today, Bynum advises national organizations including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Aspen Institute, and Johns Hopkins University on leadership and civic innovation.

For more information about the Public Service and Policy Initiative, visit www.design.upenn.edu/pspi.

 

About the Public Service and Policy Initiative

The Public Service and Policy Initiative (PSPI) at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design bridges rigorous academic research, the experience of former local public executives, and human-centered solutions to strengthen local governance and expand economic opportunity. Through the Philadelphia Economic Equity Project, Impact Scholars, and Public Service Pipeline, PSPI creates new connections across research, civic leadership, and the next generation of public servants.

PSPI was founded with the support of visionary funders who believed in its mission from the beginning. Early investments from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Comcast Corporation, Goldman Sachs, the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, and the University of Pennsylvania helped transform an ambitious idea into a growing, impactful initiative. Today, with the support of TD Bank, JPMorgan Chase, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation, the Initiative continues to expand opportunities for former public executives, students, and communities alike. This progress reflects the enduring commitment of funding partners, past and present, whose collective investment has been instrumental in shaping and sustaining the Initiative’s growth.

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