Garner Town Manager Jodi Miller recently completed the prestigious Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the Harvard Kennedy School.

The three-week program, held on the Harvard Kennedy School campus in Cambridge, Mass., brings together over 70 leaders from across the United States and around the world for intensive learning, leadership development and peer exchange. Participants represent a diverse mix of mayors, city and town managers, state agency directors, county commissioners, law enforcement officials and other senior leaders in public service.

“It was a learning opportunity of a lifetime attending the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program," Ms. Miller said. "I’m grateful for the support and encouragement provided by the Town Council and staff to participate in the program.”

Led by world-renowned faculty from the Harvard Kennedy School, the program focuses on real-world problem solving, crisis management, negotiation and leading in times of change. It offers a unique opportunity for senior officials to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities and reflect, learn and return to their organizations with renewed insight and energy.

"The program provided me a framework to better understand adaptive leadership, AI technology and its uses in the public sector, and the politics of change," Ms. Miller said. "All of the learning sessions have prepared me to be a more effective and innovative manager for the Town of Garner."

The Garner Town Council appointed Ms. Miller to be town manager in May 2024. She joined the Town as an assistant town manager in February 2022 and served as interim town manager prior to her appointment to her current leadership position.

Ms. Miller has over 25 years of local government experience, including six years as deputy manager for Durham County and nearly 16 years as deputy city manager for the City of Williamsburg, Va.

Ms. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in public administration from Tech’s Center for Public Administration and Policy. She is an ICMA credentialed manager, as well as a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute and the University of North Carolina’s Public Executive Leadership Academy.