Michael Nutter

EXCLUSIVE
  • 98th Mayor of Philadelphia - stewarded the city to an A credit rating for the first time in decades
  • David N. Dinkins Professor of Professional Practice in Urban and Public Affairs, Columbia University
  • Senior Fellow, Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Program
  • Urban Policy Innovation Advocate

Michael Nutter served as the 98th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, his hometown. He served 22.5 years as an elected official in Philadelphia, serving 14.5 years as a City Council member, and then 2 four year terms as Mayor, leaving office on January 4, 2016 due to term limits.

Mayor Nutter was considered one of the foremost leaders in innovation, tackling challenges of public safety, increasing funding for educating children, revitalizing the economy and spurring economic growth, restoring ethics and integrity to city government, ensuring fiscal discipline and making Philadelphia one of the great green and sustainable cities in America.

Known for keeping an active and engaged schedule as Mayor, Michael Nutter is doing the same as a private citizen. He's a Professor at Columbia University, a Senior Fellow with Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Program, Chair of the Mayors Advisory Board for Airbnb, and holds numerous Fellowships and Advisory positions in academic, political, non-profit and corporate entities. Mayor Nutter is actively engaged in the work of cities and trying to make them work better on behalf of their citizens.

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • Boston University
  • National Constitutional Center
  • Syracuse University
  • The Aspen Institute
  • Novo Nordisk A/S
  • Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
Rave Reviews About Michael Nutter
It went very well. Mayor Nutter has been most delightful to work with for this event.

Panel Discussion - There's no progressive way to fix a pothole | The Philadelphia Citizen [49:03] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Michael Nutter
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Political Analysis with Michael Nutter

MICHAEL NUTTER provides razor-sharp, engaging analysis on today’s most pressing issues, going beyond the headlines to deliver frank insights on what’s truly at stake. With over 20 years of experience as an elected official, a celebrated sense of humor, and tremendous depth of knowledge on everything ...

MICHAEL NUTTER provides razor-sharp, engaging analysis on today’s most pressing issues, going beyond the headlines to deliver frank insights on what’s truly at stake. With over 20 years of experience as an elected official, a celebrated sense of humor, and tremendous depth of knowledge on everything from the economy to healthcare policy, Michael Nutter brings the informative and dynamic commentary he’s known for as a political thought leader to the stage.

Race and Justice in America

A vocal and passionate advocate of racial and social justice, MICHAEL NUTTER is on the frontlines of programs and policies to support African-American and immigrant communities. With his legacy as Mayor filled with innovative initiatives, such as launching Cities United to reduce African-American ma ...

A vocal and passionate advocate of racial and social justice, MICHAEL NUTTER is on the frontlines of programs and policies to support African-American and immigrant communities. With his legacy as Mayor filled with innovative initiatives, such as launching Cities United to reduce African-American male and youth violence and bringing President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper program to Philadelphia, Nutter remains a leading voice on race in America, dedicated to empowering individuals and shining a national spotlight on the challenges facing communities of color.

Recovering from Cancer: Lessons in Health and Life

After fully recovering from cancer, Former Mayor MICHAEL NUTTER shares what he learned during his health journey: telling the story of his diagnosis, the four years he spent monitoring the disease, and eventually, his recovery. As he shares his story, he also shares lessons he’s learned, discussing ...

After fully recovering from cancer, Former Mayor MICHAEL NUTTER shares what he learned during his health journey: telling the story of his diagnosis, the four years he spent monitoring the disease, and eventually, his recovery. As he shares his story, he also shares lessons he’s learned, discussing the importance of staying on top of your health and taking care of yourself, especially for men of color. His remarks leave audiences with important lessons in health and life.

More Speech Topics from Michael Nutter...

Leadership at a Time of Crisis: What is it really like to lead a city or other large organization in a time of crisis, change and challenge? Cities, the Incubators of Innovation and Technology: Drawing on his experience as Mayor of one of America's largest cities in addition to his work with compan ...

  • Leadership at a Time of Crisis: What is it really like to lead a city or other large organization in a time of crisis, change and challenge?
  • Cities, the Incubators of Innovation and Technology: Drawing on his experience as Mayor of one of America's largest cities in addition to his work with companies at the forefront of innovation like Airbnb, Nutter highlights how cities are leading and driving change in the American economy, workforce, technology and innovation. Highlighting both challenges and opportunities to new business models and what the future looks like. 
  • Mayor, the Best Job in America: What is it like to run for office and become the Mayor? - the ups and downs, the triumphs and controversies, how do you get stuff done, make things happen in politics.
  • Ethics and Accountability in Leading Diverse Organizations: How do you bring about culture change, instill an environment of ethics, and responsible public communication?
  • Politics, Government and Reform in the New Environment: What it's like to try to govern in the Trump era of post fact, post truth and an unconventional new leader.

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Speaker News

Former Mayor Michael Nutter shares his story about fully recovering from cancer with audiences

Former Mayor of Philadelphia MICHAEL NUTTER shares his story about fully recovering from prostate cancer with audiences, discussing hearing the news, how his health journey has evolved, getting surgery after monitoring the condition for four years, and more. He aims to share his story to help men, especially men of color since they are at a higher risk of developing and passing from prostate cancer, stay on top of their health and take care of themselves. His experience made him a strong advocate for regular cancer screenings and other health measures, as they can help detect problems early on.

Through sharing his riveting story of survival, Nutter also discusses how having cancer changed his perspective on life and made him appreciate the little things. His talks remind us how important our health is and how precious life can be, and are an important lesson for any audience.

For a preview on how Nutter shares his story at events, watch him discuss his journey with cancer on ABC here >> 

As an innovative leader who tackles issues of public safety with determined passion, creativity, and most importantly, results, Michael Nutter’s experience and voice is both timely and necessary

As Philadelphia’s mayor for two-terms, MICHAEL NUTTER is widely heralded as an innovative leader who tackles issues of public safety with determined passion, creativity, and most importantly, results. Nutter is a co-founder of 40 North Advocacy, a public affairs firm that specializes in communications at the city and country level, helping both corporate clients and nonprofit clients work on problems and policy changes in America's cities. Named both Governing Magazines “Public Official of the Year” and to Esquire'sAmericans of the Year” during his tenure as mayor, Nutter is credited with bringing Philadelphia’s homicide rates down to a 45-year low, violent crime to a 30-year low, and executing major events like the Pope's visit to Philadelphia safely, thanks to his strategic public policy efforts. Philadelphia Magazine wrote after Nutter’s last term, "Mayor Nutter is leaving Philadelphia safer, bigger, better educated at the collegiate level, more cosmopolitan and... more prosperous than he found it... On his watch, millennials and immigrants flooded in, the city’s profile on the world stage grew, and corruption was simply not tolerated.

Among his timely writings, you'll find “Black AND Blue Lives Matter, to Everyone,” a headline-making essay; “Violent crime in your city? More cops are not enough,”; and “The NRA Thinks You’re Stupid.” Nutter’s book Mayor: The Best Job in Politics is chock-full of insights on how to pass and enforce effective policy and legislation to keep America safe. During his tenure, Nutter unveiled what he called the “Sandy Hook Principles,” a list of 20 measures aimed to curb gun violence, and he co-launched an effort called Cities United focused on reducing violence affecting African-American men and boys across the country. His powerfully worded op-ed in TIME, “Stopping the Slaughter,” highlights his Cities United work, and he also delivered a National Press Club keynote on the subject, and on how to reduce gun violence. Since leaving office, Nutter has remained a vocal thought-leader on how to tackle America’s current public safety crisis. He served a two-year term on the Homeland Security Advisory Council and he is a senior advisor with What Works Cities/Bloomberg Philanthropies.

From the newsroom to the boardroom, marches on the streets to meetings on Capitol Hill, these powerful speakers are doing more than shaping the conversation, they're making an impact. Icons and pioneers in business, science, politics, and media, they make for unforgettable events offering timely insights and bold inspiration. 

Michael Nutter is a vocal education advocate 

The 98th Mayor of Philadelphia and current Professor at Columbia University, MICHAEL NUTTER is a vocal and celebrated education advocate who has worked to increase school funding, strengthen K-12 programs, and expand college access and success. In Nutter’s eight years as Mayor he made education a top priority and his tenure is marked by both increased education funding and high school and college degree attainment rates. A forward-thinking and innovative leader, Nutter also emphasizes how crucial it is to provide all students with the critical thinking, creativity and skills needed for a 21st century workforce. A proponent of STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), Nutter launched STEMcityPHL, an initiative to enhance STEM proficiency and employment in STEM fields, the KEYSPOT network to provide public access computing centers, and the US2020 STEM mentoring program. His innovative programs resulted in Philadelphia being awarded as a Leader in Digital Inclusion and the top place in the CDG’s Digital Cities Survey. Since leaving office, Nutter has remained a dedicated education advocate and works with numerous institutions of higher education beyond Columbia, including as an Executive Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice, as well as a Senior Fellow and Special Advisor to the Dean at the UChicago Harris School of Public Policy. A sought-out voice on how to expand STEAM Education opportunities for all students, regardless of background, Nutter sheds light on how to prepare the next generation of leaders for the workforce of tomorrow.

Michael Nutter provides actionable insights on eco-friendly policymaking and green business

The 98th Mayor of Philadelphia and urban policy innovation advocate Michael Nutter offers actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies on eco-friendly policymaking and green business. During his 2008 inaugural address, Mayor Nutter set an ambitious goal: make Philadelphia the greenest city in America. To execute on his vision, Nutter created the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability in his first term, and oversaw the implementation of a bold “Greenworks Philadelphia” plan, which set 15 sustainability targets. In just three years, 89% of the Greenworks initiatives were already complete or underway, and Nutter’s tenure as Mayor is marked by his success in making Philadelphia a shining example of a green city with strategies others could emulate. Among Nutter’s most high-profile successes were the launch of the affordable and accessible Indego bike share system, his Green 2015 plan to transform 500 acres of underused land into publicly accessible green space, and the innovative Green City, Clean Waters program to create a green way to handle stormwater management, which was awarded a National Planning Excellence Award. Since stepping down from office, Nutter has remained an in-demand voice on sustainability, offering both bold inspiration and practical solutions on the climate crisis. Nutter was sought-out to deliver a keynote at the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative’s Executive Leadership Institute, where his powerful remarks garnered tweets of praise, such as: “Thank you @Michael_Nutter for words of encouragement #ELI2017. Kudos to you+ Philly for leadership and action.”

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Books by Michael Nutter
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Biography

After serving almost 15 years in the Philadelphia City Council, Michael A. Nutter was elected the 98th Mayor of his hometown in November 2007 and took office in January 2008.  At his inaugural address, Mayor Nutter pledged to lower crime, improve educational attainment rates, make Philadelphia the greenest city in America and attract new businesses and residents to the city.  He also promised to lead an ethical and transparent government focused on providing high quality, efficient and effective customer service.

With the support of an experienced, professional staff, Mayor Nutter made significant progress on every pledge: homicides were at an almost 50 year low at the end of his tenure; high school graduation and college degree attainment rates increased significantly; Philadelphia added hundreds of miles in bike lanes and trails and launched the first low-income friendly bike share system in America, called Indego; and Philadelphia’s population grew every year since 2008, including the largest percentage of millennial population growth in the nation.  He actively recruited businesses to set up shop in Philadelphia, both domestically and internationally with tax reforms, better business services and international trade missions.  And, despite the damaging impact of the Great Recession, Philadelphia’s economy demonstrated significant growth – since January 2014, more than $11.5 billion of economic development projects have been completed, are under construction or announced.

Mayor Nutter made a commitment to strong financial stewardship, vigorously managing the City through the worst economic recession since the Great Depression.  As a result, Philadelphia’s credit rating was upgraded to the “A” category by the three major credit rating agencies for the first time since the 1970s.

In 2013, Philadelphia City Council passed his Actual Value Initiative, the City’s first ever property assessment system overhaul, transforming a broken and corrupt system into a fair, accurate and understandable system.

In affiliation with the National League of Cities, Mayor Nutter and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu launched Cities United, an initiative aimed at creating partnerships between cities, non-profits, and other stake holders to combat violence and crime among African-American men and boys.  He also serves on President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Advisory Council.

In June 2013, Mayor Nutter concluded his tenure as President of the United States Conference of Mayors, which is the official non-partisan organization of almost 1,300 U.S. cities with populations of 30,000 or more. As President, Mayor Nutter represented the Conference by strengthening federal-city relationships and promoting the development of effective national urban policy.  In June 2015, Mayor Nutter completed his year of service as President of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, which brings together municipal government officials from across the Commonwealth to advance policy initiatives state-wide.

In 2011, Esquire magazine named Mayor Nutter to its Americans of the Year list and in 2014, he was named Public Official of the Year by Governing magazine.  During his tenure, Philadelphia City government received more than 150 awards for innovative programs, good government practices and excellence.

Since leaving public service on January 4, 2016, Mayor Nutter has remained active in public policy, government, and civic life. Since leaving office this year, a series of announcements were made demonstrating his continued commitment to public service and civic engagement. In January, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Mayor Nutter accepted an appointment to the Homeland Security Advisory Council. Also in January, Columbia University/SIPA announced his appointment as a Professor, and in March, the Board of Trustees voted to appoint him as the Inaugural David N. Dinkins Professor of Professional Practice in Urban and Public Policy. Also in February, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced his appointment as a Senior Fellow and national spokesperson for the What Works Cities program, working with Mayors all across the United States. In April, Drexel University announced that Mayor Nutter joined the Lebow College of Business as an Executive Fellow in Leadership, working with the Institute for Strategic Leadership (ISL). In July, Airbnb announced that Mayor Nutter will chair their first ever Mayor’s Advisory Council, an international group of former Mayors providing strategic advice on local government issues and public policy. In August, the University of Chicago Urban Labs announced that Mayor Nutter had been appointed to the position of Executive Fellow, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia announced his appointment as a Member of the Economic and Community Advisory Council and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs announced his appointment as a Distinguished Fellow. In November, The Brookings Institution announced that Mayor Nutter had been appointed as a Distinguished Non-Resident Senior Fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program. In December, Code for America announced that Mayor Nutter became a Board member. On January 3, 2017, Mayor Nutter became an Independent Director and Board member of the new publicly traded company, Conduent Corporation, the spin-off firm from Xerox Corporation. Mayor Nutter maintains active involvement in critical areas of education, media, public policy, political campaigns, the corporate community, and academic institutions across the country. He is active in the social media environment, and can be reached on Twitter @Michael_Nutter, or through his website WWW.MikeNutterLLC.com.

Mayor Nutter is a life-long Philadelphian, born and raised in West Philadelphia and educated at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  He has been dedicated to public service since his youth.  Mayor Nutter is happily married to his wife Lisa, and. a proud parent to Christian and Olivia.