Innovation Leadership in the Age of COVID-19
COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of our economies. Whole systems in government, education and industry will continue to be disrupted in the short-term, rendering pre-existing plans obsolete. Adding COVID-19 to the “original” disruptors—globalization, digital transformation, automation, etc.— means economic transformation accelerates. Who do leaders turn to for best practices at the macro-level? What best practices have been developed to address past economic disruptions? How can we equip our leaders to transition into a post-COVID-19 world?
Please contact us if we can support you in any way.

A Call to Leadership
Economic recovery will require an all-hands-on-deck approach. Cross-sector, cross-functional recovery teams must learn how to communicate constituent needs; overcome language, mission, and culture differences; and solve problems with other policy, industry, community, and education leaders. Quickly. Are your leaders equipped to re-engineer plans that reflect the new world we live in? Waymaker is in daily contact with executives leading city economic recovery efforts all over the U.S.
Ask for a peer-to-peer introduction to someone in our network.
Curated Leadership Resources
Below are resources curated specifically for executives with responsibility for recovery efforts. Check back regularly or contact us to discuss specific ways we might support you.
The Economy and Cities: What America’s Local Cities are Seeing
by National League of Cities
The NLC and U.S. Council of Mayors recently conducted a survey regarding budget shortfalls, impact on city services, etc.
Economic Recovery Dashboard
by Deloitte
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis without a modern parallel. The lack of precedent for a black swan event so broad in its impact across geographic, demographic, and economic sectors explains why many public and private sector organizations were already becoming strained even before the World Health Organization officially declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020.
Business Continuity Management: Pandemic Preparedness Briefing
by Gartner
Pandemics aren’t your usual business disruption. Unfolding over months, these events require an extra set of activities that include consultations with epidemiologists, critical role identification, and third-party evaluations.

C40 Knowledge Hub
by the C40 Initiative
Through a series of thought-leadership papers, webinars, and briefings from experts worldwide, the Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force will provide mayors with the best available data, best practices, and analysis for how to achieve an economic recovery that gets people quickly back to work and puts resources into the hands of those who need it most.
Create an account to get access.
- Follow topics that interest you – start by visiting Knowledge by Topics, or search using the All Knowledge page.
- Ask a question of the C40 Community in the Forums
- Access the User Directory to find other experts to connect to, or follow, and start a private conversation with.
Resources to Assist our Communities
The National League of Cities (NLC) is providing local leaders with the necessary tools and resources to ensure cities, towns, and villages—urban or rural, of all sizes—are well equipped to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leadership in a Time of Crisis toolkit.
by International Economic Development Council
The toolkit was developed by IEDC with nationwide input and funded in part by grants from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. The Toolkit is designed to benefit a wide range of public and private sector officials working with businesses and industries in the economic recovery process.
The CARES Act Resource Center
by U.S. Conference of Mayors
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- CARES Act Resource Center
- City Guidelines & Best Practices. 28 U.S. cities share best practices you may want to replicate in your city.
- City Fiscal Tracking and Reimbursement information (in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies). A suite of support to help local governments navigate, access, and deploy federal aid.
- Supplies for Cities
- Business Resource Page lists businesses that are offering products, services, and information related to the Coronavirus (not vetted).
- How to Prepare and Take Action, by category

Economic Development & Government Leaders
A Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience
by Harvard University & The Rockefeller Foundation
Harvard University & The Rockefeller Foundation have produced a guide for pandemic recovery.
Read it Now