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  • April 2020 (Revised October 2022)
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Medellín Reborn (A)

By: Jorge Tamayo, Ashish Nanda and Margaret Cross
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:18
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Abstract

In 2003, mathematics professor Sergio Fajardo was elected mayor of Medellín, Colombia—one of the most violent cities in the world at that time. As mayor, Fajardo faced a host of daunting challenges. Rampant gang violence had raised Medellín’s homicide rate dramatically, and a history of corruption had undermined the public’s trust in the local government and law enforcement institutions. The under-resourced local police did not communicate clearly with the mayor, and the city was approaching bankruptcy. To address these concerns, Fajardo would need to not only develop a strategy, but also convince the majority of his 21-member city council—among whom he had only one ally—to support it. Fajardo needed to decide how to prioritize the many financial, legal, and cultural concerns in Medellín to bring the city closer to peace and prosperity.

Keywords

Strategic Leadership; Peace; Government; Politics; Priorities; Leadership; City; Strategy; Government and Politics; Problems and Challenges; Transformation; Government Administration; Crime and Corruption; Colombia; Medellín

Citation

Tamayo, Jorge, Ashish Nanda, and Margaret Cross. "Medellín Reborn (A)." Harvard Business School Case 720-453, April 2020. (Revised October 2022.)
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About The Authors

Jorge Tamayo

Strategy
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Ashish Nanda

Strategy
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Related Work

    • April 2020 (Revised October 2022)
    • Faculty Research

    Medellín Reborn (A)

    By: Jorge Tamayo, Ashish Nanda and Margaret Cross
Related Work
  • Medellín Reborn (A) By: Jorge Tamayo, Ashish Nanda and Margaret Cross
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