Public Speaking

Organizing and Mobilization during Democratic Backsliding

Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation 

February 20th, 2025

In this webinar, panelists will draw upon lessons from around the world about how civil society groups can protect and promote democracy and the rule of law during episodes of democratic backsliding.

People, Power, and Change, with Marshall Ganz and Mayor Olivia Chow

The Dais at TMU

November 6th, 2024

Join legendary organizer Marshall Ganz and Mayor Olivia Chow, one of his former students, for a conversation on leadership, democracy, and organizing for change. Hosted in partnership with the Institute for Change Leaders and moderated by Toronto Star political columnist Martin Regg Cohn, this event will explore Ganz's latest book People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal, and how collective action is more vital than ever.

People, Power, Change: In Conversation with Professor Marshall Ganz

Munk School of Public Affairs, University of Toronto

November 5th. 2024

Marshall Ganz is the Rita T. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing, and Civil Society at the Harvard Kennedy School. A long-time organizer and teacher, Ganz works with the Leading Change Network and dozens of other grassroots groups in the United States and around the world to develop critically needed organizing capacity. 

Just a few of his experiences include advocating for civil rights with Bob Moses and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, 16 years organizing with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers, developing the grassroots strategy for President Obama’s 2008 election campaign, and training future leaders for over 20 years at Harvard’s Kennedy School. 

Now, as democracy teeters on a precarious edge in this upcoming election, and as political, economic, and technological forces have weakened nearly all capacity for collective action, Ganz has distilled a half-century’s worth of insights into an urgent call for strengthening democracy, People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal (published August 1, 2024). Written in the tradition of classics like Saul Alinsky’s 1972 Rules for Radicals, Ganz’s transformational book is at once a practical guide on how to reclaim democratic power and an inspiring manifesto for collective organizing as an essential driver of democracy.

 

The Rebirth of America’s Labor Movement: Amazon Labor Union (ALU) and the Future

Harvard Kennedy School

October 21st, 2024

Corporate consolidation in the United States, court decisions limiting the rights of workers, and the role of Amazon in the global economy have become ever pressing issues. With the upcoming Presidential election, there has been renewed interest and discussion surrounding organizing strategies and union support across the country, and the role of government and specifically anti-trust legislation. 

Join leaders on the forefront of labor rights in the United States for a conversation about one of the largest union victories in a generation and whether it marks a resurgence of labor in the U.S. and around the world.

 

People Power Change Book Event at the Creative Artists Agency

October 5th, 2024

People, Power, and the Polls: Organizing in an Election Year

Harvard Kennedy School

September 23rd, 2024

In this divisive election year, is it possible to mobilize people across differences around a common cause? How can people with competing perspectives and interests join into a shared movement that has an impact at the polls? Join us for a conversation with experts on organizing, democracy, and the power of the people.

 

Greenpeace USA Votes: Build, Fight, Win Training Session: Marshall Ganz and Jane Fonda

Greenpeace USA

September 5th, 2024

Building Your Squad climate training with Senior Lecturer on Leadership, Organizing and Civil Society at Harvard Kennedy School, Marshall Ganz and actress and activist Jane Fonda.

Politics and Prose: People, Power, Change Book Talk with Marshall Ganz

Politics and Prose Bookstore

August 8th, 2024

Event for Professor Ganz's new book, People, Power, Change: Organizing for Demcoratic Renewal with moderator Dorian Warren.

Professor Andrew Crespo's Morris Wassertein Public Interect Professor of Law Appointment Lecture  

Harvard Law School

March 27th, 2024

LCN Board Chair and Harvard Law School’s Andrew Manuel Crespo outlines a path for lawyers and organizers to end mass incarceration at a lecture celebrating his appointment as the Morris Wasserstein Public Interest Professor of Law

 

The Innagual David Lewis Lecture at the University of Toronto

University of Toronto

November 1st, 2024

Professor Ganz delivered the innagural David Lewis Lecture at the University of Toronto. He was then joined Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow for a discussion about community and labor organizing in Canada. 

 

Organizing in the United Kingdom

Leading Change Network

June 30th, 2023

A "trailer" from Professor Ganz's organizing trip to the United Kingdom where he met with organizers working in labor, education, and health. 

A call to leadership with Marshall Ganz

National Education Union, United Kingdom

June 22nd, 2023

NEU special event : Marshall Ganz, one of the world’s leading organisers,  in conversation with Kevin Courtney about the power of organising for social change.

A Conversation on a Meaningful Life with Marshall Ganz

STANFORD UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE

May 5th, 2022

Marshall Ganz shares insight into his personal values, beliefs, and motivations in order to gain a deeper understanding of life’s meaning.

Democracy in America: busy being born or busy dying?

STANFORD UNIVERSITY HAAS CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

January 12th, 2022

On Januay 12th, Marshall Ganz delivered the Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor Lecture on Public Service hosted by Stanford Univeristy's Haas Center for Public Service. Following the lecture, Professor Ganz was joined by Sandra Bass, associate dean of students and director of the Public Service Center at UC Berkeley, to have a conversation and answer questions from Stanford students and members of the public.

2017 Collective Impact Convening

COLLECTIVE IMPACT FORUM

May 24, 2017

Marshall Ganz remarks start at minute 46:00

Organizing for Health: People, Power and Change

JOSEPH B. MARTIN CENTER AMPHITHEATER

April 4, 2017

The event, “Organizing for Health: People, Power and Change,” was hosted by the deans of Harvard University’s three health schools—Michelle Williams of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, George Daley of Harvard Medical School, and R. Bruce Donoff of Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

American Muslims Organizing for People, Power, and Change

EL-HIBRI FOUNDATION

April 22, 2016

Marshall Ganz on Leadership at the CTA State Council of Education

CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Oct. 24, 2015

Political Organizer Marshall Ganz speaks about leadership at the October 2015 CTA State Council of Education.

Public Narrative at CTA State Council of Education

CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

October 24, 2015

Political activist/organizer Marshall Ganz talks about “Personal Narrative” in respects to organizing…”the story of self, now and us.”

Marshall Ganz speech at UC Berkeley Sociology Commencement – May 17, 2015

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

May 17, 2015

Harvard Kennedy School Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Marshall Ganz, addresses students at the UC Berkeley Sociology Department Commencement on May 17, 2015

Elections 2016: American Muslims organizing people, power and change

INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND UNDERSTANDING

April, 25, 2015

Leading Change: Story, Strategy, and Structure – An evening with Marshall Ganz

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Dec. 20, 2014

Marshall Ganz addresses the Ontario Nurses’ Association

ONTARIO NURSES' ASSOCIATION

Nov. 20, 2014

Marshall Ganz: Talking About Teaching

DEREK BOK CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

Oct. 23, 2014

Turning Values into Action

HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL

May 16, 2014

Here is a two hour introduction to public narrative by Prof. Ganz

Reflections on training in leadership, organizing, and advocacy in China and Japan

HARVARD-YENCHING INSTITUTE

March 25, 2014

Marshall Ganz Gives A Talk To Occupy Boston

OCCUPY BOSTON

Oct. 23, 2011

What’s Become of Obama’s Grassroots Political Movement

CAMBRIDGE, MA

Oct. 13, 2011

Organizing for Health: Lessons from the Obama Campaign

INSTITUE FOR HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT. ORLANDO, FLA

Dec. 9, 2009

Direct Download (WMV)

Winning from the Ground Up

NDP CONVENTION, HALIFAX 2009

Aug. 15, 2009

Book Celebration for Marshall Ganz – Part 1

SANDY CHUNG

July, 28, 2009

Book Celebration for Marshall Ganz – “Why David Sometimes Wins”  in  Los Angeles, CA.

Book Celebration For Marshall Ganz Part 2

SANDY CHUNG

July 28, 2009

Organizing, Social Movements, and Reform

NEW ORGANIZING INSTITUTE “BOOT CAMP”, WASHINGTON, DC

July 2, 2009

Distributed Leadership in the Obama Campaign

SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, MIT LEADERSHIP CENTER

March 19, 2009

Mobilizing Citizens for Change: Lessons from Team Obama

NEW PROFIT “GATHERING OF LEADERS”, MIAMI, FLA

March 14, 2009

Why Stories Matter

SOJOURNERS PENTECOST

Feb. 12, 2009

Building Collective Capacity: New Forms of Political Organizing

BERKMAN CENTER FOR INTERNET AND SOCIETY. HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Dec. 13, 2008