The first year of the Manhattan Institute’s Young Leaders Circle program has been a great success. In an effort to provide a forum for young professionals in the New York metropolitan area who are concerned about free-market ideas and public policy, the Manhattan Institute launched the Young Leaders Circle in January 2007 and already has over 100 members. By joining the Young Leaders Circle you will have an opportunity to hear from leading thinkers on the pressing issues of the day in an evening lecture and cocktail party forum. 2008 program begins in January.

2007 First Year's Program

David Brooks was the guest speaker at the inaugural event held on January 17, 2007. John O'Sullivan was our February guest and spoke about his new book The President the Pope and the Prime Minister. Brian Doherty, senior editor of Reason Magazine and author of the widely acclaimed new book, Radicals for Capitalism was the speaker at the March meeting. April featured William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard. In May we heard from Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Peter Huber on energy issues, and in June, John Stossel, ABC News 20/20 anchor, critiqued Michael Moore's new film on the healthcare industry, Sicko. In the fall the Young Leaders heard from Brian Anderson on the dangerous efforts to revive the Fairness Doctrine, Steven Malanga on immigration, John Leo and Peter Berkowitz on the state of the American university, and wrapped up the year with an outstanding presentation by Steve Forbes.

Membership

Young Leaders Circle members will receive invitations to these ten exclusive cocktail parties—which provide an ideal opportunity for members to interact with top policy minds and to network with like-minded young professionals. A year-long membership is $250.

Under-40 donors who give at the $1,000 level are invited to join the Young Leaders Advisory Committee, whose input and assistance will be sought on speaker ideas and outreach to new members. In addition to the monthly Young Leaders Circle event, the Advisory Committee will be invited to two private events with Manhattan Institute trustees and fellows. They will also receive invitations to select Institute luncheons and conferences, and to our annual James Q. Wilson Lecture, receiving all the benefits attendant to MI membership at the Benefactor's Circle level.

Guests of members and individuals who want to attend one event may do so for $45, which will be put toward membership should they decide to join. Advisory committee members are allowed to bring one guest for free to each event.

We are excited about this new venture. Interested members should contact Lindsay Young Craig, Vice President, Communications & Marketing.