James Anderson is the head of government innovation programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies, including the Bloomberg Cities campaign to support city innovation. Through the Harvard City Leadership Initiative, the Mayors Challenges and other efforts, he coaches mayors around the world in overcoming urban challenges. Previously, Anderson was communications director for former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and chief architect of the NYC Service citizen-service strategy. Prior to that, he was associate commissioner for the New York City Department of Homeless Services and communications director for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. Anderson is a member of the Global Council for the Future of Cities at the World Economic Forum and a Cities of Service board member.