Hear from the 2021-22 cohort members on their ESP experience!About ESP
Download the 2023-24 Program Flyer
The Executive Seminar in Natural Resources Leadership (ESP) is a case-study based professional program run by Portland State University’s Hatfield School of Government that helps mid-career natural resource leaders explore and expand leadership competencies and establish pathways for career-long leadership learning and development.
Each year, the program visits communities throughout the west to connect with local leaders wrestling with their own natural resource challenges. Through presentation, conversation and guided study—and peer-to-peer sharing and teamwork—cohort members deepen their sense of leadership, build networks of support, and witness many different styles and approaches to solving complex leadership challenges.
Recurring themes include understanding the role of civic capacity, collaborative governance, empathy, engaging diversity, leadership self-awareness and situational
awareness, operating in uncertainty and ambiguity, and coping with risk.
A total of four seminars are held during the program year. Three seminars of approximately one week each are held on site to explore each case. A fourth two-day session is held on the Portland State campus to conclude the program with a review of leadership principles, techniques for policy resolution, and a summarization of insights gained by the participants. Finally, two three-hour “ESP Connect” sessions are held via Zoom to connect recent program material with future sessions, continue the leadership learning, and allow a platform for ongoing cross-cohort interaction and support.
Download the complete list of case studies since 2000
2023-24 Program Year
"Responding to Uncertainty and Change With New Partnerships and Approaches"
- Case 1: October 16-20 (Burns, OR)
High Desert Partnership: Collaboration in Southeast Oregon’s Harney County
- Case 2: February 26 - March 1 (Portland, OR)
A Lingering Legacy: Cleaning up Portland Harbor Superfund Sites
- Case 3: May 20-24 (Polson, MO)
Returning the National Bison Range to the Salish & Kootenai Tribes of Montana
- Capstone: June 20 (PSU Campus)
Advisory Board
The Executive Seminar Program Advisory Board is a diverse group of senior natural resource leaders from across the Pacific Northwest. The Advisory Board is crucial to the ongoing guidance, direction and success of the program. Advisory Board members provide general program oversight and feedback; forecast specific emphases or needs for leadership development in their agencies; suggest possible program year themes or areas of focus; suggest specific case study ideas and contacts for further exploration of cases; and assist with program outreach. Most Advisory Board members are also ESP alumnae.
Download the ESP Advisory Board Roster