Marshall Ganz

Marshall Ganz is the Rita E. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing and Civil Society at the Harvard Kennedy School, where he teaches, researches, and writes on leadership, organization, and strategy in social movements, civic associations, and politics. After nearly thirty years of organizing, including with the United Farm Workers from 1965 to 1981, he returned to Harvard—where he completed his undergraduate degree in 1992, following a 28-year leave of absence—and earned a PhD in sociology in 2000. He grounds his work in ongoing domains of practice in landmark campaigns, including Obama for President 2008. His most recent book, People, Power and Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal (2024), builds on decades of scholarship and practice developing a pedagogy of leadership rooted in organizing.

A San Fernando city worker covers a mural of labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez at the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Park in San Fernando, California, on March 20, 2026.

On Chavez, People, and Power On Chavez, People, and Power

Letter to friends, students, colleagues, and collaborators.

Mar 31, 2026 / Marshall Ganz

Members of Jewish Voice for Peace and the IfNotNow movement staged a rally in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC, on October 13 to call for a cease-fire in the Israel–Hamas war.

Calling for Respect, Freedom, and Security for All Is Not Antisemitic Calling for Respect, Freedom, and Security for All Is Not Antisemitic

My obligation to critique the Israeli state comes from my own Jewish tradition, a tradition which had to defend itself from genuine antisemitism.

Feb 1, 2024 / Marshall Ganz

student walkout capitol

How to Organize to Win How to Organize to Win

Rebuilding the democratic infrastructure is too important to leave up to the consultocracy.

Mar 16, 2018 / Marshall Ganz

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders

What Hillary Clinton Can Learn From Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump What Hillary Clinton Can Learn From Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump

Trump and Sanders both communicated leadership through narratives that animated outpourings of enthusiasm that have so far eluded Clinton.

Jun 22, 2016 / Marshall Ganz and Hahrie Han

Why Hasn’t ‘Big Data’ Saved Democracy?

Why Hasn’t ‘Big Data’ Saved Democracy? Why Hasn’t ‘Big Data’ Saved Democracy?

Micah Sifry’s new book offers some answers, but misses important shifts in the power base of traditional progressive organizing.

Oct 17, 2014 / Marshall Ganz

Not the Cesar Chavez I Knew

Not the Cesar Chavez I Knew Not the Cesar Chavez I Knew

A new film about the labor leader reduces him to a caricature and ignores his true strengths as an organizer.

Apr 1, 2014 / Books & the Arts / Marshall Ganz