The mission of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (NPLI) is to improve the quality and quantity of leaders in the United States who are capable of optimally guiding and coordinating homeland security, preparedness, and emergency response activity. Established in 2003 as a joint program of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard School of Public Health, the NPLI’s founding and primary sponsor is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through training, research, convening, scholarship, and direct consultation to those in critical leadership positions, the NPLI seeks to advance knowledge and understanding of the historic homeland security challenges now facing the nation.