Stories
Stories
A social enterprise visionary
Topics: Entrepreneurship-Social EntrepreneurshipSocial Enterprise-Nonprofit OrganizationsBelieving that there was a pressing need for management education that would prepare leaders for the nonprofit sector, the late Wall Street executive John C. Whitehead (MBA 1947, LLD 1995) inspired and supported the creation of the Social Enterprise Initiative (SEI) at HBS. The vision for the SEI, established in 1993, was informed by Whitehead’s years of experience serving on nonprofit boards.
“It’s a very demanding job, and there are lots of things that a nonprofit manager should know and learn about,” said Whitehead, who during his long career served as chair emeritus of the SEI, cochairman of Goldman Sachs, and US Deputy Secretary of State. In the past two decades, the SEI has become a mainstay at HBS, influencing both research and teaching, and providing students and executives with the organizational and leadership skills they need to effect social change. More and more alumni of the School are pursuing careers in social enterprise, and other business management schools have followed HBS’s lead.
“This has resulted in the management of nonprofits gradually being improved,” Whitehead once said. “I am very proud of what the School has accomplished. It has far exceeded my fondest dreams.”
(Published April 2014)
Support the next generation of leaders Make a gift nowPost a Comment
Related Stories
-
- 19 Jan 2024
- Making A Difference
Blockchain for Good
Re: Stella Dyer (MBA 1994) -
- 01 Dec 2023
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
Rounding the Bend
Re: Emily Bolon (MBA 2007); James Reinhart (MBA 2009); Christopher Homer (MBA 2009); Maria McClay (MBA 2006); By: Jen McFarland Flint -
- 29 Aug 2023
- Skydeck
Helping Consumers Decarbonize their Purchases
Re: Sanchali Pal (MBA 2018) -
- 01 Jun 2023
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
Cultivating Prosperity in Afghanistan
Re: Kimberly Jung (MBA 2015); Emily Miller (MBA 2015); Benjamin Bines (MBA 2015); Shikhar Ghosh (MBA Class of 1961 Professor of Management Practice of Business Administration); By: Jennifer Gillespie