Programs & Events
Skydeck
Skydeck
Skydeck is the HBS alumni podcast series that features interviews with HBS alumni from across the world of business, sharing lessons learned and their own life experiences.
Skydeck Voices: The Most Important Person I Met at HBS →
Alumni reflect the like-minded cofounders, life-changing professors, and lifelong partners they met on campus
Helping Consumers Decarbonize their Purchases→
In this excerpt from the HBS podcast Climate Rising, Sanchali Pal (MBA 2018) discusses the business plan behind her sustainable spending app
Striving for Imperfection→
In a new book, Charles Conn (MBA 1990) offers problem-solving mindsets for uncertain times
Lessons from Major League Baseball's Game-Changing Innovations→
Chris Marinak (MBA 2008), Chief Operations and Strategy Officer at Major League Baseball, on building and nurturing an organizational culture of innovation—and what his experience at MLB can teach any business leader. (Recorded live at Spring Reunions.)
Balancing Acts→
Recipients of the 2023 Alumni Achievement Award offer their take on the tricky topic of managing personal and professional responsibilities
Fail Better→
Recipients of the 2023 Alumni Achievement Award describe when things didn't go according to plan—and how those painful experiences were ultimately a good thing
Step Change→
When she came back to Egypt five years ago, investor Amal Enan (MBA 2014) embraced the chaos—and found a path to impact her country's future
How Can We Solve the Teacher Shortage Crisis?→
In this excerpt from Managing the Future of Work, Mallory Dwinal-Palisch (MBA 2015) offers a lesson plan for the American education system
Carbon's Second Act→
A startup employing nature's C02 recycling model—and the necessity of sweeping, speedy scaling
Forged in Fire→
HBS Executive Fellow Bill George and Chad Foster (PLDA 21, 2016), an author and motivational speaker, on the transformational power of crucibles
Singing to the Corn→
Taylor Keen's (MPA 1996/MBA 1997) Sacred Seed project shows how a Native American approach to agriculture can protect the planet's soil—one garden at a time
Your Family, Your Work, Your Way→
Dasiy Dowling (MBA 2002) helps working parents hit the reset button, post-COVID—and offers practical advice for moving forward on an even keel at home and in the office
Skydeck Live: Stage Not Age→
Susan Wilner Golden (PMD 59, 1990) on the promise of the new longevity economy
Bidding Up→
2022 Alumni Achievement Award recipient Bob Wilson (MBA 1961, DBA 1963) on his journey from Depression-era Nebraska to a 2020 Nobel Prize
Leading to Salvation→
2022 Alumni Achievement Award recipient Bob Ryan (MBA 1970) had just stepped off his last board when he was called on for a different sort of service: revitalizing the oldest African American-owned business in north Minneapolis
Onboarding→
2022 Alumni Achievement Award recipient Tosh Barron (MBA 1972) describes her experience as a pioneering woman in the board room, the elements of effective corporate governance, and what to look for when seeking a board role
Lesson Plans→
2022 Alumni Achievement Award recipient Sal Khan’s (MBA 2003) ambition for Khan Academy: Empower billions of learners and provide a safety net for education systems around the world
Clean Slate→
2022 Alumni Achievement Award recipient and finance veteran Naina Lal Kidwai (MBA 1982) on her second act as chairman and founder of the India Sanitation Coalition, an organization focused on improving India’s water quality and health outcomes
Home Grown→
Naveen Tewari (MBA 2005), founder of InMobi and now Glance, is at the forefront of a growing trend of global consumer technology companies created in Asia—not just powered by it
Well Said→
Anada Lakra’s (MBA 2021) startup helps non-native speakers master the art of the English language
Making Peace with Anger→
How Walker & Dunlop CEO Willy Walker’s (MBA 1995) experience with anger management therapy transformed his life and career
Higher Returns→
Author and CEO Richard Steel (OPM 45, 2014) on how conscious consumers are redefining the economy
Jeff Immelt (MBA 1982) in the Hot Seat: Episode 2→
Case studies in crisis management and what it takes to motivate the next generation of talent
Jeff Immelt (MBA 1982) in the Hot Seat: Episode 1→
The makings of a CEO and lessons in leading change
A Letter to My White Friends and Colleagues→
Steven Rogers (MBA 1985) offers an action plan for helping the Black community
The Power of Resilience→
How Parul Somani (MBA 2009) created the silver lining in a life-changing diagnosis
On the Road Less Traveled→
How Ed Hajim (MBA 1964) overcame a childhood of foster homes and orphanages to find success in finance—and how a family secret changed his life at age 60
Road Work→
What a seven-continent motorcycle journey taught Ken Friedman (MBA 1983) about the path to personal growth
Leading with Heart→
How personal tragedy shaped the empathetic management style of Panera CEO Niren Chaudhary (AMP 191)
A Playbook for Progress→
Coauthors Jacqueline Adams (MBA 1978) and Bonita Stewart (MBA 1983) offer a way forward for workplace inclusion
How Dunkin’ Donuts Took Over the World→
Former Dunkin’ CEO Robert Rosenberg (MBA 1963) on the mindset, the master plans—and the mistakes—that turned a local business into a global icon
Silicon Valley’s “Detroit Moment”→
What can Silicon Valley learn from frontier innovators? And what happens if the startup capital of the world ignores these lessons?
A Creator in the Era of Disruption→
Lessons from an Indonesian entrepreneur aiming for impact, not exit
The Camel and the Unicorn→
Why Silicon Valley is at risk of losing it startup dominance—and what that could mean for the future of innovation
The Long View: Persevering Through Past Crises→
HBS alumni on lessons learned from navigating difficult times
How To Make Diversity a Reality→
ICV Partners cofounder Willie Woods (MBA 1993) on what companies can do to improve Black representation in their ranks
What the Climate Change Movement Can Learn from the Pandemic→
Joro founder Sanchali Pal (MBA 2018) on the power of collective action
How Business Can Advance Racial Equity→
Executive Lisa Lewin (MBA 2003) on how the C-suite can be a powerful ally in the fight for social change
Weathering the Storm→
Nnamdi Okike (MBA 2007) of 645 Ventures on how investors and entrepreneurs can withstand the pandemic and plan for the post-COVID world
How Sports Should Use Its Timeout→
Sports Innovation Lab CEO Angela Ruggiero (MBA 2014) on why the pandemic will help leagues better prepare for the future fan
Keeping the Beat→
Artist and activist Madame Gandhi (MBA 2015) on writing music in quarantine and migrating musical events online
Effective Communication in the Age of Zoom→
Interpersonal communication expert Rachel Greenwald (MBA 1993) on navigating the new world of video meetings and the interpersonal communication principles that transcend medium
“Walking a Tightrope”→
Author Sheryl WuDunn (MBA 1986) on working class America’s economic fragility and how the COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated their predicament
Can This Man Change the American Diet?→
Clover’s Ayr Muir (MBA 2004) is selling meat-free meals to meat-eaters—and reducing our impact on climate change one sandwich at a time
Not Throwing Away My Shot→
From Eli Whitney to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Eric Schultz’s (MBA 1983) new book highlights lessons in entrepreneurship from innovators throughout history
Your Whole Self→
Executive coach Amy Jen Su (MBA 1997) plots a holistic path to being the leader you want to be
Skydeck Live: The Case for Funding Female Founders→
Monica Dodi (MBA 1984) on diversity as a competitive advantage for VCs
Keeping Red Lobster Fresh→
CEO Kim Lopdrup (MBA 1984) talks about turning around an iconic brand and why sustainability is mission critical for the seafood giant
After the Storm→
How Constance Jones (MBA 2008), CEO of a Chicago charter school network, picked up the pieces after a leadership crisis
Skydeck Live: Galactic Returns→
Space entrepreneur and investor Laetitia Garriott de Cayeux (MBA 2004) on how to search the skies for profits
Catalyzing Africa’s Tech Sector→
How Seni Sulyman (MBA 2014) and Andela plan to turn the continent into a computing hub
Skydeck Live: The Rise of the FOMO Sapiens→
Patrick McGinnis (MBA 2004), who coined the term FOMO, on how it increasingly drives our personal and professional lives—and how we can manage it
The Birth of a Silicon Valley Blockbuster→
How Cloudflare’s Michelle Zatlyn (MBA 2009) and Matthew Prince (MBA 2009) built a tech giant
Reframing Modern Art→
Denise Murrell (MBA 1980) traded finance for fine arts—and cast a critical new eye on iconic paintings
Lessons from the Ashes→
How Warwick Fairfax (MBA 1987) lost his family’s 150-year-old media empire—and found his purpose in the process
Give It to Me Straight→
Radical Candor author Kim Scott (MBA 1996) on what effective feedback really looks like—and why it will make you a better boss
Life Is a Startup→
Noam Wasserman (MBA 1999, PhD 2002) on what successful founders can teach us about life beyond business
Making Sabbaticals Mainstream→
Entrepreneur DJ DiDonna (MBA 2010) says sabbaticals in Japan and Mauritius brought critical perspective to his personal and professional life. Now he’s working with researchers to show how extended time away from the daily grind can pay off for workers and employers.
We’re All Going to Get Hacked→
Companies shouldn’t just react to the inevitable hack, says Red Seal CEO Ray Rothrock (MBA 1988)—they should prepare for it.
The Promise of Personalized Medicine→
Rich Horgan (MBA 2018) is on an urgent mission to save his brother—and he might just revolutionize drug development along the way
Bridging the Gap→
Global Citizen Year founder Abby Falik (MBA 2008) on why kids need to find their purpose before freshman year
Don’t Be Afraid of AI→
If tech pioneer and Numenta CEO Donna Dubinsky (MBA 1981) doesn’t fear the Terminator, neither should we
Coming of Age as the World Comes Apart→
Casey Gerald’s (MBA 2014) new book is an intervention in the shape of a memoir
Bringing Government Up to Code→
Code for America COO Minnie Ingersoll (MBA 2002) on how her organization is strengthening the social safety net
The Value of Valleys→
Alumni share stories of some of their greatest challenges—and what they learned in the process
Can Marketing Help Halt the Heroin
Epidemic?→
Jim Langford (MBA 1984), executive director of the Georgia Prevention Project, on his group’s anti-opioid advertising strategy
Skydeck Live: The Science of a Meaningful Life→
Author Charles Duhigg (MBA 2003) on how we make meaning
My First Job: Selling Shoes, Surviving Black Monday, and Shaped by Chicken Lenses →
Back by popular demand, we offer a second collection of alumni recounting their experience at their first jobs.
Finding Freedom from Eating Disorders →
Lindsay Ronga (MBA 2009) suffered from a severe eating disorder for seven years before eventually finding a path to successful recovery. Now, as a recovery coach, she wants to let people know that they are not alone—and they have other treatment options.
How to Win the Kentucky Derby →
West Point Thoroughbred President and CEO Terry Finley (OPM 45, 2014) describes what it’s like to win horse racing’s most coveted trophy—and how to get in on the action
What I Learned from Visiting All 54 African Countries→
Author and explorer Francis Tapon (MBA 1997) on finding the “unseen Africa” and other reflections from his five-year journey through the continent
Leadership Lessons from the “Lone Survivor” Mission→
Former Army helicopter pilot Matthew Brady (MBA 2016), founder and CEO of Pershing Barracks Capital, discusses his battlefield experience—and how it shaped his approach to business
My First Job →
Alumni share stories, strategies, and lessons learned from their first jobs—from golf club caddy to lobster shack waitress.
The Lessons of All-Day Breakfast→
McDonald’s SVP Kristy Cunningham (MBA 1998), who helped lead the company’s wildly successful all-day breakfast initiative, talks about what the global icon learned from the experience—and what it taught her about herself
Finding Faith in an NFL Locker Room→
On and off the field with Chicago Bears team chaplain Jonathan Wilkins (MBA 2007)
How Music Forged a Fighter for Free Expression→
Hunter Heaney (MBA 1996), executive director of The Voice Project, on protecting artistic expression at home and abroad and on the power of music to change the world
Skydeck Live: What Really Motivates American Voters?→
Insights from Diane Hessan (MBA 1977), who spent a year in conversation with 400 American voters from across the political spectrum
How to Build a Winning Culture on a Losing Team→
Scott O’Neil (MBA 1998), CEO of the group that owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and several other sports properties, on why his office thrives even in the face of losing
The Best Business Advice I’ve Ever Received→
HBS alumni share the words of wisdom that helped shape their lives and careers
Radical Generosity for the Real World→
Author Ami Campbell (MBA 1997) on her spiritual journey to giving—and how you can kickstart yours
The Epicenter of Miami’s Vice→
Roben Farzad (MBA 2005)—author, public radio host, and special correspondent on PBS NewsHour—talks about his new book, Hotel Scarface, and the lasting allure of 1980s Miami
Living the Quantitative Life→
What Paul Grana (MBA 2009) has learned from eight years of personal data tracking
Skydeck Live: The Happiness Equation→
Author and former Walmart executive Neil Pasricha (MBA 2007) offers lessons from his quest for happiness
How Women's Basketball Conquered Europe→
Bruce Levy (MBA 1977)—the first-ever agent for women's professional basketball—chronicles the sport's rise
Can Neuroscience Find You the Perfect Job?→
Pymetrics CEO and cofounder Frida Polli (MBA 2012) matches cognitive traits to career paths
Curating the Cuisine of Southwest China→
Author and WildChina founder Zhang Mei (MBA 1996) takes us inside the kitchens of her native Dali
Bringing Markets to Myanmar→
With 25 years of experience in private sector development, David Brunell (MBA 1962) offers an inside look at Myanmar’s historic transition to a market economy
The Business of Lego Batman→
Lego Movie and Lego Batman producer Dan Lin (MBA 1999) offers an inside look at the role of a modern Hollywood producer—and how he manages a burgeoning franchise
Such Great Heights→
Tom Vogl (MBA 1998), CEO of The Mountaineers explores the past, present, and future of the adventure business
Negotiating Peace in Canada's Largest Rainforest→
How Wally Eamer (MBA 1979) helped end a bitter, decades-long conflict between loggers, environmentalists, government officials, and First Nations
Mental Illness and the Workplace→
Katherine Switz (MBA 2000) on how her own experience with bipolar disorder led to forming the Stability Network, an advocacy and support group for working professionals
An Environmental Epiphany→
Former energy executive Jules Kortenhorst (MBA 1986) reflects on how global political shifts—and a walk in the South African bush—brought him to lead the Rocky Mountain Institute, a think tank focused on sustainability
The Story Behind the Stories→
Journalist and author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (MBA 2006) shares the stories behind her two New York Times best-selling books, The Dressmaker of Khair Khana and Ashley’s War
MaiTai Global and Kiteboarding→
Silicon Valley venture capitalist Bill Tai (MBA 1987) on his accidental ascent to kiteboarding entrepreneur
The Burning Man Project→
Real estate developer and author Jennifer Raiser (MBA 1990) goes behind the scenes of the annual Burning Man gathering
A Personal Perspective on Competing Against Luck→
Professor Clay Christensen (MBA 1979, DBA 1992) reveals how his business theory has affected his home life