Founder and Chairman, Greenhill & Co., LLC

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Earlier Education: B.A., Philosophy, Yale University, 1958

On Leadership: “Leadership flourishes when the organization values respect and collaboration in a supportive environment. Given these conditions, the achievement possibilities are limitless.”

One of Wall Street’s preeminent investment bankers, Bob Greenhill has helped shape some of the world’s most successful corporations. Greenhill earned a reputation as a man of action during his 31 years at Morgan Stanley, where he founded the firm’s mergers and acquisitions department in 1972, the first of its kind on Wall Street. He then headed the investment banking division and eventually served as president before accepting the top spot at Smith Barney in 1993.

In 1996, Greenhill set out on his own to launch a boutique merchant bank to provide financial advisory services. The firm, which has grown at a steady but significant pace, went public in 2004 and recently expanded operations into the insurance, financial services, and industrial markets. Today, Greenhill & Co. has 10 offices in key financial districts around the world and a market capitalization exceeding $2 billion. Recent activities in the firm’s portfolio include advising Roche Holding on its acquisition of Genentech and assisting Chrysler in its restructuring efforts.

Greenhill and his wife, Gayle, are active members of the HBS community: He served on the Visiting Committee for many years, and they have supported the School’s Global Initiative. In addition to aiding several educational institutions, recipients of their philanthropy and service include the International Center of Photography and the American Enterprise Institute.