Photo by Susan Young

Harvard had been on Chad Losee’s (MBA 2013) radar since a middle school history trip that included a stop in Harvard Yard, but a post-college visit to an HBS case discussion solidified it into an objective. “It was so different from any other classroom environment I’d encountered,” says Losee, who became the School’s new managing director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid in June. “Everyone in the room was fully engaged in the learning—on the edge of their seats, ready to contribute to the evolving discussion. I saw how rich the learning is at HBS, and I was hooked.” After graduation, Losee was an HBS Fellow in the Dean’s office, working on the launch of HBX among other projects before returning to Bain & Company. He replaces longtime director Dee Leopold (MBA 1980), who now leads the 2+2 deferred admission program at HBS. “Dee is a remarkable leader,” says Losee, “and I feel the great responsibility of stepping into this role.”

DM: Tell me about your experience applying to HBS.

CL: I was working in consulting—a great, but demanding job—so I blocked off time on Saturday mornings to work on my application to HBS.

I was thrilled when I was invited to interview—but nervous. Wearing my lucky tie helped a little bit. Thankfully, those 30 minutes felt more like a conversation, and the interviewer really got to know me personally. Afterward, I sat down on a bench in the Spangler Quad and replayed the whole thing in my head—happy with some answers, but cringing at others.

My admission experience was not that long ago, so it is still very fresh in my mind—and I think that’s a good thing. We receive thousands of applications each year, and I always want to remember that there are real people putting themselves out there in each application. We need to respect what they have given us and be grateful they want to be here.

DM: Do you come to the job with any goals in mind?

CL: Given the experience of the MBA Admissions and Financial Aid team, my first goal is to learn from them and the other leaders at HBS. There’s a great amount of momentum, and I am here to help build on that.

My broader goals align with the mission of the School: to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Our team understands our part of that mission is to assemble a class of exceptional leaders each year who will be transformed, form strong relationships with one another, and make a positive difference in their own way. We want to reach all the exceptional leaders we can, and let them know how Harvard Business School can help them achieve their goals.

DM: In terms of recruiting, how do you position the School in the era of online and one-year MBAs?

CL: Coming to HBS for two years is a transformational experience. You will live and learn in a community, you will be challenged in the classroom, and you will build relationships that will last the rest of your life. HBS will broaden your perspective on what is possible and mold you into a more capable leader to realize those possibilities. And the benefits extend beyond the two years as you join a vibrant community of alumni.

Post a Comment