Susana Eshleman (MBA 1998) is president and CEO of Children International. In this interview she talks about the goals and benefits of running an international nonprofit organization.

“Children International is a global nonprofit organization. We invest in children and youth for the first two decades of their lives, from the time they're 3 until they're 24, with the intent to help them break the cycle of poverty. We operate in some of the most poverty-stricken areas, serving about a quarter of a million children in 10 countries. We'll provide them with programs and services in the areas of health, education, and empowerment through life skills and employment.

“Success for us is that, by the time the young adults leave our program at age 24, they're living above the level of poverty in their country. In most cases, this is the first person in many generations breaking the cycle of poverty.

“As we're investing in these children and youth, we're really investing in positive multiplier agents of change that go out and pay it forward in that community. And every time I spend time with these youth that are the fruit of our labor, I always tell them that when I grow up, I want to be just like them, because their resilience, their maturity, their unselfishness, and their courage are truly inspiring.

“I feel that at HBS, as I gained many skills to become a good and strong general manager, most importantly, what I learned at HBS is to not be fearful or intimidated by big problems. Most problems can be solved when you get the right people around the table.”

(Published October 2019)

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