Stories
Stories
Leading Schools that Change Lives
Brendan Kennealey (MBA 2006) studied business at Harvard and has a psychology degree from Boston College. But in a career spent leading schools that transform students’ lives, he also draws regularly on his training as an EMT.
“It’s all about triage,” says Kennealey, the first non-clergy president of Salesianum School, the Catholic boys’ prep school he graduated from in Wilmington, Delaware. “You have to be laser-focused on what’s most important and not get distracted by the chaos and noise.”
Kennealey’s résumé includes teaching in and launching Jesuit-affiliated middle schools in low-income neighborhoods, starting nonprofits to support education for girls in Rwanda, and guiding strategy in Boston’s Catholic schools.
When he stepped into his current job in 2011, the chaos and noise included several recently settled sexual abuse lawsuits against priests in the Oblate order that started Salesianum. “I wanted to help the school navigate to a place of firmer footing,” says Kennealey, who has focused on reversing declining enrollments and budget deficits while reinforcing Salesianum’s historic tradition of serving low-income families.
Progress during his tenure includes several major building projects, a 200 percent increase in financial aid, and meaningful progress on diversity. “Some of our kids have been first-generation high school students who go on to be first-generation college students,” he says. “Working with families to make that happen is the best part of my job.”
(Published September 2019)
Support the next generation of leaders Make a gift nowPost a Comment
Related Stories
-
- 07 Jan 2020
- Making A Difference
Models of Success
Re: Rebecca Feickert (MBA 2018) -
- 23 Oct 2019
- Skydeck
After the Storm
Re: Constance Jones (MBA 2008) -
- 27 Aug 2019
- HBS Alumni News
A Shot at Success
Re: Rebecca Feickert (MBA 2018); By: April White -
- 30 Apr 2019
- HBS Alumni News
Leading Schools That Change Lives
Re: Brendan Kennealey (MBA 2006); By: Deborah Blagg
Stories Featuring Brendan Kennealey
-
- 30 Apr 2019
- HBS Alumni News
Leading Schools That Change Lives
Re: Brendan Kennealey (MBA 2006); By: Deborah Blagg -
- 01 Mar 2010
- Alumni Stories
Rwanda Provides Students with Hands-On Learning
Re: Brendan Kennealey (MBA 2006) -
- 01 Dec 2009
- Alumni Stories
Robert Goodwin
Re: Robert Goodwin (GMP 3); Sam MacHour (GMP 3); Brendan Kennealey (MBA 2006); By: Deborah Blagg
