New HBS Fund Chairs Take the Helm

07 Sep 2021

New HBS Fund Chairs Take the Helm

Introducing new volunteer leaders for the HBS Fund

Re: Tom Nelson (MBA 1988); Anna Nelson (MBA 1988); Ashley Garrett (MBA 1987); AJ Jones (MBA 1987)

Topics: Philanthropy-HBS Volunteers Philanthropy-Volunteering Philanthropy-General

Courtesy Anna Spangler Nelson and Thomas C. Nelson

Anna Spangler Nelson and Thomas C. Nelson (both MBA 1988) became chairs of the HBS Fund on July 1, 2021, succeeding Ashley Garrett and Alan K. Jones (both MBA 1987). In this role, the Nelsons will serve as ambassadors and champions of the HBS Fund to the broader alumni community.

They will also lead the HBS Fund Council. Formed in 2016, this volunteer advisory group helps to devise new strategies for raising alumni understanding of and giving to the HBS Fund, with a special focus on reunion giving, recent graduates, international alumni, and HBS Fund Investors Society membership.

A graduate of Wellesley College, Anna is chairman of the Spangler Companies, a private investment firm. Tom, who received his BS from Stanford University, is chairman and CEO of National Gypsum, one of the world’s largest producers of wallboard for the construction industry. Both are active on boards and in their community and are particularly interested in issues related to education, arts and culture, and community improvement. The couple live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and have two daughters, Meredith (MBA 2022) and Audrey.

The Nelsons have long been generous donors to HBS. In addition to endowing the Anna S. and Thomas Nelson Associate Professorship, they have given to the HBS Fund since they graduated. They are also veteran volunteers, serving on the Board of Dean’s Advisors since 2012 and, among other roles, chairing their class’s 20th, 25th, and 30th Reunion Campaigns.

Building on the work of their predecessors, the Nelsons are excited to advocate for and increase alumni annual giving to the HBS Fund. “We know how much the School relies on the flexibility provided by these gifts,” says Anna. “They are vital to meeting the School’s core needs, fostering innovation, and advancing the vision and priorities of the new Dean, Srikant Datar.”