Ten years isn’t such a long time in the grand scheme of things. That said, the HBS Leadership Fellows program, launched in 2001, shows a breadth and depth of impact well beyond its years. In that time, 97 fellows have had the opportunity to experience high-impact management positions at 44 nonprofit and public-sector organizations for one year at a competitive salary, the funding of which is shared between HBS and the participating organization.

The program underwrites half of each fellow’s compensation with donor-supported funds. Primary program funding comes from the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation/Richard L. Menschel (MBA 1959) Fund, with additional support from the David J. Dunn (MBA 1961) Fund, Michael E. Porter (MBA 1971) Fellowship, and the Richard (MBA 1939) and Helen Bibbero Fund.

Participating organizations have included Teach For America, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Endeavor, Harlem Children’s Zone, World Wildlife Fund, City of Boston Mayor’s Office, Partners In Health, Habitat for Humanity, and Save the Children, among others. Two-thirds of alumni fellows continue working with their host organization or another social enterprise beyond the fellowship year.

“The fellowship provides the opportunity to have a huge impact right away; it’s almost like you’re jumping two or three levels above the organization’s typical entry point,” said Andrew Murphy (MBA/MPA 2007), a former fellow at the World Wildlife Fund who now serves as a deputy director at the organization.

“Over the past 10 years, the Leadership Fellows program has enabled social-sector organizations to strategically integrate MBA talent, collectively advancing our respective missions and making a difference in the world,” stated Dean Nitin Nohria, describing a cycle of change set to continue as the program enters its second decade.

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