Problem Solving - About - Harvard Business School

Problem Solving: HBS Alumni Making a Difference in the World

By: Russ Banham, Shirley Spence and Howard Stevenson

Harvard Business School’s more than 85,000 alumni are using their leadership and problem-solving skills to tackle education, health, environment, poverty, inequality, and myriad other challenges. They are living the mission of the School, which is “to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.”

Problem Solving is the culmination of four years of research conducted by a small project team from 2015 through 2018 in collaboration with HBS alumni, students, faculty, and staff. Its broad and deep knowledge base is derived from a survey of 13 MBA classes (spanning 1955 and 2015), more than 200 interviews, and extensive archival and secondary research. The final result is a coffee table style book with 300 plus pages of text brought vividly to life with photographs and quotations. Its more than 200 stories from around the world provide a sampling of alumni impact in education and life-long learning, health and wellness, community and economic development, energy and the environment, and arts and culture.

“Problem Solving shines a light on a facet of HBS that too few people know about, namely, that our alumni provide leadership in all walks of life and create real value for society. Their achievements are stunning and their impact is undeniable. To see so many stories side by side is quite powerful.”

Nitin Nohria

Dean, Harvard Business School

“Problem Solving shines a light on a facet of HBS that too few people know about, namely, that our alumni provide leadership in all walks of life and create real value for society. Their achievements are stunning and their impact is undeniable. To see so many stories side by side is quite powerful.”

Nitin Nohria

Dean, Harvard Business School

“As a student and faculty member, I knew that our Deans were personally committed to tackling some of society’s most pressing problems. They were powerful role models. I also observed my former classmates applying their skills for social good and saw opportunities to personally contribute.”

Professor Howard Stevenson

“As a student and faculty member, I knew that our Deans were personally committed to tackling some of society’s most pressing problems. They were powerful role models. I also observed my former classmates applying their skills for social good and saw opportunities to personally contribute.”

Professor Howard Stevenson