Advanced Leadership Pathways: Richard Fahey and Robert Saudek (A): Lighting Liberia

Rosabeth M. Kanter; Anne  Arlinghaus

Case | 2012

Advanced Leadership Pathways: Richard Fahey and Robert Saudek (A): Lighting Liberia

by Rosabeth M. Kanter and Anne Arlinghaus

Abstract

After successful careers as lawyers Richard Fahey and Robert Saudek set out to tackle a large-scale infrastructure challenge in a complex environment by increasing Liberian citizens’ access to lighting solutions. They developed the Liberian Energy Network, which aimed to distribute solar light fixtures to citizens across the country, including some of the most remote regions. Working in Liberia presented a large set of challenges and difficulties, however Fahey and Saudek persevered.

Keywords: solar; solar power; Electricity; Clean Technology; scaling-up; economic development; partnerships; sustainability; innovation; leadership skills; Renewable Energy; Energy; Infrastructure; Technology; Economy; Partners and Partnerships; Distribution; Innovation Leadership; Leadership; Energy Industry; Africa; Liberia;

Language: English

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Citation:

Kanter, Rosabeth M., and Anne Arlinghaus. "Advanced Leadership Pathways: Richard Fahey and Robert Saudek (A): Lighting Liberia." Harvard Business School Case 313-032, 2012. (Advanced Leadership Initiative.)

From 2008-2010 Anand Piramal ran a series of pilots for his digital healthcare startup, Piramal e-Swasthya (PeS) to “democratize healthcare” in rural areas of India. PeS ran into difficulties so Anand Piramal had to decide whether to continue the organization and if so how. In 2010, an unexpected opportunity emerged that could have significant implications for PeS’s organizational structure and future prospects. Anand Piramal now faced several options for PeS. He needed to weigh the pros and cons of each option to make the best decision to fulfill his vision of providing quality healthcare services to “bottom-of-the-pyramid” populations. This case exemplifies the strategic decisions an entrepreneur must make to ensure that a social impact venture can be sustainable and scalable.

In 2010, Anand Piramal acquired the Health Management Research Institute (HMRI), a healthcare venture, and merged it with his original digital healthcare startup Piramal e-Swasthya (PeS), so that PeS became Piramal Swasthya. After acquiring HMRI, Piramal Swasthya scaled across 20 Indian states and became India’s largest private primary healthcare initiative by implementing public-private partnerships with state governments. In 2012, Anand Piramal stepped down as CEO of Piramal Swasthya, leading to organizational change and a healthcare strategy focused on improving maternal health amongst India’s most vulnerable populations. This case shows how an organization can achieve innovation at scale through cross-sector collaboration.

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Advanced Leadership Pathways: Richard Fahey and Robert Saudek (A): Lighting Liberia

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