Advanced Leadership Pathways: Robert Whelan and the Student Loan Crisis (B)

By: Rosabeth M. Kanter, Grace Sza-Hua Chen and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone

Format:Print
| Language:English

Abstract

Bob Whelan developed an idea with partners that was a seed before his fellowship year and addressed a significant national challenge - college financing - with a creative concept and experience from his years in investment banking. His nonprofit was called 13th Avenue Funding and it provided equity as an alternative to debt for students to finance college. Since he first set out on his journey, he faced a lot of resistance and difficulty in scaling his non-profit aimed at enabling one million low income students to obtain a postsecondary education debt free. Whelan continued to persist and adapt to the changing environment.

Keywords

Social Enterprise; Higher Education; Financing and Loans; Borrowing and Debt; Leading Change; Education Industry; Financial Services Industry

Citation

Kanter, Rosabeth M., Grace Sza-Hua Chen, and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone. "Advanced Leadership Pathways: Robert Whelan and the Student Loan Crisis (B)." Harvard Business Publishing Case 316-049, 2015. (Advanced Leadership Pathways.)