Scrolling through my newsfeed this week, I can’t help but marvel at how many HBS alumni are pursuing public service. Amanda Renteria (MBA 2003) announced her bid for Governor of California yesterday. The Wall Street Journal featured Adem Bunkeddeko (MBA 2017) as one of the millennials shaking up politics in New York for his challenge to an incumbent U.S. Representative. Mitt Romney’s (MBA 1974) expected entry into the U.S. Senate race in Utah is imminent, delayed by the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (a mere five miles from my own). In the wake of this terrible tragedy, Congressman Seth Moulton (MBA 2011) was especially vocal on the need to take action against gun violence. [...]

Five years ago I moved from New York to Washington to become an appointee at the State Department. I was humbled by the importance of the issues at stake but also saw significant need for innovative thinking and new perspectives. The 2016 election solidified for me that all of us need to play an active role in our democracy, and attracting a more diverse group of experienced professionals to serve in government and run for office is an important part of that. I quickly found many in the business community shared this sentiment though had previously given little thought to engagement in policy and politics. In January, an event organized with fellow HBS alums on the sidelines of the Women’s March in Washington helped galvanize early members of what would become the Leadership Now Project. [...]

Since 1992, Harvard Business School has supported graduates through the Nonprofit/Public Sector Loan Repayment Assistance Program, reducing the educational debt repayment burden for alumni serving in managerial positions in the nonprofit and public sectors. [...]

Politicians are experts at selling emotionally-charged slogans as solutions for our country’s troubles but apparently cannot work out real-world solutions that most voters will support. A few Americans, though, are equipped to win wide support for practical solutions to divisive issues. [...]

Given the complexity of problems facing business and society, there’s a growing recognition that no one sector can do it alone. We desperately need the collective efforts of the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to tackle society’s toughest challenges. [...]