The Leadership Fellows Program at Harvard Business School (HBS) is based on University Professor Michael Porter’s vision of developing a network of HBS graduates with cross-sector experience who are committed to addressing societal issues throughout their careers. The fellowship is a two-way commitment in which graduating students are offered once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience high-impact management positions in nonprofit and public sector organizations for one year at a competitive salary. At the same time, the hiring organizations leverage the experience, energy, and strategic and analytical skills of MBAs in roles that produce immediate results and build long-term capacity.
Since its inception in 2001, the Leadership Fellows Program has placed 254 fellows at organizations such as the City of Boston Mayor’s Office, Harlem Children’s Zone, Mercy Corps, Whitney Museum of Art, World Wildlife Fund, and the U.S. Department of Education.
“I am thrilled for this year’s Leadership Fellows and their incredible partner organizations,” notes Rob Zeaske (MBA 2002), director of programs at the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative. “This is an amazing year to be supporting our Fellows, their organizations, and their efforts to make meaningful impact on our communities. We need them now more than ever. As a past Leadership Fellow myself, I understand the power in supporting these highly capable new alumni with exceptional role models, mission-critical assignments, and dedicated professional development. I also know that this year can be transformative for both Fellows and their host organizations, especially in a challenging year like 2021.”
Whether fellows stay on with their sponsoring organizations, move to another social enterprise, enter the private sector, or launch their own new venture, past participants agree that the Leadership Fellows Program is critical to their ongoing development as leaders who make a difference in the world.
The 2021-22 HBS Leadership Fellows will work at a wide range of organizations across fields like education, healthcare, impact investing, and the public sector. They are as follows:
MAE ABDELRAHMAN, The Juilliard School
LANDON ACRICHE, MBTA
SILVIA ADAM REIG, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
PRERNA ARYA, Harlem Children's Zone
REBECCA BRAUN, Boston Planning and Development Agency
SOLTAN BRYCE, Boston Medical Center Health System
SHANI CARTER, Los Angeles Unified School District
SARA JETTY, Whitney Museum of American Art
JUSTIN KIM, Social Finance
YOGI KURNIAWAN, City of San Jose Mayor’s Office
JAKE MAYO, City of Boston Mayor’s Office
STEVEN POVICH, MBTA
KELSEY ROBERTS, City of Detroit
ANUJA SAMUEL, Equal Justice Initiative
Hear from the fellows in their own words about why they are excited about their upcoming opportunities.
