Interweaving Strategy, Leadership, Web Entrepreneurship and Social Sector Impact
John Williams, The Bridgespan Group
Thursday, November 10, 12:00PM
Hauser 104, Hauser Hall, Harvard Law School
Co-sponsored by the Cyberlaw Clinic, Dean's Office at Harvard Law School, Office of Career Services, and Office of Public Interest Advising
As an established entrepreneur and social innovator, John Williams offers a number of lessons learned over the course of his 32+ year career. How do organizations – both for-profit and not-for-profit -- achieve strategic clarity, and why does it matter? How does one go about re-positioning an iconic product or organization when the market changes? What did it take to launch the first Webby Award-winning online travel business? How do the most sophisticated not-for-profits and philanthropists think about how to maximize their impact on society? John will share his personal career explorations since graduating from Harvard with the JD and MBA in 1979, and offer insight into his most valuable experiences.
About John
John Williams is a partner in the Boston office of the Bridgespan Group, a nonprofit firm that works with mission-driven organizations and philanthropists to scale their impact, enhance their effectiveness, and help strengthen their leadership. Previously, he has been a strategy consultant at Bain & Co., a software marketer, a senior executive at American Express, an early dot-com entrepreneur and CEO of both Web 2.0 and private jet ventures. Since 1984, he has served on the Amherst College board of trustees (where he is a Life Trustee). He is private pilot with over 2,200 flight hours and was the founding president of the Massachusetts Business Aviation Association. He performs regularly with the Mastersingers (a choral group) and has traveled extensively to over 40 countries. His interests include the Web, consumer marketing, higher education, aviation, jazz, choral music, cosmology, military history, motorcycles, baseball, and tennis.