The Leadership Chronicles

Sarah Kauss started S'well with $30,000 of her own savings, an optimistic two-page business plan she wrote at a spa in Arizona, and the conviction that a water bottle could be about more than hydration. She had no marketing budget, no manufacturing experience, and no playbook. What she had was a restless curiosity, an HBS network she knew how to use, and a product that people picked up, shared...

Suzy Welch has lived a life that refuses to follow a straight line. From a feral, tie-dye childhood with artist parents to the Harvard Crimson, from a bulletproof vest on the Miami crime desk to the editor's chair at Harvard Business Review, from a very public scandal to the greatest love of her life, Suzy has built something rare — a career that keeps becoming something new without ever losin...

In this engaging conversation, Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angie's List, shares her journey from a young entrepreneur to a successful leader in the home improvement industry. She discusses her experiences at Harvard Business School, the challenges she faced, and the growth of Angie's List. Angie emphasizes the importance of customer care and her leadership philosophy, which focuses on acces...

In this episode of Leadership Chronicles , Leslie Zane (MBA'86) shares her journey as a pioneer in marketing and behavioral science. From her early career at Bain & Company to founding her own consulting firm, Triggers ®. Leslie shares with us that traditional marketing is dead—breakout growth requires a new playbook. For decades, marketing has wasted billions assuming the conscious mind m...

In this episode of The Leadership Chronicles , SecretaryElaine Chao shares her inspiring journey from immigrant roots to becoming the first Asian Pacific American woman to serve in the U.S. President's cabinet.   This inspiring conversation is filled with wisdom , resilience , and forward-looking advice for today’s leaders as we explore: Secretary Chao’s career in public service The influence...

In this episode of The Leadership Chronicles , Deborah Farrington shares her inspiring journey from a close-knit family background to becoming a leading venture capitalist. She discusses her experiences at Harvard Business School, the influence of her parents, and the importance of building relationships in her career.  Deborah reflects on overcoming setbacks, particularly her experience of being...

In this episode of ⁠⁠ HBS Women's Association: The Leadership Chronicles⁠⁠ , hosts ⁠⁠ Sherri Sklar⁠⁠ (HBS MBA’89) and ⁠⁠ Sarah Alter⁠⁠ (HBS MBA’95) sit down with the remarkable Desirée Rogers (HBS MBA’85). From her role as CEO of Black Opal Beauty to her tenure as the White House Special Assistant and Social Secretary under President Obama, Desiree shares her journey of leadership, resilience,...

In this episode of  ⁠ The Leadership Chronicles ⁠ , hosts  ⁠Sherri Sklar⁠  (HBS MBA’89) and  ⁠Sarah Alter⁠  (HBS MBA’95) sit down with Andrea Faccio (AMP207) , President and Chief Growth Officer of Nestlé Purina PetCare North America, for an inspiring conversation about global leadership , career growth , and purpose-driven impact .   Andrea shares insights from her remarkable global journey at Ne...

In this episode of The Leadership Chronicles , hosts Sherri Sklar  (HBS MBA’89) and Sarah Alter  (HBS MBA’95) engage in a captivating conversation with Jan Moran  (HBS MBA’89), a bestselling author and entrepreneur. Jan shares her inspiring journey from being a single mother attending Harvard Business School to becoming a pioneer in the fragrance and beauty industry, as well as her transition into...