New Leadership Takes Shape at Harvard Alumni Boards

Harvard’s alumni community has freshly selected a blend of experienced leaders for its Board of Overseers and the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). This year, voters chose seven alumni to join the Board of Overseers and six to transition to the HAA board of directors. The newly elected Overseers will start their terms on May 29, while HAA directors will commence their roles on July 1.

New Members of the Board of Overseers

The election brought five new Overseers into the fold, each selected for a six-year term. These individuals are tasked with not just governance, but also with the oversized footings that accompany such roles in a storied institution like Harvard.

• Arti Garg, Ph.D. ’08
  A.B. and B.S. ’99, M.S. ’01, Stanford; M.S. ’02, University of Washington
  EVP and Chief Technologist, AVEVA
  Location: Hayward, California
• Teresa Hillary Clarke ’84, cum laude, J.D. ’89, M.B.A. ’89
  Chair and Executive Editor, Africa.com; Former MD at Goldman Sachs
  Location: Miami
• Nadine Burke Harris, M.P.H. ’02
  B.A. ’96, UC Berkeley; M.D. ’01, UC Davis
  Pediatrician and Former Surgeon General of California
  Location: Sebastopol, California
• Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena, L.L.M. ’98
  J.D. ’95, UNAM
  Former Justice, Supreme Court of Justice of Mexico
  Location: Mexico City
• Philip L. Harrison ’86, magna cum laude, M.Arch ’93
  CEO, Perkins&Will
  Location: Atlanta

In addition, two Overseers were elected to complete the terms of Sylvia Mathews Burwell ’87 and Vikas Sukhatme, M.D. ’79, a reminder that leadership doesn’t solely rely on fresh faces. The following individuals have taken on these responsibilities:

• Salvo Arena, L.L.M. ’00 — Elected for a three-year term.
  J.D. ’93, Ph.D. ’99, University of Catania
  Partner, Chiomenti
  Location: New York
• Clive Chang, M.B.A. ’11 — Elected for a two-year term.
  B.Mus. ’07, B.Com. ’07, McGill; M.F.A. ’09, NYU
  President and CEO, YoungArts
  Location: Miami

In total, about 31,800 ballots were cast by alumni for the Board of Overseers, showcasing a notable engagement from the alumni community. Nine candidates were nominated by the alumni nominating committee, indicating a competitive selection process. The Board of Overseers, one of Harvard's key governing bodies alongside the President and Fellows, is essential in guiding the University’s governance and ensuring the quality of its programs. This election isn’t just a formality; it reflects the values and priorities of the alumni body that helps steer one of the most prominent educational institutions in the world.

Newly Elected HAA Directors

The HAA board welcomes six new directors, each starting their three-year terms. Their appointments highlight the diversity of expertise that alumni bring back to their alma mater, which is vital in fostering global connections among graduates.

• Allison Charney Epstein ’89, magna cum laude
  M.M. ’91, A.D. ’94, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins
  Opera Singer, Producer
  Location: New York
• Mia Esther Alpert ’99, cum laude
  Founder and President Emerita, Harvardwood
  Location: Los Angeles
• Jeffrey H. Tignor ’96, cum laude
  J.D. ’99, Duke University
  Attorney-Adviser, FCC; Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke School of Law
  Location: Washington, D.C.
• Jimmy Biblarz ’14, magna cum laude, J.D. ’21, cum laude, Ph.D. ’23
  Attorney, Hueston Hennigan; Lecturer in Law, UCLA
  Location: Los Angeles
• Medha Gargeya ’14, magna cum laude, J.D. ’19
  Senior Associate, WilmerHale; Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law
  Location: Washington, D.C.
• David G. Lefer ’93, cum laude
  M.Sc. ’95, Columbia University
  Director, Innovation and Technology Forum; Industry Professor, NYU
  Location: New York

With about 32,900 ballots cast, these directors were chosen from among nine candidates, nominated by the same HAA committee responsible for Overseers' nominations. The HAA board serves not just as an advisory body; it plays a crucial role in enhancing community and engagement among global alumni. Recent efforts, which include inclusive outreach and volunteer leadership development, are indicative of a forward-thinking approach. This is more significant than it looks; these initiatives are essential in addressing the diverse needs of a large and varied alumni population.

Implications and Future Outlook

This new leadership transition won't just shape Harvard's governance; it could affect how alumni interact with the institution long term. If you're working in this space, it’s undeniable that alumni's perspectives could directly influence program development and resource allocation at Harvard. Will these changes foster a more engaged alumni network? It’s possible. The trend toward inclusivity in leadership roles suggests that the university might develop programs that resonate more deeply with its increasingly diverse alumni base. You can expect a shift in priorities, perhaps focusing more on global perspectives and modern challenges.

As the alumni community continues to grow, the effectiveness of these newly appointed leaders will likely be scrutinized and analyzed. Their performance could either be a unifying force or a source of division within the ranks. Leadership in organizations like Harvard carries weight, both symbolically and practically, and the choices made by these Boards could reverberate through the academic and professional spheres in ways that go beyond the alumni community itself. And yet, history teaches that engaging alumni effectively isn't about numbers alone — it's about creating genuine, lasting connections. This challenge will test the mettle of the new directors and Overseers in the coming years.