DR. RUFUS BLACK
Master, Ormond College, University of Melbourne
Dr Rufus Black is the Master of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne. A theologian, ethicist and ordained minister in the Uniting Church of Australia he has published on many topics including economic development, unemployment, the ethics of using stem cells and the life challenges of Generation X.
As an ethicist he has served on clinical and medical research ethics committees and he currently chairs the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. Before becoming Master of Ormond he worked at McKinsey & Company for 9 years, where he was a partner and played leadership roles in the firm’s Organisation and Public Sector Practices in Australia and Asia.
He serves on various advisory boards including the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics and Public Life in Oxford and Teach for Australia. He holds degrees in law and politics from the University of Melbourne and degrees in ethics and theology from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
Master, Ormond College, University of Melbourne
Dr Rufus Black is the Master of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne. A theologian, ethicist and ordained minister in the Uniting Church of Australia he has published on many topics including economic development, unemployment, the ethics of using stem cells and the life challenges of Generation X.
As an ethicist he has served on clinical and medical research ethics committees and he currently chairs the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. Before becoming Master of Ormond he worked at McKinsey & Company for 9 years, where he was a partner and played leadership roles in the firm’s Organisation and Public Sector Practices in Australia and Asia.
He serves on various advisory boards including the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics and Public Life in Oxford and Teach for Australia. He holds degrees in law and politics from the University of Melbourne and degrees in ethics and theology from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
DAME JULIA CLEVERDON DCVO, CBE
Vice President, Business in the Community
Dame Julia Cleverdon is Vice President of Business in the Community, a unique movement of 800 companies across the UK committed to improving continually their positive impact on society. Dame Cleverdon was Chief Executive of Business in the Community for 16 years, from April 1992 – March 2008. During this period she has established a formidable reputation as a renowned leader and speaker on corporate responsibility and has personally been responsible for introducing new thinking and action from within the UK's top boardrooms.
Her energies in promoting responsible business practice and the significant impact of the campaigns of Business in the Community led to her being listed by The Times as one of the 50 most influential women in Britain. She was appointed CBE in 1996, CVO in the New Year's Honours' list 2002 and DCVO in the Queen's Honours list in 2008. Under Dame Julia's leadership the collective activities of Business in the Community have expanded to impact across local communities, support positive environmental activity, promote diversity and best practice in the workplace and encourage ethical operations in the wider marketplace.
In her voluntary roles, Julia serves as chair of Teach First, whose mission is to address educational disadvantage by transforming exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders in all fields. She has recently been invited to join the National Council for Educational Excellence to lead a review for the Prime Minister on how education-business partnerships can contribute to educational excellence and is a member of the Prime Minister's Talent and Enterprise Taskforce Advisory Group. Julia is also a director of 'In Kind Direct', patron of both the Helena Kennedy Bursary Scheme and Volunteer Reading Help and an Ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund.
Prior to her work at Business in the Community, Dame Julia served as Director of The Industrial Society's Education and Inner City Division from 1981 – 1988, during which time The Industrial Society became the leading provider of management training for education and voluntary organizations. She started her career working in industrial relations for British Leyland.
Julia was married to the late John Garnett, director of the Industrial Society, and has two daughters.
Vice President, Business in the Community
Dame Julia Cleverdon is Vice President of Business in the Community, a unique movement of 800 companies across the UK committed to improving continually their positive impact on society. Dame Cleverdon was Chief Executive of Business in the Community for 16 years, from April 1992 – March 2008. During this period she has established a formidable reputation as a renowned leader and speaker on corporate responsibility and has personally been responsible for introducing new thinking and action from within the UK's top boardrooms.
Her energies in promoting responsible business practice and the significant impact of the campaigns of Business in the Community led to her being listed by The Times as one of the 50 most influential women in Britain. She was appointed CBE in 1996, CVO in the New Year's Honours' list 2002 and DCVO in the Queen's Honours list in 2008. Under Dame Julia's leadership the collective activities of Business in the Community have expanded to impact across local communities, support positive environmental activity, promote diversity and best practice in the workplace and encourage ethical operations in the wider marketplace.
In her voluntary roles, Julia serves as chair of Teach First, whose mission is to address educational disadvantage by transforming exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders in all fields. She has recently been invited to join the National Council for Educational Excellence to lead a review for the Prime Minister on how education-business partnerships can contribute to educational excellence and is a member of the Prime Minister's Talent and Enterprise Taskforce Advisory Group. Julia is also a director of 'In Kind Direct', patron of both the Helena Kennedy Bursary Scheme and Volunteer Reading Help and an Ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund.
Prior to her work at Business in the Community, Dame Julia served as Director of The Industrial Society's Education and Inner City Division from 1981 – 1988, during which time The Industrial Society became the leading provider of management training for education and voluntary organizations. She started her career working in industrial relations for British Leyland.
Julia was married to the late John Garnett, director of the Industrial Society, and has two daughters.
IAN DAVIS
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Ian Davis is Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company. In his 30 years with the firm, Ian has advised multinational organisations on a range of strategic, marketing and organisational issues.
From July 2003 until July 2009, Ian was the Worldwide Managing Director of McKinsey. Prior to July 2003, Ian was Managing Partner of McKinsey’s United Kingdom office, including the UK and affiliate offices in Ireland and the Middle East, and leader of McKinsey’s Consumer Industries practice in Europe.
Ian serves on a number of non-profit boards including the President’s Council of the University of Tokyo, the Advisory Board of the Clinton Global Initiative (for the Poverty Alleviation Working Group), the International Advisory Board of SOAS and the International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of Beijing.
Ian was educated at Balliol College, Oxford University, where he studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He is married and has two children.
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Ian Davis is Senior Partner of McKinsey & Company. In his 30 years with the firm, Ian has advised multinational organisations on a range of strategic, marketing and organisational issues.
From July 2003 until July 2009, Ian was the Worldwide Managing Director of McKinsey. Prior to July 2003, Ian was Managing Partner of McKinsey’s United Kingdom office, including the UK and affiliate offices in Ireland and the Middle East, and leader of McKinsey’s Consumer Industries practice in Europe.
Ian serves on a number of non-profit boards including the President’s Council of the University of Tokyo, the Advisory Board of the Clinton Global Initiative (for the Poverty Alleviation Working Group), the International Advisory Board of SOAS and the International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of Beijing.
Ian was educated at Balliol College, Oxford University, where he studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He is married and has two children.
MARK FULLER
Chairman & CEO, Monitor Group
Mark Fuller is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Monitor Group, a firm he co-founded in 1983. The Group currently competes in three different businesses: general management consulting, principal investing, and information services, including research and software solutions.
Since its foundation, Monitor has enjoyed significant growth; it currently employs over 2,000 staff in thirty offices located in more than twenty countries. As Chief Executive, Mark's responsibilities include oversight of overall Group strategy and human resource development. He also plays an active role in the development and management of a select number of client relationships, and leads Monitor's Middle East initiative and National Security and Economic Development practice.
Mark formerly served as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, where he taught courses in strategy formulation and implementation, as well as industry and competitive analysis. While a professor, Mark was Co-Director of Harvard's Project on the Auto Industry and the American Economy, and also served on the staff of Harvard's Project on Negotiation.
In addition to sitting on a variety of Monitor Group boards, Mark serves as a Governor of the Asian Institute of Management, a Foundation Member of the World Economic Forum, a Member of Harvard University's Major Gifts Steering Committee, a Member of the Board of Overseers' Committee on University Resources, a Member of the Advisory Board of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, as well as on the University's Task Forces on International Studies and Academic Resources. He is a Founding Member of the University's South Asia Center. Mark also serves as Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Profit, one of the world's leading social venture funds, and a Member of the International Board of SKOLKOVO (the new Moscow Business School). He was formally a Member of the Governor's Council on Economic Growth and Technology in Massachusetts, and was a Founding Director of the Center for Effective Philanthropy.
Mark has authored or co-authored more than 100 books, articles and teaching cases. His most recent book, Japan's Business Renaissance, was published in 2005. His speech on "Prosperity, Competitiveness and Moral Purpose" recently appeared in the Chinese Edition of the Harvard Business Review (December 2007).
Mark graduated from Harvard College where he received a BA degree in history with High Honors and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He later received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a JD from Harvard Law School with Honors.
Chairman & CEO, Monitor Group
Mark Fuller is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Monitor Group, a firm he co-founded in 1983. The Group currently competes in three different businesses: general management consulting, principal investing, and information services, including research and software solutions.
Since its foundation, Monitor has enjoyed significant growth; it currently employs over 2,000 staff in thirty offices located in more than twenty countries. As Chief Executive, Mark's responsibilities include oversight of overall Group strategy and human resource development. He also plays an active role in the development and management of a select number of client relationships, and leads Monitor's Middle East initiative and National Security and Economic Development practice.
Mark formerly served as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, where he taught courses in strategy formulation and implementation, as well as industry and competitive analysis. While a professor, Mark was Co-Director of Harvard's Project on the Auto Industry and the American Economy, and also served on the staff of Harvard's Project on Negotiation.
In addition to sitting on a variety of Monitor Group boards, Mark serves as a Governor of the Asian Institute of Management, a Foundation Member of the World Economic Forum, a Member of Harvard University's Major Gifts Steering Committee, a Member of the Board of Overseers' Committee on University Resources, a Member of the Advisory Board of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, as well as on the University's Task Forces on International Studies and Academic Resources. He is a Founding Member of the University's South Asia Center. Mark also serves as Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Profit, one of the world's leading social venture funds, and a Member of the International Board of SKOLKOVO (the new Moscow Business School). He was formally a Member of the Governor's Council on Economic Growth and Technology in Massachusetts, and was a Founding Director of the Center for Effective Philanthropy.
Mark has authored or co-authored more than 100 books, articles and teaching cases. His most recent book, Japan's Business Renaissance, was published in 2005. His speech on "Prosperity, Competitiveness and Moral Purpose" recently appeared in the Chinese Edition of the Harvard Business Review (December 2007).
Mark graduated from Harvard College where he received a BA degree in history with High Honors and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He later received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a JD from Harvard Law School with Honors.
WENDY KOPP
CEO & Co-Founder, Teach For All; CEO & Founder, Teach For America
Wendy Kopp proposed the creation of Teach For America in her undergraduate senior thesis in 1989 and has spent 20 years working to grow the organization’s impact. Today more than 7,000 Teach For America corps members are teaching in the United States’ neediest communities, reaching more than 450,000 students. They join nearly 17,000 Teach For America alumni who—still in their 20s and 30s—are already assuming significant leadership roles in education and social reform.
In 2007, Wendy Kopp co-founded Teach For All to support the development of Teach For America’s model in other countries. She is leading Teach For All’s effort to expand educational opportunity internationally by increasing and accelerating the impact of its members – independent social enterprises that enlist their nations’ most promising future leaders in addressing educational need.
Kopp was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2008 and is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards for public service. She is the author of the book One Day, All Children: The Unlikely Triumph of Teach For America and What I Learned Along the Way (Public Affairs, 2001).
Kopp holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and resides in New York City with her husband Richard Barth and their four children.
CEO & Co-Founder, Teach For All; CEO & Founder, Teach For America
Wendy Kopp proposed the creation of Teach For America in her undergraduate senior thesis in 1989 and has spent 20 years working to grow the organization’s impact. Today more than 7,000 Teach For America corps members are teaching in the United States’ neediest communities, reaching more than 450,000 students. They join nearly 17,000 Teach For America alumni who—still in their 20s and 30s—are already assuming significant leadership roles in education and social reform.
In 2007, Wendy Kopp co-founded Teach For All to support the development of Teach For America’s model in other countries. She is leading Teach For All’s effort to expand educational opportunity internationally by increasing and accelerating the impact of its members – independent social enterprises that enlist their nations’ most promising future leaders in addressing educational need.
Kopp was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2008 and is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards for public service. She is the author of the book One Day, All Children: The Unlikely Triumph of Teach For America and What I Learned Along the Way (Public Affairs, 2001).
Kopp holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and resides in New York City with her husband Richard Barth and their four children.
TOMÁS RECART
Executive Director, Enseña Chile
Tomás Recart obtained his professional degree in 2002 in Industrial Engineering, majoring in Transportation. Later he entered Harvard University (U.S.A.), where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration & International Development and was honoured with the “Raymond Vernon” award, granted to the student who best exemplifies the values of the program, for his commitment to international development as well as for his academic achievements and his future leadership potential.
Before entering Harvard, Tomás worked for “Puentes UC” (2002-2006), an organization that serves as a link for the interchange of knowledge and capabilities between the Universidad Católica and the municipalities. As a professional of this body, Recart was co-founder of “SinedUC”, the first data system that enables on-line control of the attendance, annotations and grades of students in public schools. In addition, he was the coordinator of “Parque Sur”, a 712-hectare urban project. In 2005, he became director of “Puentes UC”, until the year 2006. Recart worked as a teacher at the School of Architecture of the Universidad Católica from 2003 to 2006.
His enterprising spirit has led him to be a co-founder of several initiatives, such as the “One in Christ” movement. In 2006 Recart took part in the creation of “Opportunity for Transforming by Educating” (OPTE), an NGO whose mission is to contribute toward creating opportunities for the needy, through administration of the schools showing the worst student achievements, helping them to become schools of excellence.
In 2007, inspired by Teach For America, Recart, together with Universidad Católica engineers Verónica Cabezas, Susana Claro, Camila Campos and Claudio Seebach as well as with education psychologist Francisco Lagos and business administration licentiate Bárbara Agliati, gave life to “Enseña Chile”, a project without precedent in Latin America that seeks to transform young professionals from different areas into teachers of excellence for the pupils of the country’s most vulnerable schools. This project won the Endeavor Social Entrepreneurship award in 2008 as well as the “Sello Bicentenario 2009” award, given by the government to those initiatives that are contributing significantly to build the nation in its 200th Anniversary.
Recart, an avid sportsman, is keen on golf and rugby. He ran in the New York marathon in 2001 as well as in the Boston one in 2007. In 2002 he climbed the second highest mountain in Patagonia, the San Lorenzo, and four years later, together with his wife, he climbed the Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the entire American continent.
In 2004, Recart was recognized as one of Chile’s 100 most important young leaders, by the Saturday review of the newspaper “El Mercurio”.
Executive Director, Enseña Chile
Tomás Recart obtained his professional degree in 2002 in Industrial Engineering, majoring in Transportation. Later he entered Harvard University (U.S.A.), where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration & International Development and was honoured with the “Raymond Vernon” award, granted to the student who best exemplifies the values of the program, for his commitment to international development as well as for his academic achievements and his future leadership potential.
Before entering Harvard, Tomás worked for “Puentes UC” (2002-2006), an organization that serves as a link for the interchange of knowledge and capabilities between the Universidad Católica and the municipalities. As a professional of this body, Recart was co-founder of “SinedUC”, the first data system that enables on-line control of the attendance, annotations and grades of students in public schools. In addition, he was the coordinator of “Parque Sur”, a 712-hectare urban project. In 2005, he became director of “Puentes UC”, until the year 2006. Recart worked as a teacher at the School of Architecture of the Universidad Católica from 2003 to 2006.
His enterprising spirit has led him to be a co-founder of several initiatives, such as the “One in Christ” movement. In 2006 Recart took part in the creation of “Opportunity for Transforming by Educating” (OPTE), an NGO whose mission is to contribute toward creating opportunities for the needy, through administration of the schools showing the worst student achievements, helping them to become schools of excellence.
In 2007, inspired by Teach For America, Recart, together with Universidad Católica engineers Verónica Cabezas, Susana Claro, Camila Campos and Claudio Seebach as well as with education psychologist Francisco Lagos and business administration licentiate Bárbara Agliati, gave life to “Enseña Chile”, a project without precedent in Latin America that seeks to transform young professionals from different areas into teachers of excellence for the pupils of the country’s most vulnerable schools. This project won the Endeavor Social Entrepreneurship award in 2008 as well as the “Sello Bicentenario 2009” award, given by the government to those initiatives that are contributing significantly to build the nation in its 200th Anniversary.
Recart, an avid sportsman, is keen on golf and rugby. He ran in the New York marathon in 2001 as well as in the Boston one in 2007. In 2002 he climbed the second highest mountain in Patagonia, the San Lorenzo, and four years later, together with his wife, he climbed the Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the entire American continent.
In 2004, Recart was recognized as one of Chile’s 100 most important young leaders, by the Saturday review of the newspaper “El Mercurio”.
AMY L. ROBBINS
Executive Director, The Nduna Foundation
Amy Robbins serves as the Executive Director of The Nduna Foundation, her family foundation which focuses efforts and investments on improving the lives of children everywhere. In particular, with improved nutrition and food security; supporting those who work diligently to treat and eliminate pediatric HIV/AIDS in developing countries; supporting innovative education programs; on conservation and wildlife restoration efforts in the US and in Africa; and encouraging and empowering others to believe that improving this wonderful world is not only possible, but it is our privilege and gift to be able to do so. The Foundation provides advice and counsel, humanitarian aid and direct investment with select, chosen partners in its efforts.
Robbins, a dedicated philanthropist, businesswoman, and mother of four young sons, recently received Unicef's AudreyHepburn Humanitarian Award for her support and transformative leadership in countries such as Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, including Darfur, and Somalia. Robbins has not only provided humanitarian aid, but has co-invested with in-country business partners for local production of life-saving nutritional supplements. Additionally, Robbins co-founded the Mercury Fund for Emergency Response to provide Unicef with a readily accessible pool of dedicated resources in the critical early stages of humanitarian crises and emergencies.
Robbins was a Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Glenview Capital Management, a New York-based, multistrategy hedge fund until 2004. Prior to forming Glenview, Robbins spent 8 years with First Chicago/Bank One in Corporate Banking in their Chicago, New York and Hong Kong offices.
Robbins also serves on the Boards of Directors for the USFund for Unicef, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, KIPP Academy Charter Schools, and the newly-formed Teacher's Training Institute in partnership with Hunter College. Robbins is actively involved with the Robin Hood Foundation, The Acumen Fund, International Medical Corps, and The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, among others.
Executive Director, The Nduna Foundation
Amy Robbins serves as the Executive Director of The Nduna Foundation, her family foundation which focuses efforts and investments on improving the lives of children everywhere. In particular, with improved nutrition and food security; supporting those who work diligently to treat and eliminate pediatric HIV/AIDS in developing countries; supporting innovative education programs; on conservation and wildlife restoration efforts in the US and in Africa; and encouraging and empowering others to believe that improving this wonderful world is not only possible, but it is our privilege and gift to be able to do so. The Foundation provides advice and counsel, humanitarian aid and direct investment with select, chosen partners in its efforts.
Robbins, a dedicated philanthropist, businesswoman, and mother of four young sons, recently received Unicef's AudreyHepburn Humanitarian Award for her support and transformative leadership in countries such as Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, including Darfur, and Somalia. Robbins has not only provided humanitarian aid, but has co-invested with in-country business partners for local production of life-saving nutritional supplements. Additionally, Robbins co-founded the Mercury Fund for Emergency Response to provide Unicef with a readily accessible pool of dedicated resources in the critical early stages of humanitarian crises and emergencies.
Robbins was a Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Glenview Capital Management, a New York-based, multistrategy hedge fund until 2004. Prior to forming Glenview, Robbins spent 8 years with First Chicago/Bank One in Corporate Banking in their Chicago, New York and Hong Kong offices.
Robbins also serves on the Boards of Directors for the USFund for Unicef, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, KIPP Academy Charter Schools, and the newly-formed Teacher's Training Institute in partnership with Hunter College. Robbins is actively involved with the Robin Hood Foundation, The Acumen Fund, International Medical Corps, and The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, among others.
JOSEPH SAUNDERS
Chairman and CEO, Visa Inc.
Joseph W. Saunders was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa Inc. in May 2007 after having been designated Executive Chairman in February 2007. Prior to this role, he served Visa International as Executive Chairman of the transition governance committee and officially began serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa Inc. upon its formation in May 2007.
Prior to joining Visa International, he served as President of Card Services for Washington Mutual, Inc. since the acquisition of Providian Financial Corporation in October 2005. Mr. Saunders was President and Chief Executive Officer of Providian from November 2001, and Chairman of the board of directors from May 2002, until Washington Mutual’s acquisition of Providian in 2005. From 1997 until 2001 Mr. Saunders served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Credit Card Services FleetBoston Financial Corporation.
Mr. Saunders served as a member of the board of directors of Visa U.S.A. from October 2002 to February 2007 and Visa International from October 2005 to February 2007, when he resigned from the boards of directors of Visa U.S.A. and Visa International to take the Executive Chairman position of the Visa transition governance committee.
From 1993 to 1997, while Mr. Saunders was at Household Finance Corporation, he served as a member of the boards of directors of MasterCard International Inc. and MasterCard U.S.A., and was elected Chairman of MasterCard International’s board of directors in 1996.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from the University of Denver.
Chairman and CEO, Visa Inc.
Joseph W. Saunders was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa Inc. in May 2007 after having been designated Executive Chairman in February 2007. Prior to this role, he served Visa International as Executive Chairman of the transition governance committee and officially began serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa Inc. upon its formation in May 2007.
Prior to joining Visa International, he served as President of Card Services for Washington Mutual, Inc. since the acquisition of Providian Financial Corporation in October 2005. Mr. Saunders was President and Chief Executive Officer of Providian from November 2001, and Chairman of the board of directors from May 2002, until Washington Mutual’s acquisition of Providian in 2005. From 1997 until 2001 Mr. Saunders served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Credit Card Services FleetBoston Financial Corporation.
Mr. Saunders served as a member of the board of directors of Visa U.S.A. from October 2002 to February 2007 and Visa International from October 2005 to February 2007, when he resigned from the boards of directors of Visa U.S.A. and Visa International to take the Executive Chairman position of the Visa transition governance committee.
From 1993 to 1997, while Mr. Saunders was at Household Finance Corporation, he served as a member of the boards of directors of MasterCard International Inc. and MasterCard U.S.A., and was elected Chairman of MasterCard International’s board of directors in 1996.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from the University of Denver.
BRETT WIGDORTZ
Co-Founder, Teach For All; President, Synergies; CEO, Teach First
Brett Wigdortz has led Teach First since its launch in June 2002. Teach First is currently the 9th most prestigious graduate recruiter in the United Kingdom and operates in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham, and Sheffield. Brett wrote the original business plan for the charity while working as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and then took what was originally planned as a six-month leave of absence in February 2002 to develop and build support for the idea.
Before coming to London, his previous time at McKinsey was spent as a consultant in Indonesia, Singapore, and Manila — focusing on retail banking, organizational effectiveness, Islamic banking and Asian microfinance. Prior to McKinsey, Brett developed southeast Asia policy and business programs at the Asia Society in New York City. He has also worked as a journalist in Asia and as a researcher at the East-West Center in Honolulu, focusing on energy and economic development issues.
He is originally from New Jersey and has also lived in Virginia and Israel. He currently serves as a trustee of PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) and Governor of Wembley High Technology College in Brent, London. He is also a co-founder and a trustee of Teach For All, an organization created in partnership with Teach For America to help other countries start similar programs and create a global network of leaders dedicated to addressing educational disadvantage; and the president of Synergies, a group within Teach For All dedicated to fostering exchanges, sharing and collaboration among partnering participants, alumni and programs. He was recently named the 2007 UK Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year. Brett is married to Nicole with two small children, Noa and Gilad.
Co-Founder, Teach For All; President, Synergies; CEO, Teach First
Brett Wigdortz has led Teach First since its launch in June 2002. Teach First is currently the 9th most prestigious graduate recruiter in the United Kingdom and operates in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham, and Sheffield. Brett wrote the original business plan for the charity while working as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and then took what was originally planned as a six-month leave of absence in February 2002 to develop and build support for the idea.
Before coming to London, his previous time at McKinsey was spent as a consultant in Indonesia, Singapore, and Manila — focusing on retail banking, organizational effectiveness, Islamic banking and Asian microfinance. Prior to McKinsey, Brett developed southeast Asia policy and business programs at the Asia Society in New York City. He has also worked as a journalist in Asia and as a researcher at the East-West Center in Honolulu, focusing on energy and economic development issues.
He is originally from New Jersey and has also lived in Virginia and Israel. He currently serves as a trustee of PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) and Governor of Wembley High Technology College in Brent, London. He is also a co-founder and a trustee of Teach For All, an organization created in partnership with Teach For America to help other countries start similar programs and create a global network of leaders dedicated to addressing educational disadvantage; and the president of Synergies, a group within Teach For All dedicated to fostering exchanges, sharing and collaboration among partnering participants, alumni and programs. He was recently named the 2007 UK Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year. Brett is married to Nicole with two small children, Noa and Gilad.