The Faces & the Hopes of Harvard Business School’s Class of 2011
by John A. Byrne
“I remember the moment when the country I was born in ceased to exist. A 7-year-old Soviet kid, I clearly recall the unusual heaviness of the air. I will go back to Russia. I will work for dinosaur state-controlled companies, and use everything I have learned to set an example,” says Olga Sokolova, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“I will use my voice with care. I will speak up and speak honestly. I will ask questions that disrupt the status quo,” says Dominique Baillet, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“I never saw the rocket-propelled grenade that was meant to kill me that morning. I just heard it scream over my head…I want to earn my second chance at life by building and leading organizations that fulfill the commitment to serve, support, and strengthen this generation of America’s Wounded Warriors,” says Mike Lynch, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“Growing up Ethiopian in America I was suspended between realities. With every new business challenge I will enable people to connect and better understand one another,” says Alpha Mengistu, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“Being a music fan defines me. I’ve been to more concerts than Harvard Business School classes. I plan to emulate the musicians I admire. I’m gonna rock,” says Emily Kramer, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“Africa’s sufferings and celebrations are a thief that has stolen my heart. The cries and smiles of the poor in Sub-Saharan Africa pulse through my veins and cause my heart to beat,” says Joel Bryce, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“I want to give aspiring entrepreneurs the skills and courage to try and to fail, to learn from their failures and to emerge stronger, empowered to build lasting endeavors that contribute positively to their communities,” says Laila Kassis, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“My 11-year-old brother fought the darkness of cancer with his life – through his bright spirit and radiant attitude. I want to change lives through that same light. To inspire hope where there is none,” says Michael Lage, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“Like lots of MBAs, I pretty piously followed a traditional metric of success. Then my sister got sick. Really sick. My metric has changed and the lesson didn’t come cheaply,” says Jacquie Sandberg, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell from the Harvard Portrait Project)
“The American Dream is but a mirage to millions of minority students, and this is not for a lack of will, intelligence or courage. This is a civil injustice, pure and simple, and I will devote my life to fighting it,” says Ben Schumacher, of Harvard’s Class of 2011. (Photo courtesy of Tony Deifell)
"I will measure success not my the commas in my salary, but by how carefree my children describe their childhood. I will not let what I do for a living define who I am as a person," says Cara McDonough of Harvard's Class of 2011.
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