Blake Lusty

Harvard Business School

“Raising two daughters, first-generation student, two-time cancer survivor, Navy veteran, and son to a single mother.”

Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida

Fun Fact About Yourself: Sailed across 25 Seas and 4 Oceans.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Naval Academy – B.S. in Political Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)– Special Assistant to the CNO

What makes the case method so attractive as a means to learn and become a better manager? The most satisfying moments in my naval career involved tough missions where I jumped into demanding scenarios, in ambiguous environments, and sharpened my decision-making often with limited time and information. The case method reminds of this experience, and I believe directly develops the most important element of a business leader – judgment.

Aside from your classmates and cases, what was the key part of Harvard Business School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The most attractive element of HBS’ MBA programming was joining a global community of students and professors who demonstrate a deep commitment to excellence and lifelong impact in the world. Having deployed across the world, I have seen first-hand the value of immersing yourself in new cultures and broadening your perspective through different lived experiences. I am inspired daily by my classmates who took such impact driven trajectories that led all of us to be a part of the Class of 2026.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Harvard Business School? HBS’ Armed Forces Alumni Association (AFAA) has created a smooth transition for me from the military to business school. I am honored to be a part of such a selfless community who shows a deep level of care and willingness to help and who provides endless amounts of support across career advice and networking. I am excited to be a part of the tight-knit veteran community.

When you think of Harvard Business School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Impact. Since day one on campus, I have been incredibly humbled to be a part of a community of students, faculty, and support staff who are so committed to excellence. The diversity of the community coming from all walks of life and the unique life paths traveled to arrive all share a similar trait – driving impact in their homes, communities, and industries.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Harvard Business School was the right program for you? Why? Harvard Business School had the perfect alignment of resources that were important to me in this phase of life: awesome on-campus daycare for my two children, incredible veteran support network, and joining a lifelong network of global business leaders and world-class professors.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In my last role in the U.S. Navy, I served as a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). I supported our Nation’s first female officer to lead the U.S. Navy, Admiral Franchetti. It was  a tremendous personal honor as the proud dad of two daughters. The CNO is the highest-ranking officer in the US Navy and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The CNO advises the President on naval operations and is responsible to Congress for the $250B budget to man, train, and equip the Navy.

My biggest career accomplishment was being instrumental in the creation and stand-up of the Navy-wide organization, named the Disruptive Capabilities Office (DCO), designed to rapidly acquire disruptive technology, and move capabilities from prototype to scale. This organization is game-changing in it helps the US Navy overcome the legacy military acquisition process to create organizational and resource changes to provide more sustainable solutions to address emerging threats facing our nation.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Entering HBS as a non-business background student can be daunting and overwhelming in a classroom environment where your grades are primarily driven by in-class participation. My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far is gaining the confidence to build, defend, and persuade my classmates with my financial models in my Finance class; persuade the class with my go-to market strategy in Marketing; and think deeply on big decisions as a business leader in LEAD (first-year leadership class).

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Harvard Business School’s MBA program? In building your application don’t fall trap to what you “think” the admissions committee is looking for an ideal candidate. The committee hasn’t met you. Don’t be afraid to show what you believe in and have the courage to be the example of what you value.

DON’T MISS: MEET HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2026