Business Leadership Masterclass sees great first year

Thayer Academy recently wrapped up its inaugural Business Leadership Masterclass that brought CEOs, industry leaders, and insightful business school academics to campus. 

Led by Scholar in Residence Derek Hayden P ‘15, ‘18, a career investment professional and current CIO of Jam Investment Management, the 12-week course met Tuesday evenings during the winter and spring. It introduced approximately 40 Upper School students to core business topics such as the principles of effective management, technology (including AI and cybersecurity), marketing and branding, and ethical leadership. 

The master class actually kicked off Feb. 4 with a Thayer Global Speaker Series event held in Southworth Library. There, a distinguished panel offered an informative and spirited roundtable discussion on the rapidly changing corporate landscape and the skills needed to thrive in such an environment. Kelley Tuthill ‘88, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Boston and a former news anchor and reporter at WCVB-TV in Boston, served as moderator for the event, which included the following panelists: Abraham Ceesay P ‘27, CEO of Rapport Therapeutics and a Thayer trustee; retired Vice Admiral Michael Connor ‘76, founder, chairman, and CEO of ThayerMahan; Guy Daniello P ‘22, ‘26, founder and CEO of Peloton Consulting Group and a Thayer trustee; Jay Hooley P ‘06, ‘08, ‘13, ‘16, former chair of the board and CEO of State Street Corporation; Rachelle Jacques P ‘26, biotech executive and independent board director; and Siobhan O’Mahony P ‘28, ‘28, Feld Family Professor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Management & Organization at the Boston University Questrom School of Business.

The class included several guest presenters who each week shared their areas of expertise with students. In addition to Hooley, Daniello, O’Mahony, and Jacques, guest presenters included: Rachel Card P ‘27, ‘29, a Thayer trustee who currently leads the tech firm CxC Dev.; Peter Dawoud, PhD, principal program manager at Microsoft.; Sanjay Putrevu, PhD, dean of business at Bentley University; Rob McGee ‘89 P ‘27, owner of the McGee Automotive Family, a car dealership and service business; Chris O’Connell, a longtime corporate executive and former chairman and CEO of Waters Corporation; and Liz Joyce P ‘27, ‘30, PhD, executive vice president and chief information security officer at State Street as well as an incoming Thayer trustee. 

Daniello and his wife Sue made the Business Leadership Masterclass possible by generously funding the pilot for the innovative program. The new course dovetails with the Academy’s existing business offerings, including a multiyear entrepreneurship program, a stock portfolio simulation program, and financial literacy classes.