We’re thrilled to announce that Robert S. Kaplan, former Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Harvard Business School and former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, has joined the board of The Holdsworth Center.
As an advocate for public education, a philanthropist, businessperson and a leadership expert who’s authored three books on the subject, Kaplan’s passions and expertise are a great fit for Holdsworth’s work of growing stronger leaders for Texas public schools.
“Leadership is a key part of the education ecosystem and strengthening it is crucial,” Kaplan said. “The Holdsworth approach makes enormous sense.”
Kaplan received his secondary education at public schools in Kansas. He went on to attend the University of Kansas for undergraduate, and later Harvard Business School for his MBA. From these experiences he learned the vital importance of being educated in an environment that is truly conducive to learning, which allows students to shine and reach their full potential.
During his business and professional career at Goldman Sachs, he learned to appreciate the critical role of leaders in designing workplaces that allowed employees to shine in the same way.
In the corporate world, he worked with leaders who placed great value in optimizing key elements of the environment and culture that allowed employees to reach their full potential.
In Holdsworth, he sees opportunity for public education leaders – especially principals – to strengthen their leadership skills and create the conditions in schools that maximize student success.
Investing in the professionals leading and designing our public education systems – from the teacher in the classroom to the superintendent in central office – is a powerful way to help schools get better, Kaplan said.
“In any great organization, priority one, two and three is human capital. It’s the most important asset you have,” Kaplan said.
The stakes have never been higher for success. A prosperous economy depends upon a skilled and prepared workforce, he said.
“We have a big challenge in Texas to improve the quality of the education, particularly for the fastest-growing demographic groups. If people ask me, ‘If you had an extra dollar where should it go?’ It should go to education.”
To read more about Kaplan’s background and diverse board service, visit our board page.
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