Spotlighting alumni who have helped create a legacy of impact.
written by Amara Holstein
Front Image: Courtesy of the subjects | Back image: GSB Archives
In recognition of alumni making a difference in people’s lives — whether creating ripples of change in their communities or working globally to help others — GSB Alumni Relations asked the alumni community to nominate their peers for Alumni Catalyst awards.
Here we spotlight 10 awardees, all of whom embody the Stanford GSB mission to change lives, change organizations, and change the world.
In August 2015, a massive tree branch fell on 14-year-old Dragon Kim’s tent as he slept in Yosemite National Park, killing him and his friend Justin Lee. Kim’s mother, Grace Tsai, honored her son’s musical passions by co-founding the Dragon Kim Foundation to bring music education to underserved children. Tsai “utilizes her marketing experience to promote the organization and establish relationships with funders, volunteers, and supporters,” her MBA nominators note. The foundation teaches over 200 children a year throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties, gives college scholarships, and hosts a social entrepreneurship program for teens.
Jake Harriman, MBA ’08
Jake Harriman served seven and a half years as a decorated Marine Corps platoon commander. He left the service in 2005 with a belief that the war on terror “wouldn’t be won on the battlefield alone; the contributing causes of terrorism — disenfranchisement, lack of education, and extreme poverty — must also be eradicated,” says Owen West, MBA ’98.
Nuru International, which Harriman started while at Stanford GSB, teaches local leaders in seven African countries about poverty-fighting solutions for their communities. More recently, he founded + More Perfect Union, a nonprofit that connects people across party lines through service and civic engagement.
Kien Pham, MBA ’85
At 19, Kien Pham came to the U.S. as a refugee from Vietnam. After becoming a Fortune 500 executive and entrepreneur and working in the White House, Pentagon, and U.S. Senate, he has “helped transform thousands of individual lives in Vietnam,” Walt Spevak, MBA ’85, says. Drawing on his business and government expertise, Pham co-founded The Vietnam Foundation in 2008. The nonprofit offers open-source educational resources and scholarships to visually impaired students with a goal to help millions of students across Vietnam.
Jason Mayden, MS ’11
Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Jason Mayden modeled himself after comic book character Dr. Lucius Fox, a Black engineer, designer, and CEO. Now, Mayden is a prolific designer, author, and entrepreneur himself. He’s the co-founder of Super Heroic, a kids footwear brand, and Trillicon Valley, a design and strategy consultancy. Currently chief design officer at Nike’s Jordan Brand — and having created shoes for athletes such as Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter — Mayden “exemplifies the style of leadership that lifts people up, inspires courage and creativity, and creates a sense of limitless possibilities,” says Alan Chiu, MS ’11.
Peter Georgescu, MBA ’63
Peter Georgescu immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager after five years doing hard labor as a political hostage in Romania. He then had a successful 40-year career in advertising, including as chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam. As Ed Zschau and Randy Moore, both MBA ’63, say, “Although his life story and his business career… are impressive and inspiring, it is Peter’s effective leadership and contributions to positive business values and better education that are most compelling.” Georgescu now promotes income equality through corporate responsibility — writing books and articles and speaking widely on the topic.
Annabelle Williams, SEP ’19
A five-time world record holder in swimming, stunt woman for Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road, and a gold medalist at the 2012 London Paralympics, Annabelle Williams has always defied expectations. Born without a left hand and forearm, she has been an M&A attorney and in-house counsel for the Australian Olympic Committee; a sports broadcaster for the Paralympics, Olympics, and Commonwealth Games; and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. Now, as a motivational speaker, Williams focuses on helping others reach their goals. As Suzannah Toop, SEP ’24, says, “Annabelle’s optimism, resilience, and determination inspire everyone around her.”
Colin Dwyer, MBA ’05
Founder of the Overdose Crisis Response Fund, Colin Dwyer helps people impacted by the opioid crisis. In recovery since 2009, Dwyer has over 20 years’ experience as a community leader and strategic advisor to nonprofits, and he’s been a Stanford GSB social entrepreneur in residence. OCRF’s goal is to save lives by financing distribution of the anti-overdose drug naloxone; over 100,000 incremental doses have been given through community partners across at least 14 states since 2018. “He has done all the above on a shoestring budget and with incredible personal discipline and commitment,” write Lina Bankert and Fred Gaume, both MBA ’05.
Garen Staglin, MBA ’68
After his son, Brandon, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, Garen Staglin became a mental health advocate. In 1995, he co-founded One Mind, a nonprofit committed to funding mental health science research and capacity-building initiatives. Its annual music festival has raised over $580 million. The organization supports a breadth of research and educational programs; most recently, One Mind created an accelerator program for early-stage mental health startups. Staglin’s contributions “will have an impact for literally centuries,” says Gordon Starr, MBA ’68.
Susan Akbarpour, MS ’10
Susan Akbarpour started her career as an investigative journalist in Iran almost 30 years ago. Passionate about women’s empowerment and public media, she’s served on the boards of nonprofits and tech companies, advocating for more balanced and diverse leadership. An entrepreneur and philanthropist, she’s also a managing partner at Candou Ventures, an early-stage investment fund that focuses on innovative startups. Her nominator, an MBA alum, described her as an influential figure in the business and technology communities, “owing to her extensive experience, diverse expertise, and genuine commitment to empowering others.”
Jim Collins, MBA ’83
Jim Collins’ professional path has centered around studying excellence and illuminating what makes some companies stand out. He started his research and instructional career teaching courses in small business and entrepreneurship at Stanford GSB — he won the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992 — before starting his own research company in 1995. Grounded in quantitative analysis and in-depth research, his books have become bestsellers, with a reach that speaks to people from all disciplines. As Charles Schott, MBA ’83, says of Good to Great, “A slimmed-down version of his book was written for the education and nonprofit sectors and was transformative.”
