Last year, the Harbus welcomed Harvard Law School graduate and seasoned attorney Kimberly Budd to her new role as Director of MBA Community Standards at HBS. Prior to HBS, she had served in Harvard University’s Office of the General Counsel, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Boston law firm Mintz Levin.
Budd is high energy and frequently on the go. We caught up with her to find out how she is settling in and what her goals are for the coming months.
Harbus: What was your first year like?
Kim Budd: Although it hasn’t quite yet been a full year, I almost feel like I have been here longer – but in a good way! I have been very busy getting to know how HBS works and getting a feel for what the student experience is like. I have also worked with the Conduct Review Board, which seems to work well in terms of handling issues of alleged student misconduct.
Harbus: Can you give us an update of the Leadership and Values Initiative (LVI)?
KB: I can tell you a little about the student-led portion of LVI. This fall, LVI co-sponsored the Dean’s Welcome which included remarks from alumna Marjorie Yang, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Esquel Group, the largest garment manufacturer in the world, and Brian Kreiter, (OA) who was selected by his peers to welcome the Class of 2006. Both spoke about the core values of integrity, personal accountability, and respect for others.
LVI also co-sponsored the Alumni Achievement Awards Forum, a panel case discussion hosted by Dean Clark and moderated by Professor Nitin Nohria. The panel included: D. Ronald Daniel (HBS ’54), Director and Former Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company, Inc.; Barbara Hackman Franklin (HBS ’64), President and CEO, Barbara Franklin Enterprises and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce; A.G. Lafley (HBS ’77) Chairman, President and Chief Executive, The Procter & Gamble Company; Minoru Makihara, (75th Advanced Management Program, 1977), Former Chairman, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Corporation; and Donald P. Nielson (HBS ’63), Chairman, TeachFirst, Inc. and former President of the Seattle School Board.
The student Leadership and Values Representatives (L&V Reps) have formed committees, including Distinguished Speakers and Leadership Development, and are planning additional activities in the coming months.
Harbus: Have you been able to meet many of the students?
KB: I had the opportunity to speak to each RC section briefly at the beginning of the semester during Dean Kester’s Section Lunches. I have met with the RC Section Presidents, Ed Reps and L&V Reps, and have also been meeting with students individually and in groups on an informal basis about what’s going on in and out of class.
Harbus: What are some of your goals and challenges this year?
KB: My goal and challenge is to help everyone in the HBS community keep Community Standards- that is-respect, honesty, integrity and personal accountability-on the top of everyone’s mind.
Harbus: What do you like best about your job?
KB: Definitely working with the students!
