Business & Community Leadership Dinner | Leadership Pillar of HBS Association of Boston

Coming Soon:

3rd Annual Business & Community Leadership Dinner

Connecting Leaders Who Make a Difference in the World

Save the Date:

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Harvard Club of Boston, Back Bay

2019 Event Highlights

2019 Entrepreneurship Pillar
Video Overview

2019 Business & Community Leader of the Year Tribute Video

Photo Gallery

(High resolution photographs are available for download at SmugMug)

2019 Sponsors

Thank You to Our 2019 Corporate Supporters
for an Inspirational Evening

David Heath

CEO, Bombas

David Heath is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bombas. Prior to the launch in 2013, David dedicated two years to rigorous product testing and refinement to create the best performing and most comfortable sock available, while staying true to their mission of helping those in need.

David holds a BA from Babson College with majors in Marketing, Management, and Entrepreneurship. Previously, he led business development as one of the founding employees at UrbanDaddy followed by joining the new media acquisitions and strategy team at Yucaipa Companies. As a true serial entrepreneur, David has founded three companies, with one successful exit, and has invested and consulted on a range of start-up businesses from concept, through launch and continued growth.

David has been featured on ABC’s Shark Tank, NBC TODAY Show, CBS This Morning, ABC Good Morning America, Bloomberg TV and in The New York Times, and was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017.

Douglas Prothero

CEO, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Douglas Prothero is the Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Mr. Prothero was educated in Maritime Studies and has been a ship master since 1989. He has over 35 years of professional experience in the marine industry, including running all facets of maritime businesses involving both commercial vessels and private yachts.

An experienced entrepreneur, Mr. Prothero has founded numerous enterprises with lead responsibility for product development, ship design, construction and marine operations. Mr. Prothero established an extensive professional network through his work advising financing sources and ship owners while Partner at a boutique investment bank.

Until recently he served as Chairman of the Nobel nominated organization Sail Training International and their for-profit trading companies. The position involved significant industry relations with the International Maritime Organization, Nautical Institute, the International Chamber of Shipping and ports worldwide.

John Stephans

CEO, Avedis Zildjian Company

John joined Zildjian in 2017 and is responsible for the overall strategic direction and performance of the company’s worldwide operations.

The Zildjian Company has been synonymous with setting the standard for the development and manufacture of high performance musical instruments since 1623.

As the world’s leading maker of cymbals, drum sticks and percussion mallets, Zildjian products are sold across the globe, under the Zildjian, Vic Firth and Balter brands, and are the standard to which all other cymbals, drumsticks and mallets are measured. From the beginner to the world’s greatest rock stars, jazz performers and concert percussionists, amateurs and pros alike chose Zildjian products to allow them to experience and share the joy of music.

Zildjian Company he world’s largest producer of cymbals and drumsticks and the oldest family business in the United States. Founded in 1623, the company is currently owned by the 14^thand 15^th generations of Zildjian family.

In addition, John works closely with the Zildjian family to ensure alignment of the company’s goals with that of ownership. Under John’s leadership the company fully integrated operations from its acquisition of the Vic Firth Company, strengthened its leadership team and has driven increased new product activity which has resulted in the company exceeding current industry growth trends.

Prior to joining Zildjian, John was CEO of IdeaPaint, the inventor of the dry erase paint category, where he and his team reversed negative sales trends to grow the business over 50%. Prior to IdeaPaint, John held senior management positions at Ocean Spray and at Gillette. Prior to embarking on a business career, John spent time on athletic fields across the northeast as college lacrosse coach.

John received his BA from Clark University and his MBA from Babson College. He lives in eastern Massachusetts with his wife Kate and two boys.

David Kahan

CEO, Birkenstock Americas

Kahan joined Birkenstock in 2013 and has led the resurgence of the brand in the U.S. market. The U.S. business has grown 10x under his management and Birkenstock was named Brand of the Year by Footwear News in 2013 and 2017 and Company of the year by the AAFA in 2019. He is responsible for all business operations throughout the Americas region.

Kahan brings over 25 years of experience in the footwear industry to Birkenstock. He began his career on the shoe floor at Macy’s and became the department store’s first ever Athletic Footwear Buyer. He then spent 12 years at Nike and rose in their sales organization eventually managing the Strategic Accounts group.

After Nike, Kahan became Head of North America at Reebok and was part of the management group that led Reebok to be acquired by Adidas.

He has also held senior leadership roles at Fila and Rockport. Prior to joining Birkenstock, he served as President of the footwear division for ENK International – a leader in fashion events and trade shows.

John Burns

CEO, TB12

John currently serves as CEO of TB12, Tom Brady’s performance lifestyle brand.

He has enjoyed a successful career in executive leadership and venture capital. His experience spans 20+ years, the majority of which has been in the consumer sector. With a strong passion for entrepreneurship, John has served as CEO of four emerging consumer brands.

While his business ventures span the consumer sector, John has a particular interest in health, wellness, sports and fitness. He currently serves on the Boards of TB12, Spartan Race, Oath Pizza, EverybodyFights, and Grillos Pickles.

John received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his M.B.A. from Babson college.