Latest news with #HarvardClub
Zawya
22-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
NBK hosted Harvard Club of Kuwait members at the bank's headquarters
Al-Ablani: The visit embodies our belief in the importance of knowledge exchange with alumni of one of the most venerable universities in the world. NBK is constantly keen on developing human capital within its institutional partnerships. The visit is a valuable opportunity for the alumni to connect with the bank's leadership and exchange ideas on future challenges and opportunities. The alumni explored the Talent Management's programs that aim to develop national competencies. National Bank of Kuwait hosted the members of Harvard Club of Kuwait at the bank's headquarters and were received by Mr. Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer. The aim of the visit was to introduce the club members with clear visions of the bank's strategic focus on concepts like innovation, financial fraud awareness and its role in talent and leadership development in the banking sector. The visit consisted of a comprehensive program tailored to provide a rich and interactive experience for Harvard alumni, starting with a tour at NBK facilities in which they explored its latest technologies and strong infrastructure that supports its developed banking operations, followed by a specialized session presented by experts at NBK on financial fraud awareness and protection methods. Moreover, the Talent Management gave a detailed outlook of its programs that aim to develop and upskill future national talents so as they become capable of continuing NBK's longstanding success. This visit came as a valuable opportunity for Kuwait's Harvard alumni to directly interact and connect with NBK's leaderships, which enabled them to exchange ideas and gain perspective on the bank's future strategies and plans, in addition to exploring the best methods applied in the banking industry and building bridges and enriching their professional network. On this occasion, Mr. Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer commented: 'We are pleased to welcome the members of Harvard Club of Kuwait, as this visit embodies NBK's strong belief in the importance of exchanging knowledge with an elite group of Kuwaiti alumni of the most venerable universities in the world.' Al-Ablani added: 'This visit enriches the scope of discussions and brings new horizons for collaboration, as it enables Harvard alumni to closely explore the dynamics of the banking sector in Kuwait and understand the incorporation of innovation and technology in the day-to-day operations. Moreover, this visit is a valuable opportunity for the alumni to connect with NBK's leaderships and gain from their experiences, as well as exchange ideas about future opportunities and challenges.' In his statements, he also emphasized that NBK is constantly keen on developing human capital within its institutional partnerships, and it pays special attention to attract and upskill the best young national talents through comprehensive training programs as per its commitments towards society and professional development. In light of its belief in their effective role in society, Al-Ablani indicated that NBK often organizes annual activities and initiatives, especially in the field of education. It should be noted that Harvard Club of Kuwait is the official club that brings together Harvard alumni in Kuwait, and it operates under the umbrella of Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) for educational and social purposes. It aims to build relationships among Harvard alumni to help them flourish personally and professionally, provide a platform to exchange knowledge and experiences, encourage life-long learning, intellectual enrichment, professional growth, and social interaction through forums of continuing education and development, and collaborate with other entities within Kuwait for events and programs that serve the local community.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Star Mountain Capital Founder & CEO Brett Hickey Receives Corporate Social Responsibility Award from the Foreign Policy Association
This recognition highlights Brett Hickey's leadership, together with the Star Mountain Capital team, in financing and mentoring America's lower‑middle‑market businesses, the "Growth Engine of America." NEW YORK, June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Star Mountain Capital, LLC ("Star Mountain"), a specialized, employee‑owned private‑markets firm with over $4 billion in assets under management ("AUM"), is pleased to announce that its Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Brett Hickey, has been honored with the Corporate Social Responsibility Award by the Foreign Policy Association ("FPA") at its annual dinner held on June 5, 2025 at the Harvard Club of New York City. This year's event gathered leaders from business, academia and public service. Fellow honorees included Bob Sternfels (Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company), James Daunt (CEO, Barnes & Noble) and Pradeep K. Khosla (Chancellor, UC San Diego). "Tonight's recognition is about civic and social responsibility. The businesses we partner with are not just economic units; they are the fabric of American communities. When they thrive, entire families and neighborhoods benefit," said Brett Hickey during his acceptance remarks. Peter Scaturro, Director of the Foreign Policy Association and a Senior Advisor to Star Mountain, added, "Brett has channeled his competitive athletic drive, coupled with his small-town culture of caring for his community, to build an investment platform that strengthens small businesses and the neighborhoods they call home. His leadership exemplifies corporate citizenship at its finest." About the Foreign Policy Association Founded in 1918, the FPA is a non‑partisan organization dedicated to inspiring public interest and informed opinion about U.S. foreign policy and global issues. Through its programs and publications, the Association engages citizens and leaders alike in the foreign‑policy process. About Star Mountain Capital With over $4 billion in AUM (committed capital including debt facilities as of 5/31/2025), Star Mountain specializes in providing scalable and data-driven investment solutions across two core strategies: Direct Investments: Providing debt and equity capital to established lower middle-market businesses. Secondary Investments: Acquiring LP interests, direct assets, and making primary LP commitments. Star Mountain's investors include public and private pensions, insurance companies, commercial banks, endowments, foundations, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. Employee-owned and sharing profits with 100% of its U.S. full-time employees, the firm prioritizes alignment of interests to maximize value for stakeholders. Since 2010, Star Mountain has completed over 300 direct investments and 50 secondary/fund investments in the North American lower middle-market. The firm has been recognized as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies and a Best Place to Work by Crain's New York Business and Pensions & Investments. For more information, visit Legal Disclaimer: This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase interests in any investment product. Awards and recognitions by third-party rating agencies, companies, or publications should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results or performance. They should not be considered as an endorsement, recommendation, or referral of Star Mountain Capital or its representatives by any client or third party. Rankings published by media and industry organizations are based on information provided by the recognized advisor. Additionally, readers should understand that past performance is not indicative of future results. Award descriptions and selection methodologies may vary. Awards and Recognition Disclosure: Star Mountain Capital's awards and recognitions are based on third-party evaluations and criteria, which may be subjective. These honors do not imply a guarantee of future performance or an endorsement by current or past clients. Ranking Methodologies: Crain's Best Places to Work: Evaluations were conducted through a two-part process, assessing workplace policies, practices, and employee satisfaction via surveys. Participation required a fee solely for survey processing purposes. More details are available at Crain's eligibility criteria. Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work: Companies were evaluated based on surveys measuring employee engagement (75%) and employer policies (25%). Participation required a minimum of 20 U.S. employees and $100 million in discretionary assets under management. Further details can be found at P&I eligibility criteria. Inc. 5000 Rankings: Companies were ranked based on revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, firms had to be U.S.-based, privately held, and independent, with revenue thresholds of at least $100,000 in 2019 and $2 million in 2022. More details are available at Inc. 5000 criteria. FPA Awards Process: The FPA is a not-for-profit organization and recognizes individuals for accomplishments in the field of foreign policy. There is no compensation paid in connection therewith. More information about past recipients is available on FPA's website. View source version on Contacts John Polis – Media@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Straits Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Harvard to relinquish slave photos to resolve descendant's lawsuit
FILE PHOTO: A man uses his phone to take video of Tamara Lanier speak to the media about a lawsuit accusing Harvard University of the monetization of photographic images of her great-great-great grandfather, an enslaved African man named Renty, and his daughter, Delia outside of the Harvard Club in New York, U.S., March 20, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Tamara Lanier listens as her lawyer speaks to the media about a lawsuit accusing Harvard University of the monetization of photographic images of her great-great-great grandfather, an enslaved African man named Renty, and his daughter Delia, outside of the Harvard Club in New York, U.S., March 20, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo BOSTON - Harvard University has agreed to give up ownership of photos of an enslaved father and his daughter who were forced to be photographed in 1850 for a racist study by a professor trying to prove the inferiority of Black people to resolve a lawsuit by one of their descendants. The settlement was announced on Wednesday by the legal team representing Tamara Lanier, who had waged a six-year legal battle over what she alleged was its wrongful claim of ownership over photos that were taken without her ancestors' consent. The photos will not go to Lanier as part of the settlement, but instead will be turned over along with pictures of five other enslaved people to the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina. "Harvard played a role in the darkest chapter in American history," Lanier said in a statement. "This is a small step in the right direction towards fully acknowledging that history and working to rectify it." Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Harvard said it had long been eager to place the photos with another public institution "to put them in the appropriate context and increase access to them for all Americans." "This settlement now allows us to move forward towards that goal," the school said. The settlement comes as Harvard fights in court against efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to terminate billions of dollars in grant funding and end its ability to enroll foreign students. The lawsuit concerned images depicting Renty Taylor and his daughter Delia, slaves on a South Carolina plantation who were forced to disrobe for photos taken for a racist study by Harvard Professor Louis Agassiz. The photos were being kept at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology on Harvard's campus when Lanier sued in 2019. A judge in Massachusetts initially dismissed the case. But the state's highest court revived it in 2022, saying she had plausibly alleged Harvard was negligent and recklessly caused her to suffer emotional distress. Justice Scott Kafker, writing for the court, said Harvard "cavalierly" dismissed Lanier's claims of an ancestral link and disregarded her requests for information about how it was using the pictures, including when the school used Renty Taylor's image on a book cover. He called the pictures' creation "horrific" and said Harvard had "responsibilities to the descendants of the individuals coerced into having their half-naked images captured in the daguerreotypes." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Toronto Sun
28-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
After a 15-year battle, Harvard agrees in settlement to relinquish early photos of slaves
Published May 28, 2025 • 4 minute read Tamara Lanier attends a news conference near the Harvard Club, on March 20, 2019, in New York. Photo by Frank Franklin II / AP BOSTON — Harvard University will relinquish 175-year-old photographs believed to be the earliest taken of enslaved people to a South Carolina museum devoted to African American history as part of a settlement with one of the subjects' descendants. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The photos of the subjects identified by Tamara Lanier as her great-great-great-grandfather Renty, whom she calls 'Papa Renty,' and his daughter Delia will be transferred from the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to the International African American Museum in South Carolina, the state where they were enslaved in 1850 when the photos were taken, a lawyer for Lanier said Wednesday. The settlement marks the end of a 15-year battle between Lanier and the nation's most elite university to release the 19th-century 'daguerreotypes,' a precursor to modern-day photographs. Lanier's attorney Joshua Koskoff told The Associated Press that the resolution is an 'unprecedented' victory for descendants of those enslaved in the U.S. and praised his client's yearslong determination in pursuing justice for her ancestors. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I think it's one of one in American history, because of the combination of unlikely features: to have a case that dates back 175 years, to win control over images dating back that long of enslaved people — that's never happened before,' Koskoff said in a phone interview. The AP sent an email seeking comment from Harvard. A complex history Lanier, who lives in Connecticut, sued the Ivy League institution in 2019 for 'wrongful seizure, possession and expropriation' of the images of Renty, Delia and five other enslaved individuals. The suit attacked Harvard for its 'exploitation' of Renty's image at a 2017 conference and in other uses. It said Harvard has capitalized on the photos by demanding a 'hefty' licensing fee to reproduce the images. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The daguerreotypes were commissioned by Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz, whose theories on racial difference were used to support slavery in the U.S. The lawsuit says Agassiz came across Renty and Delia while touring plantations in search of racially 'pure' slaves born in Africa. To create the images, both Renty and Delia were posed shirtless and photographed from several angles. 'To Agassiz, Renty and Delia were nothing more than research specimens,' the suit says. 'The violence of compelling them to participate in a degrading exercise designed to prove their own subhuman status would not have occurred to him, let alone mattered.' In 2022, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in Lanier's favour and reaffirmed the merits of Lanier's lawsuit against Harvard after a lower court judge ruled she had no legal claim to the images. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The state's highest court recognized 'Harvard's complicity in the horrific actions surrounding the creation of the daguerreotypes,' saying that 'Harvard's present obligations cannot be divorced from its past abuses.' A new home for Renty and Delia In a statement Wednesday, CEO of the International African American Museum Dr. Tonya M. Matthews called Harvard's relinquishing of the images a moment '175 years in the making.' 'The bravery, tenacity, and grace shown by Ms. Lanier throughout the long and arduous process of returning these critical pieces of Renty and Delia's story to South Carolina is a model for us all,' she said. The South Carolina museum has committed to working with Lanier and including her in decisions about how the story of the images will be told. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's not an improvement just to move them from one closet in a mighty institution to another. And so really, the real importance of this is to allow these images to breathe, to allow the story — the full story — to be told not by a conflicted player in the story, which Harvard was from the beginning,' Koskoff said. The attorney said 'everybody has the right to tell the story of their own families.' 'That's the least, most basic right we might have,' he said. 'To be able to tell the story of her family with a museum that will allow her to tell it — I mean, you can't do any better than that.' In Lanier's lawsuit, she asked for Harvard to acknowledge its complicity in slavery, listen to Lanier's oral family history and pay an unspecified sum in damages. An undisclosed financial settlement was part of the resolution with Harvard announced Wednesday, but Koskoff said Harvard still hasn't publicly acknowledged Lanier's connection to them or its connection to perpetuating slavery in the U.S., Koskoff said. 'That is just left unanswered by Harvard,' he said. He said Lanier isn't expecting or waiting to hear from the institution, but that the settlement speaks for itself. 'In the end, the truth will find you — you can you can only hide from it for so long,' he said. 'Yes, history is written by the winners. But over time, you know, those winners look like losers sometimes.' Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs News Canada
The National
28-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Emirati Harvard alumni criticise Trump plan to block overseas students
Harvard's Emirati graduates have denounced the Trump administration's plan to bar foreign students from attending the Ivy League university as 'deeply misguided and counterproductive' and say it would damage the US economy. The White House move would force international students enrolled at the university to transfer to a different institution or lose their legal status, the Department of Homeland Security said last week. A US federal judge on Friday blocked the government's effort to remove Harvard's right to enrol international students, with another hearing set for Thursday in Boston. The Trump administration says Harvard has not done enough to fight anti-Semitism and change its admissions practices – allegations the university has strongly denied. Harvard said the proposed ban is a 'blatant violation' of the law and free speech rights. Emiratis who studied at Harvard have spoken out against the decision, which would stop thousands of overseas students from pursuing their academic dreams. 'He isn't harming anyone but the USA,' Bader Alawadhi, who attended Harvard Business School and is a member of the Harvard Club of the UAE, told The National. 'What this administration doesn't understand is that they are trying to arm twist an institution that was in existence long before the idea of a United States even existed. 'Reliant on immigrant talent' 'The idea of hurting Harvard will end up hurting an economy that heavily relies on immigrant talent coming to the country,' he added. 'Harvard has seen so much change on the North American continent, not least revolution, the abolition of slavery and civil war. Trump will be seen as a minor issue in the long arc of time. 'This madness should stop, or we will see less innovation.' Harvard has a significant foreign student population. Data shows that 6,793 international students make up 27.2 per cent of its enrolment in the 2024-25 academic year. There are currently 14 Emirati students and scholars on the university's books, according to statistics on its website. Students left in limbo 'As a Harvard Kennedy School graduate, I strongly believe that any ban on international students studying at institutions like Harvard is deeply misguided and counterproductive,' Muhra Almuhairi, who earned a master's degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School in 2021, told The National. 'Such a ban would harm both international and domestic students alike.' Ms Almuhairi, 50, continues to mentor Emirati students at the university. She said she knew of five Emiratis directly affected by the policy shift: four in the one-year master's programme and one in the two-year master's course in public administration. 'The four students have a week to graduate,' she said. 'But it is Sara, who is enrolled in the two-year programme, whose future is undecided. 'We are confident that Harvard will win the case because such a move doesn't just affect individuals, but the entire dynamic of what Harvard is all about,' Ms Almuhairi said she recently applied for a researcher's post at the Harvard Kennedy School but has yet to receive a response. She warned that restricting student visas undermines America's global standing and its power to bring about change. 'Education is one of the most powerful tools of diplomacy. Many international students return to their countries with a deep appreciation for American values and institutions. That goodwill is irreplaceable – and banning them creates resentment, not respect.' 'Whether in health care, climate, or AI governance, students at institutions like Harvard are developing cross-border solutions. Denying access denies humanity the brainpower it urgently needs,' she said. Students look elsewhere Varun Jain, chief executive of UAE education consultancy firm UniHawk, told The National the decision has affected the perception that the US is the 'place where people build their dreams, especially through education'. 'Europe and Australia are becoming increasingly popular among international and expatriate students,' he said. 'Families are actively seeking backup plans outside the US due to increased uncertainty.' Mr Jain said Washington's move has pushed parents to 'explore and prioritise alternatives more seriously than before'. To those considering their own applications, his advice is to 'stay as informed and flexible' as possible. 'Students have to watch the proceedings to see how it affects each individual case. There's not much else to do but observe and monitor,' he added. Fewer Emirati students were already applying to study in the US, said one education expert in the UAE, and recent developments were unlikely to reverse that. 'Over the past few years, approximately 11 per cent of Gems Education graduates have enrolled into a US higher education institution, with students attracted to the reputation of these institutions,' said Christopher Goodbourn, director of the Gems for Life programme to help students advance into third-level education. 'However, interest has been declining due to questions around programme return on investment, post-study employment paths and government policy.' Students and families were increasingly prioritising stability, affordability and long-term opportunity – factors that were becoming harder to guarantee in the US, he added. 'While interest in US universities remains steady, we're seeing more students applying to institutions in the UAE, and Europe – keeping their options open until they feel confident in the long-term value and security of their choice.' What sparked standoff? US President Donald Trump is furious with Harvard – which has produced 162 Nobel Prize winners – for rejecting his demand that it submit to oversight on admissions and hiring, and his claims that it is a hotbed of anti-Semitism and 'woke' liberal ideology. Harvard is the wealthiest US university, with an endowment valued at $53.2 billion in 2024. However, the absence of foreign students would affect the institution, where it can cost nearly $100,000 a year to study. The Trump administration has also moved to revoke visas and deport foreign students involved in protests against the war in Gaza, accusing them of supporting Palestinian militant group Hamas. In the fight with Harvard, the US government has threatened to put $9 billion of funding under review, then froze a first tranche of $2.2 billion of grants and $60 million of official contracts. It has also marked a Harvard Medical School researcher for deportation. Ivy League universities – in pictures
