When the EMBA Class of 2006 was putting on their graduation robes, then-Director Jenny Lahman Villa mused aloud, “Did you know EMBA is the only graduate program without a leadership award?”
A week or so later, about half the class got together over a beer, and decided to start one. But when you have a program full of leaders, what would that even look like? Amy Richardson from the EMBA Class of 2006 shared some reflections on the origins of the EMBA Leadership Award.
“Because the EMBA program is for mid-career professionals, in relatively senior positions within their own organizations and communities, in theory everyone there is in a leadership role,” Richardson recalls. “We ended up creating a leadership award fashioned after our classmate Wayne Walker, an inspirational colleague and the most respected person in our class. We wanted it to reflect the notion of servant leadership, and dedication to the school and program. Not to recognize the smartest, most vocal or most charismatic person in the room, but a person who would go above and beyond to support classmates.”
They decided the recognition would take the form of a plaque, kept in the Dively building, and a $500 donation given to the charity of the recipient’s choice.
In the 15 years since, the award process has cruised on its own well-oiled momentum—even during a pandemic year. The selection committee usually meets in person to choose the recipient, working from class nomination letters, interviews with the nominees, and a bit of input from faculty. COVID meant the deliberations had to be held via Zoom, which in fact was easier for many people than traveling to Cleveland.
The process has changed a bit over the years. It’s become a tradition to have the previous year’s winner give the presentation speech, delivered with a champagne toast. The interviewing process has become more standardized, with all nominees asked the same four questions rather than being part of a freewheeling conversation with the alumni on the committee.
But one thing that hasn’t changed is the humility upon being honored that marks a true leader.
“It’s not uncommon for the person nominated to have nominated someone else, and we’ve had people say, ‘No, you should pay more attention to this person I nominated,’” Richardson says. One time, the nominee even withdrew during the interview, saying they were honored, but that others in the program demonstrated at least as much leadership as they did.
“Humility has been an interesting topic of discussion among the committee,” says Richardson, who has seen her share of leaders deflect the attention from themselves to recognize and inspire others. “Situations like that often argue even more in favor of the person who is being humble.”
This year’s EMBA Leadership Award recipient from the Class of 2021 is Shefali Mahesh. The tradition of recognizing servant leadership, dedication to the school and program, and one who goes above and above to support classmates continues.