Summer 2021

From the President: The Era of Entrepreneurial Leadership Is upon Us

President Stephen Spinelli Jr. poses with Class of 2021 graduates
Listen

The Babson community—on campus and around the world—came together in person and virtually in May to celebrate the Class of 2021 and the culmination of a year unlike any other. These joyful events brought a sense of accomplishment—and relief. We made it. Finally, there is hope on the horizon for a return to normalcy. Hugs are making a comeback, lunches are being shared, and parties are being hosted once again. We eagerly await the return to a lively campus, when fans will once again pack the stands to Defend the Dam.

But, a return to normal does not mean we revert to a pre-COVID mindset. The world has irrevocably changed. The pain and uncertainty of the past year—marked by pandemic, social injustice, climate disruption, and political turmoil—and the remarkable societal response it fueled, creates opportunity for a new Age of Enlightenment, powered by knowledge and learning.


MORE: Picture Perfect: The Class of 2021


Society now demands that everyone be included in the right to solve problems, create value, and flourish. For the first time in human history, all people, no matter where they live or how old they are, can access learning where, when, and how they demand it. Economic and social networks have transformed the way we live and work, and the pace of change continues to accelerate. Commensurate knowledge and learning are essential.

Portrait of Stephen Spinelli
President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD

The past 16 months have demonstrated that entrepreneurial leadership is more needed and relevant than ever before. The world requires leaders who think and act boldly, with limited data and constantly changing variables, to create sustainable and purposeful value.

Babson is building those leaders. We are re-emerging into the post-COVID world prepared to educate a society of lifelong learners eager to reinvent the world around them for the better.

The graduates of the Class of 2021 are those leaders. They are entering the post-COVID world ready to innovate, seek opportunity, solve problems, lead with empathy, and catalyze change.

As an institution, as individuals, and as a community, we are poised to thrive. The era of entrepreneurial leadership is upon us.

Posted in Community

More from Babson Magazine »

Latest Stories

Warren Buffett
Buffett Retires: Babson Professors Highlight Lessons from a Historic Transition Warren Buffett’s retirement is more than a milestone, Babson thought leaders say. It’s also a masterclass in thoughtful succession and cultural continuity.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
May 30, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

Zainabou Thiam ’28 sits at a table selling products to waiting customers
Paying Homage to One’s Ancestors Through Entrepreneurship Zainabou Thiam ’28 was raised in the values of Senegal. With the help of Babson, she’s growing her venture, Sunu Body, an African-inspired skin care and wellness brand.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
May 29, 2025

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership

The champion tennis players pose for a photo with their trophies alongside their coaches
Repeat Champs: Babson’s Doubles Team Nets Second Tennis National Title Olivia Soffer ’25 and Matia Cristiani ’26 captured their second consecutive NCAA Division III doubles national championship in women’s tennis.
By
May 28, 2025

Posted in Community