Public Program: "Strategies for State Economic Prosperity" with Mike Kennealy '90

Mike Kennealy '90 will be discussing the challenges in using business principles to run a state government.

While much of today's political discourse revolves around our national economic climate, each individual state faces unique challenges in its pursuit of job creation and financial prosperity. Striving for economic development on the state level can be much like running a business, as policymakers engage with companies to promote job growth and long-term economic success.

As Assistant Secretary for Business Growth for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mike Kennealy '90 brings a unique perspective regarding the challenges of economic development on the state level. With a background in private equity and working with entrepreneurs, Mr. Kennealy has distinct expertise in utilizing business principles to run a state government. On Friday, October 16th, Mr. Kennealy will discuss his current experience and strategies in a public lecture titled "Strategies for State Economic Prosperity – Small Business Entrepreneurship & Job Creation." He will address philosophical issues that he and other state leaders wrestle with, such as running a state government like a business, engaging with and providing customer service to companies, and implementing public education reform that adheres to business principles.

Mike Kennealy '90 is the Assistant Secretary for Business Growth for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development. He focuses on executing Governor Charlie Baker's strategy for job creation and business development. Mike joined Governor Baker's Administration in March 2015 and brings two decades of experience working with the management teams of growing companies. He joined Spectrum Equity in 1997 and was a Managing Director of the firm until early 2013. After retiring from Spectrum, he spent two years as Special Advisor to the Receiver at Lawrence Public Schools. There he worked with the state-appointed superintendent/receiver on strategic and financial initiatives to support the turnaround plan and developed and managed relationships with non-profit partners, philanthropic funders, and the municipal government. Earlier in his career, Mike was an Associate at TA Associates, a Boston-based private equity firm.

-Written by Marie Plecha '16, Student Program Assistant

 

Please join us for Mike Kennealy's public lecture, "Strategies for State Economic Prosperity – Small Business Entrepreneurship & Job Creation," on Friday, October 16, 2015 in Rocky 003 from 4:30-5:30 PM.