By chance of fate we have the pleasure of celebrating the birthdays of both of our wonderful GBSN leaders today.  Our best wishes go out to our inimitable Board Chair Mari Kuraishi and peerless CEO and founder Guy Pfeffermann, who is to no one’s surprise dutifully in his office today.

This special occasion gives us the opportunity to reflect on the role that these amazing leaders, both veterans of the World Bank, have played in bringing the Global Business School Network to where it is today.

As an economist for emerging markets for four decades, Guy became frustrated at the wasted potential for social and economic growth he saw due to lack of management skills available in developing countries.  His vision of an organization that harnesses the power of a network of top international business schools to strengthen management education for the developing world became what we know now as Global Business School Network.  The network now counts 49 leading business schools in 24 countries as members and has seen the concept of management as a critical component to development efforts take flight.

Mari had her own vision at the World Bank and has since launched the wonderfully successful GlobalGiving, an online marketplace that connects people to the causes they care most about.  In her term as Board Chair, Mari has provided invaluable strategic guidance for GBSN, helping the organization develop its identity as it matures, while staying true to its core mission of strengthening management education for the developing world.

On behalf of the entire GBSN community we thank Guy and Mari for their service and vision, and wish them both a very happy birthday.