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Thomas J. Tierney
Thomas J. Tierney
Thomas J. Tierney
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Thomas J. Tierney (born 5 March 1954) is an American business executive and corporate writer, who is the co-founder of the nonprofit Bridgespan Group that provides management consulting to nonprofits and philanthropists. He was chairman of eBay from July 2015 to June 2020.[1]

Key Information

Tierney is cited by the book Management Consultancy in the 21st Century as a specialist in customer service and marketing.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Tierney was born in San Francisco, California in 1954.[3] Tierney earned a BA in Economics from the University of California, Davis in 1976, and an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1980.[3]

Career

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He joined Bain & Company in 1980,[2] and served as the managing director of its San Francisco office from 1987 to 1992. In June 1992 he was appointed chief executive officer of Bain & Company, a post which he held until January 2000, during which time the company grew significantly, venturing into business internationally and generating revenues six times what they had been.[4]

In 1998, Tierney co-founded The Bridgespan Group, described by Bloomberg as an "independent, nonprofit affiliate of Bain & Company designed to provide general management consulting services to foundations and nonprofit organizations". He launched the organization in 1999, and was appointed its chairman. In March 2003, Tierney was appointed an Independent Director at eBay, and he has been its Lead Independent Director since April 2012.[4]

Aside from his Bridgespan and eBay position, Tierney has been the Director of The Nature Conservancy, director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and has held numerous other posts on non-profit boards, including the Hoover Institution, The United Way of the Bay Area, the Committee for Economic Development and the WGBH Educational Foundation. He has also served administratively with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.[2] Tierney is still associated with Harvard Business School, where he was appointed chair of the Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Initiative Advisory Board in January 2009.[5] He occasionally lectures at the school and has contributed numerous articles to The Harvard Business Review and books, including Forbes's Learning From The Chief Executive Officer and Aligning the Stars (2002), the latter co-authored with Jay W. Lorsch, which documents business strategy and organization.[4][6][7] In 2011, he co-authored Give Smart: Philanthropy That Gets Results with Joel L. Fleishman.[8] Tierney said of Give Smart: Philanthropy That Gets Results: "The basic premise behind the book is that there must be ideas relevant to philanthropy that have been proven over time, ideas that were as useful to Andrew Carnegie as they are to Bill Gates. One of the reasons [co-author] Joel [Fleishman] and I teamed up was that he has done extensive research on twentieth-century philanthropy, a lot of which he used in The Foundation".[9]

References

[edit]
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Thomas J. Tierney

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Thomas J. Tierney is an American and best known as the co-founder and co-chair of The Bridgespan Group, a global nonprofit advisory organization dedicated to advancing and social impact. Born in , , Tierney earned a BA in Economics with highest distinction from the , before obtaining his MBA from in 1980. He joined that same year, initially working in the firm's office, and advanced through various roles, including managing director of the office. In 1992, following Bain's , he became the firm's president, and in 1993, he assumed the role of CEO, leading the company through a period of significant global expansion during the . In 2000, Tierney stepped down as Bain's CEO to co-found The Bridgespan Group with fellow Bain alumni, aiming to apply rigorous consulting methodologies to the nonprofit sector and help philanthropists maximize their contributions. Under his leadership, Bridgespan has advised major foundations and organizations on , talent, and impact measurement, influencing fields such as , , and alleviation. Tierney has also contributed to through authorship, co-writing Aligning the Stars: How to Succeed When Professionals Drive Results (2002) on organizational alignment and Give Smart: Philanthropy That Gets Results (2011) with Joel L. Fleishman, which provides practical guidance for donors seeking measurable outcomes. Since January 2022, he has served as an independent trustee on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's board of trustees, helping shape its governance and to amplify global impact.

Early life and education

Early years

Thomas J. Tierney was born in 1954 in , . Tierney grew up in a working-class family, where his father, a factory worker, encouraged him to attend college rather than enlist in the amid the . This environment provided the foundation for his early development in the San Francisco area, emphasizing self-reliance and diligence during his childhood and adolescent years. Following high school, Tierney transitioned to higher education at the University of California, Davis.

Academic background

Thomas J. Tierney earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with highest distinction from the University of California, Davis in 1976, and was honored as that year's most outstanding graduate. During his undergraduate studies, he worked to support himself through school, demonstrating early resourcefulness. After graduation, he worked as a city bus driver before gaining practical experience as a field engineer for Bechtel International in North Africa, including assignments in Algeria, where he contributed to engineering projects in challenging environments. This role, undertaken immediately after his brief post-graduation employment, provided hands-on exposure to international operations and engineering before he pursued advanced business education. Tierney then enrolled at , completing an MBA with distinction in 1980. During his MBA program, he secured a summer at in 1979, which directly transitioned into a full-time position upon graduation, marking the beginning of his professional career in .

Professional career

Bain & Company

Thomas J. Tierney joined in 1980 through a summer while pursuing his MBA at , transitioning to a full-time role upon his graduation that same year. He advanced quickly within the firm, becoming a partner just three years later in 1983. From 1987 to 1992, Tierney served as the managing director of Bain's office, overseeing operations and client engagements in the region during a period of firm expansion. In 1992, following Bain's , he became the firm's president, and in 1993, he was appointed worldwide managing director and CEO, a role in which he led the global consulting firm. During his tenure as CEO from 1993 to 2000, Tierney guided Bain through an aggressive growth phase, expanding its international presence and client base while navigating significant internal restructurings to enhance . Under his , the firm strengthened its position as a leading practice, focusing on results-oriented strategies for corporate clients across industries. He stepped down from the CEO position in 2000 to pursue other opportunities.

The Bridgespan Group

In 2000, Thomas J. Tierney co-founded The Bridgespan Group as an independent nonprofit advisory firm dedicated to supporting social sector organizations, including nonprofits and philanthropists, by applying rigorous, data-driven consulting approaches. To lead the organization full-time, Tierney stepped down from his role as CEO of that same year, drawing on his prior experience in corporate consulting to adapt management strategies for the nonprofit world. Under Tierney's as co-founder and co-chair, Bridgespan developed key initiatives focused on strategy consulting, , and original research to enhance and impact in the social sector. The firm provides tailored advice to help clients scale operations, optimize , and measure outcomes, often using analytical tools to inform decisions for and mission-driven leaders. For instance, Bridgespan has supported initiatives like executive searches and performance assessments for major philanthropies, emphasizing evidence-based practices to drive . Tierney guided Bridgespan's expansion into a global organization, establishing offices in , , and , including (), (), and , to collaborate with international nonprofits and funders on addressing systemic challenges like and . This growth has enabled the firm to serve organizations worldwide, fostering knowledge-sharing through publications and tools that promote best practices in . Tierney has maintained active involvement as co-chair since the firm's inception, continuing to shape its direction and contribute to its mission into the without a formal transition from .

Philanthropy and thought leadership

Key philanthropic roles

Thomas J. Tierney has held several influential advisory and positions in major philanthropic organizations, focusing on enhancing strategic decision-making and scaling social impact. Since 2022, he has served as an independent trustee on the board of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he contributes to governance, strategy, and grant-making oversight to maximize the foundation's and development initiatives. In this role, Tierney draws on his expertise from Bridgespan Group's prior advisory work with the foundation to help shape high-impact . Tierney has been the longstanding chair of the Harvard Business School's Social Enterprise Initiative Advisory Board since 2009, guiding the initiative's strategies to advance research, education, and practice in and nonprofit management. Under his , the board has supported efforts to develop tools and frameworks for nonprofit leaders, emphasizing and measurable outcomes in the social sector. From 2014 to 2019, Tierney served as chair of the global board of , overseeing strategies for conservation and environmental protection. Additionally, from 2014 to 2015, he held the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at West Point, advancing . Beyond these formal roles, Tierney has actively mentored nonprofit leaders and contributed to effective frameworks through lectures, advisory engagements, and thought leadership on scaling high-impact organizations. His personal mission centers on serving exceptional individuals and entities to achieve breakthrough social results, often by promoting disciplined approaches to and in the nonprofit world.

Publications and writings

Thomas J. Tierney co-authored the book Aligning the Stars: How to Succeed When Professionals Drive Results in 2002 with Jay W. Lorsch, which examines strategies for leading talent-driven organizations in firms. This work, drawing from his experience at , emphasizes attracting, motivating, and organizing high-performing professionals to achieve organizational success. In 2011, Tierney co-authored Give Smart: Philanthropy That Gets Results with Joel L. Fleishman, a guide that outlines practical strategies for donors to maximize the impact of their giving through rigorous evaluation, strategic planning, and collaboration with nonprofits. The book advocates for philanthropists to treat giving as a disciplined , focusing on outcomes rather than inputs, and includes case studies of effective donor practices. Tierney has contributed numerous articles to prominent publications on nonprofit , , and philanthropic . In the , he co-authored "Delivering on the Promise of Nonprofits" in 2008 with Jeffrey L. Bradach and Nan Stone, which critiques common nonprofit practices and proposes innovations to enhance performance and scalability. For the Stanford Social Innovation Review, his 2006 article "The Leadership Deficit" highlights the shortage of executive talent in the nonprofit sector and recommends solutions like recruiting from and investing in development programs. He also wrote "High Stakes Donor Collaborations" for the same outlet, discussing how philanthropists can pool resources and expertise for greater social impact. Additional pieces appear in the Chronicle of , such as his article on avoiding "starvation cycles" for nonprofits during economic downturns by maintaining adequate support for overhead costs. Tierney's writings, particularly those post-1999 on the social sector, have shaped practices by encouraging donors and organizations to prioritize measurable results and strategic rigor, influencing a shift toward more effective giving among high-net-worth individuals and foundations. For instance, Give Smart has been credited with advancing a "guidance " for , promoting tools for assessing impact that have been adopted in donor programs.

Recognition and legacy

Awards and honors

In 2016, Thomas J. Tierney received the Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes alumni for their exceptional professional achievements and significant societal impact. The award highlighted Tierney's leadership in applying business acumen to social challenges, particularly through co-founding The Bridgespan Group in 2000, an organization that advises and nonprofits to enhance their effectiveness in addressing global issues. During the award ceremony, Tierney emphasized his commitment to service, stating, "I wanted to put my experience to work being of service to the world," and underscored the importance of impact in by noting, "We are committed to increasing the impact that philanthropists and nonprofits can have." Tierney has also been honored for his contributions to the nonprofit sector, including being named a honoree at National Philanthropy Day in 2016 alongside his wife, Elizabeth, in recognition of their extensive support for initiatives in education, arts, medicine, and research. This accolade celebrates their leadership in fostering innovative strategies and substantial giving, such as major donations to organizations like the , where Tierney serves as one of only four Trustees Emeritus in the institution's history. These recognitions reflect Tierney's broader influence in elevating the strategic role of , drawing from his career milestones at and The Bridgespan Group.

Board memberships and advisory roles

Thomas J. Tierney has held several influential board and advisory positions in the nonprofit and social impact sectors, leveraging his expertise in and philanthropy to provide strategic guidance. He has served as the longstanding chair of the Harvard Business School's Initiative (SEI) Advisory Board since 2009, succeeding in the role. In this capacity, Tierney collaborates with SEI leadership to develop strategies that advance education, research, and practice at the business school, including fostering innovations in social impact investing and nonprofit management. His involvement has evolved from active chairmanship to a sustained advisory role, with him listed as chairman on the board roster as recently as 2017. Tierney joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Board of Trustees in January 2022 as an independent trustee, contributing to the foundation's strategic direction and fiduciary oversight in , , and poverty alleviation efforts. Through this role, he offers guidance on scaling philanthropic impact, drawing on his experience advising large-scale social initiatives. His appointment reflects the foundation's emphasis on diverse perspectives to enhance decision-making in social sector investing. In the environmental philanthropy space, Tierney served as chair of The Nature Conservancy's Global Board, providing leadership on conservation strategies and for the organization's worldwide efforts to protect ecosystems and . His tenure emphasized effective and impact measurement in nonprofit operations, aligning with broader themes of strategic explored in his writings. Tierney also chaired the Hoover Institution's Board of Overseers from 2013 to 2016, where he oversaw and strategic planning for the think tank's policy research on , , and international affairs. During his chairmanship, he guided the board in supporting the institution's mission to advance free societies through rigorous analysis, transitioning to an emeritus overseer role thereafter. Additionally, he served as a trustee of the , contributing to advisory efforts on marine science and environmental research.

References

  1. https://www.bridgespan.org/team-members/thomas-j-tierney
  2. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/leadership/tom-tierney
  3. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/features/newsmakers/tom-tierney-philanthropy-that-gets-results
  4. https://www.totalleadership.org/wp-content/genDownloads/bios/Tierney_bio_2008_final.pdf
  5. https://media4.manhattan-institute.org/pdf/simon2009.pdf
  6. https://us.amazon.com/Thomas-J-Tierney/e/B004EHGKRM
  7. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/2022/01/gates-foundation-appoints-board-of-trustees-to-shape-foundation-governance-increase-impact
  8. https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/Documents/Awards/2016_HBS_AAA_Tierney.pdf
  9. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1065088/000119312512121732/d284882ddef14a.htm
  10. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/giving-up-making-millions-to-give-back-1.11980
  11. https://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/Pages/class-day-tom-tierney.aspx
  12. https://www.bridgespan.org/about-us
  13. https://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/Pages/thomastierney.aspx
  14. https://www.bridgespan.org/our-global-reach
  15. https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/magazine/tom-tierney/
  16. https://www.hbs.edu/socialenterprise/blog/sei-advisory-board/
  17. https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=11574
  18. https://www.bain.com/insights/books/aligning-the-stars/
  19. https://books.google.com/books?id=6l90l3s4D9MC&printsec=copyright
  20. https://ssir.org/books/reviews/entry/give_smart_tom_tierney_joel_l_fleishman
  21. https://hbr.org/2008/12/delivering-on-the-promise-of-nonprofits
  22. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_leadership_deficit
  23. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/high_stakes_donor_collaborations
  24. https://www.philanthropy.com/author/thomas-j-tierney/
  25. https://www.bridgespan.org/stories-of-impact/give-smart-philanthropy-that-gets-results
  26. https://npdoc.org/honoree/elizabeth-and-thomas-tierney/
  27. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/foundation-fact-sheet
  28. https://www.hoover.org/sites/default/files/2022-08/AR_2014_FINAL_no_contributors.pdf
  29. https://www.hoover.org/sites/default/files/pages/docs/hoover_2016ar_small.pdf
  30. https://www.hoover.org/sites/default/files/hoover_annual_report_final_online_version.pdf
  31. https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/whoi-elects-officers-trustees-and-corporation-members/
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