Theresa Clarke

Ms. Theresa Clarke has been elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers. Ms. Clarke is a distinguished global executive and board member whose career is defined by historic firsts, deep corporate governance expertise, and an unwavering commitment to institutional stewardship. Notably, she was the first African-American woman named managing director in the investment banking division at Goldman Sachs, a milestone that set the stage for a trailblazing career spanning international finance, technology, and corporate leadership. Today, she brings this profound global perspective to her service across the private, public, and philanthropic sectors.

Currently, Ms. Clarke leverages her extensive financial and strategic acumen on the boards of two Fortune 500 companies. She serves on the board of American Tower a global leader in wireless communications infrastructure and on the board of Gallagher the world’s third-largest insurance brokerage and risk management firm. Her governance experience also includes serving as the former board chair of Change Financial, a fintech company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

As technology continues to reshape global commerce, Ms. Clarke has emerged over the last few years as a leading subject matter expert on governing Artificial Intelligence (AI). She sits on the advisory board of the Digital, Data, Design Institute at Harvard Business School working at the critical intersection of AI and business. Her expertise in digital media is further demonstrated by her 16-year tenure as Chair and Executive Editor of Africa.com LLC. Under her leadership, this holding company’s digital media assets have continuously showcased Africa-related business, arts, and culture, with its Business Publishers Network now reaching nearly 20 million visitors per month.

A triple-Harvard alumna, Ms. Clarke earned an A.B. in economics, cum laude, from Harvard College, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She has spent decades giving back to her alma mater and higher education globally. Her extensive university service also includes roles on the HBS Alumni Board, as Chairman of the Board for the Episcopal Chaplaincy at Harvard, and as the first Black lecturer at Wits Business School in South Africa, where she taught corporate finance.

Her international diplomatic and philanthropic footprint is equally vast. Appointed by the White House as one of 15 private sector leaders to the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa, she is also a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Driven by a passion for the arts and human rights, she serves as Chair of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art..

Ms. Clarke explains , “I believe leadership is not about visibility. It is about stewardship, listening carefully, and leaving institutions stronger than you found them.”