Barbara Hackman Franklin (HRPBA 1963, MBA 1964)

"I really think that the whole business school experience — and now I'm talking about both years — taught me to think in a way I hadn't before. Taught me to solve problems, be willing to be analytic, solve problems, and then take action. So it was a question of really learning how to think in a new way that has stuck with me, and has been very important to my career."

Barbara Hackman Franklin created the first White House effort to recruit women into government, was one of the original commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and was US Secretary of Commerce (1992-93). She is currently President and CEO of Barbara Franklin Enterprises, an international trade consulting firm.

Before HBS

At HBS

After HBS

Interview by Jeff Cruikshank, January 9, 2008. HBS Archives. Baker Library Historical Collections. Harvard Business School.

Excerpts from the Women at HBS Oral History Collection, 2008, Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School. Inquiries regarding research use of the collection should be directed to Baker Library Historical Collections at histcollref@hbs.edu. Copyright © 2013 President and Fellows of Harvard College.