Cornell alumni, faculty, students, and guests gathered in midtown Manhattan April 10 for Dyson Leads, a speaker series launched by the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management that brings the school's community together to explore leadership in business and public life. The evening honored John S. Dyson '65-entrepreneur, public servant, longtime Cornell trustee, and this year's recipient of the Dyson Alumni Leadership Award.
Hosted by Andrew Karolyi, Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, and Jinhua Zhao, David J. Nolan Dean of the of the Dyson School, the event featured a fireside chat where Dyson shared stories from across his career. His remarks centered on three defining chapters: his acquisition of a boutique California winery, his role in launching New York State's "I Love New York" campaign (the mention of which drew immediate, enthusiastic nods of recognition from the audience), and his long involvement in shaping the Dyson School into the institution it is today.
Each story, drawn from Dyson's experiences in the private sector, public service, and higher education, underscored the values and strategies that have guided his leadership style: fairness in negotiation, strategic risk-taking, and a clear grasp of the systems he sought to influence.
Read the full story on the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business website.
Maria Minsker is a freelancer for the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
