79 JFK AND BEYOND

Newman to Step Down as Executive Dean

DESCRIBING THE DECISION as “bittersweet,” J. Bonnie Newman announced recently that she would end her tenure as executive dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government sometime before the end of 2004. “My time as executive dean has been extraordinary — much more so than I would have anticipated when I came into the position almost five years ago,” Newman says. “We’ve faced a number of challenges that required difficult problem solving and decision making. Now that I have perspective on some of our accomplishments, I feel both pleased and proud of what’s happened in this community.”

Newman notes that the school is in a much-improved financial position, closing the year in surplus, $7 million better than its financial position two years ago. A variety of factors have contributed to that difference, she observes, with personnel reductions being one of the most deeply felt. “None of those cuts could have been deemed ‘easy’ — the reverberations were difficult even for those positions that were not affected,” says Newman, adding that a number of other details have been influential as well, from modifying the school’s business and control systems to decreasing its real estate holdings. “Overall, it was a matter of restructuring and re-engineering how we do our business,” she explains, noting that in addition to adding $500,000 to its reserve fund, the school finished the year with a greater than $500,000 surplus.

Newman’s eclectic career spans positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, as well as academia. She began her career at the University of New Hampshire, serving as dean of students. Later, she returned to the school to serve as interim dean of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics. Newman has served as assistant secretary of commerce for economic development under President Reagan and from 1989 to 1991, worked as assistant to the president for management and administration, where she oversaw all administrative operations for the White House and Executive Office of the President during the transition and administration of George H. W. Bush. The founder and former owner of Coastal Broadcasting Corporation, she has also served as managing director of The CommerceGroup LLC, a strategic communications consultancy, and was active as a private investor in the financing and development of early-stage entrepreneurial ventures.

“I’ve had wonderful professional opportunities,” says Newman. “Each sector has its unique characteristics, its own ups and downs — the consistently positive aspect involves people.” Academia, she adds, offers the particular advantage of working with students. “I think anyone who is interested in making a difference is drawn to academia,” Newman observes. “It provides a wonderful opportunity to impact the lives of young people so that they in turn can help guide others and have a positive influence on society in what will continue to be challenging times.”

A New Hampshire resident, Newman’s schedule often required her to spend weekday evenings at an apartment in Cambridge. “This position has demanded participation in the full menu of activities,” she observed. “Many people talk about multitasking, but here at the Kennedy School we hypertask.” Newman says that the decision to leave her post, while difficult, revolves around a precious commodity: time. In addition to spending more of it with family and friends, she expects to pursue a variety of business- and writing-related projects. That, she says, is the good news.

“The bad news is that I’ll be leaving some truly wonderful friends. I never doubted that being at the Kennedy School and Harvard would be a very unique and meaningful experience. What I have also grown to cherish is the people I’ve met here. It’s more than the bricks, the mortar, and the history — it’s the people.” — JH