EDWARD FORST
Chief Administrative Officer, Goldman Sachs
Degrees: A.B. Harvard ‘82; M.B.A. University of Pennsylvania ’88.
Harvard–related activities: related activities: Current Co- Chair of the Harvard University Committee on Student Excellence and Opportunity; current Co-Chair of the Class of 1982 25th Reunion Gift Committee; Co-Chair of the class of 1982 20th Reunion Gift Committee; established the Forst Family Professorship in 2006 for the recruitment of a leading government or economics scholar passionate about undergraduate learning; established the Forst Family Scholarship in 2002 to support outstanding undergraduate scholar-athletes; Harvard Student Agencies – Board of Directors and Manager of Harvard Student Resources (1979-81); President, DU Club (1981-1982).
Major Charitable or Other Activities: Trustee of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and currently one of four trustees serving on the search committee for a new President and Director; Co-Chair of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, the largest global trade association for financial markets participants. SIFMA represents over 650 member firms and provides a voice for market and legislative priorities.
Greatest Personal Rewards and/or Reflections on Harvard: For a young fella from the south side of Chicago, entering Harvard as a 17 year old was a gargantuan awakening. I was expecting an education and lasting friendships, and I did get that. What I had not anticipated was the meaningful role Harvard would continue to play in my life long after I left campus. Over these 25 years, my center of gravity has continually changed. My wife Susan (yes, a Yale alum!) and I are blessed with four active, healthy and exceedingly curious children. My career remains a challenge and its own reward. Yet, as priorities have shifted, Harvard has somehow managed to maintain a strong connection to me as well as to my family. I feel a sense of legacy and community. As I think about how we will help shape our kids, I believe we need to draw on and contribute to that community. How can we instill confidence, critical thinking ability, curiosity, a respect for tradition, a healthy sense of competition and importantly, a sense of humor and ability to have fun? We need to be engaged. Harvard has a unique ability to keep us connected and engaged. In the summer of 2005, I was offered the opportunity to co-chair Harvard’s University Committee on Student Excellence and Opportunity (UCSEO) to examine financial aid across the various schools. Our principal focus quickly became the mission-oriented schools where the graduates’ earning power is dwarfed by their school debts. Our multi-year effort will seek solutions so that students will continue to choose careers in areas such as divinity, public health and education and pursue those dreams at Harvard. Through these types of activities, I have been lucky to partner with and learn from terrific co-chairs, alumni, professors and administrators and play a part in formulating (what we hope to be!) positive change. I am more even more excited about the next 25 years than the last. I look forward to coming across Harvard alumni as neighbors, colleagues, friends and, although begrudgingly, even as competitors!