The Upswell Forum is designed to accelerate the impact of social entrepreneurs moving their organizations from start-up to growth phase, with a focus on organizations in Atlanta, Boston, Houston, and Detroit. First launched in 2023, the Upswell Forum’s third cohort will begin in January 2026 and is currently accepting interest forms. Archie Jones, Senior Lecturer of Business Administration and Upswell Faculty Lead, shares his reflections on the Forum and the recent cohort.
What inspired the idea for the Upswell Forum, and why did you want to support it from the outset?
The inspiration for the Upswell Forum is deeply rooted in the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative’s work to educate, support, and inspire leaders to tackle society's toughest challenges and make a difference in the world. In 2021, we set a goal to increase access to our programs and deepen engagement with social-purpose driven leaders. At the same time, members of the HBS African American Alumni Association approached the Social Enterprise Initiative to explore ways to collaborate.
One of the leading ideas was to design an educational experience specifically for social sector leaders positioned to grow and scale their organizations. To broaden the impact, we identified cities with strong alumni networks. This allowed alumni not only to connect with each other and spread the word in their local community, but also to mentor and support local social sector leaders well beyond the program.
When I first heard about the idea, it sounded like an incredible opportunity. As a Senior Lecturer and alum, it is my goal to extend my impact well beyond campus. Upswell created the perfect platform—not just for me, but for a group of HBS’s most renowned professors—to share knowledge and support social entrepreneurs and social enterprise leaders across the country.
As a faculty member, what did you personally take away from the Upswell cohort experience?
I was inspired by the extraordinary commitment of my fellow faculty. Every professor volunteered their time. Some might assume a volunteer group would include a mix of commitment levels—but in this case, it was the very best of HBS.
Faculty like Monique Burns Thompson, Brian Trelstad, Tony Mayo, Gerald Chertavian, Lakshmi Ramarajan, and Shawn Cole—whose courses are consistently oversubscribed and whose teaching receives top reviews—stepped forward with enthusiasm. These professors are experts in their fields, yet they chose to dedicate their energy to supporting leaders in communities they might never meet in person.
That kind of generosity and commitment was both humbling and energizing. It underscored the collective spirit behind Upswell and showed what’s possible when faculty bring their expertise into service of a broader mission.
What design principles guided your facilitation of the Forum sessions?
From the beginning, we were clear: the participants would experience the same level of quality and rigor as a Harvard Business School MBA classroom. We set high expectations, and they rose to the challenge.
This meant a heavy case load, including long cases, and the expectation that participants would come fully prepared. They worked in study groups, navigated cold calls, debated openly, and leaned into tough discussions. Leaders from diverse regions, sectors, and backgrounds pushed each other to think differently and refine their perspectives.
The principle was simple: deliver the authentic HBS experience, while leveraging the diversity of the room to enrich the learning.
What stood out most to you about this group of Upswell leaders—their experiences, insights, and approaches?
What stood out most was the variety of strategies and perspectives. Some leaders came in with for-profit models focused on driving social impact, while others worked within more traditional nonprofit structures. They were tackling very different challenges, yet each leader brought something unique: a mix of professional expertise, lived experiences, and personal passion.
What truly struck me was how deeply personal their work was—and how much bigger it was than any one individual. Their motivation was always about empowerment and creating lasting impact—for themselves, their families, and their communities.
How does Upswell reflect your broader views on leadership and equity in the social sector?
For me, it all goes back to HBS’s mission: “to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.” Too often, people assume that means only our MBA students. But “in the world” is the key phrase. Our impact extends well beyond campus—through research, outreach, and programs like Upswell.
Yes, the cohort came to Boston for an immersive campus experience, but the true impact went further. We brought the program to their cities and partnered with HBS alumni embedded in local communities. That combination—the lived experience of alumni working on the ground with the expertise of faculty thinking about leadership and scale every day—was powerful.
What impressed me most was how seamlessly private-sector leadership principles translated to the social sector. The same frameworks we teach MBAs—how to recruit and retain talent, scale organizations, structure financial strategies, build effective teams, and ensure long-term sustainability—proved just as essential. Watching Upswell leaders apply these lessons with confidence reinforced for me that the reach of HBS extends far beyond Cambridge.
Looking ahead, what’s your long-term hope for the impact of the Upswell Forum?
My long-term hope is that Upswell becomes a hallmark example of how the school educates leaders who make a difference in the world.
One of the lessons of COVID was that while the in-person classroom is invaluable, technology allows us to reach further—especially leaders who may never set foot on campus. Today, Upswell works with four U.S. cities. Looking ahead, I envision engaging with social sector leaders globally.
If we are serious about educating leaders who make a difference in the world, our reach must extend across the world through transformative experiences like Upswell.
HBS Social Enterprise Initiative is now accepting interest forms for the January 2026 cohort on a rolling basis until December 15, 2025. To learn more about the Upswell Forum and submit an interest form, visit our page here.
Learn more about our select members of Upswell Form by viewing their blog posts about the experience:
