Thomas Tierney

Tom Tierney’s personal mission is to serve exceptional individuals and organizations in order to achieve breakthrough social impact. His professional experience spans a wide range: CEO, social entrepreneur, author, teacher, philanthropic advisor, and consultant. Over the past several decades, Tom’s work has generally focused in the areas of philanthropy and leadership - with a naturally strategic, and intensely pragmatic orientation. His underlying aspiration is to help increase the flow and effectiveness of philanthropy in ways that reduce inequities. He is a recognized thought leader in philanthropy, having collaborated with a wide range of grant makers on issues ranging from strategy to organization. Born in San Francisco, California, Tom received his BA in Economics with highest distinction from the University of California at Davis. Upon graduation, worked as a field engineer for Bechtel in Algeria. In 1980 he earned an MBA with distinction from the Harvard Business School. Tom was the fifth person to hold the class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at West Point. In 2016, he was the recipient of HBS’s Alumni Achievement Award. Prior to launching Bridgespan, Tom served as Bain & Company’s worldwide managing partner, where he successfully led the firm through an aggressive phase of innovation and global expansion. In 2000, Tom left his position as Bain’s CEO to co-found The Bridgespan Group, an independent nonprofit focused on helping philanthropists and nonprofit leaders achieve groundbreaking results - while simultaneously generating practical knowledge to be shared freely across the social sector. Over two decades, Tom’s leadership has nurtured Bridgespan’s growth, innovation, and impact. A co-author of two highly respected books, Aligning the Stars, and Give Smart: Philanthropy That Gets Results, he has also advised, served on and/or led numerous boards. Most recently he served as chair of The Nature Conservancy, eBay, and Stanford’s Hoover Institution. He is the longstanding chair of Harvard Business School’s Social Enterprise Initiative, co-chair of Bridgespan’s board, and was appointed board member of the Gates Foundation in January 2022. As a full-time volunteer, he focuses his energy on initiatives that enhance the flow and effectiveness of philanthropic capital, while personally supporting a select number of exceptional donors. Tom remains a creative, curious, and avid learner.

- Serving incredible social sector leaders - The environment - Fishing

Philanthropy is fun!

America's social sector, Conservation, Leadership of Professional Service Firms, Philanthropy

Fixing things