Deborah Winshel
About Deborah Winshel
Deborah Winshel is a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, specializing in Leadership and Corporate Accountability. She has held significant roles in finance and impact investing, including positions at BlackRock, JP Morgan, and the Robin Hood Foundation.
Current Role at Harvard Business School
Deborah Winshel has served as a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School since 2021. In her role, she teaches Leadership and Corporate Accountability to first-year MBA students and executives. Her experience in corporate finance and social impact informs her teaching, providing students with practical insights into leadership and accountability in business.
Professional Background
Deborah Winshel has a diverse professional background spanning multiple sectors. She worked at JP Morgan as Managing Director from 1985 to 1998, where she led the global auto practice in investment banking. Following her tenure at JP Morgan, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1998 to 2006. Winshel then transitioned to BlackRock, where she held various leadership roles, including Global Head of Social Impact and Global Head of Impact Investing.
Board Memberships and Leadership Roles
Deborah Winshel actively participates on several boards. She has been a Board Member at PrimaLoft since 2023 and at Indigo since 2022. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of The Shed and was a founding board member of Immigrant Justice Corps. Her leadership roles reflect her commitment to social impact and sustainability.
Education and Expertise
Deborah Winshel holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Her educational background complements her extensive experience in global corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the consumer, food, and retail sectors. This expertise has shaped her approach to leadership and corporate accountability in her current teaching role.
Achievements in Impact Investing
During her time at BlackRock, Deborah Winshel launched the firm's sustainable investing platform, positioning BlackRock as a leader in the field. She spearheaded a significant $100 million climate investment in Breakthrough Energy and partnered with leadership to develop firm-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with awards, including the 2021 Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award.