THE KENNEDY SCHOOL HAS TRADITIONALLY urged its students to pursue jobs in the public sector to effect change in society. That hasn’t changed, of course. But the school, under the leadership of Dean David Ellwood, has broadened its definition of public service to include private sector positions that enhance the public good. From jobs in multinational corporations to giant consulting firms to start-up businesses, some Kennedy School graduates have infused their zeal for public service into the corporate culture. What follows are profiles of five Kennedy School alumni who have proven that private enterprise can be profitable in more ways than one.

Deborah Patterson S&L 1986, President, Monsanto Fund and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Monsanto Company

Lala Qadir MPP 2004, Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton

Keith Fitzgerald MPA 1999, Managing Director, Sea-Change Partners

Marika McCauley Sine MPP 2005, Research Analyst, The Coca-Cola Company

Jim Cashel MPP 1992, Dave Witzel MPP 1991, Chris Wolz MPP 1991; Chair, Managing Director, President/CEO, Forum One Communications