Sean C. Rush
Sean C. Rush is a CEO, Board Director, and leader in the design, development, and delivery of global education programs in both the for-profit and nonprofit organizations He leads one of the largest NGOs dedicated to leveraging education as the enabler for young people on six continents to transform their future and capture economic success. Earlier, he built a sustained performance record of value creation for a Fortune 20 market leader driving their global education industry group to double digit growth. For more than three decades he has authored numerous titles, served on multiple boards and contributed to a variety of global forums.
As President & CEO of JA Worldwide Inc., Sean had responsibility for a $310 million global operation and lead 3,000 talent resources supported by 430,000 volunteers in the delivery of programs to 10.4 million students in 123 countries. He directed an organization of six Regional Operating Centers representing Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle-East & Northern Africa, and the U.S. He was handpicked in 2007 to build the financial and governance structural foundations vital to propel this almost 100 year old NGO innovator into the next century of performance.
With IBM Corporation from 1994 to 2006 Sean advanced to General Manager, Global Education Industry (1997-2006) and in eight years … doubled IBM’s global education business to $2 Billion serving universities, schools, and NGOs He was responsible for strategy, marketing, sales, industry solution development, business partner relationships, and communications. He was a member of the Chairman’s senior leadership team comprised of the top 250 executives worldwide for 8 years.. Earlier assignments with IBM included GM, Higher Education, Americas (1995-1997) and Vice President, Higher Education Consulting, North America (1994-1995). Additionally, Sean served as senior State executive for IBM’s 5,000+ Massachusetts-based employees; partnership executive to the University of Hong Kong, Monterrey Tech (Mexico), and Los Angeles Unified School District; a member of IBM’s university relations/shared university research review board. While with IBM, Sean co-edited: The Learning Revolution and The Future Compatible Campus.
Before joining IBM, Sean had a nearly 14-year career with PricewaterhouseCoopers (from 1981 to 1994) as a consultant, partner, and chairman of the firm’s education and nonprofit practice. From 1981 to 1991 he progressed from Associate to Partner-in-Charge, Education Consulting Practice and in 1993 he was appointed Chairman, National Education/Not-for-Profit Practice. He and his team grew the education client base 100% … to $100M in the decade ending 1994.
Sean’s academic credentials include: an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, 2007; an MBA from Boston College’s Carroll Graduate School of Management, 1981; an M.S. from Boston University’s College of Communications, 1977; and an A.B. from Boston College, 1973.
Selected board, civic and professional activities: World Economic Forum, Constituent, 2008-present, Chairman, Harvard Kennedy School Fund, 2010-2013; Co-Chair, HKS Fund Executive Council, 2014 to present;The Commercial Club of Boston, 2012 to present; and member, Massachusetts Public Health Council 1983-1996.
Selected Awards/Recognition include: Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award, Boston College Carroll Graduate School of Management 2004; Year 2000 Honoree Boston College Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma (The NHS of management students); Honorary Doctorate in Education Dowling College, NY, 2000; Excellence Award, Boston College Irish Institute, Dublin, Ireland, 1998. Additionally, he has addressed the Rhodes Scholars at the University of Oxford; invited speaker at the Peter Drucker Forum in Vienna, Austria; and also performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra.
