Liz and Emilie at Harvard (4.15.25)

My brother Scott's daughter, Liz, is getting a Ph.D at Harvard Business School.  My granddaughter, Emilie Ebert, received her MBA from Harvard in spring 2025.  When HBS's DEI department used tickets to the play "Book of Mormon", which is critical of LDS doctrine and practices, as an award, Liz protested.   The deal Liz worked out with Harvard was that Liz could organize a display of posters at the Business School each year, featuring HBS students telling why religion is important in their lives and development as leaders.  The first display was in 2024.  In 2025, Liz included posters of both herself and Emilie.

Liz told how her mission to Germany helped her to more fully appreciate the worth of each individual.  She said, "I've been home from Germany for years now, but that iconic black missionary nametag still sits front and center on my desk.  It is a reminder that the greatest work we can be involved in is building up the people all around us.  And it reminds me that, in leadership, we strive to treat everyone with dignity, respect, and kindness.  Because we are all he children of God, precious in His sight."

Emilie told about learning, through the case method at HBS, about how no manager is perfect.  Through her missionary experience in Romania, she learned to look to Christ as the perfect leader.  Emilie said, "None of us are perfect, and the aspirations many of us hold can feel daunting.  I believe strength comes from continuous self-improvement.  For me, that process of change would not be possible without Jesus Christ as my example of what kind of leader I want to be."