Dr. Deborah Winshel

Professor

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Biography

Deborah Winshel is a Senior Lecturer in Business Administration at Harvard Business School, specializing in General Management. She teaches required MBA courses in Leadership and Organizational Behavior, as well as the Leadership Corporate Accountability Field Immersion course focused on South Korea in 2025. Additionally, she offers elective courses on Power and Influence and addresses a variety of topics related to crisis leadership and cultural strategy as part of the Executive Education program. Winshel has an extensive career, having previously held leadership roles in both corporate and non-profit sectors. As the Managing Director and Global Head of Social Impact at BlackRock, she led initiatives aimed at enhancing economic mobility through partnerships with employers, fintechs, startups, and policymakers. She was instrumental in spearheading significant investments in sustainable energy innovation. Prior to her time at BlackRock, Winshel had a distinguished 13-year career at JP Morgan, where she focused on corporate finance and M&A, particularly in the consumer, hospitality, and food retail sectors. She has also worked in executive positions at prominent non-profits, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Robin Hood Foundation. Winshel has received multiple awards for her contributions to business and philanthropy, reflecting her influence and leadership in the field.

Research Interests

Experience

Senior Lecturer

2020-01-01 — Present

Harvard Business School • Boston, MA

Teaching MBA courses focused on leadership and management topics.

Managing Director, Global Head of Social Impact

2015-01-01 — 2019-12-31

BlackRock • New York, NY

Led social impact initiatives to enhance economic mobility.

Executive Vice President, CFO

2012-01-01 — 2014-12-31

Metropolitan Museum of Art • New York, NY

Managed financial operations and staff.

Chief Operating Officer

2010-01-01 — 2011-12-31

Robin Hood Foundation • New York, NY

Oversaw operations and leadership in venture philanthropy.

Awards

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HBS Women's Association Greater New York's 'Women Inspire' Award

2014-01-01
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HBS Club New York’s John C. Whitehead Social Enterprise Award

2018-01-01
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Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award

2021-01-01

Requirements for Harvard Business School

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GMAT
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Overall
Required:7.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong quantitative and analytical background
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Writing Sample (Optional/Recommended)
Specialization Notes

The PhD in Business Administration is the primary doctoral degree encompassing various areas of study including Business Economics, Accounting, and Strategy.