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Peggy Lamb, MBA '90
Chairman, Harvard Club of Naples Education Committee
By Jennifer Doody, ALM '17
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Each year, through funds raised from membership dues, the Harvard Club of Naples (HCN) awards educational scholarships that send local leaders back to school. The program enables Collier County educators to study at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and grants non-profit CEOs from Lee and Collier counties the same opportunity at the Harvard Business School.
Former HCN President Peggy Lamb oversees both scholarship committees, a role she has passionately championed since 2016.
“One of the first things I did when I moved to Naples was join the Harvard Club,” Lamb recalled. “Paul Huber had just launched an initiative to send local non-profit leaders to the Business School. I thought it was a brilliant idea because these organizations provide our community with such vital services.”
The non-profit program attracts a highly competitive pool of applicants every year. According to Lamb, the selection process is rigorous: the committee carefully reviews each application before inviting a handful of finalists to interview in person, where they share their organization’s specific needs and mission.
The investment has paid off immensely. “We receive incredible feedback from attendees when they return,” Lamb said. “We’ve sent 22 leaders so far, and it is incredibly rewarding to watch them strengthen these non-profits by putting their Harvard lessons into practice.”
In tandem with the Business School initiative, a second committee works alongside the Collier County School Board to offer a parallel program at the Graduate School of Education for school principals and top administrators.
Lamb is particularly proud of how this program ripples down to local students once these educators return to their classrooms.
“Across the board, the testimonials we receive are amazing—every single attendee tells us how transformational these programs are for them and their organizations,” Lamb said. She noted that the benefits extend far beyond the classroom, as participants build lasting networks with other educators and CEOs, fostering continuous collaboration long after they return home.
To celebrate these achievements, the HCN hosts a breakfast every October. The event allows the summer participants to share exactly how the program impacted their leadership and outlook.
“It’s truly one of the most important things we do as a club,” Lamb said. “You get to hear the direct impact this makes across both Lee and Collier counties. The groups we’ve supported are incredibly diverse, ranging from mental health organizations to the Naples Botanical Garden. I truly believe this program leaves a lasting, positive mark on our entire community.”
Click below to learn more about these programs:
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