James Rhee
Impact Entrepreneur, Investor, Educator, Former Chairman & CEO of Ashley Stewart & Goodwill Strategist
James Rhee is an expert in change. He unites mathematical and creative systems to identify and amplify purpose and goodwill, creating sustainable value through the design of human-centered operations.
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Full Bio
Rhee managed billions of dollars of growth and distressed capital at two leading institutions. But, he thought there was a better way to marry financial and social capital. So, in 2009, he founded FirePine Group, an impact platform that designs bespoke, data-driven solutions for companies in people-centric industries such as retail-consumer and education. FirePine has invested the capital of the world’s most sophisticated investors. He brings his unique human-centered approach to every situation he touches. Through his emerging brand, Red Helicopter, Rhee is creating a global community united behind leveraging social goodwill to create tangible economic value and redefine the meaning of success.
His underlying focus on serving human needs through capitalism is evident in his globally celebrated work at Ashley Stewart. For seven years, Rhee challenged orthodoxy by serving as investor and CEO of a twice-bankrupt national retailer that had served and employed plus-sized Black women for decades. While fighting against crippling odds, Rhee and his new colleagues authored and executed marketing, philosophical, organizational, and mathematical changes that mirrored the true ethos of Ashley Stewart. These initiatives transformed an obscure and failed brand with decades of operating losses into a cutting-edge industry leader whose transformation story, and homerun sale, has been featured in the world’s leading conferences and media outlets.
Rhee’s practical change philosophies are transforming boardrooms and classrooms alike. Guided by his passion for spreading goodwill and driving systems-level change, Rhee regularly teaches the world’s leading for-profit, educational, and philanthropic organizations how to rethink leadership, process, and profit. He catalyzes and invests in leaders who drive change through his board membership of JP Morgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways, CEO Action for Racial Equity, and Conscious Capitalism. At Howard University, he serves as the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship, Professor of Entrepreneurship, and Senior Adviser to the Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership. At MIT, Rhee serves as the Executive-in-Residence and Strategic Advisor at the Leadership Center, a Senior Lecturer at the Sloan School of Management, and the Investor-in-Residence at Sloan’s Legatum Center.
His life has been the subject of feature stories sponsored by the likes of JP Morgan Chase, EY and Soledad O’Brien. In addition, his inspirational story has been featured in media outlets such as the Good Business Issue of Bloomberg Businessweek, Harvard Business Review, Boston Globe, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Thrive Global, USA Today, Inc. Magazine, Forbes, Women’s Wear Daily, the Huffington Post, and Morgan Stanley’s Access and Opportunity podcast. Rhee is also a regional winner of the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the winner of one of five 2016 Power Player Awards granted by the National Retail Federation, the recipient of the 2017 Black Retail Action Group Business Achievement Award, the 2018 Temple Fox School of Business Information Technology Innovator Award, the 2018 Essex County Urban League Centennial William M. Ashby Award for community building, and a 2019 One To World Fulbright Award.
Rhee received his BA with honors from Harvard College and his JD with honors from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He lives outside Boston with his wife and three children. He is a former director of the American Repertory Theater and the National Retail Federation. He is currently working on a book
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The value of kindness at work
Kindness can go a long way when it comes to reshaping a business. Having saved a fashion company from the brink of bankruptcy, entrepreneur James Rhee shares the value of investing in a culture of compassion at work — and shows why we should all lead with our hearts.
Business and Personal Transformation—Money, Life & Joy
Impact Investing—Kindness & Math™
Turning Distress into Venture—The Art of the Turnaround
Movement Building, Marketing & Influence
Building a Performance Culture through Diversity and Inclusion
Operationalizing and Measuring Purpose
Videos
Closing Keynote: Leading with Kindness
James Rhee: The value of kindness at work | TED
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