Robert Kaplan is an influential figure in both financial and educational sectors, well-known for his management experience and philanthropic efforts, strongly committed to social impact.
Serving as President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 2015 until 2021, Kaplan managed 1,300 employees and represented the Eleventh Federal Reserve District on the Federal Open Market Committee in the formulation of US monetary policy. During his tenure, he established the Dallas Fed as a leader in research and thought-leadership, while fostering community engagement with countless events and spearheading initiatives for early childhood literacy, digital inclusion, and skills training.
Before joining the Federal Reserve Bank, Kaplan was acting Martin Marshall Professor of Management Practice and Senior Associate Dean at Harvard Business School; and, prior to this, he was Vice Chairman of the Goldman Sachs Group, overseeing investment banking and investment management divisions globally. With a 23-year career at Goldman Sachs, he held various leadership positions, including running Global Investment Banking and Asia Pacific Investment Banking, as well as serving on the management and partnership committees.
He currently chairs Project A.L.S. and co-chairs the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, a venture philanthropy organisation focused on non-profit enterprises addressing social issues. Kaplan is involved in various advisory roles and boards, such as the George W. Bush Institute, Baker Institute, Harvard Medical School, St. Mark’s School of Texas and The Commit Partnership. Additionally, he serves on the Bipartisan Policy Center President’s Council and the Board of Directors at The Holdsworth Center, SMU Tate Lecture Series, and is part of CEOs Against Cancer. He is also the Co-Founding Board Chair Emeritus of the TEAK Fellowships.
Robert Kaplan has written three books on leadership and personal development. He earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Kansas with the highest distinction and obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School. There, he was recognised as a Baker Scholar.
