The HBS faculty is comprised of scholars and practitioners who bring cutting-edge research, rich experience, and deep insights to classrooms, organizations, and leaders around the world. We spoke to new HBS faculty members about their backgrounds, new roles, and interests.
John Mulliken, Senior Lecturer, Strategy
What were you doing before coming to HBS?
In recent years, I have focused on board work, climate policy, investing in and advising early-stage climate technology companies, and my work as a senior advisor at Boston Consulting Group. Most recently, I built and led Indigo Ag’s global carbon market. Prior to that, he spent 10 years at Wayfair, where he ran strategy, ran international business, and served as CTO. Prior to that, he spent seven years at BCG as a principal and one of the founders of the multichannel retail group. My history goes back a long way, when I started my PhD in economics, I had the opportunity to become the number one employee at a start-up company. That led to a great career, but I still think like an economist.
How have you demonstrated leadership in your business?
Lately, I’ve been enjoying my role on the board. They gave me a great perspective on my own work as a business owner and a completely different approach to leadership. I also speak with other company board members about assessing and responding to climate change emissions risks. I wrote an HBR article summarizing my approach. I have also been fortunate to lead early stage startups and build many products and businesses at Wayfair and Indigo Ag. Now I have the opportunity to help young CEOs grow through mentoring and networking.
What can you tell me?
Strategies in the required curriculum. We are also beginning to develop elective curriculum classes on climate strategy and competitive advantage. If you are interested, please contact us.
What do you think you would have done if you hadn’t become a professor?
I intend to further grow the carbon zero project that I have been implementing for the past few years. We have developed approaches that gain support for greenhouse gas emissions control and limitation in the United States and internationally. The most advanced is the Carbon Scoring Project, which is a Congressional Budget Office-like function on carbon. After developing the initial concept, we raised funding for strategy work and prototypes at several large DC think tanks. It’s great to see it moving forward. I believe that real opportunities for emissions reductions, climate entrepreneurship, and climate change technology can only be realized if efficient and rational emissions management tools are put in place.
Where are you from?
I’m a New York City kid, but I’ve lived from Oregon to the Bay Area, Minneapolis, Paris, Budapest, and even London a few times. My kids have been going to Red Sox games since they were little, so now they say they’re from Boston.
What do you like to do outside of school?
It’s too difficult to name one thing. I love skiing and went on an alpine tour during the pandemic. You can find me sailing in Buzzards Bay, riding road bikes in Boston (and Europe), or sculling on the Charles River. I’m an avid reader, a poor but passionate cook, and I dabble in cider making on my old farm in Rhode Island. I have two children and my wife teaches history at Boston University. We recently added a young golden retriever to our lives. I’m busy.
What is your favorite book, movie, or piece of art?
There are too many books to list, but I’d start with books by Waugh, Isherwood, Maugham, Hardy, and Neal Stephenson. Hampstead Heath, London is home to Henry Moore’s sculpture Two-Piece Reclining Figure No.5. I love not only the work itself, but also its idyllic and unexpected setting, so when I’m in London I like to lie on the grass nearby.
