John Rice stands as a pivotal figure in the landscape of social entrepreneurship and racial equity. As the Founder and CEO of Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), he is at the forefront of addressing the racial wealth gap in the United States. MLT, a nationally recognized non-profit organization, is dedicated to propelling the career trajectories and economic empowerment of people of color, while simultaneously collaborating with companies to foster racially equitable workplace practices.
John Rice, CEO of Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), speaking at an MLT event. Rice is a prominent social entrepreneur focused on closing the racial wealth gap.
Under John Rice’s leadership, MLT has grown to serve over 13,000 students and professionals across the nation. The organization strategically partners with more than 200 leading corporations, including industry giants like Goldman Sachs, Google, Citi, and Target. These partnerships enable MLT to deliver comprehensive and tailored solutions that align with each company’s specific talent objectives, driving meaningful change within their organizational structures and beyond. John Rice’s impactful work has garnered significant media attention, featuring him on platforms such as CNN and the cover of Fortune magazine. Forbes also recognized his contributions by naming him among the top 30 social entrepreneurs globally.
Before establishing MLT and dedicating his career to social impact, John Rice held executive positions within the National Basketball Association (NBA). His roles included Managing Director of NBA Japan and Director of Marketing for Latin America, showcasing his international business acumen and leadership capabilities in a global sports and entertainment context. Earlier in his career, John Rice spent four years at The Walt Disney Company, where he contributed to new business development and marketing initiatives, gaining valuable experience in brand management and corporate strategy within a renowned multinational corporation.
Complementing his role at MLT, John Rice is an active leader in the corporate world, serving as the lead independent Director for both Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), a prominent real estate finance company, and Opendoor (NASDAQ: OPEN), a leading digital platform revolutionizing residential real estate transactions. His governance experience extends to the non-profit sector as well, having served on the Board of Trustees of Yale University for twelve years and currently holding a board membership with New Profit, a venture philanthropy fund focused on social innovation and impact.
John Rice’s academic credentials include an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA with honors from Yale University. At Yale, he was not only a distinguished scholar but also a three-year starter on the university’s basketball team, demonstrating his commitment to excellence both academically and athletically. John Rice currently resides in the Washington, DC area with his wife Andrea, and they are parents to two children, Mateo and Kiki.
To further explore John Rice’s insights and engage with his perspectives on leadership and racial equity, you can connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn.
