McKinsey on Lives & Legacies: June 2024
Notable Losses in June 2024
Mary Wells Lawrence (1928-2024)
- Advertising Star: The first woman CEO of an NYSE-listed company, known for bold advertising campaigns, notably "plop plop, fizz fizz" for Alka-Seltzer. Faced resistance from her former employer regarding gender acceptance in leadership roles.
Donald E. Petersen (1926-2024)
- Ford Motor CEO: Emphasized teamwork and quality in management, promoting excellence beyond mere profit concerns. Introduced Japanese consultant W. Edwards Deming's methods to enhance Ford's production standards.
Phyllis Pressman (1930-2024)
- Bohemia Department Store Doxyne: Pioneered boho-chic aesthetics in luxury department stores, introducing globally sourced home furnishings and unique display elements.
Ellen Ash Peters (1931-2024)
- Yale Law Faculty Member & Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice: The first female on Yale’s law faculty and the first female chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. Overcame initial skepticism and contributed significantly to legal discourse.
Frank Shrontz (1929-2024)
- Boeing CEO: Known for overseeing the development of the successful wide-body 777 aircraft and adept crisis management, emphasizing the importance of vigilance even in prosperous times.
Inspirational Figures
Michael C. Jensen (1934-2024)
- Harvard Economist: Influential in the finance world, particularly in stock options, leveraged buyouts, and executive compensation, though his legacy was controversial due to its association with the "greed is good" era.
Jim Simons (1939-2024)
- Quantitative Trading Pioneer: Revolutionized financial trading through mathematical and computational strategies, leading to the success of Renaissance Technologies and the adoption of quantitative methods in finance.
Maryse Condé (1936-2024)
- French Caribbean Novelist: A key figure in Francophone literature, her works traced the African diaspora and explored themes of slavery and colonialism with local detail and universal relevance.
Joel Breman (1938-2024)
- Ebola Battler: Notably controlled the first known Ebola outbreak, becoming a legend in the fight against infectious diseases. Also fought against smallpox, malaria, and Guinea worm during his long career.
Kris Hallenga (1937-2024)
- Cancer Advocate: Responded to her terminal diagnosis with fierce determination, founding CoppaFeel to raise awareness about breast cancer among young women.
Ivan Boesky (1938-2024)
- End of the Greed Era: His downfall and guilty plea helped end the era of debt-fueled takeovers and the "greed is good" philosophy popularized in media.
Jim Simons (1939-2024)
- Quantitative Trading Pioneer: His success in applying mathematical and computational strategies to finance has had a lasting impact on the industry.
Legacy and Impact
These individuals left significant legacies in various fields, from business and law to literature and medicine, shaping industries and inspiring future generations. Their stories highlight resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence, contributing to a broader understanding of human achievement across diverse disciplines.
