Hessan encourages global perspective, collaboration

Asper Award recognizes entrepreneurial spirit and independent thinking

Diane Hessan, recipient of the 2014 Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship, Leonard Asper ’86, and Paul Walborsky ’88, MA ’89, recipient of the Asper Alumni Entrepreneurship Award

Brandeis International Business School (IBS) honored Communispace Chairman Diane Hessan with the 2014 Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship during a ceremony attended by more than 100 community leaders, faculty, alumni and students at the Intercontinental Hotel in Boston on April 3.  

Upon receiving her award, Hessan encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to be fearless, collaborative and altruistic in their endeavors.

“Do something that’s not about you,” said Hessan. “One of the great things about Brandeis International Business School is the global perspective. It puts you in a larger context and keeps you humble.”

Earlier in the evening, Gigaom CEO Paul Walborsky ’88, MA ’89 was honored with the Asper Alumni Entrepreneurship Award. The dual-degree graduate of Brandeis IBS shared the importance of establishing a vision, creating long-term relationships, and staying passionate about what you’re doing, noting that Brandeis and the business school refined those qualities in him.

The Asper Center for Global Entrepreneurship annually awards two individuals (one a Brandeis alumnus) who best exemplify the Center’s values of entrepreneurial spirit and independent thinking.

“I wanted to encourage global entrepreneurship,” said Leonard Asper ’86 in remarks at the event. “The idea was to reward leaders for their success in the field and for achievements in the holistic part of the business: giving back.”

Last year’s recipient was Brian Lash, ’78, the founder of Target Logistics Management and a member of the Brandeis IBS Board of Overseers.

Categories: Alumni, Business

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