Arthur C. Brooks

Arthur C. Brooks holds the positions of Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School. At Harvard Business School, he teaches a popular course titled "Leadership and Happiness." Brooks also leads the Leadership & Happiness Laboratory at the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard. In addition, he is a columnist for The Atlantic, contributing to the "How to Build a Life" column since 2020.

Brooks is the author of 13 books that cover a wide range of topics. His most recent works include co-authoring the 2023 #1 New York Times bestseller, "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier" with Oprah Winfrey, and writing the 2022 #1 New York Times bestseller, "From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life." This book received endorsements from influential figures such as Oprah Winfrey and the Dalai Lama. He also authored "Love Your Enemies" in 2019. Brooks is a recognized speaker who engages with audiences worldwide about human happiness and well-being. He hosts the podcast "How to Build a Happy Life." In 2022, he participated in The Atlantic's "In Pursuit of Happiness" Conference.

Prior to his current academic positions, Brooks began his career as a classical French hornist, leaving college at 19 and touring and recording in the United States and Spain. He later returned to education, earning a BA through distance learning. At 31, he transitioned away from music and pursued higher education in public policy analysis, obtaining an MPhil and PhD from the Rand Graduate School. During his doctoral studies, Brooks worked as an analyst for the Rand Corporation’s Project Air Force, performing military operations research analysis.

After a decade as a university professor, primarily at Syracuse University, where he taught economics and nonprofit management, Brooks became the 11th President of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in Washington, DC. During his tenure, he was recognized as one of Fortune Magazine’s “50 World’s Greatest Leaders” and awarded multiple honorary doctorates. Moreover, he has been named Bowdoin's first Joseph McKeen Visiting Fellow.