Mark Kennedy

Mark Raymond Kennedy (born April 11, 1957) is an American businessman, politician, and academic leader, currently serving as the president of the University of Colorado (CU) system. Previously, he was the 12th president of the University of North Dakota, and before that, he led George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM). Under his leadership, the GSPM was recognized by PRWeek as the top public relations education program.

Kennedy's multifaceted career includes serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota from 2001 to 2007. During his tenure, he did not seek reelection in 2006, opting instead to run for U.S. Senate, where he was defeated by Democratic–Farmer–Labor nominee Amy Klobuchar. Kennedy also has a distinguished record as a senior executive at Macy's during a period of significant transformation and as a trade advisor to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama on international trade issues. Additionally, his roles extend beyond domestic politics; he serves as Chairman of the Economic Club of Minnesota and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Economic Club of Washington, and the Chatham House in London.

In his book "Shapeholders - Business Success in the Age of Activism" (Columbia Business School Press, 2017), Kennedy explores the interplay between businesses and their external influencers—political, regulatory, media, and activist actors, collectively termed as "shapeholders." He argues for a strategic approach to engage these groups to advance business objectives beneficially for society. This concept and his broader work reflect Kennedy's commitment to leveraging his diverse experiences to help navigate global trends and changes, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and bipartisan engagement, highlighted by his efforts to introduce and lead legislation with cross-party support during his time in Congress.