Financier and Philanthropist Gary Winnick Keynotes "Leadership in Crisis" Conversation at Harvard's Center for Public Leadership

Winnick discussed with students and faculty his life, his career and his leadership in the business world. Center provides cutting-edge teaching and research as well as hands-on training in the practical skills of leadership for people in government, not-for-profits, and business.

Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) May 4, 2009 -- Financier and philanthropist Gary Winnick (http://www.winnickfamilyfoundation.com/) delivered keynote remarks at an afternoon conversation and open forum for students and faculty at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. The subject of the April 23rd event, held in the School's Darman Seminar Room, was "Leadership in Crisis."

Appearing at the School's Center for Public Leadership, Winnick spoke of his own cutting-edge career which transformed three industries - venture finance at Drexel Burnham Lambert, fiber optic telecommunications at Global Crossing, and now clean-technology construction at iCrete (http://www.icrete.com/).

The Center for Public Leadership at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government was established in 2000 and provides cutting-edge teaching and research as well as hands-on training in the practical skills of leadership for people in government, not-for-profits, and business.

David Gergen, director of the center and an advisor to four American Presidents, is also host of the seminar series which invites current global leaders from the worlds of business, government, and philanthropy to present their personal "leadership journeys" in the context of current issues and events.

Said Gergen: "Across America and around much of the globe, people are searching for public leaders - men and women of talent, vision and entrepreneurial spirit. Gary Winnick is such a leader - a man who has come through crisis, bounced back, and continues to create new companies with energy, zeal, and creativity."

Winnick was asked by Christopher Peabody, winner of a prestigious Zuckerman Fellowship at Harvard's School of Public Health where he is a master's candidate, to outline the skill sets needed to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Said Winnick: "You need to be disciplined in building piece by piece from the ground up, understanding of the relationships among team members and investors, creative in allocating monetary and human resources, and confident enough to deal with the unknown."

Peabody later praised Winnick as "amazingly candid, perceptive, and inspiring."

Added Adelaide Schaeffer, Executive Director and Founder of Champions for Kids in Arkansas and a current mid-career master's candidate in public administration at the Kennedy School of Government: "I think he was one of the finest speakers I've heard at Harvard this year."

Said Winnick: "Harvard's Center for Public Leadership is a wonderful and protected space where a future leader can engage one-on-one those now on the front lines of economic and political change, challenging our current leaders in ways that refine the student's own skills and capabilities."

Added Winnick: "I was honored to be invited to the School by my friend David Gergen and I learned as much as or more than I gave from the lively no-holds-barred exchange of views and insights with David and the dynamic young men and women of the center."

About Pacific Capital Group

Pacific Capital Group, Inc. ("PCG") is a Los Angeles, CA based investment firm established in 1985, which is today involved with private equity, restructuring and investments in a select group of industries, such as material science, health care, real estate and telecommunications.

The firm was founded and is led by financier and philanthropist Gary Winnick (http://www.winnickfamilyfoundation.com/about.html) who has 30 years of experience in capital markets and investing. His vision, innovation, and dedication to effect positive change in society drive the firm's investment thesis as well as the contribution goals of the Winnick Family Foundation. Mr. Winnick is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PCG.

Mr. Winnick (http://icrete.com/about_us.html) is also Founder and Chairman of iCRETE, a PCG portfolio enterprise. iCRETE is a clean-energy leader and the world's premier concrete technology company, transforming the way ready mixed and precast concrete is designed, produced and used worldwide.

Pacific Capital Group also founded Global Crossing, of which Mr. Winnick was Founder and Chairman. The Global Crossing network now spans a total of 130,000 miles worldwide.

Mr. Winnick is a patron of humanitarian and literacy projects worldwide including support for a select group of world-class universities, libraries, medical research centers, and fine art institutions. He is also a member of numerous national and international philanthropic boards and associations, including the Museum of Modern Art and the US-UAE Business Council.

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