Thomas, David A., 1956-

Person

Biography

David A. Thomas is a recognized thought leader in the discipline of strategic human resource management. His research addresses issues related to executive development, cultural diversity in organizations, leadership, and organizational change.

Thomas was born September 26, 1956 in Kansas City, MO. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1978, and Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University in 1981. Thomas then returned to Yale where he received a Master of Philosophy in 1984 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1986, upon completion of his dissertation: An Intra-Organizational Analysis of Differences in Black and White Patterns of Sponsorship and the Dynamics of Cross-Racial Mentoring. The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania hired Thomas as Assistant Professor of Management in 1986.

Thomas joined the faculty at Harvard Business School in 1990 as an Assistant Professor. He received tenure in 1998 and was awarded the position of H. Naylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration in 2000. From 2005 to 2008 he served as Senior Associate Dean and Director of Faculty Recruitment, and additionally took on the position of Unit Head for the Organizational Behavior Unit from 2006 to 2011. In the Organizational Behavior Unit, Thomas taught required curriculum courses on Leadership and Organizational Behavior and an elective course entitled Power and Influence; he also developed and taught the elective course Self-Assessment and Career Development. In the Executive Education program, Thomas served as faculty chair for Strategic Human Resource Management and led the Public Education Leadership Project.

During his tenure at HBS, Thomas researched and wrote over 60 articles and case studies, and co-authored two books: Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America, with John J. Gabarro (1999); and Leading for Equity: The Pursuit of Excellence in Montgomery County Public Schools, with Stacey M. Childress and Dennis P. Doyle (2009). In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, Thomas served as a consultant to corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, and sat on the boards of several organizations, including Cambridge Trust Company, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Partners Healthcare, Center for Creative Leadership, and the Posse Foundation.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

David A. Thomas papers

FOUND IN: Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School

Collection Identifier: Arch GA 86

Overview:

This collection includes papers of Harvard Business School professor David A. Thomas documenting his research, teaching, administrative, and professional activities.