Jeffrey Sonnenfeld Biography, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Parents, Career

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld is a prominent name in the business world, renowned for his outstanding contributions to the field of management. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld is a Chief Executive Officer of the Yale School of Management's Chief Executive Leadership Institute (CELI). In this article, we delve into the life and career of Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, covering topics such as his biography, age, wife, net worth, parents, and career achievements.

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld Biography

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld is a renowned figure in the world of business and management education. He was born on April 1st, 1954 in Philadelphia to Jewish parents, Burton Sonnenfeld and Rochelle Sonnenfeld. His mother, Rochelle, was a healthcare and community leader who immigrated to the United States from the former Russian Empire in the 1920s. His father, Burton, was a men's clothing retailer. From an early age, Sonnenfeld showed an interest in academia and pursued his education with a passion.

Sonnenfeld attended Harvard University, where he earned his AB, MBA, and PhD degrees. At the age of 26, he joined the faculty of the Harvard Business School, where he taught for ten years. During his time at Harvard, Sonnenfeld established himself as a trailblazer in the field of business and management education. He was known for his innovative teaching methods and his ability to inspire students to think critically and creatively.

In 1988, Sonnenfeld left Harvard to join the faculty of Emory University's Goizueta Business School in Atlanta, Georgia. At Emory, he continued to push the boundaries of business and management education, developing new courses and programs that emphasized real-world experience and hands-on learning. He also became a leading authority on CEO leadership and corporate governance, publishing numerous books and articles on the subject.

In addition to his work in academia, Sonnenfeld has also been an influential figure in the business world. He has served on the boards of directors of several major corporations, including The Home Depot, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., and The Sprint Corporation. He has also advised numerous CEOs and senior executives on issues related to leadership and corporate governance.

Despite his many accomplishments, Sonnenfeld remains humble and committed to his students and colleagues. He is known for his warm and approachable demeanor, and his willingness to go above and beyond to help others. His legacy in the field of business and management education is a testament to his dedication and passion for teaching and learning.

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld Career

After spending a decade at Emory University, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld has joined the faculty at Yale and is bringing with him the CEO College as well as launching the Chief Executive Leadership Institute. At Yale, he has established a new department of Executive Programs, offering around 35 programs every year to approximately 2,000 top leaders. These sessions take place in various cities such as New Haven, New York City, Beijing, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Shanghai. In addition, he also opened Yale University's first outpost in Washington, D.C. in 2011.

Sonnenfeld has studied the paths to resilience for felled CEOs, as well as victims from natural disasters, warfare, and other forms of disruption and adversity in his 2007 book, Firing Back (with Andrew Ward, Harvard Business School Press). His extensive research and insights have earned him a reputation as an expert in the field.

Sonnenfeld's popular course at Yale SOM, “Strategic Leadership Across Sectors,” is consistently the school's most popular and oversubscribed course. This has helped shape the future of a wide variety of fields as his previous students from Harvard, Emory, and Yale have gone on to become CEOs and leaders in various industries.

Apart from his academic pursuits, Sonnenfeld continues to be active in the local community. He currently resides in Connecticut with his wife, Clarky, and their two daughters, Sophie and Lauren.

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld Net Worth

Sonnenfeld's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. He has earned his wealth through his successful business career, as well as his work as a consultant and advisor to various companies.