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CBA Harris Lecture Series Presents John Mackey CEO of Whole Foods

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business Administration and University of Nebraska College of Law host the inaugural Lewis E. Harris Lecture Series featuring John Mackey on Wednesday, October 5, 1:30-2:30 p.m., at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Mackey is co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, his supermarket chain became the first in the United States certified as an organic grocer. He authored the book “Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business,” which appeared on best-selling lists for both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

“The new endowed Harris Lecture Series allows us to bring in major speakers like John Mackey,” said Dr. Donde Plowman, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business Administration. “This is the first one and we hope to have a large crowd for this meaningful lecture. Conscious Capitalism supports four key principles: higher purpose, stakeholder orientation, conscious leadership and conscious culture.”

John Mackey will speak at the Lied Center for Performing Arts
John Mackey will speak at the Lied Center for Performing Arts
Mackey’s focus on building a more conscious way of doing business resulted in the fast rise of Whole Foods across the U.S. The company is a $14 billion Fortune 500 company with more than 410 stores and 88,000 team members in three countries. He received honors such as Ernst & Young’s “United States Entrepreneur of the Year,” Institutional Investor’s “Best CEO in America,” Barron’s “World’s Best CEO” and Fortune’s “Businessperson of the Year” and one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders.”

Mackey created the Whole Planet Foundation to help end poverty in developing nations. He launched the Local Producer Loan Program to help local farmers expand businesses.

“John defends both business and capitalism are inherently good. He challenges business leaders to reimagine capitalism, and encourages a way of doing business grounded in ethical consciousness. I am grateful to the Harris family for helping make this event possible,” said Plowman.

The event is free and open to the public.
Published: September 19, 2016