About the Alumni Council Nominating Process

The Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee, chaired by Tom Daniels ‘82, conducted a thorough and rigorous process. It reviewed over 400 alumni over the course of 16 meetings over the past two years. This included vetting over 100 alumni who were formally nominated, as well as over 300 other alumni whom the committee thought deserved consideration to ensure that the process included a full look at the entire alumni body and skill sets that could be brought to the board. The key attributes considered were superior professional and personal achievement; critical thinking skills; independence; strong interpersonal and collaborative skills in a board context; broad appeal; a willingness to run a campaign and serve if elected; and passion for Dartmouth. In many cases, references were solicited on a highly discrete basis from professional and personal colleagues. From this process, a short list was developed and a group was selected to meet with committee, as well as submit personal statements and answers to questions drawn up by the committee. Following a week-end of interviews in New York City, Mort and John were selected and the recommendations were approved by the Executive Committee and full Alumni Council.

Mort brings a 40+ year in journalism analyzing politics, policy, health care, education and the economy. He has been known as a fierce independent and voice of moderation throughout his career, which includes serving as an original panelist on “The McLaughlin Group,” panelist for the 1984 Reagan-Mondale debate and stints as the Washington bureau chief for Newsweek and executive editor for the New Republic before his current role as executive editor of Roll Call. He is former president of The D, on the editorial board of the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine and served as a class officer. John brings over 20 years of experience as a business leader as former president of Guinness Bass Import Company, general manager of Unilever Skin Care and now President and CEO of Burt’s Bees, a leading global personal skin care company. He started his career at Boston Consulting Group, is a recognized leader in corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues, serves on the board for Habitat for Humanity and Ravenscroft School. John is a second generation Dartmouth alum who was in the Student Assembly, a member of Bones Gate and has been active in his class since graduation.