Participant Story

Helen Vaid

Headshot of Executive Helen Vaid

Redefine What it Means to be an Exceptional Leader

  • Role

    Board Member, Foundry Brands and Abercrombie & Fitch
  • Industry

    • Retail

I soon realized that investing in oneself is the most valuable gift one can give.

After participating in HBS Executive Education's Women on Boards program, Helen Vaid, a board member of Foundry Brands and Abercrombie & Fitch, realized that she had reached a pivotal point in her career. For more than 25 years, she had been serving as an executive, board member, and CEO—and now it was time for a new challenge. When Helen arrived at the Advanced Management Program (AMP), she was ready to embrace a growth mindset and stretch her capability even further.

In addition to serving on the board of Foundry Brands and Abercrombie & Fitch, you're also a board member for Groupon. Why did you decide to invest in executive education?

Great leaders are distinguished by their unwavering commitment to learning and self-investment. While we acquire knowledge and skills through our work, there are pivotal moments in our careers, especially when we are performing exceptionally well, that call for introspection. We must ask ourselves, "Can I elevate my capability even further?" Embracing a growth mindset means recognizing that improvement is always possible—and the Advanced Management Program (AMP) proved to be a transformative journey for me.

Despite having over 25 years of industry experience as an executive, board member, and CEO, I needed to be challenged. It became evident that my playbooks, while effective in my specific context, weren’t necessarily portable. Moreover, AMP helped me uncover my true passion and discover my North Star in life. Learning alongside an extraordinary group of women and men equipped me with the tools to navigate uncertainty and embrace change with confidence.

What was the driving factor behind your decision to enroll in AMP, and what was the biggest challenge you faced?

As someone who participated in Women on Boards at HBS, I found myself craving more time with the remarkable faculty and the inspiring women and men who pushed me beyond my comfort zone. This urge for continued growth is what led me to enroll in AMP.

One of the biggest challenges was finding the time and granting myself permission to invest in myself. However, I soon realized that investing in oneself is the most valuable gift one can give. It may seem like a significant commitment in terms of time and cost, but over 100 senior men in AMP 204 believed it was a worthwhile investment. And yet, that number for women was less than 50 in my cohort.

Although it was the largest group of women ever in AMP, we must strive to reverse those numbers. The proof-versus-potential problem perpetuates a vicious cycle—when people don’t see enough women in top leadership roles or leadership programs, they struggle to believe that women possess the qualities required to become exceptional leaders. Let’s prove them wrong.

What advice would you give to women leaders who are thinking about attending AMP?

Each of you is already an incredible and fearless woman leader. This investment will not only enhance your current abilities but also open new doors for your future. Real confidence lies in continuously modeling a commitment to ongoing learning. Embrace this opportunity, and let us shatter the barriers that hold us back. Together, we will redefine what it means to be exceptional leaders.

Featured Program

Advanced Management Program

Featured Program

Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director