Military in Business with MAJ (R) Henry Pittman

Once I retired from the military, I started doing some contract work for the Pentagon. When I left the Pentagon, I was a Chief Strategy Officer and Program Manager of the Vision Center of Excellence and a part of the General Dynamics Health Solutions unit, a healthcare service solution that continued to build upon what I had done while at Walter Reed Army Healthcare. Then, I was a Chief Strategy Officer at Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. for a $400 million global logistics program.

In 2016, I met an angel investor in the Washington DC area who invited me to go to China. So, I went to Kunming, China where they were talking about moving 350 million people into their elder healthcare system. I thought, “That's larger than the United States." It showed me how healthcare is so important on a global level and I wanted to do it. I started building a global network in venture capital and private equity and learning as much as I could.

In 2022, as I was preparing to launch a venture capital private equity firm, I clicked on something from Columbia Business School Executive Education as I thought it was more information that I could learn from. They demonstrated what I perceive as a value system. They are not trying to sell me something to check a box and get a sale. Columbia Business School is trying to show me an opportunity. There's a lot of integrity in my dealings with them. The tipping point for me was when I saw the value system attached to the program based off of the individuals that I met.

First and foremost, thought leadership. Several colleagues and co-learners in my own cohort were already running venture capital firms and funds themselves. Some of them just started before they got into the program. Some have started as the program progressed. The thought leadership from my peers was just incredible. Then, the thought leadership that came from the program leaders in the different electives that I took allowed me to expand my growth mindset.

These leaders gave us provocative things to think about and challenged us to think differently, think beyond, and get more out of the program. And finally, the thought leadership that comes from the professors themselves. Some had guest speakers and peer industry leaders that came in. Great thought leadership that helped us and challenged us.

It would've been different if I had experienced it with just the professors and not with my colleagues and program leaders. My view is that the thought leadership is not just coming from the institution but also from my co-learners. Throughout the program, the thought leadership was consistently good.

Also, this program encouraged us to network and attend events. I came up to the campus to attend conferences and symposiums that were related to my field of study. That helped me grow in my learning and expand my network. The community aspect is a key strength of this program.

I'm literally starting a business. This year, I will transform my business into a venture capital and private equity firm. As a veteran, Columbia Business School helped me do that. This program was the missing piece that I needed. It’s not just an executive education program, in my mind, it's an incubator and accelerator of ideas and concepts with a strategic enabler called the Columbia Venture Community network. I was able to bounce ideas with my colleagues, co-learners, and other Columbia University strategic thinkers. I was able to share with staff members my vision to start a venture capital and private equity firm and they pointed me in helpful directions telling me about different clubs and events.

I can reach out and talk to alumni from Columbia, from their law school, from their public health, from their medical school. That's the unexpected benefit that I didn't think was going to come. I have received a tremendous number of resources that have come just from being in the Columbia Business School ecosystem.

First, I’d say, “You belong.” When someone feels like they belong, it changes their life. That's the transformational aspect of Columbia Business School – you belong. Columbia is a supportive environment. In my cohort, a fellow learner is a veteran on active duty. One of the guys in my negotiation strategies class was an active-duty veteran. The surprise I found is that, even inside of this program, I was able to identify who the veterans were. You could connect and find mutual support because you have a shared value system. I didn't hang a sign that I was a veteran, but once others realized I was a veteran there was this level of respect that was displayed for your service.

Look at the GI Bill. That's the only reason I'm in Columbia. If I didn't have it, I would not have been able to go. Columbia understands what the GI Bill can do and what it can't do.

If you're looking to make a transformational aspect to your career and to your life, this Senior Executive Program, Venture Capital and Private Equity is the program that you would want to have. It will strategically position you for success and growth. It will transform your thinking conceptually. It's strategic in nature, it's transformational in landscape, and it's impactful on a global scale.

I came from an HBCU and am very proud of it. I've always been told no in many business ventures because of racism. However, to be told yes by Columbia Business School meant a lot. It lets you know that your hard work pays off and that people can see potential in you beyond your skin color or cultural background. They don't label you. That was important and that was the game changer. Despite what people would say have been my past accomplishments, I realized that I was just tired of hearing no. And Columbia Business School said yes—which was and still is an emotional experience of gratitude for me.

They were a voice when I didn't have a voice and spoke on my behalf. I didn't have to ask them to speak on my behalf; they just did. That's a credit to the individuals I worked with and the organization. This is why starting my own venture capital and private equity fund is so important to me because I want to be a voice for others who believe they have no voice and who believe that no one cares.

As a man of faith and veteran who lived 24 years of my life in service to my family and my country, I offer the following acronym FELL:

“Hold the Line” of Faith that your calling is sure and steadfast despite the obstacles.
“Hold the Line” of Ethics that while you are not perfect, you will not compromise.
“Hold the Line” of Leadership that will inspire others to achieve and fulfill their destinies.
“Hold the Line” of Love that will allow others to feel safe and secure to thrive.

I found all of this during my Columbia Business School Executive Education Venture Capital and Private Equity program, and I am blessed because of this unique experience.

Thank you Columbia Business School for believing in me and saying YES YOU CAN!

To hear more from Henry Pittman, watch his Digital Health Summit HITLAB conversation.