Balancing Mission-Driven Leadership and Inclusive Industrial Growth

On September 25, 2024, Lindsay Greene '11, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, spoke at Social Impact Lab, sharing her experiences at the helm of a unique mission-driven industrial hub in New York City. With a blend of business acumen and a deep commitment to social impact, Greene has positioned the Navy Yard as an innovative force in urban development.

Greene reflected on the challenges she faces in maintaining a massive industrial complex with over 550 businesses. As a “mission-driven landlord," her responsibilities go beyond simply managing the property. She also works to connect people with jobs and ensure that the businesses at the Navy Yard thrive, balancing the needs of the companies and those of the community.

A Focus on Impact and Growth

For Greene, the Navy Yard’s success is measured across several key outcomes: job creation, business growth, and community development. With over 13,000 people employed at the Navy Yard, the workforce spans a wide range of industries, from kombucha producers to cutting-edge neural implant manufacturers helping quadruple amputees regain mobility. Most of the businesses are small, averaging fewer than 12 employees each, but together, they form a diverse and thriving industrial ecosystem.

Greene’s approach to leadership is deeply impact-oriented. She shared how the Navy Yard constantly engages with its tenants, asking questions about hiring practices, wages, and what resources they need for success. The goal, she emphasized, is to create a stable environment where businesses – from manufacturers to artists designing sets for TV and Broadway – can grow and innovate. To support this, the Navy Yard provides a full suite of business services and workforce development initiatives, aiming to connect the local community with the Yard’s economic opportunities. Greene’s vision is clear: foster inclusive industrial growth for the 21st century.

One of the standout initiatives under her leadership is the Navy Yard's focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education for high school students. By offering students pathways in fields such as culinary arts, IT, media, and cybersecurity, the Navy Yard not only serves businesses but also invests in the future workforce.

Lessons in Leadership from SOM

Reflecting on her time at SOM, Greene acknowledged how much her education shaped her leadership approach. Coming from a finance background, she candidly admitted that she had “no orientation for things outside of spreadsheets” before SOM. Her coursework in human capital and organizational behavior broadened her understanding of how people work best together and how critical that is to running a successful organization.

One class in particular, “Innovator,” stood out for her. It taught her the importance of valuing people in business: “Organizations rise and sink depending on how well they treat people.” This philosophy has influenced her leadership style, which she describes as "human and transparent, " and she strives to lead in the way she would have liked to have been led.

Greene's advice to the next generation of leaders at SOM was clear: “Figure out and craft your authentic leadership style.” Additionally, SOM taught her how to think critically and solve problems, skills she continues to draw on as she navigates the complexities of running the Navy Yard.