Harry M. Kraemer

Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr. is an executive partner with Madison Dearborn Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois and a Clinical Professor of Leadership at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He has been named Kellogg School Professor of the Year for the Fulltime program as well as for the Executive MBA programs in Chicago, Miami, and Hong Kong. Harry is the author of three bestselling leadership books:

From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership
Becoming The Best: Build a World-Class Organization Through Values-Based Leadership
Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life

He is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter International Inc., a $12 billion global healthcare company. He became Baxter’s chief executive officer in January 1999, and assumed the additional responsibility of chairman of Baxter’s board of directors in January 2000.

Harry joined Baxter in 1982 as director of corporate development. His twenty-three year career at Baxter included senior positions in both domestic and international operations. In 1993, he was named senior vice president and chief financial officer, responsible for financial operations, business development, global communications, and European operations. Over the next several years, he assumed additional responsibility for Baxter’s Renal and Medication Delivery businesses. He was elected to Baxter’s board of directors in 1995, and was named president of Baxter International Inc. in 1997.

Before joining Baxter, Harry worked for Bank of America in corporate banking and for Northwest Industries in planning and business development.

Harry is active in business, education, and civic affairs. He currently serves on the board of directors of Leidos Corporation, Option Care Health, and Performance Health, and on the board of trustees of Northwestern University, The Conference Board, Endeavor Health System, and the Archdiocese of Chicago Finance Committee and School Board.

He is a member of the Dean’s Global Advisory Board of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He is a member of the Council of CEOs, the Commercial Club of Chicago, and the Economics Club of Chicago. He is a past member of the Business Roundtable, the Business Council, and the Healthcare Leadership Council.

Harry graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University of Wisconsin in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics. He received an MBA degree in finance and accounting from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 1979 and is a certified public accountant. For his outstanding leadership and service, he received the 1996 Schaffner Award from the Kellogg School of Management. Harry enjoys jogging, tennis, skiing, and reading, especially world civilization. Harry, his wife Julie, and their five children live in Wilmette, Illinois.