About
Dr. Hise Gibson
Dr. Hise Gibson graduated from West Point, where he played on the Division-1A Army football team. Following graduation, he commissioned in the US Army as a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Aviation Officer. He served with distinction in various command and staff positions for over 25 years. His most recent operational assignment was in the historic 82nd Airborne Division as a Battalion Commander, earning the rank of Colonel before retiring in 2021. He has led soldiers in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning, among other military decorations, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Master Aviator badge, Parachutist badge, and the Air Assault badge.
Dr. Gibson holds an MS in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Masters in Operational Art and Science from the Air Command and Staff College, and a Doctorate of Business Administration in Technology and Operations Management from Harvard University. Up until July of 2021, Colonel Gibson served as an Academy Professor in the Systems Engineering Department at the United States Military Academy. He established and directed the Systems Decisions and Analysis Center, directing the department’s core engineering sequence and also engaged in strategic outreach as a Fellow at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
Dr. Gibson is currently a faculty member at Harvard Business School where he teaches the core Technology and Operations Management course, Crisis Leadership, and Capstone Immersion course focused on team effectiveness and contextual intelligence. His individual and collaborative research, consulting, and speaking engagements operate within the sectors of technology integration, operational effectiveness, leadership, leader development, strategic human capital development, change management, and leading teams through crisis.
- Harvard Business School Professor
- Retired US Army Colonel
- Global Leadership Expert
- Crisis Management Specialist
Education
Academic Foundation
A rare combination of technical, operational, and doctoral training from the nation's leading institutions.
Doctorate of Business Administration
Technology & Operations Management — Harvard Business School
MS in Operations Research
Naval Postgraduate School
Masters in Operational Art & Science
Air Command and Staff College
BS, United States Military Academy
West Point — Division 1-A Army Football Team
Military Service
25+ Years of Distinguished Leadership
A West Point graduate and UH-60 Blackhawk aviator, Dr. Gibson commanded at the highest levels — including Battalion Commander in the historic 82nd Airborne Division — earning the Bronze Star Medal and Legion of Merit before retiring as a Colonel in 2021.
- Retired US Army Colonel — 25+ years of distinguished service
- Battalion Commander, historic 82nd Airborne Division
- UH-60 Blackhawk Aviation Officer & Commander, Iraq and Afghanistan
- Bronze Star Medal and Legion of Merit recipient
- Academy Professor, Systems Engineering — US Military Academy, West Point
- Founded and directed the Systems Decisions and Analysis Center
- Fellow, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
- Led soldiers and aviation units in combat operations across Iraq and Afghanistan.
Credentials
A Proven Record
Trusted by the world's leading institutions and organizations.
Harvard
Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School
Military
Retired US Army Colonel, 25+ Years Service
Global
International Speaking Experience
Fortune 500
Trusted by Leading Organizations
About The Team
Dr. Hise Gibson is supported by a national team of experts, available on demand.
Every engagement draws on a nationwide network of seasoned operators, researchers, and advisors. Your organization gets the right expertise at the right moment.
- A senior leader in economic development spearheading transformative re-zoning initiatives encompassing mixed-use development projects in key downtown areas. Driven by a passion for public service, committed to making a meaningful impact through innovative urban planning and revitalization efforts.
- Leader in Leadership Learning & Development, Change and Performance Management. 25 years of international experience designing and implementing strategic projects across cross-functional teams. Proven success coaching leaders to translate strategy and culture into measurable working practice and building teams that use analytics to drive performance improvement. Strong executive-level design thinking and journey mapping to co-create solutions for customer and operational excellence.
- Over 15 years of consulting experience across startups, mid-sized firms, and corporate giants like Deloitte, with firsthand knowledge to help leaders navigate organizational challenges, craft winning strategies, and drive performance. Specializes in organizational strategy and leadership coaching for both small teams and large enterprises.
- 15+ years of demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing cutting-edge learning programs, cultivating leadership development, and operationalizing strategic plans. Adept at assessing organizational needs, identifying growth opportunities, and delivering actionable solutions that enhance employee engagement and performance across organizations, including Big 4 Consulting. Brings a sharp focus on business development and activating strategic business plans to drive measurable growth, organizational alignment, and long-term impact across both emerging and established enterprises.
- Extensive corporate and nonprofit media sales and marketing expertise, combined with a strong leadership and nonprofit background in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Skilled in end-to-end program management, comprehensive current state assessments and audits, and targeted execution against areas of opportunity. Brings a strategic lens to brand and marketing initiatives that directly support business goals, drive audience engagement, and amplify organizational impact.
- Seasoned crisis communications and stakeholder engagement strategist with experience supporting Fortune 500 leadership through high-stakes transitions, reputation management, and internal alignment initiatives.
Publications
Books, Research & Cases
Dr. Gibson's published work spans operations research, systems thinking, inclusive leadership, and crisis management — including more than a dozen Harvard Business School cases taught worldwide.
Books
Tutorials in Operations Research: Emerging and Impactful Topics in Operations
Co-editor with Mabel Chou and Bradley Staats — INFORMS, 2022
Journal Articles
Crucibles, Multiple Sensitive Periods, and Career Progression
Academy of Management Proceedings, 2024 — with Choudhury, Dutta & Lin
Leapfrog Leaders: Highlighting Cognitive Structure and Dynamics to Leapfrog Leaders to the Next Level
Journal of Applied Systems Thinking, 2020 — with Cabrera & Cabrera
The 'Mission Ready' Experience: Afghanistan
Army Aviation Magazine, 2011 — with Robert F. Howe
Book Chapters
Ongoing Inclusion: African Americans in the Military
Inclusion in the American Military: A Force for Diversity, 2nd ed. — Rowman & Littlefield, 2023
Systems Thinking and the Engineering Leader
The Routledge Handbook of Systems Thinking — Routledge
Systems Engineering—Reengineered: The Fourth Wave
The Routledge Handbook of Systems Thinking — Routledge
Leapfrog Leaders: Accelerating Systems Leadership Skills
The Routledge Handbook of Systems Thinking — Routledge
Selected HBS Cases & Teaching Materials
FedEx Cyberattack (A): Navigating the NotPetya Storm
Harvard Business School Case, 2024
Leading Through Crises: The Recording Academy and the LA Wildfires
Harvard Business School Case, 2025
Deion Sanders: The Prime Effect
Harvard Business School Case, 2024
Uncle Nearest: Creating a Legacy
Harvard Business School Case, 2024
“In That Crucible, You Find Innovation”: Public Safety Transformation in Albuquerque
Harvard Business School Case, 2024
Defense Logistics Agency: Dynamic Vaccine Distribution at Scale
Harvard Business School Case, 2022
CommonSpirit Health: Integrating a Merger of Equals
Harvard Business School Case, 2020
Southern Company: Powering the Future
Harvard Business School Case, 2026
Media
In the News
Featured across Harvard Business Review, HBS Working Knowledge, and national media.
HBS Working Knowledge · Apr 2025
Solving Three Common AI Challenges Companies Face
Cold Call — Harvard Business Review Podcast · Jan 2025
The Leadership Style of Football Legend Deion Sanders
Harvard Business Review · Oct 2024
Commander's Intent Enables Great Leadership
HBS Working Knowledge · Aug 2024
Post-CrowdStrike, Six Questions to Test Your Company's Operational Resilience
HBS Working Knowledge · Apr 2024
Deion Sanders' Prime Lessons for Leading a Team to Victory
Harvard Business School · Feb 2024
Honoring the History of Black Americans in the Military
HBS Working Knowledge · Jun 2023
Every Company Should Have These Leaders — or Develop Them if They Don't
HBS Working Knowledge · Aug 2022
Your Best Employees Are Burning Out: A Framework for Retaining Talent
Work with Dr. Gibson
Consulting engagements, executive development programs, and keynote speaking.