What does it take to help people achieve their “unreasonable dreams”? For Kevin Richardson, it starts with three Stanford degrees, including his MBA from Stanford GSB, but it’s sustained by an unwavering commitment to lifting others as he climbs.
Kevin’s entrepreneurial journey demonstrates the breadth of impact possible when passion meets purpose. As co-founder of Soggy Paws, he built a Chicago-based chain of pet services and retail stores. He later channeled his commitment to education into co-founding the Beanstalk Initiative, a venture capital firm providing financial literacy education to youth — planting seeds for the next generation’s economic empowerment.
Since 2017, as principal executive coach at MacArthur Coaching, Kevin has specialized in guiding executives and organizations through pivotal transitions. His approach goes beyond traditional coaching: he helps clients identify their core strengths, values, and passions, then develops practical strategies to transform these insights into competitive advantages. Kevin also mentors future business leaders, coaching applicants to top U.S. and European MBA programs. “I help people and teams dream bigger — then get there!” he explains.
Kevin’s impact extends into the heart of the GSB community. As a board member of the Alumni Consulting Team, he helps deliver pro bono strategic consulting to nonprofits. In 2020, he pioneered ACT’s Racial Equity Initiatives, creating a program that has served 50 organizations over five years. “Under his leadership, ACT began supporting organizations that directly impact racial equity in the U.S.,” says Tova Jaffe, MBA ’97. This groundbreaking work earned Kevin the 2022 Alison Elliott Exceptional Achievement Award, which recognizes alumni volunteers who have helped ACT or a community cause move to a new plane of excellence through their dedication, pragmatism, and team leadership.
Kevin’s commitment to developing others continues through his role facilitating the GSB’s renowned “Touchy Feely” course, helping students build emotional intelligence and communication skills. Whether mentoring new leaders or helping organizations build equitable systems, Kevin’s career exemplifies how profound success comes from empowering others to reach their unreasonable dreams.
