Richard Thoman

G. Richard Thoman is the managing partner of Corporate Perspectives, a New York corporate strategy advisory and investing firm. He is an adjunct professor of international business at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a professor of practice at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He is also a visiting professor and leader in residence at CEIBS, the leading Chinese business school.

Dr. Thoman is a broadly experienced executive, with the distinction of being one of the few individuals to have been a “top five” executive for four “Fortune 75” U.S. corporations in three different industries: financial, food and technology. He was president and chief executive officer of the Xerox Corporation. Prior to joining Xerox, Dr. Thoman was a senior vice president and chief financial officer of IBM and served as IBM’s number two executive. Prior to joining IBM, Dr. Thoman was president and chief executive officer of Nabisco International, and chairman and chief executive officer of American Express Travel Related Services. Dr. Thoman was also a senior advisor to Evercore Partners and earlier in his career worked at McKinsey and Exxon Treasurers.

Dr. Thoman serves on a number of business and educational boards, such as Schneider Electric; the French American Foundation; the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (where he is chairman); Principal’s International Advisory Board, McGill University; the Americas Society; the Council of the Americas; McGill University School of Management; Insead International Council; the Committee for Economic Development; and the Graduate Institute of International Studies. He is a member of the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations. He is a past member of the Business Council and Business Roundtable as well as a past board member of Xerox, Fuji Xerox, Chrysler Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Union Bancaire Privee, Club Med, and Bankers Trust. He received his B.A. (honors) from McGill University, a graduate degree from the Graduate Institute of International Studies (Geneva, Switzerland), and three graduate degrees (including a Ph.D.) from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He speaks fluent French and has been awarded the Legion of Honour by the French government.

Education

• PhD, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
• MA and MALD, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
• MA, Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
• BA with Honors, McGill University

Honors & Awards

• Ordre national de la Légion d''honneur