Headshot of Scott Mead AB ’77Mead is a member of the GSD’s Dean’s Leadership Council and Candidate for Board of Overseers.

Scott Mead AB ’77 was 13 years old when he received one of his grandfather’s cameras, a gift that sparked a lifelong passion for photography. He captured images around his home and spent hours in his family’s darkroom developing prints and exploring the photography art form. As an undergraduate student of American history and literature at Harvard College, he also studied visual arts and art history. During this time, Mead had the rare opportunity to study under renowned photographers William Eggleston and Emmet Gowin.

In 1977, Mead continued his studies as a Harvard Scholar at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, where he earned his M.Phil in 1979. He later received a degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. A founding partner of Richmond Park Partners, he was a partner and managing director at Goldman Sachs and a senior advisor at Apax Partners. As his professional career grew over time, Mead continued active photographic work and deep involvement in the fine arts world.

In 2010, having left finance several years before, he rediscovered his extensive archive in his attic and a solo show “Looking Back” and a book of the same name soon followed. With the encouragement and guidance of several artists and friends, he resumed his artistic pursuits through Scott Mead Fine Art Photography. An exhibition “Above the Clouds” took place at Hamiltons Gallery in January 2018, featuring works from his book, Above the Clouds, which was published by Prestel in November 2017. His next book, Equivalents will be published in June 2022 to be followed by a solo show. He supports and mentors many young artists from his base in Bramley Studio in London, a creative hub he established in an old pub.

Mead is the only Overseer candidate with an arts background and has extensive experience serving Harvard. He hopes to be an advocate for the arts and humanities and to give back further to Harvard by joining the Board of Overseers.

Mead was nominated as a candidate for Harvard University’s Board of Overseers, which is one of Harvard’s two governing boards, along with the President and Fellows. The Board plays an integral role in the governance of the University by directing the visitation process, the primary means for periodic external assessment of Harvard’s Schools and departments.

Mead is the only Overseer candidate with an arts background and has extensive experience serving Harvard. He hopes to be an advocate for the arts and humanities and to give back further to Harvard by joining the Board of Overseers.

In his role on the GSD’s Dean’s Leadership Council, Mead and his fellow members provide guidance to Dean Sarah M. Whiting and the School on the continued evolution and excellence of the GSD.

Additionally, Mead serves or has served on many boards in the UK and USA, including the Tate Foundation Executive Committee, the Photographers’ Gallery, the International Center of Photography, Cambridge University, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Harvard Alumni Association (Elected Director), Phillips Academy (Andover) and the Women’s and Men’s Tennis Associations (WTA and ATP Tours). Through the Mead Family Foundation, of which he is chairman and founder, he has established several fellowships, endowments, and other opportunities for artists, medical researchers, athletes, and students.

We encourage all GSD alumni to vote in these important elections and for more information please see the Gazette’s coverage. You should have received a paper ballot as well as a searchable email sent on April 1st from “Harvard Elections 2022.” Voting is open until May 17,2022 at 5 p.m. (EDT).