John Clarke
Professor of Practice
- Peter W. and Paul A. Callais Professorship in Entrepreneurship
- John B. Elstrott Professorship in Entrepreneurship
| Office | GWBC |
|---|---|
| Phone | 504-865-5661 |
| jfc@tulane.edu | |
| CV | Download PDF |
Biography
John Clarke's extensive international work experience distinguishes him as an advisor and collaborator with a global reach.
He brings significant international academic and professional background to his work at Freeman, as well as a dedication to preparing students for their careers through innovative courses that tie theory to the realities of the business world.
As a North America-based management consultant, he worked extensively in Europe and Asia and supported large-scale organizational change in multinational companies.
He began taking students abroad in 2005 and has since led more than fifteen hundred students on international experiences. He has developed and taught immersion experiences in Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Israel, South Africa, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
In the Freeman School, he teaches several courses in the MBA and PMBA programs and is involved with the development of new courses and new programs.
Courses
Professor Clarke teaches courses in strategy, entrepreneurship and innovation. He all teaches courses focused on healthcare.
His courses are focused on developing critical thinking and logical problem-solving skills. He encourages students to develop cognitive ambidexterity such that they become leaders comfortable and capable as both creative and predictive problem solvers. He works hard to help students develop adaptability and to prepare for 'short take-off' opportunities.
Contributions
Real-World Experience: Professor Clarke has a varied professional background, including experience working with startups, community organizations, and over a decade as a management consultant - all of which he draws on to bridge his students' academic training with practical application in the real world.
International Focus: Clarke's extensive experience in Asia, Europe, and North America includes working as a consultant in seven countries, serving as a visiting professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and London South Bank University, living on four continents, teaching students from all over the world, and leading immersion trips to Asia, Europe, Middle East, and South America.
Distinguished Teaching: Professor Clarke focuses on experiential learning in the classroom, constantly striving to get students engaged with executives in the industry. He has been recognized for his work with a number of honors including Inc. Magazine Top 10 Entrepreneurship Courses.
Research
- New Product Development Course
- Student Gateway Interactive Video Wall
- Tulane to teach businesses how to cook
- The challenge of bringing health care to the developing world
- Mastering the business of health care
- Chindia
- Startup Israel
Memorable Moment
Hurricane Ida rolled into town in the middle of a student startup competition last fall that I organized for Tulane MBA students and Xiamen University MBAs. The virtual teams were working on tight scheduled to develop new venture pitches that were pitched to a panel of successful entrepreneurs hours before the storm landed.
The Tulane students had to manage evacuations and hurricane preparations in the midst of the competition, I was proud to see these students continue to engage with their team mates in China while dealing with local challenges. They demonstrated professionalism, resourcefulness, perseverance, and problem solving skills. It was great to see our MBA students thrive under duress!
Education & Affiliations
BEng Material Science and Engineering
PhD Physics
MBA
Interests
Professor Clarke enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his three kids. His daughter graduated from Tulane's Biomedical Engineering program and his son is currently studying Engineering Physics and Finance. He also has a daughter who is studying Mechanical Engineering at UDEL.
Finding ways to enjoy everything that NOLA has to offer is an ongoing challenge for Professor Clarke. From early morning walks in the park too late night music sessions, from dive bars to epic restaurants, from impromptu gatherings to Mardi Gras Balls - there is never a dull moment in this Professors social schedule! Clarke feels that New Orleans is the most unique city in America. "It is by far the biggest small city there is and it is unbelievably rich in culture, people, food, neighborhoods, music, architecture, and more. New Orleans is a city of contrasts, it has the bones of an old-world trading city and the energy of a young college town."
Professor Clarke is continually renovating a 1920s uptown home close to campus. "It has to be a passion because tackling years and years of termite damage, knob and tube wiring, galvanized steel water pipes, a hundred-year-old octopus boiler, live gaslight pipes in the ceilings, rats nests, and roach poop filled lath and plaster walls requires requires a unique combination of stupidity, stubbornness, and occasionally some skill. It also helps to have a super supportive wife who is as patient as a saint."