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Harvard Cooperative Society Announces Leadership Transition: Long-Time CEO Jerry Murphy to Retire and Jodi Goldstein to Assume CEO Role
The Harvard Cooperative Society (the “Coop”), a cornerstone of the Harvard and MIT communities since 1882, is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition. After more than three decades of dedicated service, Jerry Murphy, our esteemed CEO, has decided to retire. The Coop extends its heartfelt gratitude to Jerry for his unwavering commitment to and outstanding stewardship of the Society and its members.
The Coop is also delighted to announce that Jodi Goldstein, a visionary leader with a proven track record in innovation and entrepreneurship, will step into the role of CEO. Jodi brings a wealth of experience from her previous leadership positions, including her tenure as co-founder and Executive Director of the Harvard Innovation Labs. Her passion for fostering collaboration, creativity, and community engagement aligns perfectly with the Society’s mission.
Jerry Murphy, a 1973 graduate of Harvard College and a 1977 graduate of Harvard Business School, has had a significant positive impact on the Coop since joining in 1991. A former Neiman Marcus executive, Jerry oversaw the evolution of the Coop’s retail presence from a financially-challenged, self-managed department store in the 1990s to today’s profitable model of an academic/community bookstore, offering general books, student essentials, course materials and insignia gifts and apparel. Jerry oversaw the evolution of the member rebate to an upfront member discount, which provided excellent value to the Coop’s more than 80,000 members. Jerry also introduced the Coop online store, expanded the Coop’s retail footprint in Cambridge and Boston, oversaw several renovations, and optimized the Coop’s real estate and financial portfolio. Jerry is leaving the Coop in excellent financial and operating shape.
Over his long tenure, Jerry has collaborated with hundreds of students at Harvard and MIT who have served on the Board of Directors and have benefitted from his mentorship. Many of these students have gone on to successful careers in business, having learned about business from Jerry during their time as Directors.
Jerry Murphy, reflecting on his tenure, shared, “It has been an honor to serve as CEO of the Harvard Cooperative Society these last 30+ years. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I have truly enjoyed working with fantastic colleagues and students along the way. I am confident that Jodi’s leadership will propel the Coop to new heights, and I look forward to witnessing its continued success.”
In her new role, Jodi Goldstein, 1989 graduate of University of Vermont and a 1996 graduate of Harvard Business School, will build on Jerry’s legacy and continue to focus on the Coop’s growth and transformation. She aims to enhance member services, expand student engagement, refresh the Coop’s digital presence, and further activate the Coop’s real estate presence.
"I am thrilled and honored to be stepping into the role of CEO at the Harvard Cooperative Society. I am deeply grateful to Jerry Murphy for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the Coop and its members. I am excited to build on his legacy and continue to drive the growth and transformation of this historic institution. I look forward to working with the Coop's talented team, engaging with our members, and serving the Harvard and MIT communities," said Jodi Goldstein.
The Coop’s Board of Directors, led by Chairman John P. Reardon Jr., thanks Jerry for his wonderful service and welcomes Jodi to her new role. Reardon stated, “Jerry has been a fantastic CEO for over 30 years and has made his mark on the Coop, leaving it in an excellent position. He leaves large shoes to fill, but Jodi’s strategic vision and innovative mindset make her the ideal leader for the next chapter. We are thrilled to welcome her aboard, and we are forever grateful to Jerry.”
Jerry will retire effective September 1, 2024, though he will be working closely with Jodi ahead of that date to help effect a smooth transition.
For media inquiries, please contact press@thecoop.com
About the Harvard Cooperative Society:
Established in 1882, the Coop serves as the campus store for the Harvard and MIT communities and is the official bookstore for these storied academic communities. The Coop stores are located near or on the campuses and are stocked with almost everything you'll need on or off campus and offer the largest selection of officially licensed Harvard and MIT apparel and gifts anywhere. The Coop is not just the campus store, but it is deeply rooted in the tradition and the fabric of the Harvard and MIT communities and has a long history of providing financial and in-kind support to various student groups and initiatives. The Coop, as a cooperative, is owned by its members but open to all. Members of the Harvard and MIT communities are eligible to join and, as members, enjoy a 10% member discount. The Coop has enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest and largest college bookstore in the United States for many years and still operates as one of the largest collegiate retailers.
