HBS Student Association Co-Presidents are transforming the student experience.
HBS attracts world-class individual talent, but the sum would be no greater than the whole of its parts without a cohort of community leaders striving to build a conducive learning environment for all. At the heart of this community is the Student Association (SA) – HBS’ take on student government – which strives to enrich the student experience and ensure every student feels they belong on campus. To understand what makes the SA tick, I interviewed its current Co-Presidents, Hayden Tanabe and Taylor Walden.
Tanabe, currently in his third student government position, sees his role as a Co-President as an opportunity to enhance the HBS experience for everyone. “I've always been a student government kid… And I also know what it feels like not to feel like I belong. I think that this role gives a nice opportunity to make sure that everyone does feel like they belong [here at HBS].” His experience pairs nicely with the fresh perspective brought by Walden, who is currently serving in her first-ever student government position. Friends first, then Co-Presidents, Walden and Tanabe complement each other in a Yin and Yang duality: Walden’s natural tendency to stay grounded combines harmoniously with Tanabe’s high energy, lead-from-the-front approach, ultimately shaping a dynamic student experience at HBS.
The SA’s far-reaching remit covers all things student experience. With a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Co-Presidents have put together a well-rounded team of 14 individuals representing the student body, Sections, and affinity groups. “We lean on [our team] for input and advice... Everything that we do, we will always give our team a heads up and collect input from them before it goes broad,” commented Tanabe. The team makes decisions with a highly collaborative approach, driving outcomes that generate value distributed equitably across the student body.
Walden and Tanabe have adopted a “less is more” approach, focusing on the few things that will create the most impact for students. This year’s major focus areas include enhancing financial accessibility, increasing student engagement, and strengthening campus resources. For instance, they plan on improving access to resources (free coffee on Mondays and a $10 printing credit for every student), along with making events like Holidazzle more affordable by redistributing funds from less popular events. Boosting attendance at community-wide programs like MyTakes, which support diverse student affinity groups while fostering vulnerability and close connection, is another priority goal. Finally, there is a concerted effort to enhance the Products Office by expanding its offerings and leveraging its revenue to further subsidize event costs. Altogether, the SA endeavors to use initiatives like these to improve the student experience through better resource management and inclusive programming.
Collecting feedback from the student body to identify areas of improvement is fundamental to Walden and Tanabe’s leadership approach. With a diverse executive team that includes representatives from each Section, the SA aims to be agile and responsive to student needs. “Our hope is that not only do they focus on their role and the scope of what it is, but we have a smaller team than years past, so we can be nimble,” explains Tanabe. This revamped structure will let the SA swiftly collect and act on feedback. The SA is scheduled to meet with Section presidents, initially every week and transitioning to bi-weekly and monthly check-ins, to gather insights from each group of 90. “Hayden and I will meet with every Section president... to get real-time feedback,” mentioned Walden, highlighting the commitment to understanding and addressing student needs. The SA leadership also values direct interaction, and invites students to share their perspectives through channels like email and WhatsApp. By being physically present at most events, Walden and Tanabe seek to ensure that student voices are heard and acted upon.
The message for RCs eager to make their way into SA is clear: seize the opportunity to get involved and make a difference. As Walden shared, “It’s so rewarding to be involved at the Section level because your Section is such a big part of your RC year.” This is not only a way to build genuine relationships with peers and faculty, but also to shape a top-notch Section experience. Even if it is your first time running for a leadership position, do not let fear hold you back. “You face your fears and you do it, and then you come out on the other side,” encourages Walden. Various positions beyond Section presidency are equally valuable, and your involvement, whether through formal roles or ad hoc additional responsibilities, can significantly impact your community. Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats, and stepping up to contribute will enhance both your experience and that of your peers.
Tanabe and Walden are determined to enhance the HBS student experience during their time as Co-Presidents. Their commitment to making the student experience even better than their own exemplifies HBS’ mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. As Walden and Tanabe’s experiences show, stepping up to lead can make your time at HBS even more rewarding and impactful, enriching both your journey and that of your classmates.
Talha Minhas (MBA ‘26) is originally from Pakistan. He graduated from Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS) with a bachelors in Management Science. Prior to the HBS MBA, Talha worked in e-commerce and fintech across South Asian emerging markets.
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