A self-described Army brat, West lived in several states before his family settled in Attleboro, Mass., after his father’s retirement from the military. Growing up, he was passionate about problem-solving and gravitated toward math, science, and athletics, finding focus and discipline as part of the crew team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After graduation, he worked at an environmental engineering firm to pay off his college debt before applying to Harvard Business School (HBS).

While at HBS, West took advantage of the opportunity to take classes across Harvard’s professional Schools, learning from classmates and faculty at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Law School to tackle problems from multiple viewpoints. “Walking across the bridge from Allston to Cambridge every day showed me the best of Harvard,” he said.

After graduating from HBS and successfully launching two companies, he decided to step back and focus on parenting his three children with his wife, Danielle, A.L.M. ’01: Jack, 15, Danny, 12, and Georgia, 9. Invigorated by the people he met from all over the world through the Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Shared Interest Group (SIG), West was motivated to take on roles of increasing responsibility as a Harvard volunteer, including serving on the Memorial Church Advisory Board, the Advisory Committee on Shareholder Responsibility, and the HAA Board of Directors.

In his role as president, West said he is committed to finding new ways to help alumni connect digitally — a goal that took on more urgency this spring, as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the University’s traditional gatherings online. “Recent graduates have grown up in a world where social media is their platform. It changed who they are, how they relate to people, and how they build friendships,” said West. He said his goal is to help empower all alumni — across generations, backgrounds, and around the world — to use technology to enhance engagement.

“John’s warm and inclusive approach will really speak to Harvard alumni who are looking for ways to come together to serve their communities,” said Alice Hill ’81, Ph.D. ’91, who completes her term as HAA president this month.

West credits Hill, as well as past HAA presidents Margaret Wang ’09 and Susan Morris Novick ’85, with offering their time and advice to help prepare him for the position. “I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible people who are passionate about Harvard,” said West. “I’m so grateful for their perspectives as we seek out new opportunities to build and support inclusive communities.”