Past Capstone Projects and Testimonials

Spring 2022 Pre-Capstone and Summer 2022 Capstone

In 2022, students worked in the spring with the founder and also the major investor in Zullee Mediterranean Grill based in Washington State, with the intent to expand nationwide in the next coming years. This summer students will advise C-level executives at Boston-headquartered Globalization Partners on customer experience and value propositions.

Spring 2021 Pre-Capstone and Summer 2021 Capstone

In spring 2021, graduates prepared for the summer capstone by learning the methods and tools which they applied in helping Boston-based Boom writers deal with growth and business model-related challenges. In their summer capstone, students helped Franklin Foods, with headquarters in Florida and cream cheese factories in Arizona and Vermont, get back on a growth trajectory after being recently acquired by Hochland from Germany. Both clients are pleased with the advisory and applying these as their strategies are unfolding.

Spring 2020 Pre-Capstone and Summer 2020 Capstone

Spring 2020 Pre-Capstone

We worked in the spring with a prep challenge for an award-winning Boston architecture firm, Bruner/Cott, who recently designed the Smith Campus Center. We helped them to put in place an entrepreneurial management driven strategic agenda. Students had three visits with the firm’s leadership to learn how they operate, then presented on how the firm can make improvements. Their Principal Jason Forney gave us a progress update based on given advice, and praised the experience. They were actually implementing precisely some of the proposals, which was very exciting.

Summer 2020 Capstone

During the summer we worked with the City of Malden, MA on a multi-stakeholder consulting project exploring how to revitalize the area and cultivate a gaming/dining destination. Stakeholders included the Malden Mayor’s Office, Chamber of Commerce, Boda Borg, and citizen activists. The final report was well received, however it’s too early to state actions yet.

  • Testimonials

    Capstone Client, Summer 2020

    Kevin Duffy

    "Thank you so much for the opportunity to work with your Harvard Extension School students on their Capstone project. The insights they provided me on entrepreneurial strategies for Malden's economic development were invaluable and truly thought-provoking. The process itself was immensely enjoyable and I loved being able to talk with these international professionals who brought a breadth of experiences from around the world to our discussions. I feel that the action steps they laid out come from a sound understanding of what can make cities innovation centers and I am extremely optimistic in their successful implementation thanks to their specific directives. I would not hesitate to take part in this program again to measure our progress in building our city of the future!"

    — Kevin J. Duffy, Strategy and Business Development Officer, Office of Mayor Gary Christenson

  • Testimonials

    Capstone Client, Summer 2020

    Donna Denoncourt"The experience working with Professor Totterman and his students allowed us to explore our possibilities and provided us a roadmap to envision how we raise Malden to new opportunities. With their insight, experience and research-based backgrounds; his team of students asked thoughtful questions including ones that pushed myself, and my colleagues, to think differently about our city, and their incorporation of a SWOT analysis, brought different perspectives in what can sometimes be a blinded situation. Truly enjoyed working with them, and meeting this fantastic group of insightful and fun students! Of course, the one missing piece was the inability for them to see the city they were exploring and assisting us with this project in person. From this experience, I hope we have other opportunities to work with another talented and smart bunch again soon! "

    — Donna Denoncourt, President, Malden Chamber of Commerce

  • Testimonials

    Capstone Client, Summer 2020

    "I’m thankful, always, for communities like Harvard coming together to help cities find ways to thrive. This affects the lives of real people and real families. The group that interviewed me were very attentive, and often times felt more like an interested conversation than a one-sided interview. Looking over the final report, the capstone project gave me hope for the future where multiple stakeholders from the city government, citizens, and other interested groups work together to achieve immediate and long-term goals. My favorite part was how we could continue to revitalize the city through innovation and creativity and boost participation of underrepresented groups."

    — Kevin Thai, Three Circles Studio

  • Testimonials

    Capstone Client, Summer 2020

    Fatiha Ainane

    I really love interacting with the students and learn from their unique experiences. I look forward to each session. Great program and very driven students.

    — Fatiha Ainane, Team Leader – New England, Accion

  • Testimonials

    Pre-Capstone Client, Summer 2020

    Jason Forney

    "It was a pleasure to work with Professor Totterman and his team of students. Like most professions, ours is one that can be set in its ways and we relished the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs from across the globe to examine ways our firm can disrupt, innovate, and build a high-performance culture. Each student brought their own area of expertise that translated directly into valuable components of our innovation plan—deepening culture, developing talent, improving process, bolstering technology, and creating strategic partnerships."

    — Jason Forney, Principal and Partner, Bruner/Cott Architects