Gilbert: A Career in Entrepreneurial Management and Educational Leadership
From the lecture halls of Harvard Business School to the executive offices of major media and educational institutions, Gilbert has dedicated his career to navigating organizational disruption. By blending academic theory with practical application, he has led transitions in both the digital news landscape and the evolution of online higher education.
Academic Foundations and Dual Transformation
Gilbert served as a professor of entrepreneurial management at Harvard Business School (HBS). During his tenure, he worked closely with Clayton M. Christensen and contributed as an adviser to the American Press Institute's Newspaper Next project, an initiative focused on helping traditional newspapers transition into the digital age.
A cornerstone of his professional philosophy is the concept of Dual Transformation, a strategy he co-authored in the book "Dual Transformation: How to Reposition Today's Business While Creating the Future" (Harvard Business Review Press). This approach enables established organizations to maintain their current operations while simultaneously developing new sources of growth to avoid being overtaken by industry disruption.
Following his time at HBS, Gilbert joined the faculty of BYU–Idaho. He served as the associate academic vice president of academic development, where he oversaw student leadership, the BYU–Idaho Learning Model, online learning, and the Pathway program.
Leadership at Deseret Digital Media and Deseret News
In 2009, Gilbert was appointed CEO of Deseret Digital Media, a subsidiary of DMC. In this capacity, he administered the digital presence of several prominent entities, including the Deseret News, Church News, Mormon Times, KSL radio, and Deseret Book.
By May 2010, Gilbert took on the additional role of president of the Deseret News. His leadership began during a period of significant restructuring; in August 2010, the organization laid off 43% of its workforce. To redefine the paper's direction, Gilbert introduced six guiding themes for coverage:
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- Family n
- Financial responsibility n
- Excellence in education n
- Care for the needy n
- Values in media n
- Faith in the community n
These themes were credited with a boost in circulation in 2011, including a doubling of the Sunday print edition, according to Gilbert's presentation at the International News Media Association (INMA) conference, although these print numbers were disputed by the Salt Lake City Weekly.
To foster innovation, Gilbert established Deseret Connect, a network of freelance contributors managed by Matt Sanders. While this content appeared prominently online, the print edition remained primarily the work of staff. This initiative faced scrutiny in November 2011 when it was revealed that Michael K. Winder, the mayor of West Valley City, had been contributing stories about his own city under a pen name. Gilbert expressed deep regret over the misrepresentation.
Transition to Higher Education Leadership
On April 13, 2015, Gilbert became the sixteenth president of BYU–Idaho, succeeding Kim B. Clark. His appointment was announced by Russell M. Nelson, then-chairman of the Executive Committee of the BYU–Idaho Board of Trustees, and he was formally installed on September 15, 2015.
His trajectory shifted again on February 7, 2017, when Dieter F. Uchtdorf announced the creation of BYU–PW, a new online higher education organization. This entity evolved from the Pathway program, which had been established in 2009. Gilbert was appointed president of BYU–PW effective May 1, 2017, and was succeeded as president of BYU–Idaho by Henry J. Eyring.
Key Facts
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- Academic Background: Former professor of entrepreneurial management at Harvard Business School. n
- Strategic Contribution: Co-author of "Dual Transformation," focusing on organizational growth during disruption. n
- Media Leadership: Served as CEO of Deseret Digital Media and President of the Deseret News. n
- Educational Leadership: Served as the 16th president of BYU–Idaho and the founding president of BYU–PW. n
- Digital Innovation: Led the transition of multiple media outlets and the expansion of the Pathway online learning program. n
| Organization | Role | Key Focus/Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Business School | Professor | Entrepreneurial management and Dual Transformation strategy. |
| Deseret Digital Media | CEO | Administration of digital platforms for DMC subsidiaries. |
| Deseret News | President | Implementation of six core coverage themes and workforce restructuring. |
| BYU–Idaho | President | Institutional leadership as the 16th president. |
| BYU–PW | President | Leading the transition of the Pathway program into a formal online organization. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Dual Transformation" strategy?
Dual Transformation is a strategic approach co-authored by Gilbert that helps established organizations navigate industry disruption. It involves repositioning the existing business to remain viable while simultaneously creating a new business model for future growth.
What were the six themes Gilbert introduced to the Deseret News?
The six themes used to guide the paper's coverage were family, financial responsibility, excellence in education, care for the needy, values in media, and faith in the community.
What was Deseret Connect?
Deseret Connect was a network of freelance contributors created by the Deseret News and KSL to drive innovation in content creation, primarily for the digital homepage.
How did BYU–PW originate?
BYU–PW grew out of the Pathway program, which was originally started in 2009 at BYU–Idaho, before becoming its own online higher education organization in 2017.
Who succeeded Gilbert as president of BYU–Idaho?
Henry J. Eyring succeeded Gilbert as the president of BYU–Idaho when Gilbert transitioned to lead BYU–PW in May 2017.