Ray A. Goldberg: A Tribute

By David Evans Shaw

I was saddened to learn of the February 18 passing of my friend and former colleague, Professor Ray A. Goldberg — Professor Emeritus of Food and Agriculture at Harvard Business School, whose remarkable career spanned more than seven decades.

Many will remember Ray as the “father of agribusiness” — a pioneer who introduced a systems approach to understanding the vast global food and agricultural economy. Generations of students, policymakers, and business leaders left his classroom and seminars not only better informed, but more aware of their stewardship responsibilities within the global food system.

I was a grateful beneficiary of Ray’s wisdom, mentorship, and friendship. We first met in the late 1970s, when he generously advised me on food and agricultural matters during my time in Maine state government. After leaving government, I had the privilege of joining him in work affiliated with Harvard Business School, and the growth of Agribusiness Associates, a strategic consultancy serving clients across virtually every major sector of the global food and agriculture complex.

Our work reflected Ray’s core belief in integration — science, capital, policy, logistics, and ethics working together rather than operating in silos. He believed deeply that business should be a force for good — advancing long-term stewardship, not merely short-term gain.

Later, as a faculty member  at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government during a break from my career in technology entrepreneurship, I again had the opportunity to collaborate with Ray. 

This relationship was through the Kennedy School’s  PAPSAC symposium (Private and Public, Scientific, and Consumer Food Policy) — another example of Ray’s gift for convening leaders across disciplines to address complex challenges and opportunities of feeding a growing global population .

Read more about the PAPSAC symposium HERE

In my recent book, Wave Making: Inspired by Impact, I reflected on Ray’s influence in my life.   Read the excerpt HERE.

 He kindly sent a handwritten note that I treasure:

“Congratulations for this excellent book: Wave Making.
You have done a great deal to make the world a better place for all, and I am grateful for our lasting friendship.”

Farewell to a friend and luminary whose positive influence and outstanding accomplishments extended far beyond academia.  Ray served on more than 40 boards of directors, and in numerous public service roles.  If a life is measured by the constructive waves it sets in motion, Ray’s influence will continue to benefit the world by rippling impactfully through global food systems — and through the many leaders he inspired.   

Grateful to have known him.