# 2025 Ernest C. Arbuckle Award Dinner Honoring James G. Coulter, MBA ’86, Highlights Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_tTitoFhsA Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/g_tTitoFhsA Generated: 2025-11-10T20:42:08.28+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The 2025 Ernest C. Arbuckle Award Dinner honored Jim Coulter, MBA '86, recognizing his profound impact on the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) and his philosophy of leadership centered on gratitude, curiosity, and ethical action, exemplified by his career at TPG Rise Climate. **Key Points:** - Sarah A. Soule, Philip H. Knight Professor and Dean of Stanford GSB, introduced the award recipient, Jim Coulter, MBA '86. - Coulter was honored for his service to the GSB, including helping to establish the dual focus on excellence in research and teaching from 1958 to 1968. - Coulter, a co-founder of TPG, established TPG Rise in 1992, which manages a $100 billion complex focused on solving global problems in climate, education, and health. - Jonathan Garfinkel introduced Coulter, noting Coulter's profound positive impact on his life and his enduring motto: 'Change organizations, change the world.' - Coulter shared six 'Arbuckle Notes' for leadership: Gratitude, 'And', The Beast, Arbuckle Architecture, Leadership Hacks, The Power of Collinearity, and Pick Your Problems. - Coulter emphasized that effective leadership starts with curiosity and the willingness to challenge assumptions (like the 'A or B' dichotomy). - Coulter concluded by thanking his family, partners (like David Bonderrman and Hank Paulson), and the GSB community for their support throughout his career. ![Screenshot at 0:07: Dean Sarah A. Soule begins her welcoming remarks at the podium to the assembled audience at the Arbuckle Award Dinner.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-00-07.png) **Context:** The video captures the Arbuckle Award Dinner, an event honoring distinguished alumni of the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). The ceremony featured introductory remarks from Dean Sarah A. Soule and Jonathan Garfinkel, leading up to the presentation of the 2025 Ernest C. Arbuckle Award to Jim Coulter, MBA '86, recognizing his significant contributions to business, society, and the school. ## Detailed Analysis The video documents the presentation of the 2025 Ernest C. Arbuckle Award to Jim Coulter, MBA '86. Sarah A. Soule, Dean of Stanford GSB, opened the event, thanking friends and colleagues, and introduced Coulter as the recipient, noting his role in shaping the GSB's commitment to excellence in research and teaching between 1958 and 1968. Jonathan Garfinkel then introduced Coulter, highlighting his career as a co-founder of TPG and TPG Rise, which manages a $100 billion complex dedicated to solving global problems in climate, education, and health. Garfinkel emphasized Coulter's motto: 'Change organizations, change the world.' Coulter, upon accepting the award, shared six key 'Arbuckle Notes' for leadership: Gratitude, 'And', The Beast, Arbuckle Architecture, Leadership Hacks, The Power of Collinearity, and Pick Your Problems. He elaborated on 'Pick Your Problems,' advising that leaders must choose problems that fit their skills and that require an 'A or B' (not 'A and B') decision framework, contrasting the moral ambiguity of capitalism with the necessity of ethical choices. He concluded by expressing gratitude to his family, partners like David Bonderrman and Hank Paulson, and the GSB community. ### Opening Remarks (Sarah A. Soule) - Soule expressed gratitude for the gathering and introduced Jim Coulter, noting his past service to the GSB during a transformative period (1958-1968). - Coulter's current role as recipient of the 2025 Arbuckle Award. - Soule emphasized the enduring legacy of Coulter's work in preparing future leaders. ### Introduction by Jonathan Garfinkel - Garfinkel praised Coulter's profound impact on his life and the creation of TPG Rise, noting its $100 billion portfolio focused on climate, education, and health. - Garfinkel highlighted Coulter's motto: 'Change organizations, change the world' and his commitment to living those values. ### Jim Coulter's Acceptance Speech - Coulter presented his 'Arbuckle Notes'—six key leadership concepts including Gratitude, The Beast, and Pick Your Problems. - He focused on 'Pick Your Problems,' advising leaders to choose solvable problems and avoid false dichotomies (A or B, not A and B). - Coulter stressed that leadership requires curiosity, courage to navigate complexity, and a moral compass that guides the use of tools like capitalism. ### Concluding Thanks - Coulter thanked his family, partners (Bonderrman, Paulson), and the GSB community for enabling his life's work and contributions. ![Screenshot at 0:03: Stanford Graduate School of Business 100th anniversary logo displayed before the dinner begins.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-00-03.png) ![Screenshot at 0:07: Dean Sarah A. Soule speaking at the podium, welcoming attendees to the Arbuckle Award Dinner.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-00-07.png) ![Screenshot at 0:14: Close-up on Sarah A. Soule as she introduces Jim Coulter.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-00-14.png) ![Screenshot at 0:23: Audience applause following the introduction of the award recipient.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-00-23.png) ![Screenshot at 1:34: Close-up on Sarah A. Soule concluding her remarks.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-01-34.png) ![Screenshot at 2:09: Jonathan Garfinkel delivering his introduction of Jim Coulter, highlighting his accomplishments.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-02-09.png) ![Screenshot at 2:23: Jonathan Garfinkel emphasizing Jim Coulter's impact on organizations and lives.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-02-23.png) ![Screenshot at 3:03: Jim Coulter receiving applause as he walks to the podium.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-03-03.png) ![Screenshot at 4:39: Jim Coulter gesturing while discussing the need for clear instruction over chaotic action.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-04-39.png) ![Screenshot at 9:01: Slide displaying the seven 'Arbuckle Notes' including Gratitude, The Beast, and The Power of Collinearity.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/g_tTitoFhsA/00-09-01.png)