Caso De Estudio: El Compromiso De Un Lider Empresarial Con El Mejoramiento De La Educacion

This case describes the alliance that Manuel Ariztía (Don Manuel), a highly respected owner of one of the leading poultry companies in Chile, has forged with Melipilla, a Chilean municipality, to collaborate in the management of its public educational system. The vehicle used for this alliance is the “Corporación Municipal de Melipilla” (CMM), which is defined as a private, not for profit, autonomous, non partisan entity that provides education and health services at the municipal level. Don Manuel became a leader in the Board of Directors of the CMM and was instrumental in improving the financial and educational performances of the CMM. The case opens with the challenge that the CMM faces because the general manager, who has been in charge of the administration since the beginning, is seeking retirement. Additionally, the stability of the board is jeopardized by the incoming mayoral elections and the impending retirement of Don Manuel whose presence has given the board an element of stability through time. The case addresses issues of management succession, governance, decisionmaking, and collaboration between business leaders and nonprofit organizations. It also addresses issues related to the key role that board of directors can play in the effective management of educational organizations.