Harry Halloran was the chairman and chief executive officer of American Refining Group. He was also the chairman and CEO of ARG Resources. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in civil engineering. After graduating, he entered the Augustinian Seminary for four years and earned an MA in theology.
As early as the 1970s Harry envisioned a world powered by clean and renewable energy. In 1983, he founded Energy Unlimited Inc., investing funds generated by the oil refinery in wind power. As a recognized pioneer in the industry, Harry served as president of the American Wind Energy Association in the early days of the organization.
As an investor and philanthropist, early-stage funding for green and socially-minded ventures would become the hallmark of Harry's legacy in both his for-profit and nonprofit endeavors. Harry was at the forefront of impact investing--making investments in for-profit entities with a social mission--and supported the budding network of organizations that eventually helped develop the impact investing ecosystem into the worldwide movement it is today.
He founded the Halloran Philanthropies in 2007 with the belief that business is one of the most powerful drivers for positive social change. The purpose of the Halloran Philanthropies is to help create a healthier world community that promotes economic development through microfinance, clean energy, global ethics and community service to revitalize low-income communities throughout the world.
In addition to his philanthropic work through Halloran Philanthropies, Harry served as a trustee of The Academy of Natural Sciences and Villanova University. He sat on the Board of The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Franklin Institute and was a member of Caux Round Table.
We at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'s Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit wish to thank and honor Harry Halloran and Halloran Philanthropies for their support of our research and programming. Harry was a purpose-driven CEO, a beautiful human being and leading thinker in the study of the history of human well-being. He was a giant of generosity, curiosity, and fact-based optimism. He elevated the idea of business as a force for good decades before everyone else. He was a spiritual, world-changing force, for betterment—for all—and his legacy will grow on, far into the future because of its integrity, truth, and its beauty.