Prioritizing principles under pressure (Hayden Brown & Ken Frazier) | Masters of Scale Summit 2022
About Hayden
- CEO of Upwork, leading global freelance platform used by Airbnb & Microsoft (as of 2023)
- Steered Upwork through the pandemic, remote work surge, and multiple crises since 2020
- Led Upwork's principled exit from Russia and Belarus, despite 10% of business impact
- Drove record growth in Ukrainian freelancer engagement during wartime (2022-23)
- Advocate for inclusive work: launched Motherhood Works and diversity initiatives
About Ken
- Longtime CEO of Merck (2011–2021), Fortune 500 pharma leader
- Co-founded OneTen, aiming for 1M family-sustaining jobs for Black Americans
- Lead director & board member at major firms including ExxonMobil and Harvard Corporation (2024)
- Advisor at General Catalyst, driving innovation in health and equity
- Named among America’s most influential Black business leaders
| 30:28
From the Masters of Scale Summit stage in 2022, Ken Frazier, former CEO of Merck, and Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork, share insights on the role of business leaders in times of crisis. In conversation with @RapidResponseShow host Bob Safian, they discuss making principled decisions that stand the test of time, even when they’re unpopular, and balancing corporate values with social responsibility. From Russia boycotts to economic disruptions, this conversation dives into how businesses can navigate moral challenges while staying true to their missions.
