Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program
Kaz Karwowski
Engineering Leadership Specialist
Kaz Karwowski joined the Bernard M. Gordon- MIT Engineering Leadership Program in July 2009 after transitioning from a career of service to the nation in which he spent 20 years as a leader in the U.S. Army Infantry Branch.
Kaz brings to GEL his extensive experience developing leaders. Among his relevant positions in the Army were as a leadership instructor for the Army ROTC Program at MIT, Operations Sergeant of an 800-soldier infantry battalion in Iraq, Platoon Sergeant of a 55-soldier infantry platoon in Iraq. Kaz also led soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division in Mogadishu, Somalia, Haiti, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Kaz spent five years of his military career on college campuses or instructing leadership for the Army. He was directly involved in the development and leadership instruction, advising, mentoring and coaching of emerging leaders and students. During his time with MIT’s Army ROTC program, he was responsible for the leadership development of students from MIT, Harvard, Tufts, Salem State, Gordon and Wellesley College.
Prior to that, Kaz was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Northern Iraqi Regional Training Academy that trained junior Iraqi military officers in leadership and became the benchmark for leadership training in Iraq.
Kaz has led soldiers in combat during contingency operations in the Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), Mogadishu, Somalia (Operation Restore Hope/ “Blackhawk Down”), and during Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as during peace enforcement operations in Haiti and Bosnia-Herzegovina. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Army Commendation Medal (seven awards), Army Achievement Medal (eleven awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (three awards), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, United Nations Medal (Somalia), NATO Medal, and was presented the Order of Saint Maurice for his service to the Infantry. Kaz has earned the Combat Infantry Badge with Star (three awards), Expert Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Pathfinder Badge.
Kaz climbed Mt. McKinley as a member of the Northern Warfare Training Center’s Army Mountaineering Team, where he served as a skiing and mountaineering instructor. He holds a Bachelors degree and is currently pursing his Graduate Degree from Harvard University. He enjoys coaching downhill skiing and outdoor activities.
