Michael Leven Discusses Theory On Change

Mike Leven is Vice Chairman of the Atlanta-based Marcus Foundation, where he has been a trustee and a member of the board of The Marcus Institute and Georgia Aquarium since 2003. The Marcus Foundation was founded by Bernie Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot.

Leven was formerly President and CEO of US Franchise Systems, Inc. (USFS), the company he founded in 1995 which franchises the Microtel Inns & Suites and Hawthorn Suites hotel brands. Under Leven's tenure, USFS gained national recognition as a fair franchisor, both customer and franchisee-oriented. Prior to that, he was president and COO of Holiday Inn Worldwide. From 1985 to 1990, he was president of Days Inn of America, where he led initiatives to hire older workers, people with disabilities and the homeless, and was recognized by AARP as Outstanding Employer. He also served as president of Americana Hotels.

Leven's comments are from a lecture that was part of a series of "Conversations with Entrepreneurs" offered by the Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration. His lecture covers thoughts on entrepreneurship and his path from a more traditional corporate path to fouding his own organization to becoming Vice Chairman of a charitable organization.

Mike Leven holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University and Master of Science from Boston University.