Alan Mckim on leadership
From 2026 Commencement | Alan McKim Graduate Speech · · Northeastern
“Revenues measure growth. But people measure legacy. So I ask you who will you lift as you climb? Who will you mentor? What will your success make possible for others?”
On , Alan Mckim, Founder, Chief Technology Officer & Executive Chairman at CLEAN HARBORS INC, spoke about leadership during 2026 Commencement | Alan McKim Graduate Speech on Northeastern.
About Alan Mckim
Alan McKim, founder and executive chairman of Clean Harbors, delivered the commencement address at Northeastern University on April 30, 2026. During the speech, he reflected on founding the company at age 24 with a $15,000 home-equity loan, and stated that Clean Harbors now generates more than $6 billion in annual revenue and employs over 25,000 people. McKim described the company's origins as a response to environmental concerns over hazardous waste disposal, including Superfund sites, and said he took advantage of that opportunity. McKim also discussed his experience earning an MBA from Northeastern while running the company, and credited Professor Dan McCarthy as a mentor who later joined Clean Harbors' board. He commented on technological change, noting that he is "envious" of graduates entering an era of artificial intelligence, and stated, "AI will not replace leaders. But leaders who use AI will replace those who do not." McKim encouraged graduates to stay connected to the university and to have the "courage to begin, the courage to adapt, the courage to keep learning."