Stanford business school alum Andy Dunn had been flying high as co-founder and CEO of Bonobos, a digitally branded men’s pants start-up with $100 million in venture capital. One manic episode later, he's released from a hospital with a bipolar diagnosis, taken away in handcuffs by New York police, and charged with felony and misdemeanor assault. Senior writer Tracie White takes readers on Dunn's journey, from his childhood and diagnosis to his incarceration and later recovery, showing one man's path to managing his mental health—and personal relationships—amid the extreme pressures of entrepreneurship. In interviews, Dunn and his cofounder, Brian Spaly (also a Stanford grad), didn't always see things the same way, and a dramatic falling out from their business partnership was followed by a fragile friendship. How an alumni magazine treats two alums on either side of a delicate situation required an artful dance. White needed to respectfully present both of their viewpoints in the story—and the truth—while maintaining credibility with our alumni. The story also provided Stanford readers with useful insight regarding how entrepreneurial skill and bipolar disorder sometimes overlap.
From the Judges
While judges agreed the subject matter is a bit difficult to cover, this tremendous story takes the reader on the rollercoaster ride of a lifetime. Not your typical alumni profile, it does a great job captivating the reader.
