HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PIONEERING PSYCHIATRIST DIES AT 88
Barrie Sanford Greiff, M.D. was an influential, globally recognized physician who innovated the field of work-life balance and the executive family.
For almost two decades he was a Harvard Business School Professor, and the first psychiatrist in the country to be appointed to a graduate business school, where he created the groundbreaking course, The Executive Family Seminar dealing with the relationships of individuals, families and corporations. What made this course unique is that it addressed dualcareer couples.
The popularity of the Executive Family Seminar led to the publication of Dr. Greiff ’s first book, Tradeoffs: Executive Family and Organizational Life, co-authored with Preston K. Munter, M.D., which re-imagined the relationship between personal and professional decision-making in an executive’s work and life.
Dr. Greiff went on to author four additional books over the course of his career, most notably Legacy, The Giving of Life’s Greatest Treasures. For 20 years he also co-wrote the newspaper column, “As We Live and Work”, with Dr. Richard Levin, published in the Boston Business Journal and syndicated widely.
He created a thriving advisory and consulting practice that leveraged his work in psychiatry and organizational behavior and was a sought-after global thought-leader and consultant, who lectured nationally, appeared on national TV and radio outlets, and served as an advisor for a number of Fortune 500 public and other privatelyheld companies.
Dr. Greiff led a private practice of psychiatry in Cambridge for over 50 years, consistently prioritizing his commitment to the well-being of his patients.
His civic engagement spanned different issues and interests and he was an engaged member of Temple Emanuel of Newton for over 40 years, active donor and volunteer of Combined Jewish Philanthropies and consultant to a number of diverse faith-based organizations and nonprofit charities. He also dutifully served his country in the Navy at the Bethesda Naval Hospital.
He is the son of the late Philip and Belle Greiff and is survived by his wife Carole Greiff of 62 years, his three children Loren (Mark Baumgarten), Doug (Beatriz Acevedo-Greiff ) and Rusty (Elizabeth Shreve Greiff ), seven grandchildren, A.J., Sam, Theo, Noah, Isabela, Diego and Isaak, his brother and sister Daniel Greiff and Barbara Mines, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, December 5th at Temple Emanuel. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Carole and Barrie Greiff Educational Fund at Temple Emanuel Newton or to Combined Jewish Philanthropies Bronfman Center for Jewish Life Fund.
Levine Chapels, Brookline www.levinechapels.com 617-277-8300