Harvey Mackay (born October 24, 1932, in Saint Paul, Minnesota) is an American businessman, bestselling author, and syndicated columnist whose work has helped millions of professionals master the art of networking, sales, and career success. The grandson of Russian Jewish immigrants, Mackay graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1954 and began his career as an envelope salesman before purchasing a struggling manufacturing company in 1959. That company became MackayMitchell Envelope Company, now one of North America's largest envelope manufacturers, producing 25 million envelopes a day with annual sales of $100 million and 500 employees.
Mackay's 1988 debut book, Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive, became one of the most celebrated business books of its era, spending 54 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and selling over five million copies worldwide. The book distilled Mackay's hard-won wisdom on negotiation, networking, and competitive business strategy into practical, memorable lessons. He went on to author seven New York Times bestsellers in total, three of which reached the coveted number one position — a rare achievement that cemented his status as one of America's foremost business thinkers.
Beyond his business empire and books, Mackay is a beloved public voice whose syndicated column, carried by more than 100 newspapers, delivers weekly advice on careers, leadership, and personal development. His accolades include the Horatio Alger Award (2004), the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2007), and induction into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame (2002). A member of the National Speakers Association's Council of Peers Award for Excellence Hall of Fame, Mackay brings the same energy and insight to every stage he takes that has defined a lifetime of remarkable achievement in business and beyond. His programs for Nightingale-Conant distill decades of expertise into actionable strategies for anyone ready to compete — and win.
