Alan Geoffrey Hassenfeld (November 16, 1948 – July 8, 2025) was an American businessman who was a past chairman and chief executive officer of Hasbro Toys.
Biography
Early life
Alan Geoffrey Hassenfeld was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on November 16, 1948 to Merrill Hassenfeld and Sylvia Grace Kay Hassenfeld.[1][2] He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.[2]
Career
Hasbro was founded as a family business by Alan's grandfather and grand-uncle in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1923.[2] Alan Hassenfeld joined the firm in 1970 at the request of his brother Stephen D. Hassenfeld.[2] He was named vice president of international operations and vice president of marketing and sales in 1972. In 1984 he was named president.[2] Alan became CEO of Hasbro in 1989 after the death of Stephen, and remained in the position until 2003.[2]
As chairman and chief executive, he diversified Hasbro's portfolio of companies and expanded international operations while initiating a singular brand of corporate activism designed to improve the lives of children. He was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 1996.[3]
Hassenfeld continued to serve as chairman emeritus of Hasbro through 2024.[2]
Death
Hassenfeld died in London on July 8, 2025, at the age of 76.[4][5]
Philanthropy
- Hassenfeld was a founding benefactor of Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence.[2]
- Hassenfeld donated the Teddy Fountain to the city of Jerusalem.[6]
- In 2008, Hassenfeld established the nonprofit Hassenfeld Family Initiative LLC, an organization focused on women and children's rights and safety[7][8]
- Bryant University renamed their Public Leadership institute after Hassenfeld in 2012.[9]
- In 2014, Hassenfeld made a major gift to establish the Hassenfeld Family Innovation Center at Brandeis University, and has funded the Hassenfeld Foundation Scholarship, and other scholarships and endowments there.[10]
- A $12.5 million gift from the family of Alan Hassenfeld established the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute at Brown University in 2015.[11][12]
- Hassenfeld served on the Brown University Board of Trustees from 1990 to 1996, and again from 2020 until his death.[2][13]
External links
References
- Arnold Schoenthaler. America's Hidden Philanthropic Wealth: Tomorrow's Potential Foundation Giants Taft Group, 1986^
- Alexa Gagosz. Former CEO and philanthropist Alan Hassenfeld, whose family founded toy giant Hasbro, dies at 76 The Boston Globe, July 9, 2025, retrieved July 9, 2025^
- Alan G. Hassenfeld at World Leaders Forum Columbia University, retrieved 30 May 2011^
- Patrick Anderson. Former Hasbro CEO, philanthropist Alan Hassenfeld dies. What we know. The Providence Journal, 9 July 2025, retrieved 9 July 2025^
- Former Hasbro CEO Alan Hassenfeld dies at 76^
- Eileen Prusher. The Color of Water: a fountain of hope in the heart of Teddy's Jerusalem Haaretz, 3 May 2013, retrieved 20 October 2014^
- The Hassenfeld Family Initiative LLC Dun & Bradstreet, retrieved 25 December 2021^
- The Brandeis International Business School Board of Advisors and Chairs Brandeis International Business School, Brandeis University, retrieved 25 December 2021^
- Our History: A Vision for Effective Leadership Hassenfeld Institute, Bryant University, retrieved 23 October 2019^
- Doctor of Humane Letters Brandeis University, retrieved 25 December 2021^
- David Orenstein. Brown to launch child health innovation institute Brown University, 28 September 2015, retrieved 23 October 2019^
- Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute of Brown University Lifespan, retrieved 23 October 2019^
- Christina Paxson. News from the Corporation Meeting Today at Brown, Brown University, retrieved 19 October 2020^