Why did you choose to work in philanthropy?
To be fair and honest, I think philanthropy chose me at first. After dealing with the blow of not succeeding early in my pre-med program in college, a job in the development office found me through a friend. It was there I found a way to fuel social impact through raising funds and to become a member of the healthcare team. After 15 years of raising funds, having the Fisher family choose me to help steward the legacy of Mr. & Mrs. Fisher and to build upon the impact of their partners and family was a huge opportunity. More than 16 years later, I still feel like a student of philanthropy and impact; what could be better?
How does working in philanthropy impact you personally?
I consider myself fortunate and grateful to be working on for-impact efforts that I care about with people I care for – not everyone has that in their career. Having two grown children who witnessed my wife and I dedicating our professional lives to repairing the world, hearing about our struggles and achievements at dinner and all over the house as they grew, is a point of deep pride and joy to me.
What do you admire most about your partners and colleagues?
Tenacity and passion. Social change is often slow moving and the systems holding us in place are resilient and able to wait out “flashes in the pan.” Whether the partner is a member of the family, of our team at the Foundation, a professional partner in the field, or our neighbors who live closest to the issues we hope to face together – their passion fuels their tenacity and it is in that place where things get hard, when they dig in while remaining flexible in their approach I see brilliance and find joy.
What advice would you give someone interested in philanthropy?
Howard Thurman, once said: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” That sentiment has been meaningful to me throughout my career. Whether you are a donor asking how to get engaged in impact, or a professional who wants to do this work for a living, understanding what drives you, what your core principles and values are, what your central reasons why you are interested in this work, all of these elements will be pivotal to your journey and will drive you when times get tough. My last two pieces of advice are first to make sure you have the heart of a student – and second – jump in! Let’s go!!
