It is About More Than a Few Zeroes
Paul Shoemaker
Director, Social Venture Partners Seattle
22 June 2006
Like many of you, I spent time this past weekend reading about Bill Gates’ eventual transition from Microsoft CEO to “full time philanthropist.” On Friday, I got a call from a journalist for my reaction...
I was asked what affect he might have on the sector, on the foundation, etc. Much of what I talked about was the potential impact of his human capital and full-time focus, as opposed to financial capital, e.g. whether he would now move more money into the foundation. The most valuable resource he will increasingly bring is his voice, visibility, leadership, brains, passion.
After I hung up with the journalist, it hit me that my description of Bill G, his role, his potential, and the assets he brings is very similar to how I would describe an SVP Partner that was taking an increased leadership role with a non-profit or moving all the way from a private sector position to a non-profit career. Other than a few zeros and a bit more fame, I could have just as easily been describing Peter Bladin, Janet Levinger, Jim McGinley, Trish May, Dave Richards, Kathleen Hebert, Linda Park, and many other Partners that have made a transition from the private to the non-profit sector. Each of these Partners, like Gates, is making significant life changes to apply their experience, skills, brains, and heart to working on tough social problems.
Don’t get me wrong – money is absolutely necessary. But it is almost always insufficient as well. It is the human capital that ultimately makes the difference. How much financial capital did Mother Theresa have? How much financial capital did Muhammad Yunus have 25 years ago in Bangladesh where he founded the concept of microfinance, which has now spread across the globe, including SVP Partner Mike Murray’s Unitus locally. How much difference did the human (vs. financial) capital make in Heidi Craemer’s work with Roxanne Lyons back in the late 90’s that helped enable www.newfutures.us to be where it is today?
If we’ve learned anything over the last 8-1/2 years, it’s that our human capital is the true leverage point, the difference maker. I am confident Gates would agree. A few months back I was at a conference speaking to a small group and suggested that in 100 years, more people would know the name Bill Gates for his global health and/or education work than for Microsoft. Just like, I suspect, more people could now tell you the role Andrew Carnegie played in the public library system than know he founded U.S. Steel. Time will tell, but given Gates’ decision last week, I think the odds just went up.
When all is said and done, I cannot help but believe that more and more SVP Partners will be also known for their civic and philanthropic leadership than for their previous private sector careers. Maybe Trish May’s Athena Water will provide the funding that finally leads to a cure for breast cancer. Maybe Peter Bladin’s Grameen Village Phone Program in Uganda will help cut poverty there in half over the next 25 years. Maybe Linda Park and the Seattle Biotech Legacy Foundation will help find a real solution to Puget Sound sprawl. Maybe …
No matter how many zeros come with your name, your potential to change the world has a lot more to do with your brain, your heart, your commitment, your ingenuity. As each Partner continues their work, I think it’s nothing but exhilarating to know that someone like Bill Gates has decided to make the same kind of life transition that many SVP Partners have already made. Welcome to our world, Bill.
Paul Shoemaker
Director, Social Venture Partners Seattle
www.svpseattle.org / 206-374-8757
An Affiliate of SVP Int'l - www.svpi.org