How long have you been part of the Oliver community?
I got involved with Oliver over 20 years ago after sending an unsolicited donation as a result of reading an article about organization in the New York Times. It wasn’t a very big check but unsolicited gifts were unheard of back then. It led to an invitation to a luncheon for funders and ultimately, a seat on the Board. At that time, the Board did not have the capacity or the experience to fundraise, and it was a role that I could take on. Oliver has changed in many ways over the years – from updating its branding to the recent major program expansion. It has professionalized its management approach, improved data management, and developed metric reporting. What has remained constant over the years is the total dedication of the Staff to the Scholars.

What are some leadership lessons you have learned in your time on the Board?
A lesson that I’ve learned over the years is that fundraising is a never-ending process. That’s simply the nature of the beast. We’re constantly striving to increase our visibility, and grow our constituency, so that we can provide the best support to the maximum number of deserving New York City students.

What is the best trip you have taken? What was something unexpected that you learned from it?
We have taken a number of memorable family trips over the years – highlights would be Alaska, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Peru. As our kids get older, it’s more difficult to get us all together, so we really appreciate the time spent together as a family, broadening our horizons and experiencing different cultures.

What is the biggest change you have seen during your time at Oliver?
The philanthropic culture has changed significantly. The Board is much more aware of its fiscal responsibility for the organization and is much more involved in fundraising. Oliver now has a dedicated development staff that is working with the Board not only to raise funds to meet the annual budget but to ensure a secure financial future for Oliver.