jacqueline novogratz by anne decourcy conlin

Jacqueline NovogratzF O U N D E R A N D D I R E C T O R O F A C U M E N F U N D

“ A R I C H L I F E I S O N E W H E R E YO U A R E

S T R E TC H I N G YO U RS E L F TO WO R K O N T H E

WO R L D ’ S TO U G H E S T P RO B L E M S A N D

F O C U S I N G O N OT H E R S ”

– J A C Q U E L I N E N O V O G R AT Z

A N N E C O N L I NM G M T 7 9 1 4 / 1 / 1 4

2

Early Life – valuing responsibility and community

Born in 1961; spent childhood in Upstate New York and Detroit

Eldest of seven children in a military familyFather did several tours in Vietnam, and was

responsible for helping dead soldiers families – shared his stress about economic inequality with his family

Inculcated with family and community responsibility through Catholic school and family values: “If there was a family ethic, it was to work hard, go to church, be good to your family, and live out loud”

3

Early work experience – experimenting and exploring

Attended UVA where she studied Economics and International Relations

At graduation, wanted to bartend, ski, and see the world but her parents encouraged her to recruit

After bring promised travel, accepted with Chase Bank and began “three of the best years of my life”

“Chase trained me in finance and cash flow and how companies work, and I did work in 40 countries. It was a gift from the universe

and the perfect beginning of a career”

4

Founding Acumen – authentic leadership

Banking taught her that she could have greatest community impact via improving financial access – left Chase for Rwanda where she started country’s first MFI

In 2001, founded Acumen Fund, a non-profit venture fund that invests “patient capital” in financially sustainable businesses that provide goods and services to low income people in developing countries

Leadership style – and Acumen’s organizational values – reflects her values and personality outside work

“We think about our values in pairs, and there is a tension or a balance between them. We talk about listening and leadership; accountability and generosity;

humility and audacity”

5

Personal life – an intellectual partnership

Married Chris Anderson, owner/curator of TED in 2001; have three children

Both share values and want to use work to impact community, but have adopted different missions and platforms

“There’s an extraordinary sense of mutual respect; we both feel we want to change the world”

Provide mutual support: Chris was a frequent editor for Jacqueline’s bestseller The Blue Sweater and Jacqueline regularly contributes to TED

Live in New York within walking distance of her siblings

6

Four circle integration

Work

Self

HomeCommunity

Work serves broader global

community

Has built Acumen into an

organization that reflects her

values, leads authentically

Marriage provides mutual career support, both

careers support community

Balances hectic work schedule with family

time

7

I chose Jacqueline because she embodies several things I would like for myself

Pragmatic career choices – realized she would gain necessary training at large private sector professional services firm

Foundation in the private sector – began career as a banker

Devoted career to innovation for social impact – through Acumen Fund

Inspiring personal life – marriage is an intellectual partnership, views her life as a system she can change

8

Lessons

Be real: find work in which you can have impact outside yourself

Bring your personal values to bear as a leader

Be whole: Build an organizational culture that you personally find satisfying

Find a partner with complimentary passions

Be innovative: Balance adventure and growth with being grounded