Connecting Diverse Leaders: Building Bridges for a Better Future
Each year, I am asked to serve on numerous boards, and I often have to decline due to lack of capacity. Five years ago, I recognized the need for more diverse leaders on civic and nonprofit boards, so I opened up my network to help build connections between nonprofits and civic organizations. Our relationships are often segregated, making it difficult for organizations to recruit diverse talent and for diverse talent to be discovered. We can do better. I am proud that we have created a space where people who look different, think differently, and represent the future of this region can come together to build genuine connections and serve. If you are interested in serving on a nonprofit board, we are gearing up for the 4th Annual Nonprofit Connector event on November 7th. Shoot me an email at HeyOrv@midwestbankcentre.com.
Part of my goal when I launched this program was to include a corporate component. I spend a fair amount of time counseling leaders on how to get connected to corporate boards. The biggest point is no different than nonprofit or high-profile civic boards—it’s all about relationships. This year, to advance this effort, I am serving as a mentor for Deloitte's Board-Ready for MADE (Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable) program. These are diverse executives from across a broad range of industries who are ready right now to serve as corporate directors. If I reach out to you to make a connection for one of the leaders I am mentoring, thank you in advance for answering the call.
This year, I rolled off of United Way Worldwide's board. It’s been a good experience born in COVID-19. I have been connected to United Way in one way or another since I was a kid living in the foster care system—grateful to Gary Dollar who gave me an opportunity to serve locally, Brian Gallagher who gave me an opportunity to serve globally, and Angela Williams for pushing forward a growth agenda for United Way Worldwide.
Remember, we have to be cautious about what we say yes to. This year, I had one yes: serving as a commissioner for the National Academy of Medicine's Commission for Investment Imperatives for a Healthy Nation (NAM).
What is NAM? Operating under the 1863 Congressional charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academies are private, nonprofit institutions that work outside of government to provide objective advice on matters of science, technology, and health. Our mission: To advance science, inform policy, and catalyze action to achieve human health, equity, and well-being.
Why was this commission created?
Do you remember the images during COVID-19 of the stress on our hospital systems and medical personnel? I do too. Do you remember how we couldn’t get protective gear and certain drugs? That’s because we stopped making many of these items in this country. Since I started asking questions related to all aspects of healthcare, I have friends sending me articles. Did you know that most APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients), which are the main ingredients in medicines that make them work to treat or cure diseases, aren’t even made in America? So, I am not a scientist, I am not a doctor, and I’m not a financial guru. I am a citizen, like you, who is trying to pay attention and asking what’s going on with our healthcare system. We can’t always get what we need when we need it, the costs are really high, we can’t always get access to quality care, and when we do, it’s not always the best care—we have to do better.
The pandemic highlighted existing weaknesses in the healthcare system and demonstrated the devastating impact of neglecting core fragilities.
There are at least nine sectors that roll up into what we call our healthcare system, and they have more regulation than banks—and banks have a lot of regulation. During the pandemic, every one of these sectors experienced vulnerability—just think about the prescription drug example above.
Our task is to ask questions and together think about ways to make American healthcare stronger. This seems really big. When I got the call, I made one point: can we unearth all of the incentives? My simple mind works this way: if for every decision we made, we were transparent about the incentives (typically we are blind to this), perhaps we’d make different decisions.
Why did they ask me? I asked them this same question: Why me? I am just a community banker. I learned that someone shared my name and they were interested in my diverse industry experience, interest in systems, and foster care experience.
Why did I say yes? Just take a look at the cost of healthcare in America. It continues to climb, and patient outcomes are not getting better. Why? I think systems and incentives are misaligned. I can't be any more straightforward than that. This impacts each and every one of us as Americans. We need more value, which means better outcomes for every American at a reasonable and sustainable cost. I also said yes because the time commitment, I was told, “isn’t going to be overly taxing.” I will let you know if they keep this promise. Additionally, I see some similarities with America’s financial system. Yeah, more to come on that.
I will be sharing what I am learning about our healthcare system and soliciting your thoughts to ensure they are heard in these meetings.
What are you doing to serve? Be disciplined with your yes and no and work hard to understand how all of your activities align with what you are trying to achieve in the world.