FROM MATT DAMON TO MARK ZUCKERBERG, CELEBRITIES AND TYCOONS ARE USING THEIR WEALTH AND POWER TO PROMOTE A NEW MODEL OF ‘CATALYTIC PHILANTHROPY’, WHICH INVOLVES MORE THAN JUST WRITING A CHEQUE.
In recognition of his work with Ben Affleck on the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon took home the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1998. In 2014, the gold statuette was joined on the mantelpiece by a different kind of trophy, when Damon’s work in improving the supply of clean water globally was acknowledged with a Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum. The progression can be explained by a new model of ‘catalytic philosophy’ that sees influential people leveraging their reputation to actively contribute to the greater good.
Before starring turns in The Talented Mr. Ripley, the Ocean’s trilogy and the Bourne franchise, a young Damon became cognisant of the problems caused by a lack of access to clean water when travelling to Mexico and Guatemala with his family. He established the H20 Africa Foundation in 2006, later merging the enterprise with entrepreneur Gary White’s Water Partners to form Water.org in 2009. While H20 Africa used its resources to fund the construction of wells and infrastructure, Water.org provides a financial solution to the problem of access to clean water, facilitating microloans for those living in non-OECD countries through their Water Credit initiative. To date, the organisation has directly impacted the lives of more than 13 million people living in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Status and recognition are becoming the means to a greater, more purposeful end. Damon’s model is being replicated in the corporate world – unbridled greed and ruthless ambition having largely fallen out of favour since the global financial crisis, a new stripe of business leader is committed to arresting a decline in the adherence to civic values, using the recognition gained by years of service to power positive change.
Denne historien er fra December 2018-utgaven av The CEO Magazine Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 2018-utgaven av The CEO Magazine Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox
After years in the automotive industry, CEO Lito German is now driving change and accelerating growth for importer and distributor Sandbox Middle East.
They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do
CEO Chamaiporn Uerpairojkit explains how thai plastics giant tpbi was committed to sustainability long before the government made an industry-changing announcement last year.
Maverick Unicorn
Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek is a textbook example of the startup gurus propelling their companies to billion-dollar valuations.
''Increase The Velocity''
Adapting Camfil’s business model to work at a faster pace was critical for the business to thrive in today’s China, according to managing director Michel Moulin.
Device Manager
Covid-19 tore the world’s tech supply chains asunder, the effects of which are still being felt today. But through steady management and quality of work, malaysian component manufacturer analog devices has managed to thrive during the storm.
Going Antiviral
Chiaphua Industries chief marketing officer and co-founder of Germagic Hamilton Hung has transformed the appliance manufacturer into an antiviral research and development powerhouse. And he has done so with patience and vision.
Risk Vs Return
Add pandemic fallout to a low interest-rate environment and you have a challenge for highnet-worth investors. Where might opportunities lie?
Expect The Unexpected
For lockton philippines insurance & reinsurance brokers ceo vic valledor, providing affordable premiums for the poorest families is vital, especially considering the recent challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.
The Ultimate Investments
With the global economic recovery from the pandemic underway, many analysts are suggesting now is the time to invest – but will whisky, soybeans or bitcoin find a way into your portfolio?
The Future Of Fintech
Covid-19 has accelerated the world’s shift to a digital economy, and airwallex co-founder and president Lucy Liu wants to make sure there are more female fintech leaders with her at the top.