Highlights of Noble Leaders
Interviewed for the Book.
Noble Leaders we interviewed
| Person Interviewed | CH 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 4 | Ch 5 | Ch 6 | Ch 7 | Ch 8 | Ch 9 | Ch 10 | Ch 11 | Ch 12 | Ch 13 | Ch 14 | Ch 15 | Ch 16 | Ch 17 | Epil | Chapter | Title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre, Mary Lou | X | Chapter 1 | The Declining Brand Image of Business | ||||||||||||||||||
| Barton, Quince | X | X | Chapter 2 | A Dying Reality Has Caused Ignoble Behavior | |||||||||||||||||
| Bonnet, Ivana | X | X | Chapter 3 | Welcome to the Emergent Reality | |||||||||||||||||
| Bordeaux, Donna Maria | X | X | X | X | Chapter 4 | Business Economics in the Emergent Reality | |||||||||||||||
| Catucci, Bill | X | X | X | X | Chapter 5 | Quantum Power #1: Higher Purpose | |||||||||||||||
| Amber Chand | X | X | X | Chapter 6 | Quantum Power #2: Living Values | ||||||||||||||||
| Cromwell, Mare | X | Chapter 7 | Quantum Power #3: Human Spirit | ||||||||||||||||||
| Farmer, Brittany | X | Chapter 8 | Quantum Power #4: Oneness Consciousness | ||||||||||||||||||
| Donald P. Jacobs | X | X | X | X | X | Chapter 9 | Living and Working in the Emergent Reality | ||||||||||||||
| Valorie Kondos-Field | X | X | X | X | Chapter 10 | Doing Business and Leading in the Emergent Reaity | |||||||||||||||
| Lewis, Johnny | X | X | Chapter 11 | Their Deep and Wide Impact | |||||||||||||||||
| Lund, Pukar | X | Chapter 12 | How Noble Leaders Uplift the Planet | ||||||||||||||||||
| Miller, Bruce | X | Chapter 13 | On Becoming a Noble Leader and Helping Others do Likewise | ||||||||||||||||||
| Murty, Narayana | X | X | Chapter 14 | Self-Care Tools for Noble Leaders | |||||||||||||||||
| Nazer, Tal | X | X | Chapter 15 | Heart: The Invisible Power Source for Noble Leaders | |||||||||||||||||
| O'Neil, Josh | X | Chapter 16 | Memo to Boards of Directors Looking for a New CEO | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pedro Passos | X | X | X | X | Chapter 17 | Towards a More Noble Capitalism | |||||||||||||||
| Reusche, Gary | X | X | Epilogue | Noble Leadership in the Future: Voices of Our Youth | |||||||||||||||||
| Sahdev, Navroop | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||
| Samandari, Mahmud | X | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Schimel, Nicolas | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||
| Von Rabenau, Jane | X | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weinberg, Daniel | X |
Mary Lou Andre
Mary Lou Andre is Founder & President of Organization by Design Inc. and editor for Dressingwell.com. She is a nationally recognized stylist, corporate image, consultant, speaker, and author of: Ready to Wear: An Expert’s Guide to Choosing and Using your Wardrobe.
Mary Lou attributes her leadership approach and success to the foundational values fostered in her family and upbringing; where education, work ethic, and caring for others was deeply valued.
She brings forth these virtues, in her business endeavors and noble leadership; being dedicated to treating employees and clients with respect, integrity, and kindness. She models and looks for these living values in her employees, creating a win-win workplace culture.
Mary Lou lives true to her ideals and purpose. “to Garner individual talent in a way that helps people move ideas forward, connect with others, and create prosperity and healthy environments for customers, employees, and the broader community“
Mary Lou Andres remarkable story is revealed in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Chapter 10. Doing Business and Leading in the Emergent Reality. Discover and be inspired with how Mary Lou upholds the qualities and quantum powers of Noble leadership, in her businesses success and heartwarming community outreach.
Quince Alex Barton
Quince Alex Barton, a young Noble Leader, conveys deep commitment to Noble Leadership in his words and actions: “Character is destiny and integrity is when your word is your creed; if you live by what you speak, and you speak what you believe, you are a person of integrity…Integrity is a naturally inherent value of a good leader, for when a leader can successfully do what they say they are going to do, a bond of trust is forged between the people and institutions.”
Quince became dedicated to his ideals at a young age. Born and raised in the mountains of Utah, Quince Alex Barton is presently attending college at the University of Hawaii with a double major in physics and marine science. He intends to obtain a PhD in oceanography and marine engineering. He believes that the knowledge and wisdom he obtains will benefit the quality of work he does on behalf of the sea.
Quince is passionate to contribute personally and professionally to uplifting our planet. He likes the idea of symbiosis in leadership, understanding that everything is inherently different, but that symbiosis produces abundance and benefit for all things which are connected to each other. He states that this model represents the truth of nature, which gives us an achievable goal at which to aim, and which in turn helps align us with our instincts and emotions.
Quince states that Noble Leaders model their ideals and their commitment to execute their vision of what must be done to optimize benefit for people in all walks of life.
Quince wisely proclaims “bravery is an essential quality for Noble Leaders to develop themselves and to do what is right including preserving freedom and human rights. He believes that protecting the quality and freedom of life is a critically important component to the success of any nation, organization, or other social structure. He further believes that leaders in the Emergent Reality must be more authentic and transparent, and they must have passion in their hearts and intuitive vision as manifest in positive, honest, and compassionate action. Finally, he has observed that effective leaders gain confidence in themselves and with others through self-respect, self-care and caring about one’s appearance, as well as excellent communication skills.
“To be truly noble is to lead by the choice of the people. If this kind of leadership can prevail, then individuals who are able to authentically execute the people’s desire through vision will be at the forefront of changing society.”
Quince Alex Barton is a rising voice of our youth. His heartening messages and story can be seen in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity, in Chapter 12, “How Noble Leaders Uplift the Planet,” and in the Epilogue, “Noble Leadership in the Future: Voices of our Youth.”
Bill Catucci
Introduction
Bill Catucci is a testament to Noble Leadership in his personal and professional life. Living his values and seeking a higher purpose are reflected in the decisions and actions that were integral to his family and business success. His corporate values aligned with his personal values by which he lived and abided. His story is inspirational, heartwarming and offers guidance on becoming a Noble Leader.
Influences
Bill’s journey was influenced by his grandfather, an Italian immigrant to the United States. Despite being poor and not speaking English, his grandfather was hardworking, valued his family and loved the United States of America. His grandfather was a role model for enthusiasm, purpose, living values and enjoying life experiences. He is thankful for teachers who took special interest in him throughout his schooling, enabling him to skip grades to study advanced courses.
Education and Military Experience
After high school, Bill attended Fordham University and trained as an ROTC Cadet. At 21 years old, he was commissioned as an Infantry Officer, commanding troops on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea. He credits his military experience for teaching him leadership skills. Despite offers of high-ranking positions, he chose to leave the Army declaring: “I served my country nobly”. He wanted to be at home, as a presence in the lives of his wife and five children.
Further Education and Career
When Bill left the Army, he worked as a busboy, cab driver and sold insurance. These experiences and his upbringing instilled in him an understanding, respect, and appreciation for working people trying to raise families. He knew he needed further education to further his career. He earned a law degree and became a successful lawyer and Vice President at AT&T.
He was offered a position as CEO of Unitel (AT&T Canada), a failing company losing one $1M dollars a day with employee morale at its lowest ebb. He accepted the challenge with a three-year commitment to the company. He stated his purpose at the outset; “We are going to be the best company we can be.” He started by raising employee morale, giving 3000 employees a bonus (utilized from the Executive Bonus Fund) with a personal note. He treated people well, focused on training and promoted teamwork based on company values. Bill established goals with his team and a bonus structure that created a “win-win opportunity” for employees, stakeholders, shareholders, customers, and the company. Generous incentives and bonuses were given with improving company performance, across-the-board, for the many working men and women. He was given an award for promoting women in the workforce.
Within three years, he transformed the company, multiplying earnings fivefold. He was finalist for CEO of the year in Canada. His leadership raised morale so appreciably that employees and union did not want him to leave. He departed the thriving company after three years to honor a promise to his wife.
Bill was highly sought after and was offered several positions after his success at Unitel. He accepted a position as Executive Vice President at another troubled company; Equifax, one of the top credit bureaus in the world. Equifax served 15 countries with 15,000 employees. He was advised to fire all the senior vice presidents and was told they were the reason the company was flailing. Instead, with his leadership approach, he brought out the best in his team and under his leadership they changed the trajectory of the company with the stock becoming a top performer on the S&P 500.
His most important impact was improving the lives of many people. His teams were expected to work conscientiously and with integrity toward company goals, yet to improvise in their jobs. They shared their success with stories as morale rose from worst to the best. He adapted: “The Jazz Model of Business” approach with music starting with a melody and progressing to creative improvisation. In two years, this previously failing company turned around to become a top company globally.
Catucci’s noble leadership and reputation for producing results with integrity, creativity and people-focus led him to another endeavor at Regulatory Data Corporation. He built a company tasked to counter international money laundering and associated white collar crimes.
Aftermath
Bill consults with companies discussing his “Turnaround Management” style. He teaches at Fordham University Graduate School of Business where he emphasizes characteristics and ideals of noble leadership, as he passes the torch of wisdom, knowledge, and expertise to younger generations.
Bill married the ‘girl of his dreams’ cherishing 62 years together and having five children and fourteen grandchildren. Family values have been his priority. His commitment and dedication to living his values, his higher purpose and noble ideals and actions brought balance, devotion, and rewards to his personal and professional life and those around him. Sadly, his beloved Marie passed away and he misses her deeply. He continues to honor their love and devotion.
His philosophy and ideals persevered as he followed his heart and spirit; “to be motivated in the right direction, to do the right thing and do things right”.
It is an honor to celebrate Bill Catucci as a Noble Leader.
Bill Catucci and his works can be found in ‘Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality’; Chapter 3. Welcome to the Emergent Reality, Chapter 4. Business Economics in the Emergent Reality, Chapter 7. Quantum Power #3: Human Spirit & Chapter 8. Quantum Power #4: Oneness Consciousness.
Ivana Bonnet
Ivana Bonnet is Corporate Director of CDPQ(Caisse de dépôt et Placement of Quebec) and has worked in the financial services industry for over 40 years with diverse roles in credit and risk analysis, real estate, oil and gas financing, human resources and investment banking. Since 2014 she has been Senior Country Officer of Credit Agricole CIB Italy, prior to which she spent 15 years in human resources, with seven years as Head of Human Resources at credit Agricole CIB.
As an immigrant to France in 2018, Ivana Bonnet was appointed the Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur, the highest decoration and order of merit for serving France and the ideals it upholds.
Ivana is Serbian and was raised in a communist country by her Russian orthodox grandmother, who sought to keep values alive that were forbidden at that time. Her family, including her father and uncles, lost everything and had to start over. These earlier experiences shaped her values including respect for others, adaptability, strong work ethic, professionalism, independence, character, integrity, honesty, authenticity, compassion, communication, and ongoing education.
Ivana is fluent in Serbian, French, English and Italian. She exemplifies commitment to continually developing and evolving and helping others do the same. She discovered that building values as an HR manager can change the company. She states that she spent 15 years in human resources because she cares about people and strives to impart in her team a sense of caring about themselves and their organization. She continues to mentor many throughout their professional careers.
Through respect for others, acceptance of diversity, adaptability, excellent listening and communication, Ivana instills and inspires in others to live their values with their higher purpose and human spirit guiding the way.
Ivana Bonnet embodies Noble Leadership in her actions and her words, as she reminds us: “Creation and building are the drivers that give people the strength to go forward.” Individually and as a company, “Continuous evolution is critically important.”
She believes, and acts on the belief that laughter, enjoying and loving life, and taking time to recharge are essential in being the best version of ourselves both personally and professionally.
Read more about Ivana Bonnet in Chapter 10. “Doing Business and Leading in the Emergent Reality; and Chapter 16: “Memo to Boards of Directors Looking for a New CEO” in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality.
AMBER CHAND
Amber Chand’s higher purpose is to celebrate women as a force for peace and prosperity. Born in Africa of Indian parentage, Amber is a speaker, writer, visionary guide, artist and entrepreneur through her “Dream a New Dream: Live a New Story” program. She is founder of Women’s Peace Collection and Co-founder of Prosperity Candles and Eziba, all social enterprises that have supported refugees and talented women artisans in war torn countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Rwanda, Darfur, Ethiopia, and Cambodia.
Amber‘s Noble leadership has restored hope, dignity and security to these women and their families’ lives. She exclaims: “I have understood the transformative power of business as a catalyst for change, whenever it is able to open its doors to a heart- centered vision of what is possible.”
Amber even created a bond between her customers and her suppliers by having each supplier write a brief note to the person purchasing her candle to explain why she was making candles. Her heart centered and noble leadership continues to empower and uplift people around the world. More of her inspirational stories and good works can be read in Chapter 5: Quantum Power: Higher Purpose; Chapter 7: Quantum Power: Human Spirit; Chapter 8: Oneness Consciousness; and Chapter 15: HEART: The Invisible Power Source for Noble Leaders.
Amber is offering upcoming retreats She has designed and will provide Visionary Life Coaching and Entrepreneur Coaching Programs: in Mexico: March 17-24, 2024; and in Tuscany: June 17-24, 2024. Details can be found on her website: www.amberchand.com.
Amber models & teaches with heart and soul – “The steadiness, resilience and courageous love needed to navigate our world in these extraordinary times.” She shares her unique gifts and inspires others to share theirs, with clear intention, purpose, and joyful gratitude.
Mare Cromwell
As a Visionary, Gaia mystic and High Priestess, Mare Cromwell’s selfless service, good works, and Noble Leadership are making a monumental difference worldwide by raising consciousness and healing our earth.
Mare Cromwell has written three award-winning books and regularly leads training sessions and speaking events around the globe. As an international speaker and teacher, Mare brings an expanding awareness, sacred connection and healing to our earth. Mare is founder and director of the nonprofit, The Great Mother Love Way, Inc., www.GreatmotherLove.earth.
Ongoing events that Mare organizes and leads can be viewed at this website.
One of her annual events since 2016 is 1000 Goddesses Gathering, the next one taking place on Saturday, November 2, 2024. This annual global event is based upon a Tibetan prophecy that states when 1000 goddesses or Buddhist Taras gather, the divine feminine will rebirth through their combined energies, and the tone of our sacred planet shall shift from fear to compassion.
Mare’s presence of love, grace, and humility is guiding us in this direction. She follows her heart and spiritual calling to shed ego and be in service to Mother Gaia. She believes wholeheartedly that her higher purpose is to help heal our human relationship with our earth.
She believes that Noble Leaders will help uplift the planet by doing their personal work to heal their woundedness within and examine how one can cultivate the virtues of Noble Leadership.
Mare defines the virtues or qualities of a Noble Leader to include integrity, authenticity, humility, sense of humor, deep commitment to service, and excellent organizational and communication skills including good listening. She believes that finding a balanced healthy way of being, within ourselves and in service to our earth with sacredness, love and compassion, will create the greatest outcomes for all.
Please discover more about Mare’s noble leadership and her ongoing good works in: Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity, Chapter 12: “How Noble Leaders Uplift the Planet.”
Brittany Farmer
“Leaders are wayshowers, not enforcers’”, states Brittany Farmer, founder of Energetic Healing Hawaii and Hale H’omana (the Place of Empowerment), Big Island, Hawaii.
Brittany is a wayshower, brilliantly embodying and bringing forth the virtues and qualities that inspires emulation in others. “The most important thing we can do is love ourselves. With our hearts leading the way, we can heal and live our best lives.” Brittany believes that by doing our own inner work we become clear, listening deeply and understanding the wisdom we carry inside. In turn, this helps us amplify our mana — the energy of a leader is the calm at the center of the storm; it knows it is one with all that surrounds it; It is centered, clear, and coherent.”
Brittany states that “Noble leaders take great care of themselves, physically, emotionally and spiritually, and they have strong, balanced energy that is attractive and magnetic. They act and direct others in ways that benefit and protect all of life.”
Brittany offers individual energetic healing sessions, releasing energetic blockages, facilitating the body to operate at its highest capacity, activating and upgrading higher consciousness. Her ceremonies are designed to open individuals to the wisdom of their own hearts. She leads and collaborates with gifted local and international healers and musicians offering meditation, prayer, chanting, journaling, sound healing, Chi gong, yoga, dance, breath, work, Cacao ceremonies, and more.
Brittany is a luminary in her community. She lights the path of transformation as she helps others to move forward through these turbulent times by offering a pathway that guides many back home to their own true nature.
Brittany facilitates monthly new moon and full moon Cacao ceremony and sound. Upcoming events also include new moon women’s medicine circle and breath work Ceremony, and can be found at: energetichealinghawaii.com
Please read more about Brittany’s inspiring story in: Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality, Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity, “Epilogue: Voices of our Youth.”
DONALD P. JACOBS
Donald P. Jacobs served as Dean of the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 1975-2001. Ken Bardach, co-author of Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality, worked with Jacobs for 15 years first as a faculty member, then as the director of the Executive MBA program, and finally as the associate dean and director of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management. Bardach witnessed Jacobs firsthand living his values as he placed great importance on collaboration, mentorship, humility, inclusion, innovation, and creating a culture of caring at Kellogg.
Jacobs led Kellogg remarkably from #29 to #1 ranking of best business school for a record five times from 1988 according to Business Week magazine and the Economist Intelligence unit respectively.
Jacobs lived true to his ideals and words: “We will create a culture of excellence in research and teaching, and a culture of caring. We will listen to our customers, including our students, and build programs and activities based upon their needs and innovative suggestions.”
As an example of supporting student innovative ideas, Jacobs created and developed an MBA course, Global Initiatives in Management (GIM), whereby teams of 20 to 30 Kellogg students, under the supervision and mentorship of a faculty member or senior staff member, planned and implemented learning journeys to various emerging economies around the world including the former Soviet Union, China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Peru, and beyond. Through this program, many Kellogg students had the opportunity to meet with top leaders in government and industry. The program was so uniquely successful that many other leading business schools adapted and utilized it in their own curriculum.
Jacobs’ Noble Leadership continues to have deep and wide impact globally. He formed a strategic alliance with Fundacao Dom Cabral (FDC), which at that time was a small and relatively unknown Brazilian business school, in order to increase Kellogg’s visibility in Brazil and throughout South America. Currently, FDC is the top-ranked university-based executive program provider in both Brazil and South America – and number seven in the world –according to the Financial Times ranking. Clearly, the partnership benefitted both institutions.
Jacobs used strategic partnerships with other leading business schools around the world to improve program quality and enhance the reputation of Kellogg globally.
Throughout his deanship, Don Jacobs demonstrated how Noble Leaders raise employee morale, development, performance and retention of top faculty and staff. He developed relationships based on respect and appreciation, producing customer satisfaction and retention, supplier dedication, ability, and performance. His noble works have an ongoing positive ripple effect with Kellogg alumni and their families, businesses, communities, humanity, and our earth, uplifting all.
Jacobs’ Noble Leadership approach and success can be viewed in greater detail in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Chapter 6: Quantum Power: Living Values; Chapter 8: Quantum Power: Oneness Consciousness; Chapter 11: Deep and Wide Impact; and Chapter 15: Heart: The Invisible Power Source for Noble Leaders.
VALORIE KONDOS-FIELD
Valorie Kondos-Field demonstrates the relevance, power and resilience of the human spirit through her Noble Leadership. As one of the most decorated and celebrated coaches in history, Valorie (Miss Val, as she frequently is referred to by friends and colleagues) lives and inspires with grace and humility. As UCLA’s Women’s Gymnastics team head coach, Miss Val achieved 502 career victories, six NCAA team championships, was honored as national coach of the year four times, and “All Century Head Coach” in addition to a myriad of other prestigious awards.
Val wholeheartedly believed her job was to “develop champions for life,” and to teach others to do the same. She oversaw and instructed 250 people in the UCLA athletic department including janitorial and administrative staff, athletes and more. She has developed a culture such that when someone asking anyone what you do in the women’s gymnastics group at UCLA, the first thing they say is “I help develop champions.” She continually helped every single person under her purview understand and appreciate their value.
Val had perpetual faith in the human spirit as she encouraged each athlete to be the best version of herself. Val eloquently expresses the role of leader as steward. “My athletes are superheroes in training, and I have been blessed to be bestowed this position of helping them develop their superhero abilities. I am a steward.” She instilled in her athletes commitment to be their best selves even when they were having a hard day, reminding them: “You are part of something greater than yourself.” She celebrated diversity as she proudly stated, “Diversity does not have to be divisive; instead, diversity can be unifying.”
Even when faced with a life-threatening condition, Valorie kept her faith and her own human spirit high through a living prayer: “Be anxious for nothing and grateful for all things.” She truly exemplifies the qualities of human spirit in action through her passion, compassion, authenticity, acceptance, and discipline, and she inspired these qualities in others.
More of her inspiration stories and how she nurtured her own and others’ human spirit and resilience through excellent self-care can be discovered in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Chapters 5: Quantum Power-Higher Purpose; Chapter 7: Quantum Power-Human Spirit; Chapter 14: Self-Care Tools for Noble Leaders; and Chapter 15: Heart: The Invisible Power Source for Noble Leaders.
Val’s stories offer infinite inspiration including recognition that through self-care we learn to listen, to honor, and to care for the needs of our own body, mind, heart, and spirit. In doing so, we give the world the best of ourselves.
Johnny Lewis
Johnny Lewis is steadfast in living his values with unwavering ethics and moral integrity. One of the many heartwarming examples of his Noble Leadership includes 100% safety record over 47 years.
Johnny has designed and built one of the first modern day balloons. Despite his innovative success, he has put his ego and financial gain aside to prioritize everyone’s safety. When giving balloon rides he only goes up if the weather conditions are safe. If the winds are potentially unsafe, he cancels the flight and gives full refunds. His noble leadership approach values every life over financial gain, yet ultimately brings him great business success. Johnny started out giving tethered rides for five bucks and expanded his business over 30 years to include corporate ballooning, advertising, stunts in movies, archaeology and more.
Johnny treats his crew and customers with the utmost respect and care, and they in turn show great respect and devotion to him. When one of his staff offered to work two days hence to launch a second balloon, Johnny reminded the young man, a high school student, that he was the first member of his family to have an opportunity to attend college, and to this end, he had an important exam in two days. Johnny explained to the young man quietly but forcefully that if he ever again put work above his studies, Johnny would fire him. Tough love! Even facing reduced revenues by foregoing a second balloon launch, Johnny consistently modeled Noble Leadership.
Johnny Lewis truly exemplifies the quantum powers of Noble Leadership. He followed and transformed his childhood dream of balloon aviation into his higher purpose and living values in all his business endeavors. He is driven by his human spirit to bring his passions forward in service with joy and wonderment and safety for others. His mindfulness, enthusiasm, and consistency in living his values uplift people, planet, and prosperity.
With a ‘Oneness Consciousness’, Johnny has his crew go out at the end of each day to clean all the garbage, much left by other balloon businesses. Johnny believes it is the right thing to do, so he has always done it and has taught his crew likewise.
For more inspirational reading about Johnny Lewis, please see Noble Leadership in The Emergent Reality: Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity, Chapter 6, “QUANTUM POWER #2: Living Values,” and Chapter 12, “How Noble Leaders Uplift the Planet.”
Pukar Lund
Pukar Lund’s noble idealings shine brightly in ‘Voices of our Youth’, the Epilogue to Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality.
Born in Nepal and spending his childhood on the Hawaiian Islands and between homes in the mountains of Mexico and the jungles of Costa Rica, Pukar eloquently surmises: “A Noble Leader is someone willing to look in the mirror and make changes from within; a noble leader, is willing to listen to their heart when making decisions; a noble leader makes decisions that will benefit all people; a noble leader respects the differences in each and every person and uses the power they have been entrusted with, to in turn, empower the people; noble leaders lead by example, and above all a noble leader is someone you can trust”. Pukar’s wise words remind us that higher ideals are what youth are looking for and aspiring to achieve thus bringing hope and optimism for future generations.
Bruce Justin Miller
Noble Leaders have the capacity and responsibility to take paramount actions to honor, respect and take care of our earth so our future generations may thrive. Bruce Justin Miller PhD is a guiding light and Noble Leader uplifting our planet.
Dr. Miller has devoted much of his professional life to educating and encouraging responsible public action on global issues affecting the wellbeing of our earth. He received the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Hero Award from Vice President Al Gore for his passionate commitment protecting our Nation’s environment.
Part of the founding team of Earth Day, Miller effectively collaborated with colleagues, educators, politicians, and communities to help raise environmental consciousness and services. As Program Director for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant, he created marine parks and sanctuaries, managing and protecting coral reefs and fisheries in all the major Hawaiian Islands, in American Samoa, Guam and Micronesia. In addition, he designed and built the University of Hawaii Office of Sustainability. Dr. Miller’s success inspired and modeled future sustainability programs in the U.S.
May his good works and wise counsel inspire us all towards more noble leadership and positive action to protect our earth. As he surmises, “In light of all the serious environmental and social issues facing us, each of us has no option but to choose to help create the changes necessary to ensure that this beautiful home of ours continues to nurture us and those we love long into the future.”
More of Bruce Justin Miller’s good works and an explanation about how you can uplift the planet can be found in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality, Chapter 12, “How Noble Leaders Uplift the Planet.”
Narayana Murthy
The Distinguished Narayana Murthy, Founder, First CEO & President of INFOSYS, was born and raised amidst humble beginnings in Karnataka, India.
Narayana lives by the values and principles cultivated in his family and upbringing. He aligned his living values, higher purpose and vision for his business endeavors and success: “To live in harmony and seek respect from society, customers, employees, shareholders, and investors. He believes that any profession needs to have a “noble vision and a higher purpose”.
His higher purpose evolved to create his goals for ‘Compassionate Capitalism’. He surmises: “The only way we can make capitalism attractive to our countries is by leaders behaving with honor, humility, honesty, decency and caring for all of society”. He walks his talk that “Powerful people need to become evangelists for doing the right thing”.
Narayana uses his power for good; his great contributions are instrumental in helping empower the lower castes by reducing poverty in India. He mentors and emphasizes the importance of excellent role models in reinventing a more noble capitalism: “The only way a country can solve poverty is with the creation of jobs with good income. Entrepreneurs convert jobs into income and income into wealth.”
Infosys has become a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, now serving more than 50 countries worldwide and employing over 300,000 individuals.
Narayana Murthy lives true to his ideals and higher purpose as he nobly leads individuals, businesses, and countries towards ‘compassionate capitalism’.
More insights and inspiring stories about Narayana Murthy can be found in: Chapter 16, “Memo to Boards of Directors Looking for a New CEO”; and Chapter 17, “Towards a More Noble Capitalism.”
Tal Hisham Nazer
Tal Hisham Nazer exemplifies Noble Leadership in his role as managing director and CEO of Bupa Arabia. His clear sense of purpose and vision is to establish and provide the highest quality healthcare in the Arabian world. Bupa Arabia is the biggest and fastest growing Saudi publicly listed company specializing in healthcare and insurance. Nobly led by Tal Nazer, Bupa Arabia grew in 19 years from 200 K customers to 2 million customers. Nazer proclaims: “A company is as good as its CEO.” Tal Nazar lives true to his values of leading by example with unwavering ethical behavior.
Nazer’s commitment to Noble leadership upholds the legacy of his family for “excellence and reputation”. Nazer continues to be driven by values he acquired as a child, particularly being inclusive and fair to people. He is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive. Nazer creates compassionate capitalism with his leadership approach. He pays based on the job and performance not on background, nationality or sex. His company is ranked number one for female employment. In fact, 40% of the workforce are women. Promoting diversity and inclusion strengthens the workforce by empowering women at all levels, creating an inclusive work environment that harnesses diverse perspectives and talents, contributing to the company’s success.
Nazer also attributes his company’s success to building a strong culture that is innovative and fun. He demonstrates how bringing heart and human spirit to the workplace creates success and well-being for all.
Please see more inspiring stories about Tal Hisham Nazer in: Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity; Chapter 11. “Deep and Wide Impact” and Chapter 16. “Memo to the Board of Directors Looking for a New CEO.”
PEDRO PASSOS
Pedro Passos is a Noble Leader interviewed and honored for his good works in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality. As co-founder and a member of the Board of Directors of Natura & Co., voted Brazil’s most admired company for nine consecutive years, Passos leads with Higher Purpose, Oneness Consciousness, Living Values, and Human Spirit.
He exemplifies these quantum powers in his leadership style and success. He eloquently states, “Natura’s vision incorporates a sense of unity, collaboration, and community. We want to be a group of brands with a strong, local and global voice, and to be identified with the community of people who are committed to building a better world through better relationships with themselves, with others, with the natural world they are a part of and with the whole.”
He brings the devoted culture of Brazil to his company. “Brazil is really about family and family collectiveness working with the tensions but doing it as a group.” He and his leadership team continually reinvent the company through challenges by refocusing on their core values. Natura believes that valuing relationships is the foundation of the great human revolution in pursuit of peace, solidarity, and life in all of its manifestations.” He believes that truth builds confidence, trust, respect, and positive relationships.
This premier South American company is a leader in its country and the world producing and selling cosmetics and personal care products while protecting the social biodiversity of the Amazon through its sustainable business model. Natura products are cruelty free and 93 per cent vegan. The Company obtains much of its raw materials from the Amazon by working with the local farmers as well as devoting company resources to help the indigenous people who live there. Natura is true to its mission and purpose: “Our reason for being is to create and sell products and services that promote well-being and being well.”
Discover how Pedro Passos uplifts people, planet, and prosperity: in Chapter 5: Higher Purpose; Chapter 8: Oneness Consciousness; Chapter 12: How Noble Leaders Uplift the Planet; and Chapter 16: Memo to the Board of Directors looking for a new CEO.
We are profoundly grateful to Pedro Passos for his Noble contributions.
Gary Reusche
Gary Reusche is a Noble Leader who believes wholeheartedly that our youth are a beacon of hope, ideals and promise as we move into the Emergent Reality. He is a shining example of Noble Leadership working, teaching and leading in two major fields: (a) agricultural research, development, and education; and (b) business management, finance and insurance. He works globally including in Africa, South Asia, Netherlands, former- Soviet Union, Ukraine, and the United States. Dr. Reusche is on the faculty of the Wilmette Institute.
Reusche states that he feels fortunate to “have picked a path that created passion within me and hopefully do some good in the world.” Working with small and medium farmers and rural development has been the main theme of his working career. Gary poses a question that exemplifies a greater vision: “How are we going to solve the problems that exist in the world today for the benefit of our societies and the world in general?”
Gary’s living values guide the noble vision and actions in his own life and in his leadership. “I want to see that the work I do has some sustainable positive impact on the culture in which I am working. Empowering team members and the success of the groups is more important to me than my own personal glorification as the boss or leader.”
Reusche “walks the talk” as he lives true to his noble ideals delivering outreach as a positive change agent for our youth. One of the many noble programs he developed with his wife is the Virtues Project, which teaches, mentors and gives training to youth and adults on the purpose of values. The Program advocates that living values are crucial to the future well-being of our planet, and what we impart to our children matters.
Gary Reusche clearly demonstrates the power of higher purpose as he affirms, “My feeling is that the purpose of our life is to develop spiritual values or attributes in our character.” He believes that spiritual values and human values are synonymous and impact almost everything we do. Gary’s spiritual values and the values by which his family has lived were driving forces that have propelled and interwoven his good works throughout his life and career.
More of his inspirational story and wisdom can be found in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity, Chapter 5, “Quantum Power #1: Higher Purpose;” and in the “Epilogue, Noble Leadership in the future: Voices of our Youth.”
Navroop Sahdev
Born and raised in India, Navroop Sahdev is paving the way for a new era of Noble Leadership in the global economy. Founder & CEO of The Digital Economist, Navroop is a visionary and trailblazer in this emergent reality.
Her company’s mission is to create a human-centered digital economy based on five key pillars: radical collaboration, decentralization, equity, sustainability, and transparency. The Digital Economist champions innovative and masterful stewardship of the planetary global economy through trust, diversity, empathy, integrity, mindset, passion, accountability and unity.
Navroop promotes the principle of individuals choosing a career path that is in alignment with their values and higher purpose as she puts humanity back at the heart of it all. “The way we bring ourselves to the world is, perhaps the single, most important way to inspire others to pursue their passions and wild ideas. You become what you want to see in the world.”
Navroop wholeheartedly believes that integral to becoming a noble leader, one must gain self-knowledge, self-mastery, and genuine commitment to living their values. “Without values there is no leadership. Values keep us anchored to the duty of care that is inherent in the leadership role.”
Her faith in the human spirit to prevail shines through in her words and her actions. She confidently gives credit: “Our collective power can steer technology towards human betterment.” Navroop is nobly leading the way with her extraordinary commitment to empowering and creating value for individuals and communities worldwide.
Discover more inspiring stories Navroop shares with the privileged reader in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Chapter 10, “Doing Business and Leading in The Emergent Reality”’ and the Epilogue: “Voices of our Youth.”
Mahmud Samandari
Mahmud Samandari, Founder/CEO Globatel, Founder/CEO Teleholding, Owner/CEO Equatorial Technologies, Director Infotec, CEO Innova Radio SA, Manager Samandari Travel agency, Co-Founder & Secretary General of ebbf (Ethical Business Building Future), exemplifies Noble Leadership.
Mahmud humbly calls himself an aspiring Noble Leader and credits his parents and his Baha’i faith and upbringing for teaching him to live and lead in alignment with his values. One of the important lessons he learned from his father about values happened during Mahmud’s youth, when his father refused to pay a bribe to a tax collector. His father fought and won his case demonstrating here and on other occasions his high morals by refusing to participate in culturally expected unethical practices. These experiences left an indelible mark on Mahmud’s conscience and led him to choose this path of integrity his own life.
Mahmud remembers his father as a successful entrepreneur who in addition to unwavering ethics, always demonstrated caring deeply for his staff and supporting them in both their personal and professional challenges. Mahmud states that these principles guided him through his career, in addition to his mother’s abilities to be an extraordinary communicator, connector, facilitator and peacemaker. Her influence taught Mahmud how to relate to others at a genuinely human level.
Mahmud was already worldly at a young age being born in Iran and spending his childhood in Turkey, until he moved to Switzerland at age 18. There, he earned a PhD in International Law from the Graduate Institute and Development Studies in Geneva.
Another highlighting characteristic of Mahmud Samandari is his passion for meaningful innovation with higher purpose in the diverse companies (in education, IT and communications) he started and directed on three continents. His company Globatel was a pioneer in satellite-based interactive distance learning being the first in this genre in all of Latin America and later adopted by the Global Development Learning Network.
Mahmud upholds the principles of Noble Leadership by building trusting relationships that foster hope, integrity, care, fairness, equity, inclusion and opportunities for personal and professional growth and advancement. He consistently brings out the best human qualities in his teams including loyalty based on the loyalty he shows to them. He believes everyone has useful things to contribute through consultation, collaboration and unity to create a more just and prosperous world. He continually creates that which he aspires to achieve by staying true to his ideals, his Baha’i faith, and the principle of ‘Excellence in all things’.
Mahmud exudes the quantum powers of noble leadership and instills these virtues in others as he walks his talk and brings higher purpose, living values, human spirit, and oneness consciousness to business and humanity. He confidently surmises: “No problems will diminish my positive feelings about the noble nature of human beings.”
More inspirational stories about Mahmud Samundari and how he helps develop more Noble Leaders, can be discovered in; Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity, Chapter 13 “On Becoming a Noble Leader and Helping others do Likewise.”
NICOLAS SCHIMEL
Noble Leader Nicolas Schimel lives true to his ideals and commitment to uplift people, planet and prosperity. His story truly is an inspiration in how he became a Noble Leader and helps others do likewise.
Nicolas is the former CEO of AVIVA-France, a leading international insurance, savings and investment company, and the Co-Founder and former President of Filib, a French organization to make wealth management accessible to everyone.
With his father’s parents having fled eastern Europe during the rise of the Nazis and with much of his family killed or having emigrated to other countries during the Holocaust, Nicolas grew up in France in a small, but loving family.
He focused his studies science and engineering and he excelled. Nicolas was admitted to Ecole Polytechnique, one of France’s leading and most prestigious universities, where he majored in economics and finance.
Although Nicolas was equipped and most comfortable with hard science skills, he consistently lives his values by putting people first in his many leadership positions. As he stated during the interview, “It is a true and genuine interest in people’s success and welfare that counts …Ultimately, it’s about having and showing empathy, but before empathy, you have to have this genuine interest in people, understanding them, knowing them and caring about them.”
Nicolas learned as a young leader to respect, value, and effectively rely upon competent people, in many cases considerably older and more experienced than himself. By being honest, open, and authentic, he earned their trust, respect and dedication and he uplifted the people and companies he led.
Furthermore, Nicolas reminds us, “People are the purpose…Organizations need to provide goods and services that really matter and meet the people’s needs. The fundamental purpose of the organization is to provide a beneficial, social role and framework for the lives of people, not only customers, but also equally important, employees to help people live good lives.”
“[Ultimately] it comes down to having satisfied, fulfilled and happy people because over the long run, these people make the most profit and bring the greatest benefit to the organization and society.”
Amidst his many accolades over the course of his life’s work, Nicolas Schimel remains humble and noble. He believes that we can all be Noble Leaders in our intentions and actions, in all walks of life.
More inspiring stories about Nicolas Schimel can be found in Chapter 13, “On Becoming a Noble Leader and Helping others do Likewise,” in NOBLE LEADERSHIP IN THE EMERGENT REALITY.
Jane Von Rabenau
Upon graduating from Harvard Kennedy School, Jane Von Rabenau, MPA/ID started SIKLUS, a company that reduces plastic waste at the source in Indonesia and the Philippines. She initiated and welcomed noble action on her brilliant ideas with high hope to help our earth and some of its most vulnerable people.
Jane discovered through her research that Indonesia is the world’s second largest ocean polluter after China. Single use containers account for 20% of plastics found on beaches and 70% of detergent is sold in single prepackaged sachets. Siklus delivers products directly without packaging via tricycles with an app that shows people how they can order through Whatsapp and when the products will be arriving in their neighborhood. Jane also is testing stationary refill models operated by local shop owners. Her innovative and growing company is serving hundreds of customers weekly and making a positive difference in cleaning up our environment.
Noble Leaders like Jane Von Rabenau are leading the way as ambassadors of Goodwill toward our earth to replenish what we have diminished and restore, cherish and protect our natural environment. The more individuals, leaders, and businesses participate in these environmental efforts, the greater awareness and action will occur to take care of our earth.
Read more about Jane’s remarkable and inspirational journey in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity, Chapter 12. “How Noble Leaders Uplift the Planet.”
Daniel Weinberg:
Born in Australia, Daniel Weinberg has given a voice to each member of the organization as CEO of Kenetic Capital, a blockchain investment platform based in Hong Kong. He stated, “A wise man listens, he doesn’t talk.” Daniel emphasizes excellent listening as a means for greater engagement, responsibility and commitment to the future direction of business. He also emphasizes teamwork and team development with a focus on authenticity, communication, and transparency.
Daniel recognizes that values and culture are increasingly important, especially for the new generation of young people entering the work force who “want to know what we stand for as an organization.”
Daniel leads his teams by always exemplifying his living values of honesty, trust, respect and direct communication. He consciously tries to align and surround himself with brilliant people of exemplary knowledge and expertise, often greater than his own, and then to create a culture of collaboration for the highest benefit of all. His business often has chartered unknown territory where his decisions have been innovative and pioneering. He has the humility and grace to recognize when certain decisions do not work and the courage and wisdom to forge new successful pathways by trusting his intuition and following his passion and purpose, which is to have a maximum impact not just on the industry but on the society as a whole. He consistently conducts himself with moral integrity and inclusivity thereby honoring and uplifting all.
Daniel Weinberg works assiduously each day to achieve his desired legacy for future generations of leaders: namely, “Discovering what we’re great at and being great at it, whatever it is”.
Additional inspirational information about Daniel Weinberg can be seen in Noble Leadership in the Emergent Reality: Uplifting People, Planet and Prosperity, Chapter 10, “Doing Business and Leading in the Emergent Reality