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<\/a>David M. Rubenstein, speaker at the October 27, 2017 “Ignite Talk.”<\/p><\/div> This season’s series theme is \u201cThe Art of \u2026.\u201d and the first session dealt with the art of money \u2013 Making money, investing money and then giving money away. Speaker David Rubenstein, with a net worth of over $2.9 Billion, is among the wealthiest people in the world. He was a delightful fast-paced speaker with just the perfect dose of humility and humor.<\/p>\n Currently, Mr. Rubenstein is the Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Carlyle Group,<\/strong><\/a> a global alternative asset manager with $174 billion of assets under management. He grew up in a blue collar family in Baltimore, Maryland, with his father working as postal services worker earning $7,000 annually and his mother a housewife. He attended Duke University on scholarship and law school at the University of Chicago. He was a deputy domestic policy advisor to President Jimmy Carter and worked in private law practice before entering the equities business.<\/p>\n Most notably, Mr. Rubenstein was among the initial forty individuals who have pledged to donate more than half their wealth to philanthropic causes or charities as part of \u201cThe Giving Pledge.\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Key points and quips Mr. Rubenstein made during his delightful talk and Q and A session:<\/p>\n \u2022\tHe has always been inspired by the President John F. Kennedy\u2019s quote that \u201cA lot of money does not equal happiness.\u201d Throughout the talk, I could easily see that Mr. Rubenstein has never defined himself by the huge wealth he has accumulated. Mr. Rubenstein with the one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta, that he specifically purchased to share with the public. (photo: David Yellen for Forbes)<\/p><\/div> I look forward the next installment of this Ignite \u201cThe Art of \u2026.\u201d series, and if they are as inspirational and interesting as this one, be looking for another blog!<\/p>\n * * * *<\/p>\n My blogs about Ignite sessions from earlier years:<\/p>\n From December, 2014, “Three Women Igniting Social Change in Second Careers.”<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n From December, 2013, a blog about two very different community and business leaders who spoke at two different Ignite Sessions, “Local Leaders as Social Innovators.”<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the most engaging series of events here in the Triangle, NC area is \u201cThe Ignite Talks\u201d hosted by the Jewish Federation of Durham – Chapel Hill at the Levin Jewish Community Center in Durham. Ignite is a networking … Continue reading
\nOne of the most engaging series of events here in the Triangle, NC area is \u201cThe Ignite Talks\u201d hosted by the Jewish Federation of Durham – Chapel Hill<\/strong><\/a> at the Levin Jewish Community Center<\/strong><\/a> in Durham. Ignite is a networking and educational forum offered to members of our local community. Through talks and interviews with business and community leaders, the series provides a unique venue to promote social responsibility, community building and continuing education.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tHe started in the equity business with 4 investors providing $5 Million with plans to build a totally different and innovative type of investment business. His quote: \u201cDo something no else has done before \u2013 people may make fun of you, but you can succeed.\u201d
\n\u2022\tMr. Rubenstein defines philanthropy from its Latin root meaning of \u201cloving humanity,\u201d not as \u201crich people writing checks.\u201d
\n\u2022\tMr. Rubenstein felt he had 4 viable alternatives for his wealth:<\/p>\n\n1.\tBe buried with it like the pharaohs of Egypt
\n2.\tSpend it all on houses, planes and artwork
\n3.\tGive it all to his children and ruin their lives
\n4.\tGive it away while he is alive so he can see the benefit it reaps. This is the option he has chosen.\n<\/ol>\n<\/a>
\n\u2022\tQuote: “When your mother says she is proud of you, then you know you have done the right thing.”
\n\u2022\tWhen asked about the US political situation, he decried the \u201chollowing out of the political center\u201d leading to the polarizing politics of today with sides that cannot work together for the common good of the nation.<\/p>\n