Humanity lives at the core of leaders who play a crucial role in non-profit organizations by providing their expertise, resources, and leadership skills to support the organization’s mission. They are aware of the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with their involvement in non-profit activities, including potential conflicts of interest and financial transparency.
Determined with the same approach Marc Lubner, Executive Chairman and Co-founder at Smile Foundation is dedicated to assisting children and their families through an all-encompassing healthcare framework, integrating psychological assistance and surgical procedures. Moved by his deep compassion for humanity, our team at CIO Business World conducted an interview with Marc to gain insights into the complete operations of his team at Smile.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and how did you rise to your current position as CEO?
Across three generations, my family has been actively engaged in philanthropic efforts. My personal involvement in childrenβs charities led to a significant turning point 23 years ago when President Nelson Mandela reached out to me to help a child in need of a complex surgery. This encounter marked the beginning of my journey in establishing Smile Foundation.
What strategies have you used to overcome gender-related challenges in your career journey?
I assess individuals based on their capabilities rather than their gender. In the realm of philanthropy, I’ve observed a greater presence of responsible and compassionate skills among women. Women in management demonstrate excellent organizational abilities and a knack for crafting sustainable, long-term solutions.
Can you highlight a significant achievement or turning point that played a pivotal role in your career trajectory?
We initiated Smile Foundation activities at a single state hospital in South Africa. However, after recognizing the importance of our comprehensive approach involving psycho- support and surgical interventions for children and their families, we expanded our services to encompass 12 academic hospitals countrywide.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your company?
We acknowledge that our “clients” experience evolving circumstances, necessitating our flexible approach to fulfil their changing needs. Our fundraising initiatives need to stay innovative and updated, prompting us to seek input from various agencies every few years. We actively engage in feedback sessions with surgeons and nurses to ensure constant quality improvements.
Can you share an example of a difficult decision you had to make and the factors you considered before making it?
I encountered a Senior Executive who excelled in financial and operational aspects but lacked a true sense of compassion for our Smile kids. As responsible caretakers, we believe that true kindness stems from a sincere and innate sense of concern. Compassion lies at the heart of who we are. Consequently, I had to make the difficult decision to part ways with her.
Read Full Magazine – The 10 Most Influential CEOs Leading the Way of Success, 2024
