Philanthropy's Challenge: Can Passion Overcome Pessimism?
Lauren Barack
November, 2009
As the head of The Sister Fund and co-chair of the Women Moving Millions campaign, Helen LaKelly Hunt did what any levelheaded philanthropist would do as the market careened into a free fall last year.
She called for reinforcements.
"Katie [Ellis Nixon] was there 24/7, and was a very stabilizing force," says Hunt of her financial advisor. "She suggested we stay steady, but cut back in any way we could, by putting things on hold."
The 60-year-old Hunt, an heir to the fortune of the late legendary Texas oil tycoon, H.L. Hunt, is not the kind of person who needs much steadying. Her quiet, slight demeanor belies a strong woman with a steel-like drive for her mission to help women and faith-based groups around the globe. Everything about her appearance and manner-from her hands resting gently in her lap and her carefully coiffed hair, to her frequent pauses as she carefully phrases her thoughts and her even, soft-spoken lilt in her voice-highlight her Southern belle upbringing.
Read more at http://www.onwallstreet.com/ows_issues/2009_11/philanthropys-challenge-can-passion-overcome-pessimism-2664359-1.html
