How President Jimmy Carter Changed My Life

jenniewalker — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:27:39 +0000

I stumbled into a position with The Carter Center in 1990 in what was a happy accident. I was hired to work in the Development office, during a $60 million capital campaign, with a focus on prospect/donor research. That job changed me. When I left the Center in 1994, I had a new view on the world. I understood how one person could make a difference and had tremendous respect for former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter was doing cutting edge work on global issues at a time when former President’s were more likely to be giving speaches and collecting large checks or playing golf. The seriousness of purpose made quite an impact on me, having previously worked in a brokerage firm during the bull 1980s where it was all about the money. This work environment was unlike anything I had experienced before and it felt like I was part of building something larger than me.

My blogs will detail my experiences with President Carter, the later with Rockefeller Family, and many philanthropists of our time. It will also detail how a life of service spawned my own interest in giving back in my personal life and the satisfaction I have receiced and continue to receive through this process.

Jennie Walker's Blog on Giving Back

How President Jimmy Carter Changed My Life