Peace and Possibility

What an awe-inspiring weekend of peace and possibility! Just being in the same room as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the “Arch”, as he is affectionately called, causes goose bumps to run all the way down my legs! When he enters a room, you can feel the warmth, love, and genuineness Tutu exudes. You just want to run up to him and give him a big hug. We were in his presence this weekend to celebrate his 80th birthday. Project HOPE UK; The Thoughtful Path: Munsieville (where Desmond Tutu grew up) is among the numerous organizations that he endorses. As we waited for the Mass to begin in St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, Tutu soon enters the room. The media cameras all point to him as he moves from pew to pew greeting everyone, but it wasn't for show. It was genuine as if he was the host of his own party and wanted to say hello to everyone. He reminded me of my Grampy who is quite a social butterfly when it comes to a gathering of people. At one point, Most Reverend Dr. Thabo Makgoba who was presiding the Mass, said from the altar, "Could the guy with his back to me please find a seat, we would like to get started." He was speaking of the Arch.

Desmond Tutu's sister, Mama Gloria, gave one of the readings.

The Soweto Gospel Choir

After the Mass, Archbishop Desmond Tutu took the podium to thank many people. He asked for all his oversea friends to stand. He thanked us, and the congregation applauded and cheered with such respect, admiration and thanks. Wow, this is a moment I will remember forever because these people welcomed our help and appreciated it. They weren't ashamed or proud that they receive so much foreign aid. They truly appreciate the people that come to help and it was quite evident in their loud applause and cheers.

Waterford Estate
Stellenbosch, Cape Town

We were all bused to Stellenbosch (wine country) to Waterford Estate where we would celebrate the amazing life of this 80 year old man with his family, friends, and other organizations that he supports. It was a beautiful day: blue skies, no clouds, warm with no humidity and a slight cool breeze. All over looking the Helderberg Mountains.

Tutu's "got swagger"

Pop Meets Priest





Amazing how peace efforts transcend between religion and pop culture: a very powerful combination.






Attending the first Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture was another milestone. The interaction between The Arch and His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama is very special to witness. It is playful, sincere, peppered with mutual respect and admiration.
 The theme of leadership was threaded within this moderated question and answer session. Falling on the heels of the announcement of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winners (all 3 recipients being female), leadership was discussed in the question posed about how can humanity foster peace and stop war. Directed at Desmond Tutu, he pauses, then lets out a big giggle (he laughs like BK Kakkar- my US GSK folks will know what I am talking about-just a heartfelt and jovial laugh that makes everyone laugh along with him). He answers, “Let the women take over.” I share this not as a platform for a women’s rights argument, but rather to demonstrate some of the characteristics that these two great leaders, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Dalia Lama, note as being crucial in the leaders determined to resolve conflict and instill harmony today. The Arch and Dalia Lama speak about the qualities of sensitivity and compassion that are innate to women. It is these qualities that need to be applied in conflict resolution and negotiation. Luckily, some of the male leadership in my career have exercised compassion and empathy within their leadership style, most notably Sal Paolella, BK Kakkar and Vinny Troisi. My biggest male role model in leadership has been my father, Steve, who has modeled compassion, empathy, sensitivity and discipline in parenting as well as in his successful career leading sales teams. He has many former employees that tout him as a mentor and role model.
 It was mentioned by Tutu that upbringing is important as well in developing good people. The qualities of compassion, empathy and sensitivity need to be nurtured by “life-givers” as Tutu refers to women. I would be remiss if I did not make mention of the most incredible leaders I know close to home: My Grandma, my Mom, and Sister.


They are pillars of strength, selflessness,  compassion, endless love, and discipline, unwavering in their path of modeling behavior to encourage these qualities in their offspring.

 My Grammy, my Mom, and my Sister are dedicated to building strong, independent healthy members of society by instilling core values, morals, confidence and integrity in their family members.

During my time in South Africa, I have spoken to Ward Councillors, Department of Education employees, government officials, teachers, Afrikaans people, business owners, staff of leadership academies and young adults. They all say that what this country needs is leadership. It is vital to train the youth of South Africa to become informed, productive, honest and motivating leaders of tomorrow's Africa.

The importance of leadership resonated throughout this weekend of celebration. The thread of peace and the prayers of possibility of a stronger Africa rid of poverty were palpable in the gathering of people from different nations and cultures all coming together to celebrate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

It was a truly wonderful, unforgettable experience.