The Bush Fellowship and What’s Next for My Leadership

Since the Bush Foundation announced the 2025 Fellows on June 3rd, the most common question I’ve received is:

“What’s your Bush Fellowship project?”

I used to wonder that same thing myself. But the more I leaned into the process, the clearer it became: this fellowship is about leadership growth. Period.

I'm the project.

Over the last decade, I’ve helped generate billions of dollars for regional economic growth, working to remove systemic barriers and expand opportunity. But I’ve come to a hard truth:

Gaps can’t be closed at today’s pace.

We need a new velocity. One fueled by leaders who are equipped, connected, and courageous enough to reimagine what’s possible and execute at scale.

That’s where I’m going.

The Leader I’m Becoming

The Bush Fellowship is helping me grow into the kind of leader this moment requires:

• Trusted to manage a muilti-billion fund

• Able to align powerful institutions across sectors and markets

• Capable of deploying capital for strong returns and transformative social impact

• Grounded in American prosperity and driven to expand its reach

• A compelling visionary and sharp implementer

• A managing partner who earns the trust of the world’s most influential LPs

• Centered on ensuring the American Dream stays within reach for those disillusioned by our past and present

If done at the typical pace, this growth would take 5 to 7 years. With the Bush Fellowship, I’m focused on achieving it in 18 months.

It's Bigger than Me

I’ve been poured into by mentors, peers, elders, and communities that saw something in me and stayed with me through the build. That collective belief is part of what drives me today.

Trabian Shorters, defines asset framing as starting with a person’s aspirations and contributions, not their deficits. We need more of that mindset in America.

Organizing people and capital for a better future might just be the most patriotic thing we can do right now. I’ve spent years preparing for that. And I believe the timing is no coincidence. I'm committed to our shared future. I have two big reasons why!

What This Journey Looks Like

Over the next two years, I’m committed to:

• Expanding my financial knowledge at Wharton and London Business School

• Interviewing 100 top investment officers across sectors, fund managers, and senior program managers in philanthropy

• Regrounding in a spiritual practice that brings peace amidst volatility

• Attending and presenting at eight high-impact investing and finance conferences

• Creating a faster feedback loop of learning, reflection, and implementation

• Traveling across the country to connect with the soul of the different regions that make of the DNA of America

• Investing time in deep relationship-building with the leaders who inspire me most

Even before the fellowship has formally begun, doors are opening. Opportunities are flowing. That’s the power of alignment and support.

This isn’t a sabbatical or a break for me. It’s a purposeful sprint toward the leader I’m becoming.

Now

I believe we need a different type of leadership to meet the moment. The zeitgeist is calling for it. The world demands leaders who are bold, direct and clear. The types of leaders who intend to shape the nation are often the ones who actually do. I'm calling on all of us to lead differently.

If you feel connected to this journey and want to support the leader I'm becoming, reach out. Text me at 763-339-5778 or connect with me on LinkedIn.

The Bush Foundation is betting on me and our 2025 Fellows.

I’m Betting on US.