Board Member Spotlight: Brian Gallagher
As the founder of The Leargas Group and former Global CEO of United Way, our newest board member, Brian Gallagher, brings decades of experience in impact-driven strategy and philanthropy. In this short Q&A, he shares insights into his work, what draws him to Prime’s mission, and his perspective on the intersection of capital and impact.
Could you share a bit about your organization's mission and your role?
The Leargas Group is a strategy advisory firm that works with for-profit and non-profit organizations in racial and social justice, digital strategy, and impact investing. I'm also the co-founder of Abundance Circle, a fund of funds and ecosystem builder informed by biomimicry, focused on economic empowerment, human and planetary health, and inclusive leadership.
What is your relationship to Prime and why is your work at Prime meaningful to you?
I consider inequality and the degradation of the planet as the two most pressing issues facing the world today. I'm also interested in how private capital can play a more catalytic role in addressing these issues. Finally, I was the global CEO of United Way for 19 years and believe that I can be helpful in Prime's continued maturation as an effective and efficient organization.
What trends, ideas, or projects are you currently exploring or inspired by?
I believe that the way you achieve social and environmental impact is different than how you achieve financial returns. These two worlds need each other, but they don't necessarily need to be integrated; instead, they should learn how to co-exist and leverage each other.
To learn more about Brian, we encourage you to listen to his in-depth interview with Raju Panjwani of Bold Conscious Connections. In this interview, Brian shares stories about the mentors who have influenced him most, his commitment to diversity and equity, and his perspective on how social impact and financial return work together to achieve optimal outcomes. It also offers a deeper dive into why he started The Leargas Group and Abundance Circle.
We are grateful to have Brian on Prime’s board and look forward to the ways his leadership and expertise will help advance our vision of a world where humanity thrives without the threat of climate change.
