Opening Doors
By Sindy Braun and Frish Brandt
Have you found yourself holding the door for someone who could be your parent? They’re not a professor but who are they?
Likely they are from the Distinguished Careers Institute [DCI] and no, they are not reliving their youth. We’ve heard about Stanford and particularly the GSB for years and now, following on our ‘distinguished careers’ (well, you be the judge) we are exploring. This is the stuff that education is supposed to be, but in the first go-round there is so much pressure to identify possibility and, likely, profitability.
Pictured: Distinguished Careers Institute 2020 Cohort
Coming from a variety of backgrounds and industries including, law, medicine, government, high-tech, media, finance, the arts and other business, we, all 39 people in our 2020 cohort, are here seeking purpose and potentially a new beginning, turning over old stones and new stones.
As the 6th cohort, the 2020 ‘s — began this journey in person in the autumn of 2021. The objective of the program is to improve the life journey of accomplished individuals in midlife by helping them renew their purpose, build community, and recalibrate wellness — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In finding our purpose, we have access to all 5000+ classes at Stanford. Although this could be overwhelming, it does allow us to sample the offerings across all the schools and departments at Stanford. What a treasure trove!
I, Frish, read about the Touchy Feely class over 16 years ago. Even then it wasn’t brand new, but it was new to me. It was one of several magnets drawing me to Stanford and, like many magnets, I was drawn both toward it and away from it. Directing an art gallery for over 40 years I work in a world of relationships. Participating in the Touchy Feely class underscored for me the ubiquity of interpersonal dynamics whether one is conscious of them or not. What is especially riveting is to imagine the opportunity presented by learning these tools at the outset of your career. It is no wonder the GSB is admired world round.
Pictured: Frish with three of her classmates in Scotty MacLennan’s (also pictured) “Finding Spiritual Meaning at Work: Business Exemplars” class
And I, Sindy am focusing on the non-profit world and particularly on bridging the digital divide for nonprofits. Having worked in the high-tech world for 30+ years, I have seen the power of digital transformation and am saddened by the lack of participation by the non-profit sector. The exposure to great nonprofit strategies, theories of change and the brilliant minds that have already made this pivot has been inspiring and intriguing.
Imagine doing whatever you are about to do professionally, and finding yourself a few decades hence asking yourself ‘what now?’ This, for us, is where the DCI comes in. Some of us are exploring the possibilities, hoping to be inspired by the myriad of options at Stanford, others have come with an idea of what is next and are hoping to solidify the idea, and still others although very few of us, have an idea that is almost ready to launch and are looking for specific contacts and help to make this a reality once we leave Stanford. For all of us, the promise of a second chance is what brings us here.
Pictured: Sindy with her Problem Solving for Social Change classmate
One of the key aspects of this experience is the power of the intergenerational interaction and the relationships that are formed; the mentorship that goes both ways as well as the opportunity to collaborate in both learning and creating, particularly with an eye to doing more good in and for the world. We have much to learn.
Sound good? We thought so. And of all the great things this program makes possible we and our 37 other DCI-ers agree that the greatest is being by your side, learning and exploring and asking questions with the graduate and undergraduate students.
Thanks for opening the door.
