"I'm an entrepreneur who has been successful because I often see more value than others do when looking at the same thing. I can usually feel when something may have exceptional value, and this conversation between science and Buddhism feels like one of those times."      -Bobby Sager

Bobby's Story

ENTREPRENEUR

A tough-minded businessman who made a fortune by seeing opportunity where others haven't, Bobby was a driving force behind the spectacular growth of Gordon Brothers Group. Bobby joined Gordon Brothers in 1986 when it was a small Boston-based jewelry business. Today, Gordon Brothers is a preeminent global financial services business conducting over $10 billion of transactions annually, with 10 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Bobby currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Polaroid, which is one of Gordon Brothers' investments.

PHILANTHROPIST

Making a Difference as a Family In 2000, Bobby and his wife and kids founded the Sager Family Traveling Foundation & Roadshow (teamsager.org). Three dozen trips later, the Sagers have established their own special brand of hands-on, eyeball-to-eyeball philanthropy. For an overview of initiatives, see teamsager.org.

Hands Up Not Handouts With Bobby, there's no handouts, no charity. His philanthropy uses business principles and business accountability to help people to help themselves. Whether it's fostering entrepreneurship in Rwanda and Palestine, training teachers in Pakistan or a leadership program for Tibetan monks, Bobby uses his entrepreneurial skills and Rolodex to help people to help themselves.

Business Leaders as Change Agents Bobby has been a pioneer in catalyzing Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) as a platform to make a difference. YPO is a global network of 18,000 business leaders in 110 countries whose companies' sales are equivalent to the world's third largest economy. In 2001, Bobby was a founding chairman of the YPO Peace Action Network, which convenes business leaders from different sides of conflicts. He has served as moderater for both the India-Pakistan Action Forum and American Arab Action Forum. YPO recognized Bobby as the first ever recipient of their Global Humanitarian Award. Bobby is also the founding chairman of Presidents' Action Net, an international network of business leaders that maximizes their philanthropic impact by sharing advice, contacts, best practices and resources.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Bobby's photographs have been featured in numerous publications and have been seen by over 4 million people at concerts and events around the world. Bobby uses his camera as a way to connect with people, and the results are often dramatic portraits that focus on people's eyes. Bobby's publisher Chronicle Books wrote: "In war-torn countries around the world, philanthropist and photographer Bobby Sager has discovered the transcendent power of hope through the eyes of children. Despite unthinkable violence and destruction, his portraits reveal joy, innocence, and strength."

AUTHOR

Bobby is the author of The Power of the Invisible Sun (2009), a book about the power of hope, thankfulness, and Bobby's approach to making a difference. His book was featured on NBC's "The Today Show" and ABC World News, and UNICEF selected Bobby's book as one of its featured publications.

SPEAKER

In his speeches for business leaders, Bobby talks about how to apply the entrepreneurial skill set to maximize philanthropic return on investment. He also shares his family's experiences doing hands-on philanthropy. Bobby has given speeches at venues all around the world, including the General Assembly Hall of the UN and the Sydney Opera House. Countries include Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, China, India, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.

OTHER STUFF

Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Brandeis University, and Master's in Management from Yale University. Executive Producer for "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" (2006), winner of Sundance Film Festival's Special Jury Prize and Venice Film Festival's Critics' Week Prize. Bobby's philanthropy was the inspiration for the NBC prime-time drama "The Philanthropist" (2009). Honorary Consul General for the government of Rwanda. Honorary Consul General for the government of Nepal.