Ever since becoming one of the youngest partners ever at Goldman Sachs in 1978, Geoffrey T. Boisi has been a mover and shaker (and a coordinator of movers and shakers) in both the financial and philanthropic domains. In fact, it was with the backing of his Goldman partners that he helped co-found MENTOR in 1990, as they contemplated the effect of millions of inner-city dropouts on the future of the U.S. Today serving some 4 million young people, MENTOR ranks as one of the country’s top 100 charities, and is leading the movement to connect America's young people with caring adult mentors.

Early on, Boisi also decided to shake up his two alma maters, Boston College and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Using both his financial support and business skills, he helped bring them into the top ranks of universities and business schools. And starting some seven years ago, he worked with other business notables to discern the consequences of the government’s looming deficit; an issue at the heart of current political debate.

Indeed, Boisi believes that it takes networks of movers and shakers to tackle the most challenging social problems. This belief also led Boisi to establish the National Leadership Roundtable, which brings together top Catholic CEOs and leaders in the non-profit sector.

Boisi’s faith is a key source of inspiration in his philanthropy. He says this philanthropic motivation comes directly from his Catholic upbringing and a feeling of obligation “to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.” Not for himself, Boisi says, but “ad maiorem Dei gloriam” – for the greater glory of God.