From NYU Dorm Room to Billion-Dollar Success Story to Generous Philanthropist: 2024 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winner for Entrepreneurship, Liz Elting
Over the next few weeks, GlobalMindED is sharing stories of fifteen remarkable heroes who were chosen as the GlobalMindED Inclusive Leaders in their fields and will be honored at the Inclusive Leader Awards dinner in Denver on June 17th. Today we would like to introduce you to entrepreneur, bestselling author of Dream Big and Win, and #71 on Forbes' list of self-made women in 2023, Liz Elting. Liz's many philanthropic contributions include:
- American Heart Association
- NYU Stern College of Business where she funds scholarships for women to get their MBA
- Elluminate - supporting women entrepreneurs around the world addressing human rights issues
- GLAM (Girls Learning Advanced Math)
- NOW (National Organization for Women)
- BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
- Elting Family Research for Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation
- Gabrielle's Angel Foundation to eradicate lymphoma and leukemia
- Sandy Hook Promises Inaugural Leadership Council and Board of Advisors
- Campaign Against Hunger - The Elizabeth Elting Foundation provided 100,000 meals last year
You will get the chance to learn from Liz firsthand at GlobalMIndED in June as one of many ILA winners who are staying to participate in the sessions and meet our incredible students, the faculty who teach them, the businesses that hire them, and the foundations and funders who contribute to their educational and economic success. Enjoy learning about Liz, her path, and why she is a role model for diversifying entrepreneurship.
What is your personal story?
My childhood was spent living in countries all over the world. By my early twenties, I had lived in the US, Canada, Portugal, Spain, and Venezuela. My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic, and I started working from a young age, doing everything from escorting younger kids to school to delivering newspapers to working at a dry cleaner.
I’m an entrepreneur, business leader, bestselling author, linguaphile, philanthropist, and mom to two wonderful sons. I grew my first company from a dorm-room startup to a billion-dollar business, and after exiting that company, I got to pursue another dream of mine: giving back and helping others accomplish their dreams. I started the Elizabeth Elting Foundation with the overarching goal of bridging gaps and building solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. Last but certainly not least, I’ve recently authored my debut, bestselling book, Dream Big and Win, as a guide to help others harness their passion to transform their careers and lives.
How did you find your purpose and your passion?
Growing up and living in different countries around the world, I was incredibly fortunate to not only discover but also have an abundance of opportunities to nurture my passion for languages from a young age. My parents would send me on errands to use and practice my language skills. By the time I graduated from high school, I had studied four languages. Similarly, my entrepreneurial spirit was ignited when I was still quite young. My parents really encouraged me to work for the things I wanted growing up, and those early work experiences were transformative for me.
What led you to the leadership role for which you are being recognized? Who was instrumental on your path to success?
After a quarter of a century of building my billion-dollar business, I opened a new chapter in my life and career, fully dedicating myself to my philanthropy. In 2018, I founded the Elizabeth Elting Foundation on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to fulfill their highest potential and that the world will be a far brighter place when that dream is realized. In pursuit of that dream, my foundation is committed to promoting progressive and feminist efforts to eradicate systemic barriers, promote public health and education, achieve workplace equality, rise beyond the glass ceiling, and open the doors to economic independence for those whom society has far too often shut out.
There have been so many people who’ve supported me, inspired me, and played a pivotal role in my journey, but no one has been more instrumental in my success than my family.
My parents’ lessons of self-reliance, independence, and gratitude defined who I am today. They raised me to be a problem solver, to do the right thing, to be conscious of having resources that others don’t, and to pursue a moral charge to put those resources to good use. No one can go it alone, and we’re all better off when everyone can chase their dreams and become who they’re meant to be.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the role my husband has played in supporting me throughout my career and to my two sons who continue to inspire me.
What does Inclusive Leadership mean to you and what would you like others to know and do as inclusive leaders?
Inclusive leadership means everyone has access to the tools, support, and opportunity to fulfill their potential. We can only make the world a better place by giving everyone a seat at the table. Tackling systemic problems, dismantling barriers to success, and opening the door for underrepresented communities is critical to building a brighter future. Imagine the kind of world we can create when everyone can pursue their passions and achieve success.
How can the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network inform, advance and/or multiply your mission and goals?
The GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network is doing groundbreaking work in closing the equity gap and guaranteeing resources to students who need them. This directly aligns with my foundation’s mission of advancing economic, social, and political equity. I’m proud to support GlobalMindED’s incredible work empowering people to achieve their highest potential.
What is the legacy that you would most like to leave the world?
Legacy is about what we leave behind, and for me, that means leaving this world better than I found it. I’m driven by the pursuit of a future in which every single person has the ability to achieve their dreams. This means everything from health equity, education, food security, mentorship, funding, career and leadership opportunities, and more. I want to be a part of the solution and play my part in building a more just world and a brighter tomorrow.
