Gates Foundation Guest Speaker: Dr. Lutz Goedde

Dr Lutz Goedde, a senior Program Officer in the Agricultural Development Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation addressed our class today. I also got the opportunity to have lunch with him.

His talk primarily revolved around three main areas - What prompted him to leave a high flying career (turning down an offer of becoming a partner at McKinsey) and joining the Gates Foundation, what the Gates foundation does and plans to do, and closing thoughts for the "freshly minted" MBAs.

What caught my attention was how this organization works- it is like a venture capitalist looking at potential proposals and then funding them. The class was very interactive and several questions were asked - how they manage to ensure that the money provided is well spent, what challenges exist, do they want to believe in the concept of micro-financing etc.

The Gates Foundation has very clear and basic values: All lives—no matter where they are being led—have equal value and to whom much has been given, much is expected and has some of the finest brains working for them!

During the lunch session, Dr Goedde shared his thoughts with us
- Be passionate and follow the path that u truly believe in. You will find happiness there.
- As a new MBA, one would think that they "know it all". The world will let you know your weakness. Accept them and work towards improving them
- Understand and appreciate diversity. If you get a chance, travel across the world.

I really liked today’s speech and felt that here was a man who had reached the stage of self actualization in his life.!