Santa Clara University

Reflections from 2008 Lead Mentors

2008 marks the six year anniversary of the GSBI™. The program's success can be attributed to people - social entrepreneurs, guest lecturers, the leadership team, and volunteer mentors.  Much of the strength and long term sustainability of the GSBI™ has been built on the reservoir of experience, passion, and goodwill of mentors.  These 30 engaged volunteer mentors make the program unique. 

Brad and Vicky Mattson, four-time returning mentors, have been integral in developing this component of the GSBI™. As mentoring co-leaders, they have infused the program with their expertise and insights developed from 50 combined years of Silicon Valley industry experience. At this six-year threshold, it is fitting to honor the Mattsons’ generous contributions to the GSBI™ program. We have featured their opinions and reflections, distilled from a June 2008 interview.

What do you feel are the biggest challenges for the developing world?

Vicky: My view on developing world challenges has been shaped by the GSBI™. I think it is key to help the developing world do two things: become connected so that people have access to information and education, and move away from charity toward a more sustainable future with tools like microfinance.

Brad: While the challenges are generally agreed upon, clean water, health care, etc., the appropriate solutions are hotly debated with NGOs, governments, and the GSBI™ all having different answers. Some think the solution will come from the top down, while others are working from the bottom up, like the GSBI™. I believe the biggest challenge to the developing world is actually their own environment. Government bureaucracy and corruption can prevent them from solving their problems. Lack of infrastructure in transportation, communication, etc., is another “environment” issue. There is no shortage of local talent or motivation but their environment is usually not conducive to helping individuals pull themselves out of poverty.

When did you realize you wanted to get involved with the Center’s GSBI™ program? What made you take the big step to donate so much of your time?

Vicky: After retiring, we missed certain aspects of being in the business world. We saw the GSBI™ as a way to apply the skills we learned in the business world toward a humanitarian purpose. Right away, we recognized the leadership team’s commitment to continuous improvement.  Our goal is to make the program better every year.  It is fun for us, hard work, but fun. Also, it’s obviously a gratifying experience because nearly all of the mentors return to the program year after year.

Brad: While my whole career has been involved in technology, my work with the Center made me understand that it is not clear whether technology is narrowing or broadening the gap between the haves and have-nots. I wanted to make sure for the balance of my career that I focused on technology that truly benefits humanity, especially those who need it the most. The GSBI™ is an on-the-ground program based on academic principles that applies technology to benefit those most in need. It was a perfect fit.

Vicky: It is a natural progression for Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to get involved in GSBI™ because they typically have a global mindset. They have had personal gain from being a part of this technology boom, and they often start looking for ways to give something back.

How are mentors and mentees changed by the GSBI™?

Vicky: Mentoring social entrepreneurs is very humbling.  It puts everything into perspective to see the challenges these people face and the personal sacrifices they make for their communities. They don’t give up!.

Brad: I agree with Vicky. We [the mentors] have learned so much more than we’ve taught. The entrepreneurs are inspiring. They put their own money into their organizations and make sacrifices that affect their families. A benefit for them at the GSBI™ is they see they are not alone. They establish connections with partners and other entrepreneurs who share similar challenges. Making these connections reduces the isolation, and maybe energizes and motivates them to stay in the game.

What do you feel best about your contributions? Reflecting on this through the theme of “continuous improvement,” where do you see the mentoring program headed?

Brad: Our main contribution has been working with the leadership team to evolve the program. On our side [the mentors’], we bring business experience.  Coupled with the academic skills of the professors, we end up with a balanced leadership team that can continually strengthen the GSBI™ program.  We also feel pretty good about our impact on pre-work assignments, helping evolve them from “pre-work only” to the beginnings of an online GSBI™ experience. We hope to see the program continue to develop.

What gives you hope?

Vicky: I feel hope when I go to the Tech Awards and witness people doing amazing things to make the world a better place. I believe at the core most people have a desire to do good. Organizations like Kiva (which came through GSBI) connect people in the developing world with complete strangers who give them small loans to improve their quality of life. Examples like that give me hope.

Brad: I have hope when I see all the good people involved in this program. The GSBI™ leadership team is probably the program’s greatest asset. Because of their desire to improve, the GSBI™ continues to evolve, changing content, materials, and adding interactive teaching and learning models.

What is your vision of what the GSBI™ might become in five years?

Brad: GSBI™ is evolving from a first-world, MBA boot camp to a third-world social entrepreneurship program. It also has the chance to scale rapidly.  We expect that over the next five years, we will be impacting five to 10 times as many people as we are now.