Carolyn Sakstrup, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth & Generosity Officer at Thrivent, Episode 229
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Carolyn Sakstrup is Executive Vice President and Chief Growth & Generosity Officer of Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization. Carolyn is responsible for building the organization’s brand, delivering an exceptional, integrated client experience, and enhancing generosity offerings. She previously was Target’s Senior Vice President of Insights, Strategy, and Innovation, and prior to her 12 years at Target, Carolyn spent seven years at McKinsey & Company as a strategy consultant focused on marketing and organizational strategy for clients. Carolyn serves as Chair for the Board of the YMCA of the North in Minnesota, where she lives with her husband, Kai, and their sons.
I’m with Carolyn today to dig into what her role as Chief Growth & Generosity Officer involves and how Thrivent promotes the ‘Live Generously’ message across the globe. She shares how they support their clients to be philanthropists and donate their time to great causes in their communities through their Thrivent Action Teams. Carolyn also shares why leaders need to first get clarity on their situation, then be courageous enough to step into a space, and then bring people along with them.
“Our clients are so wired to serve, are plugged in within their communities, and have causes that they care about deeply.” - Carolyn Sakstrup
“Generosity should be democratized.” - Carolyn Sakstrup
“Being courageous, step into a space where you don't know the answers, and bring people along.”
- Carolyn Sakstrup
This Week on The Wow Factor:
Carolyn’s introduction to the world of leadership as a young girl
How her leadership training started with the YMCA and continued to Harvard Business School
Carolyn’s experience at Target and why it was such an incredible place of learning for her as a leader and to learn what it means for an organization to truly center on those they serve
Why she made the move to Thrivent after 12 years at Target
What it means to be a purpose-based company and how Thrivent differs from other companies in its focus on both financial and generosity goals
How Thrivent recognizes clients' desire to serve and how they utilize Thrivent Action Teams to enable clients to serve their communities more easily
Why generosity is not limited to those with wealth, and how anyone can live a life of service and find joy in giving, regardless of their financial situation
The benefits of donor-advised funds, including no minimum balance requirement and tax advantages for growth
How the ‘Live Generously’ statement printed on 13 million t-shirts sparks conversations and inspires even more people to serve
Carolyn Sakstrup’s Words of Wisdom:
As a leader, you have to step into the opportunity and the moment, and be comfortable creating a plan, even if it’s not perfect.
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