Purpose-Driven Business: Growing Profit through Philanthropy with Rick Shadyac

When leaders talk about purpose, most treat it like a PR line.

Rick Shadyac lived it.

As the former President & CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Rick led one of the most extraordinary philanthropic transformations in modern history.

Under his leadership, St. Jude’s annual fundraising grew from $650 million to $2.7 billion. Powered not by billionaires, but by 11 million everyday donors who believed in a mission worth fighting for.

Now, as founder of Shadyac Strategies, Rick is helping companies and nonprofits unlock the same force that fueled St. Jude’s rise:

Purpose as strategy. Purpose as culture. Purpose as competitive advantage.

In this powerful conversation with Givinga CEO Joe Phoenix, Rick reveals:

• Why purpose and profit are not in conflict — they amplify each other.
• How companies can turn giving into employee engagement, brand loyalty, and business growth.
• Why “charitable living” is more important than “charitable giving.”
• The true story behind the iconic St. Jude origin — and why it must inspire today’s CEOs.
• How St. Jude’s historic Inspiration4 Space Mission raised $250 million and reached a new generation.
• Why nonprofits must innovate, adopt technology, and ditch the mindset of cutting their way to survival.
• How AI will reshape philanthropy, workforce culture, and corporate responsibility.

If you’re a CEO, founder, nonprofit leader, or anyone who believes business can (and should) make the world better, this is your blueprint.

Rick Shadyac is one of the most important philanthropic voices of our time.

His message is clear:

Purpose isn’t a side project... it’s the path to impact, innovation, and meaning.

Chapters:

00:00 Why Purpose Drives Profit in Business

01:12 Introduction

02:03 Meet Rick Shadyac Jr. and the Legacy of St. Jude

04:35 The Founding and Mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

13:44 Danny Thomas: The Visionary Behind St. Jude

17:29 Rick Shadyac Sr.'s Leadership and Innovations

27:34 Rick Shadyac Jr.'s Journey to CEO

33:00 Getting Out of the “River of Thinking”

35:20 Embracing Technology and Innovation

42:00 Scaling Through Innovation & Technology

51:17 Embracing Disruption and Innovation

53:00 The Crisis in Philanthropy (and Why Cutting Is Not the Answer)

53:47 Challenges in Adopting New Technologies

56:47 The Role of AI in the Charitable Sector

01:02:23 Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Giving

01:12:16 Charitable Living: A Way of Life

01:20:15 Shadyac Strategies: Bridging Charities and Corporations

01:26:28 Final Thoughts and Quick Hits