Yesterday, I had the honor of being invited to the Colin L. Powell Distinguished Leadership Award dinner, an event that celebrated the impactful legacy of General Powell but also spotlighted the exemplary leadership of Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce. The evening was inspiring and a tribute to General Powell core values- integrity, humor, pragmatism, and common sense.
Marc Benioff shared personal stories about how General Powell had a significant impact on the philanthropic arm of Salesforce, particularly inspiring the 1% Pledge. This initiative reflects the commitment to dedicate 1% of equity, 1% of employee time, and 1% of product to the community, underscoring the profound influence General Powell had on Salesforce’s approach to giving back. In a compelling interview facilitated by Robin Roberts, an anchor on Good Morning America, Benioff shed light on the principles that have guided his path to success.
I had the privilege of meeting Colin L. Powell on several occasions over the years and he has influenced my journey to continue to be a force for good as a Salesforce Ventures Partner. It was an evening that underscored the essence of leadership and its transformative impact on our communities and the world at large!
Thank you to Marco Antonio Achon, Linda Powell, Andrew Rich, and Sabastian V. Niles for making this a great event!