Sandy Weill's Gift of Optimism

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We started a medical school in Doha, Qatar, over five years ago, and they have the same curriculum as our students in New York. These students are doing very well, and they come from all over—Bosnia, Qatar, Iraq. We are also helping develop a medical school in Bugando, Tanzania.

At Carnegie Hall, I have been chairman since 1991. Music is really a universal language that brings people together. We work with artists and students from all over the world. We have started a new, exciting partnership with the Julliard School.

That sounds like a very hands-on approach.

Philanthropy is not about just giving away money. What's more important is the energy, time, passion, and brains that one devotes.

Do you consider yourself an evangelist when it comes to philanthropy?

That depends on what you mean when you say an evangelist. When you say that, is it a good or bad thing? Good, right?

Yes.

Yes, then. I consider myself an evangelist if it's based on facts and substance.

What are the most satisfying experiences you've had as a philanthropist?

The most satisfying have been going to NAF graduations. These kids are really special. Two NAF academies—one from New Jersey and one from Louisiana—recently got together at my office. The New Jersey academy adopted the academy from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. They helped them get through this difficult time. It was really great to see, and the kids from New Orleans and New Jersey will never forget it. And neither will I.

I also participated in the first "White Coat" ceremony at the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar [an initiation rite in which participants don white coats and officially assume the mantle of the medical student]. This is the same ceremony that happens here in New York for new medical students.

And I really enjoy working with musicians and young people. I have especially enjoyed getting to know Yo-Yo Ma and Lang Lang. They are both good friends who are very focused on giving back to a world that has been so good to them.

Any disappointments along the way?

As far as disappointments go, I am not one to dwell on the past. I am an optimist. I don't always go to bed at night an optimist, but I wake up as one. I am a tenacious person by nature and I think you can learn a lot from mistakes—especially if you surface them early. I have always looked at change as opportunity.