A 111-Year-Old Organization Lost a Third of Its Revenue Overnight: How Helen Keller International’s CEO Turned Crisis Into Reinvention

·25 min·2 clips

When Sarah Boushey became CEO, Helen Keller International lost a third of its revenue overnight—here’s how she turned crisis into reinvention.

Denver Frederick hosts Sarah Boushey, CEO of Helen Keller International, on The Business of Giving. Boushey explains that the 111-year-old organization focuses on eye health, neglected tropical diseases, and nutrition, reaching over 80 million people yearly. She describes her personal connection to Helen Keller from childhood and her transition from roles at Share and Child Fund to the Lego Foundation. When USAID funding collapsed, Helen Keller International lost a third of its revenue, leading to 300 layoffs. Boushey details the scenario planning and tough decisions made during the crisis, including maintaining all country offices. The Kristoff Holiday Impact Prize later raised nearly $13 million, boosting morale and visibility. Boushey discusses the organization's cost-effectiveness, such as saving a child's life for about a dollar a dose of vitamin A. She highlights partnerships with governments and pharmaceutical companies to multiply impact. Boushey addresses biases in philanthropy toward new ideas versus scaling proven solutions. She explains the 'leading locally fortifying future' strategy, including hiring three new women executives from countries where they work. The conversation covers balancing data and storytelling, with an example of meeting a mother and baby in Kenya. Boushey reflects on sustaining leadership during disruption and the importance of family and team support. She looks ahead to focusing on cross-border solutions like food fortification. The episode ends with information on how to support Helen Keller International through their website.

As heard by us

A funding shock tests whether mission, morale, and operating discipline can hold together.

A sudden financial shock turns this episode into a clear test of mission under pressure. Sarah Boushey recounts stepping in as CEO of Helen Keller International, beginning with a listening process, and then facing the loss of a third of the organization's revenue after USAID…

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You will hear how a nearly $13 million prize arrived after USAID funding collapsed, 300 layoffs, and a decision not to close any country offices.

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