Articles & Videos
Mark Lutz: A Lifelong Mission to End Extreme Poverty
When Mark Lutz speaks about eradicating extreme poverty, his passion emanates from a lifetime of service and firsthand experiences around the world. Lutz, Senior Vice President of Global Philanthropy at Opportunity International, has spent more than four decades raising funds for missions and microfinance—transforming countless lives in the process. A Childhood Shaped by Apartheid Born…
Aaron Manoucheri: Building a Multi Generation Legacy in Real Estate
Aaron Manoucheri, a third-generation real estate investor and partner at Manoucheri Brothers LLC, understands the delicate balance between tradition and innovation in the family business. In a recent interview on American Dreams, he shared his journey, philosophy, and insights on navigating the ever-changing real estate landscape while maintaining a deep connection to his roots. A Legacy…
Combining Profits with Purpose: A New Era of Impact Investing
A Panel Discussion with Peter Borish, Linda Horner & Dr. Kal Mentak In an era where traditional philanthropy and capitalism often seem at odds, a new wave of thinking is reshaping the landscape—one that integrates financial success with meaningful social impact. This was the central theme of a compelling panel discussion featuring Peter Borish, Linda…
The AI Revolution: Avoiding a Future Controlled by the Few
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at an inflection point. While most discussions center around the potential and risks of AI, Aldo Carrascoso, CEO and Co-Founder of Vivum AI, offers a different perspective—AI is at its own “War of Currents” moment, much like the battle between AC and DC electricity in the early 20th century. In a…
Partnerships for Strategic Conservation – Barry Gold
Barry Gold Outlines a Bold Vision for Conservation and Sustainable Development Africa is on the brink of a transformation—one that will define the future of the continent and, ultimately, the planet. With its population projected to double from 1.3 billion today to 2.2 billion by 2050 and reach nearly 4 billion by 2100, the demand…
Restoring Gorongosa National Park
Greg Carr’s Mission to Restore Gorongosa National Park: A Story of Conservation and Community Greg Carr’s journey from a successful technology entrepreneur to a dedicated philanthropist restoring Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park is nothing short of remarkable. What began as a search for a meaningful way to give back has evolved into one of the most…
The Ownership Revolution: How ESOPs Can Strengthen the Middle Class
The Ownership Revolution: How ESOPs Can Strengthen the Middle Class For decades, the American middle class has been the foundation of economic stability, embodying the aspirations of millions. Yet, as Chester Woolley eloquently highlighted in his recent speech, this once-thriving segment of society is in decline. “The middle class seems to be shrinking. It doesn’t…
Dr. Stel Nikolakakis on The Power of Vision Therapy
Unlocking Potential: The Power of Vision Therapy Vision therapy is emerging as a transformative tool for individuals with learning disabilities, ADHD, concussions, and even high-performance athletes. Dr. Stel Nikolakakis, an optometrist and a pioneer in neuro-visual training, discovered the profound impact of vision therapy through a deeply personal experience—his son’s diagnosis with cerebral palsy. His…
Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment: The Path to Sustainable Growth
Entrepreneurship has long been recognized as a powerful driver of economic growth and social transformation. Across the globe, individuals with innovative ideas and the determination to bring them to life have created businesses that fuel economies, generate employment, and uplift communities. Nowhere is this potential more evident than in Africa, where a young, vibrant population…
Bob Gay on The Pillars of Self-Reliance
The Pillars of Self-Reliance At the recent Legacy Builders Conference, Robert Gay captivated the audience with a profound message: true impact comes not from handouts, but from empowering individuals to achieve self-reliance. A distinguished investor, philanthropist, and humanitarian, Gay has spent decades applying the principles of entrepreneurship and accountability to lift millions out of poverty.…
The Future of Sustainable Philanthropy
At the Legacy Builders 2025 Conference, three leading voices in philanthropy-Mark Lutz, Pamela Hawley, and Zoe Ryan-came together to share their insights on how to create lasting, community-driven impact in global development. While their experiences and approaches varied, a common theme emerged: true sustainability in philanthropy begins with listening to, investing in, and empowering local leadership. Mark Lutz: Building…
From the Wrestling Mat to Data Innovation: How Dr. Naveen Singh is Reshaping Tech
In the world of high-stakes tech entrepreneurship, background stories don’t get much more unique than that of Dr. Naveen Singh. A former Olympic-style wrestler turned telecom executive, turned Distributed Ledger Technology pioneer, Dr. Singh has woven seemingly disparate fields—sports, healthcare, and cutting-edge tech—into a singular mission. Now at the helm of Inery, a decentralized database management system…
Tanya Jones: The American Dream
Tanya Jones: The American Dream This week we sit down with Tanya Jones, host of The American Dream TV Show in Kansas City. Tanya shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from being a stay-at-home mom to helping manage her husband’s masonry business, pursuing a career in real estate, and eventually becoming a host for The…
5 Dynamic Philanthropy & Impact Investing Insights
The Power of Impact Investing: Bridging Philanthropy and Profit This article is based on an interview of Geoff “Chester” Wooley, Co-founder, Patamar Capital and current Board member of SKS Microfinance, India’s largest microfinance bank by Alan Olsen on his American Dreams show on behalf of Legacy Builder’s invitation only philanthropy events. Impact investing is more…
3 Powerful Leadership and Mentorship Pillars
This article about powerful global leadership and mentorship pillars is based on an interview of Lew Cramer by Alan Olsen, CPA on his American Dreams show on behalf of Legacy Builder’s invitation only philanthropy events. In an era where global connections and visionary leadership drive progress, few individuals embody these principles as effectively as Mr.…
2025 State of Healthcare with Joe DeLuca
This week we welcome back Joe DeLuca, a healthcare innovator and executive leader with decades of experience in transforming health systems. Joe shares his journey from scientific research to becoming a trusted advisor and problem-solver in healthcare management and consulting. Key topics discussed: The current challenges and fragmented nature of the U.S. healthcare system. The…
Chris Kowalik: Simplifying Retirement Education
In this episode of American Dreams, we sit down with Chris Kowalik, founder and CEO of ProFeds, to discuss her inspiring journey from serving as a Marine Corps Arabic linguist to becoming a leader in retirement education for federal employees. Chris shares her insights on simplifying complex government benefits, empowering federal workers to make informed…
Happy Holidays 2024 and Welcome 2025!
Happy Holidays 2024 and welcome 2025! As the holiday season comes to an end and we embark on 2025, on behalf of Alan Olsen, we at GROCO, Legacy Builders, and the American Dreams show want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to you—our valued friends, clients, partners, and subscribers. This time of…
Dr. Kal Mentak: Eliminating Preventable Blindness
Dr. Kal Mentak: Eliminating Preventable Blindness This week we sit down with the Dr. Khalid “Kal” Mentak, a visionary in global eye care innovation. With over 45 technology patents and groundbreaking contributions to cataract surgery and ocular implant technologies, Dr. Mentak’s work has transformed lives worldwide. Now Dr. Mentak is spearheading a global humanitarian effort…
Bob Haney
Bob Haney, Creator of Heavenly Waffles Interview Transcript: Alan Olsen This is Alan Olsen, and welcome to American dreams. My guest today is Bob Haney. Actually, I should correct that the chef Bob Haney, he is the founder and the creator of Heavenly Waffles. Bob, welcome to today’s show. Bob Haney Alan, thanks so much…