Profile: Carol W. Taylor Director of Development for Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital
- What does success mean to you?
Raising more than ever expected, especially through a transformational gift. Serving as an instrument for human betterment; providing the means for expansion of knowledge and direct service to improve lives.
- What motivates you to do your best work?
To be in an environment which fosters creative problem-solving, risk-taking, collegiality and “fighting fair” and to partner with committed volunteers who, despite their wealth, have made the decision to lead contributing lives.
- What attracted you to your current position?
The field of psychiatry, which is just coming into its own as a domain of brain science, and the strength and impact of the major institution that is Mass General.
- What was a defining moment in your life?
The decision at the age of 24 not to become a scholar in French literature of a former age and, instead, to pursue work that would contribute to the betterment of citizens in my own country.
- What book are you currently reading?
None. Can’t manage much more than magazines and the latest Grisham story right now.
- What is the book you go back to the most?
Sophie’s Choice
- What’s your guilty pleasure?
Watching three movies in a row well into the morning on a Friday or Saturday night.
- Are you a morning or night person?
Both.
- If a spaceship landed outside your office right now, would you get in it and where would you ask it to take you?
I would not get in. I am earthbound and like my current life too much. I don’t think there’s anything better out there.
- Are you a cat person or a dog person?
I love both, but am a long-time cat owner for reasons of living in an urban environment.
- What is your greatest personal challenge when connecting with new donors?
To establish credibility and engender confidence and trust, to dispel the stereotype of the “rapacious fundraiser” who will stop at nothing to get a gift. To convey to the donor that the information I provide is accurate and that I will not pressure him or her in any way.
- Would you rather be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond?
A big fish in a small pond.
- If you won the Megamillions jackpot tomorrow how would you spend it?
Oh, my God! Imagine! I would set up a foundation devoted to creating living communities for people with chronic illness, and would raise money in addition to my own eight- or nine-figure contribution; play tennis every day; travel for two weeks three times a year; study Arabic; and join a Book Club.
- What’s the worst job you ever had? What’s the best?
Worst: Working as a waitress for the summer when I was 23 years old. Best: My current position at Mass General.
- What motivates you?
A problem that is seemingly unsolvable. The freedom to create and innovate. The phrase, “We can’t do that because…”
- What scares you?
Bureaucrats with power.
- What’s your favorite beverage?
White wine and espresso coffee (not together!).
- What would be your first question to space aliens?
Why did you come here?
- What was the greatest barrier you’ve ever had to break through?
Remaining calm and objective in the face of adversity or criticism.
- What is your greatest personal accomplishment?
My Family and Home.
- What is your passion outside of work?
The great game of tennis.
- Are little white lies a necessary aspect of getting along with others?
Almost never, but very rarely, if they spare someone’s feelings.
- Is your glass half-full or half-empty and why?
It’s almost always half-full. Every now and then, it switches to empty, but by staying active, my optimism and energy quickly rebound.
- If you had a time machine what time period would you go to and why?
The sixties. It was a period of defining moments for the country and for my life.
- Can you swim?
Yes, it’s better than the alternative.
- If you were a god what would you do to the world?
Save the environment and eliminate the murder of citizens at the hands of their governments.
- Married? Single? Looking?
Married, 41 years.
- What’s your favorite color?
Gold
- Who’s the coolest person you know?
Leonardo DiCaprio
- What can you say about your organization that would convince someone to donate?
The brain trust represented by this huge Department of 700 psychiatrists and psychologists at Mass General and their shared quest for excellence and thirst for knowledge are second to none. This is a time of incomparable excitement in the field of psychiatry, due largely to new scientific tools such as neuroimaging and genetic/gnomic analysis. These are making possible exploration of pathways to illness in ways heretofore unimagined. If better treatments are to be found and prevention strategies made available for those with inherited vulnerability to many of the worst illnesses al all, MGH Psychiatry can lead the way, if given the means. Psychiatry is an historically underfunded field, but a new day is emerging for people with psychiatric disorders or at risk for their onset. Philanthropy is increasingly and publicly being directed to this field, as the stigma of mental illness lifts and as answers appear imminent. Would you consider joining in support of X’s work or Y’s program through a gift of Z? If you can do so, your generosity stands ultimately to diminish the suffering caused by _____disorder, to improve the quality of life of those affected, and to provide hope to their loved ones.
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