Donor Spotlight
Anson M. Beard, Jr. is a distinguished financial executive and philanthropist, best known for his 17-year tenure at Morgan Stanley, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s global equity division. Joining Morgan Stanley in 1977, Mr. Beard served as Head of Worldwide Equities and was a member of the Executive Committee. He retired in 1994 but continued to contribute as an Advisory Director, leveraging his expertise to guide the firm.
In addition to his financial career, Mr. Beard has been deeply involved in philanthropy. He has served on the Board of Trustees at Wheaton College since 1971 and is a lifetime trustee. His family foundation has donated generously to support the arts, conservation, education, and health issues.
How did you first hear about the Foundation?
My friend Harry Burn introduced me to Neal Kassell, MD, nearly 15 years ago. I was somewhat familiar with ultrasound surgery through an investment, and I was intrigued to learn more about focused ultrasound.
What moved you to get involved?
I have a way of somehow figuring out who the winners will be, versus the losers. I did that at Morgan Stanley, and it paid off well. I thought Neal was very impressive the first time I met him. He’s my kind of person – a winner – and I thought he’d be successful. It turns out it was a good bet on my part.
What excites you most about focused ultrasound and the Foundation?
I like to see things become successful, and Neal and the Foundation are more than successful. Watching the evolution of focused ultrasound over the years is unbelievable.
What impact do you hope to achieve through your philanthropy?
Focused ultrasound has the potential to improve millions of lives, and I want to be part of that transformation. I’m proud to help speed up making this noninvasive treatment widely available.
What do you tell others about the Foundation?
I tell people that Neal and the Foundation are leading a revolution in medicine. I enjoy receiving updates and reports from the Foundation team, and the progress is astounding. Focused ultrasound is a cause worth supporting.
What would you tell someone who is considering making a gift to the Foundation?
I would tell them that supporting the Foundation is an investment in the future of healthcare. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to something that will have a profound, far-reaching impact on millions of patients. If you want to help create a world where patients have access to groundbreaking, noninvasive treatments, this is the place to make a difference. The Foundation has a proven track record, and your gift will help accelerate progress toward a new era of medical care.