Donor Spotlight: ‘How to Win’
William I. (Bill) Koch is an American businessman and the founder and chief executive officer of Oxbow Carbon, the world’s largest marketing company of ingredients used as fuel or in the production of aluminum, steel, and plastic. He is recognized as an entrepreneur, champion sailor (winner of the ‘92 America’s Cup with his yacht America³ and four world championships), art collector, and philanthropist. He was trained as a chemical engineer and holds three degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), including a Doctorate of Science (ScD).
Beyond the boardroom, Bill’s leadership has benefited philanthropy, the arts, education, and the community. He founded an innovative private high school (Oxbridge Academy) and has loaned his world-class art collection to museums around the globe.
Learn more about why Bill Koch supports the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.
What is your connection to the Foundation? How did you first hear about the Foundation?
My friend Ed Wang introduced me to Neal Kassell, MD, who shared an overview of focused ultrasound technology and the Foundation. Last year, I attended an event at The Breakers in Palm Beach.
What moved you to get involved?
I pursued a doctorate in science at MIT, which involved years of graduate research. I like to get to the heart of a scientific problem to do my own independent research and to understand how the molecules are changing. I appreciate how focused ultrasound offers a new approach to treating serious medical problems. Take the brain for example: focused ultrasound offers a new way of getting useful drugs into the brain with precision, across the blood-brain barrier.
What is your philanthropic philosophy?
My wife Bridget and I focus our philanthropy on organizations benefiting education, the arts, or medicine. Focused ultrasound offers the potential to overcome hurdles in treating many serious diseases.
Why do you care about focused ultrasound?
Like many families, my family has experienced health challenges. My twin brother, David, had prostate cancer. He was always open to new ideas and did a great deal of research on his condition, which led to a new treatment that enabled him to survive the cancer. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, to which he ultimately succumbed. I am committed to finding better solutions to diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer.
What do you tell others about the Foundation?
The Foundation team has the acumen and dedication to succeed. I see parallels to what I learned when pursuing the 1992 America’s Cup. I had to figure out how we could win.
There are three critical factors, in my opinion: First, it requires a commitment to looking at a problem in a different way. In building America3, we tested over 250 different boat designs. Teamwork is the critical thing – I admire how the Foundation fosters collaboration in the field. Finally, don’t be afraid of making mistakes, they are inevitable. Remain nimble and devote all of your energy to overcoming the obstacles.
What would you tell someone who is considering making a gift to the Foundation?
I admire the Foundation’s quest to overcome hurdles in developing new noninvasive treatments for many serious diseases. I am happy to support the work.