Ethan J. Bush, 38
Vice president and chief development officer, Mary Bird Perkins–Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center
Ethan Bush’s million-dollar fundraising skills are impressive, but what’s even more remarkable is that those dollars are funding the fight against cancer. At Mary Bird Perkins–Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center, Bush leads a team that raises several million dollars annually to improve the lives of cancer patients. The Cancer Center recently launched a five-year, $25-million fundraising effort and, in just 18 months, it has already raised more than $9 million. He also volunteers time and fundraising efforts to assist local nonprofits like Heritage Ranch, and he serves vital roles in organizations such as the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge and BRAC’s Leadership Baton Rouge alumni chapter.
NAME THREE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
- Participating and graduating from the Leadership Baton Rouge program in 2012.
- Currently leading a development team spread across southeast Louisiana focused on completing the three most successful fundraising years in the 47-year history of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
- Oversaw the development and implementation of a five-year strategic fundraising initiative in 2015 focused on strengthening Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s position as the destination cancer center for the Gulf South. This initiative, called Take the Fight Forward, will secure $25 million dedicated to making this vision a reality.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT.
Member:
- Rotary Club of Baton Rouge (Rotaract committee co-chair).
- National Association of Cancer Center Development Officers (NACCDO).
- Association of Healthcare Professionals (AHP).
- Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Baton Rouge Chapter.
- St. Aloysius Capital Campaign Committee and Men’s Club.
Board member:
- BRAC Leadership Baton Rouge alumni chapter currently serving as president of the board; a graduate of the 2012 class of Leadership Baton Rouge.
- The Karnival Krewe de Louisiane (charitable Mardi Gras Krewe).
Additional volunteerism:
- Assists multiple local nonprofits, like Heritage Ranch, with fundraising planning and strategy when needed.
- Alumnus and volunteer with the Kappa Alpha Order national men’s fraternity.
- Member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY.
The Boys in the Boat. The book celebrates the 1936 U.S. men’s Olympic eight-oar rowing team—nine working class boys who stormed the rowing world and transformed their sport. The book is not only a story of the human spirit but a story of what it takes to be a true team. And how to achieve it. I reflect on it often.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
A fighter pilot. Now, I don’t enjoy flying much at all.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
I worked the full-service gas station island at my grandfather’s Conoco station in Sulphur. I pumped gas, checked air pressure in tires, cleaned windows and checked the oil and transmission fluid. I was 12 and began working half days during the summer. With my mother’s blessing of course. I learned the value of not only dealing with the public at an early age but also the importance of accountability. It was my job to make sure those customer’s vehicles were taken care of.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
In high school, I worked for an orthodontist and made retainers for patients after their braces were removed.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
See question above regarding professional accomplishments.
HOW DO YOU GET PUMPED UP BEFORE A BIG MEETING, PRESENTATION OR PITCH?
I don’t. I’m 100% passionate about the impact my organization makes on patients every day. I don’t need extra motivation.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA MOMENT?”
See the book above. In reading and processing that story, the importance of your team/company/organization being in “swing” is paramount. You can be the fastest, tallest, strongest team ever assembled, but if you’re not in “swing” or harmony, you will ultimately finish second.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST PRODUCTIVITY HACK?
Buy yourself a note jotter. Take brief notes during meetings and then re-cap immediately when you get back in your car. It will help with those dreaded database updates later on.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY DRESS FOR WORK—CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? BUSINESS CASUAL? OTHER?
Professional dress. However, I like loud socks. As loud as you can get.
WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU LOVE? WHAT PART DO YOU HATE?
Listening to donors’ passion and why they give. Hate’s a strong word, but I really really don’t like writing visit reports; however, I appreciate them when they’re needed.
MAC OR PC?
PC.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
No, and recently I, again, left the book of faces…. It’s been incredibly cathartic.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
50? 40? Pick up the phone and call somebody. It’s becoming a lost art and I need to do more of it.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET (IN %) BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
70%.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
0.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
WAITR.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
Streaming music, a show or a sporting event to any device in my home. I mean Walkmans were cool and all but….
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
Cell phone cameras. They’ve populated the world with far too many selfies.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
As late as I possibly can.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
No breakfast at all, which is terrible I know.
THE SAYING GOES: ‘BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.’ SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU ‘BEING’ TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
I hope I’m being present in regarding the issues we continue to face as a community. My job isn’t to solve everything but to be part of the dialogue with my friends, family and co-workers first. Then go from there. To listen, to understand and continue to find my opportunities to contribute.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP”?
The day I packed everything I owned in the back of a Chevy Blazer headed to Lexington, Virginia, for a job that paid $8,000 a year. They did pay for my housing! The adventure that followed over the next six years was incredible.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
Munich, Germany, for Ocktoberfest.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
The Millenium Falcon.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
James, my 7 year old. I watch him grow daily, and I’m amazed at his kindness and compassion.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Alcoholic? A single barrel bourbon (not whiskey) on the rocks with a splash of water.
Non? Unsweet tea no lemon.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
AC/DC, The Stones, and while he’s not a band, I’m a big Tupac fan.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Good Fellas.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Leonardo DiCaprio land in my top three. However, none look like me or would ever have a reason or need to play me. I would be honored though.
WHAT SCARED YOU AS A CHILD, AND WHAT SCARES YOU NOW?
Clowns. More recently? Same clowns I see on the news.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Too many things to count. Understand the power of vulnerability and how this leads to better, more authentic human connection. Oh, and to never ever join Facebook.
PETS?
My son, James, inherited my dog, and he lives with him and his mom. His name is Indiana Jones. If I ever have another dog, his name will be Indy as well. James and I have a fish named Blast.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS? WHAT HAPPENED?
Kevin Costner bought me a drink one time in Shreveport…. We shared similar tastes.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
To learn to play chess.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
That our kids aren’t allowed to fail enough. And to learn from those failures and mistakes with grace. I’ve made too many to count, and I’m hopeful I learn something from each one of them.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
My favorite quote is by Muhammed Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” With each generation, I see more commitment to serving others. I hope I’m right.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Use the recognition to inspire others within your company, organization or personal circle to do more professionally and personally for our community.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
While I’m not from Baton Rouge, it has provided me with a wonderful life. I’m committed to being here and being a part of what makes our city special.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR BATON ROUGE?
We find unique ways to retain our college graduates and present them with better opportunities to grow here. We need them to see our city through a different lens and help find real solutions to the issues we continually face.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
I don’t. I’m kind of focused on living in the moment these days, and if there is something I want to try I will do it. However, I always wanted to sky dive, and I completed that last summer with six of my lifelong buddies. It was the most thrilling experience of my lifetime. I’ll do it again.
