INTRODUCING MY MENTOR, MR. RAWLEY
In 1987, I had the privilege of being mentored by the late John Hershey Rawley, a remarkable man who began his career with The Hershey Company by leading the firm’s marketing efforts into the modern era.
Mr. Rawley left high school early to join the U.S. forces in World War II, becoming the second youngest B-29 pilot in the Pacific Theatre, flying off Tinian in the Marianas. On one of his missions, he was shot down, but he and several members of his crew survived.
After the war, Mr. Rawley became known for his extensive community service. People admired and loved him.
I was close friends with two of Mr. Rawley’s sons, Jay and Rodger. They were funny, smart, talented, and adored. I grew up with them and enjoyed getting to know their family, which included five energetic, engaged, and gifted children, all led by Mrs. Rawley and Mr. Rawley, who took a supportive role. He was known for his positive energy and treating people with dignity and respect, including his children’s friends. He was genuinely interested in our lives.
I FACED A CAREER CRISIS
I was 25 years old and facing a career crisis. Mr. Rawley graciously accepted my request for guidance. I had been on an upbeat career track during my first five years in sales, yet I struggled to find the motivation to keep increasing my numbers. Existential questions haunted me. How was I contributing to improving a world filled with so much suffering?
Although I contributed financially to causes I believed in, spending more than 60 hours a week to boost my sales numbers made me feel like just a cog in the machine. I was lacking meaning and motivation, and I knew I needed help.
“This might require several months,” Mr. Rawley told me. “You need to be prepared to do some deep thinking and reflecting.” At the time, he served as Assistant to the CEO of Hershey Foods Corporation, which later became Hershey Chocolate Company.
Sometimes, we met in the elegant parlor at corporate headquarters, the former home of founder Milton S. Hershey. We also met in Mr. Rawley’s home or at local restaurants.
“Who are you? What do you stand for? What experiences have shaped your life so far? What is your purpose?” He would inquire thoughtfully, between puffs and careful fidgeting with his pipe. Those were the days when smoking indoors was common. Mr. Rawley was known for his pipe smoking.
We would talk, he’d give me writing homework, I’d complete it, and we’d get together again to discuss it. It was an energizing experience. I was deeply touched by how he generously engaged with me, with all his wisdom and insight.
“WHAT’S YOUR PURPOSE, MR. RAWLEY?”
Meeting after meeting, it became more apparent that I needed to make significant changes to act on my convictions.
During one of our meetings in the parlor of Hershey Chocolate Headquarters, sitting on the beautiful leather furniture and enjoying the rich aroma of Mr. Rawley’s pipe, I asked, “Mr. Rawley, what’s your purpose?”
“My purpose is to support a leader whose vision I align with.”
“Hmm,” I uttered, trying to hide how anticlimactic his response sounded. There was a pause of silence. Mr. Rawley created conditions for thoughtful dialogue.
“Have you not aspired to be a CEO, Mr. Rawley?” “No, my purpose is to support a leader I believe in. I’m a support person.”
Frankly, I didn’t get it. Mr. Rawley had been such a pioneer in his life. At 62 – one year older than I am now but still going strong – his purpose was to support another leader.
With Mr. Rawley’s help, I gained the clarity and courage to follow my heart. Within two years of Mr. Rawley’s mentorship, I was living in Haiti, working with an education-focused organization. My employer, Panasonic, graciously gave me a two-year leave of absence if I needed to get this out of my system and would eventually want to return to my job. It turned out to be a new life path.
HAITI DRAWS ME IN
Less than five months after I arrived, certain members of Haiti’s business sector, and with the support of foreign partners, orchestrated a violent overthrow of Haiti’s first democratically elected President, Jean Bertrand Aristide.
In the months and years that followed, I witnessed unforgettable things like the bodies of people who spoke out against the new repressive regime left in the streets for days to be eaten by dogs and pigs. Family and friends did not remove them for fear that they would be seen and become victims of torture and/or death.
I couldn’t imagine a more compelling plight than that of Haitians. It started centuries ago when enemy tribes in Africa captured people and sold them to Europeans, who transported them to The New World, where the French and others enslaved them. In addition to hard labor, they were tortured, raped, and worked to death. Families were separated. This unthinkable cruelty went on for hundreds of years–generation after generation.
Eventually, the enslaved people successfully organized, fought, and won their independence from their oppressors, leading to the first and only successful revolution by enslaved people. Next, as the first Black Republic, Haitians were ostracized. France required that Haiti pay an enormous debt for stealing France’s property. Haiti paid these reparations for 122 years. Some countries isolated Haiti and refused to be trade partners. The U.S. imposed an embargo that lasted sixty years and was only lifted after the U.S. Civil War.
Haiti’s independence was an example that threatened the American economy and way of life. What if black people in the U.S. were to revolt successfully? White people did not want Haitian independence to inspire black people in the U.S. to seek their freedom and sovereignty.
Add natural disasters to the mix, along with internal division and class conflict, which is often exacerbated by generational oppression, and we have conditions ripe for problems.
Haitian culture has been forged in the crucible of terror, suffering, courage, and determination. The paradox that’s emerged is a testament to both the strength of the human spirit and the depth of unhealed trauma. On the one hand, Haiti has abundant beauty, grace, humor, creativity, and positive energy; on the other hand, we can witness humanity’s depravity.
My initial two-year commitment to live and work in Haiti supporting education led to a new life direction. I decided to remain engaged with Haiti to help improve education and promote a more collaborative and horizontal approach to leadership.
I became fluent in Haitian Creole and familiar with many aspects of Haitian culture. I got to know and work with a cross-section of Haitians.
MERLINE
Ten years after moving to Haiti, a mutual friend introduced me to Merline, now my wife of 22 years. Merline embodies the hospitality and grace that reflects Haitian culture at its best. She was charming, heartful, principled, and courageous. Perhaps her most important quality, articulated well by my longtime dear and wise friend–an American who’s lived in Haiti for decades, “She’s a treasure, the way she graciously treats everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their social and economic status.”
We count ourselves extremely fortunate to be sharing life together and with wonderful friends, colleagues, and family. Thanks to the partnerships and generosity of so many good people, our collective adventure includes founding Haiti Partners, The Children’s Academy and Learning Center, Bellevue Guesthouse, the hand papermaking social business, and Merline’s (gourmet hot sauce and soup).
Much of this has happened during Haiti’s worst time in modern history. Political strife, gang violence, kidnappings, and robberies–including my own experience of being ambushed and shot at–are among the extreme stresses that our marriage has survived.
I’ve witnessed Merline’s steadiness, grace, wisdom, compassion, and courage through it all. I’ve watched her become a highly effective leader as she skillfully navigates complex challenges. To run a school of 500 students in the greater Port au Prince area during the last several years has been crazy difficult and is a credit to Haitian courage and determination. Merline’s my rock. Her energy, perseverance, compassion, and vision are beyond me. She inspires me and keeps me in awe.
At times, she infuriates me, and I her ; ). It’s all part of it. Yet even when we have “a moment,” we can still get things done together. We seem to share an internal code: “We’re committed to one another, and we’re committed to our vision. Keep advancing our mission and vision even when there’s a squabble.”
Today, I deeply relate to Mr. Rawley’s purpose. In recent years, I’ve recalled his words daily: My purpose is to support a leader with a vision I align with. My purpose is to be in a supportive role.
Mr. Rawley’s words predicted my destiny. His spirit lives on in my imagination. I can see him giggling with satisfaction, knowing that I’ve followed his example. My purpose is to support Merline, who is on a mission and has a vision that I align with.
Haiti Partners
PO Box 7882
Delray Beach, FL 33482
Email: hello@haitipartners.org
Phone: (772) 539-8521
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