When Amanda Fowler built Edwards Lifesciences’ corporate giving program in 2011, she began the process of building a mission-driven philanthropic organization that aligned with Edwards healthcare business and supported a global culture of giving and volunteerism. Today the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation has $90 million in assets and, together with medical technology donations, gives some $20 million per year to provide cardiac care to underserved patients in some of the poorest nations on earth.
“I love what I do. If I’m honest, this is a dream job, and I’ve built it,” Fowler says. “It really is on me to keep making it interesting, and to find ways to add value to the company, to patients, and to all that we’re serving.”
“What’s amazing is, I’ve seen it first-hand, I’ve lived through the experience of individually helping a patient get what they need, especially the most impoverished patients,” she adds. Fowler spearheads an effort to bring Edwards technology, like top-of-the-line heart valves and skilled surgical care, to communities and people that could never otherwise afford them.
In this wide-ranging interview with Angela Dailey, WISE CEO, Amanda talks about how she obtained buy-in for her global philanthropic effort and how, 13 years later, that commitment to giving has become integral to Edwards culture. She also discusses how she leverages her personal experiences to help other young women succeed. Fowler participates in UC Irvine’s LeadHER class, a 10-week mentor program that focuses on first-generation female students. “One of the things that really holds women back is that they, oftentimes, don’t have as strong of a network or they don't take advantage of mentorship,” she says. “LeadHER is meant to address that.”
Check out Amanda’s full interview here. It’s part of the WISE Voices: Women Leading the Way podcast series, which highlights the success and career journeys of many of Southern California’s most inspiring businesswomen.
