Innovation Economy: Achieving Economic Success in the 21st Century
In today’s turbulent modern world, how do we overcome obstacles on the road to economic success? In this powerful speech, DEVAL PATRICK offers his strategy for growth, focusing on the value of education, innovation and infrastructure. As governor of Massachusetts, Patrick emphasized the importance of investment, particularly impact investing, in a variety of sectors—from biotechnology to public transportation—culminating in the state's highest employment rate in 25 years, as well as a rate of job growth that significantly surpassed the national average. Fresh off his two-term tenure, Governor Patrick is ready to shares his insights with business audiences across the country.
Leadership Lessons for a Better World
DEVAL PATRICK has always been a leader with a long-term vision and a commitment to generational responsibility. Whether as a corporate executive for Texaco and Coca-Cola or as governor of Massachusetts, Patrick’s willingness to make the responsible choice over the easy choice sets him apart, and often led to even greater success. Driven by his belief in values-based leadership, Patrick’s passionate speech inspires leaders to make the tough choices for a better tomorrow.
Originally from the South Side of Chicago, Deval Patrick came to Massachusetts at the age of 14, when he was awarded a scholarship to Milton Academy through the Boston-based organization A Better Chance.
After Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he clerked for a federal appellate judge and then launched a career as an attorney and business executive, becoming a staff attorney at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a partner at two Boston law firms and a senior executive at two Fortune 50 companies, Texaco and Coca-Cola.
In 1994, President Clinton appointed Patrick to the nation's top civil rights post, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. In 2006, in his first bid for public office, he became the first African-American governor of Massachusetts.
During his eight year tenure, Patrick helped revive a battered economy through the expansion of affordable health care to more than 98 percent of state residents, launched initiatives stimulating clean energy and biotechnology, won a national Race to the Top educational grant, steered the state to a 25-year high in employment, and made unprecedented investments in Massachusetts public schools. By the end of Governor Patrick's term, the state ranked first in the nation in student achievement, energy efficiency, veterans services, and entrepreneurship.
The Governor was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States where his platform included opportunity and economic growth, reforming our healthcare and criminal justice system, an accessible and functioning democracy, and collaborative global leadership for the 21st century.
His next step in public life is TogetherFUND, a political action committee to support progressive politics, including Joe Biden's campaign for President, candidates for the United States Senate and House in so-called "swing" states and districts, and grassroots groups working to drive turnout and engagement among disenfranchised and marginalized voters. He also chairs the COVID Collaborative, a group led by experts in public health, education, and the economy to get through the pandemic.
Patrick is a Rockefeller Fellow, a Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute, on the Board of Directors for the national nonprofit Social Finance, and the author of two books, A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life and Faith in the Dream: A Call to the Nation to Reclaim American Values.