Leaders Investing in Leaders: Rick & Susan Goings

This article is part of the Presidential Precinct’s “Leaders Investing in Leaders” series – offering regular spotlight stories about the champions who enable us to further our mission to invest in leaders and transform our world.

“The only people you want to get even with are the people who have helped you.”

In a recent Campfire Conversation on the Presidential Precinct Network, Rick Goings shared this John E. Southard quote as a driving force in his work to promote gender equality globally. Rick is quick to make clear that “people who have helped” – mentors, some may say – have been at the root of his career success, each serving as motivators in accountability and progress towards building equitable workplaces.

Foremost among these motivators is Susan Porcaro Goings, Rick’s wife. Together, the two remind us that with the right amount of focus and motivated people, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5 to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres is more than just hyperbole. Read more below from our recent Zoom call with the Goings’, who have committed their lives as a collective force for global good.

01: Nurture relationships

Susan Porcaro Goings reflected on her time, decades ago, growing up in Central Florida: “The first time I ever saw a woman making money was when my mom hosted a Tupperware party for one of her friends.”

The rare sales strategy of Founder Earl Tupper and Sales Lead Brownie Wise’s operation planted an early seed for Susan’s standout career. Tupperware had arrived in the 1950s, and through its socially-driven sales parties, the company re-illuminated the strength of working women who had earlier carried the United States’ industry while so many male workers were abroad as soldiers in World War II.

While at university, Susan worked as VIP hostess for the newly opened Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Her guests included King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan, Alabama Governor George Wallace, and many other household names. This opportunity to lead and introduce some of the world’s most powerful names to a local, renowned attraction inspired Susan’s personal commitment to networking and connection – investing in the stories of people from all over the world. “How you treat people … can have a huge impact, on you and the person you’ve encountered. As my parents taught me, there is never a reason to be rude to anyone. Always take the high road.” Susan reminded us. “Even short-term relationships.”

In parallel to Susan’s time at Disney World, Rick was rubbing elbows as caddie on an Illinois golf course – his own opportunity to learn the importance of getting to know the people around him. While the best caddies are required to know their golf course inside and out, they also must remember, in great detail, the strengths and weaknesses of the player they accompany. 

Though not a natural athlete himself, Rick knew golf. But he also knew the importance of understanding his community and making its shared environment as conducive as possible for each individual to be successful.

Rick and Susan wouldn’t meet until years later, but both knew, early on, the importance of nurturing relationships with those around them. “Get those experiences and learn from them, and get those relationships and keep them,” said Rick. Helpful counsel at a time when our world can seem more divided than ever.

02: Know that it won’t be easy

Recently graduated from the University of Florida and determined to pay off her student loans, Susan sought after a better-paying job as an account executive at her local television station in Orlando.

“We can’t hire you because you’re a girl.” These curt words from the personnel director at that TV station hardly slowed Susan down. A substitute receptionist walked in to the Station President’s office and lobbied on Susan’s behalf, her advocacy made possible by a recent, professional relationship that Susan had invested in.

Susan was offered the “better-paying” job only after she offered to work for free. Soon after, with the help of a female colleague, she had proven her strength in the industry. “We ended up selling far more air time than any of the guys,” Susan said with a smile. She went on to work in Los Angeles as a broadcaster reporter and anchor for the number one television station in the United States. Today, Susan has traveled the world gathering the inspirational stories of women from over 30 countries, continually building on her decades-long career in broadcast journalism.

03: Be generous

Shifting over to their more recent involvement as supporters of the Presidential Precinct, Rick & Susan are quick to honor our current and future program alumni. Their support is driven by confidence that “the emerging leaders that come to the Precinct are going to be next up for key leadership roles around the world.” The new perspectives, skills, networks, and visibility that leaders gain through Precinct programming simply work to build on their intrinsic track record of building thriving, just, and free communities.

And the Goings’ have truly taken every avenue available to support the Precinct’s work. In addition to their consistent financial support, Rick and Susan hosted nearly 100 Precinct Fellows at their farm near Charlottesville and facilitated the Precinct’s three-year partnership with Tupperware Brands Corporation to host the 2017-2019 Global Leadership Forums. Rick previously served on the Presidential Precinct Board, and both he and Susan have served as featured panelists on Presidential Precinct Network Zoom events.

Again praising the Precinct’s work, the Goings’ insist: “You guys are like a Navy Seal team, even more so during this time of COVID. With such a strong staff and mission in action, the only thing that could stop [the Precinct’s] impact is lack of support. It’s simple, the more money you have, the more people you can help.” Rick and Susan are right in saying that our work is made possible because of a generous community of donors who show up year after year because of their belief in the leaders we serve. This community supported us through all difficulties brought on by the Coronavirus in 2020. Now as we look to a 2021 marked by careful planning of brand new Signature Initiatives, we can be hopeful that continued support will fuel our mission and vision in more robust ways than ever before.

Beyond the Precinct, Rick and Susan’s joint commitment to next generation leaders is also seen in their founding of the World Federation of Youth Clubs (WFYC) – working to create, develop, and strengthen youth organizations around the world that provide safe and nurturing spaces for young people.

04: Add value

In some effort to summarize the magnificent impact that Rick and Susan continue to make, you could borrow a short marking from the top of Rick’s daily, handwritten goals list: “AV.” Rick practices the discipline of writing these letters, short for “Add Value”, every single day as a grounding reminder to stay in close step with the practices shared here in this article. Adding value is really what it’s all about.

“Obviously, young leaders who come to the Precinct already have the natural proclivity to add value. That’s what got them here in the first place.” For Rick, Susan, and all of us, this gives reason for great hope in the future.