Bill Campbell spent a few hours of his valuable time once a quarter  meeting and advising a small group of female CEO’s including myself. The group was started by Shellye Archambeau (@ShelArchambeau)

The advice he gave over the past 7 years was priceless. For example, he gave me advice about my board at a time when our company was struggling.   I added a new board member and unfortunately, my new board members tried to kick me out of my own company at their first and only board meeting.  Bill recommended that I select board members who were not only smart and experienced, but were business colleagues and had my best interest at heat vs someone who might have an ulterior motive and tried to undermine me.  That was extremely valuable advice.

I also had an opportunity to get to know Bill personally since after our quarterly meetings, he treated all of us to dinner. He shared a lot of great stories and jokes, so I found out that he had a great sense of humor and always gives everyone a big hug! I affectionately called him my brother from another mother and he would always laugh.

No one in Silicon Valley cared so much about people and walked the talk.

“Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?
You’re everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings. “

By Better Midler

We’ll miss you Bill.

Michelle

A famous song entitled “When You Believe” by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston is about believing in yourself and not losing hope. When you are working on a new idea and blazing a new trail, your self-belief and your passion drive you forward, and inspire you and others around you.

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