You must be the change you wish to see in the world

JESSICA PROUDFOOT (1L)

As part of the Law and Business lecture series hosted by the Alumni Association, Martin Lambert delivered a moving presentation to an attentive audience on October 28th.

Known in the industry for brokering impossible, one-of-a-kind deals, Lambert held the role of CEO at Bennett Jones from 1996 through 2000, seeing the firm through a period of aggressive growth. Lambert’s present work involves venture projects, and he is currently focused on financing a novel energy concept. That he was able to secure the needed financing in these economic times is one indication of how formidable Martin Lambert is.

Described by Global Chambers as a “heavy-hitting M&A practitioner” and recognized as one of Canada’s top dealmakers, Lambert began the lecture by sharing some practical advice and insight collected during his more than twenty years in corporate practice and beyond. He reassured the audience that many firms look for students with potential, perhaps in preference to experience in the recognition that potential is a key ingredient for success. He emphasized the importance of identifying personal priorities and making lifestyle choices that best suit the person. He admitted that one of his few regrets was subscribing to the belief that there wasn’t enough time in the day for philanthropy.

Broaching topics he was clearly passionate about, Lambert shared his powerful light bulb moment that occurred when he and his family volunteered to build a house for an impoverished family in Mexico. He recalled how the experience showed him that a different mentality prevails among people who have less material wealth than those of us living in Canada are familiar with. For the family in Mexico, accomplishment was measured in generations – the father had never slept in a bed, but he hoped his daughters would one day have one.

Lambert realized that by applying our North American standards of success to philanthropic ventures in developing nations, we set ourselves up for frustration and failure. The recognition that change is a gradual process put his own “billing by the minute” timeline of corporate law in perspective and inspired him to reprioritize. After attending the Global Philanthropy Forum, he went on to found Silver Wire Connections, an organization designed to provide financial support to locally-run charities in Africa. Silver Wire’s agenda acknowledges the cultural and systemic differences of developing nations, and funds grass-roots organizations that have proven themselves to be sustainable, effective and transparent.

Lambert is also a strong advocate of voluntourism – a result of his passion for promoting awareness of worldwide social causes in developed nations. Critics of voluntourism argue that the majority of programs aimed at facilitating volunteering abroad are designed more for the needs of their Western middle-class volunteers than they are for the intended recipients of aid. Programs aimed at youth in particular have been criticized for capitalizing on the trend, and some have even been accused of turning a profit.

Regardless of whether or not these programs are the most efficient method of addressing issues in developing countries, Lambert believes they are having a positive effect on attitudes and awareness in Canada and other developing countries. By providing people (impressionable youth in particular) the opportunity to go overseas and “touch the need” in a supported manner increases awareness and an excited dialogue upon their return.