Those who have found great success tend to feel a greater sense of social responsibility, a desire to help others who were less fortunate. Alex von Furstenberg, the Austrian prince and successful businessman, is a perfect example. Despite the demands and time constraints that come with his career, he still finds time for philanthropy. Arrow Capital Management, LLC was founded by Alex von Furstenberg as a private investment firm focused on global public equities. Over an eight year period, the company annualized at 22.4%. When his mother, acclaimed fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, decided to restructure her global luxury lifestyle brand, the Diane von Furstenberg Studio, LP, her son was a natural choice to lead the effort. Her hunch paid off, as this decision led to a 200% increase in annual revenues.
Similarly, when it came time to choose someone to lead the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, the charity formed by Diane von Furstenberg and her husband, media mogul Barry Diller, Alex von Furstenberg was the perfect fit. Using the same skill set that suited him well in the business world, Alex made sure that each dollar donated was spent wisely and efficiently. Over the past decade since the foundation’s inception, over $30 million have been granted to a wide variety of non-profit institutions related to education, community building, human rights, health, the environment, and the arts. Not only does Alex von Furstenberg feel a responsibility to help others, his knack for leading the charge and growing the bottom line will no doubt turn the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation into one of the most effective charitable organizations in the nation.
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