“When I retired, I started looking for more opportunities to engage in Boulder County,” says SVP Partner Gary Albrecht, a retired professor of social sciences. “It’s always been important to me, to be active in my community.”
Retirement came gradually for Albrecht. His most recent occupations in a long, illustrious career involved dividing his time between Boulder and Brussels, Belgium, where he was Fellow of the Royal Belgian Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Extraordinary Guest Professor of Social Sciences at the University of Leuven.
“Being in Europe regularly, over many years, didn’t allow much time to take on anything new,” continues Albrecht, who’s also Professor Emeritus of Public Health and of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago. “But when I resigned from my European commitments a few years ago, I spoke with my good friend Tim Watson [SVP Boulder County Board Treasurer].
“I asked him how I might get involved, locally, and where I might contribute. He mentioned SVP Boulder County, and he described the SVP model.
“It’s easy to give time and not money, and vice versa. I believe in giving both time and money, which fits the SVP model.”
Last year, Albrecht served on our board nominating committee, which he says was a wonderful introduction to the organization. “I had the opportunity to meet some very accomplished people, and have really intelligent, focused discussions without egos getting in the way,” he reflects.
“The professionals involved with SVP Boulder County are collegial, coherent, and excellent listeners. I find that very satisfying, and I look forward to digging in more deeply with my experience.” For example, among his research interests, Albrecht focused on how adults acknowledge, interpret, and respond to unanticipated life events.
Learn more about our “engaged philanthropy” model, and how SVP Boulder County helps strengthen local nonprofits while evolving individual community engagement.
