Latest news with #O'Kelley
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Brian O'Kelley donated a $1.6 billion fortune for social good: 6 life lessons students can learn from him
The conventional image of a tech billionaire often involves yachts, private jets, and extravagant lifestyles. Brian O'Kelley, co-founder of AppNexus, challenges this notion entirely. After selling his company to AT&T in 2018 for $1.6 billion, he chose to keep less than $100 million for himself and donated the rest to charitable causes he and his family care about. His journey demonstrates that true success is not measured by wealth alone but by the meaningful impact one creates in society. For students, O'Kelley's story offers lessons that extend far beyond entrepreneurship, teaching leadership, purpose-driven thinking, and resilience. By tracing O'Kelley's trajectory, from his formative years at Princeton to the rise of AppNexus and his later ventures like Waybridge and Scope3, it becomes clear that ambition, values, and vision can coexist to build both personal success and societal good. Here's what students can learn from his journey: Success is measured by impact, not wealth O'Kelley's decision to donate the majority of his earnings highlights that financial gain is only one aspect of achievement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Students can learn that ambition should be guided by the desire to create meaningful change, and that true success lies in leaving a positive mark on society. Build a strong academic and technical foundation At Princeton University, O'Kelley earned a BSE in Computer Science, developing both technical expertise and critical thinking skills. Students can understand that strong academic training provides the tools to tackle complex challenges and lays the groundwork for long-term professional growth. Develop holistic skills through extracurricular activities Balancing studies with junior varsity basketball taught O'Kelley discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Students can learn that engagement outside the classroom nurtures character, enhances leadership skills, and prepares them for real-world challenges. Lead through values, not authority At AppNexus, O'Kelley emphasized a culture of inclusion, empowerment, and continuous learning. Students can learn that effective leadership is not about hierarchy, but about inspiring and enabling others to thrive while fostering innovation and collaboration. Align career goals with purpose O'Kelley's ventures after AppNexus, including Waybridge and Scope3, focus on sustainability and ethical business practices. Students can see the importance of merging professional skills with meaningful causes, demonstrating that purposeful work drives both innovation and societal impact. Cultivate vision and resilience Transforming AppNexus from a small apartment startup into a global ad-tech leader required foresight, strategic thinking, and resilience. Students can learn that ambitious goals paired with perseverance and calculated risk-taking are essential for turning ideas into transformative ventures. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Who is Brian O'Kelley? The Computer Science engineer from Princeton who sold a $1.6 billion company for 'social good'
In 2018, Brian O'Kelley achieved what many tech entrepreneurs dream of: the sale of AppNexus, the ad-tech company he co-founded in 2007, to AT&T for $1.6 billion. But unlike the typical billionaire narrative of yachts, private jets, and sprawling mansions, O'Kelley made a strikingly different choice. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He kept less than $100 million for himself and donated the rest to charitable causes he and his family care about. As reported by Fortune, this decision reflected his guiding philosophy: success isn't about accumulating wealth—it's about creating meaningful, lasting impact on society. Early years and Princeton education Brian O'Kelley's path to entrepreneurship began at Princeton University, where he pursued a BSE in Computer Science from 1995 to 1999. Princeton not only provided rigorous technical training but also fostered critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration—skills that would become invaluable in his later ventures. Outside the classroom, O'Kelley played junior varsity basketball, balancing academics with athletics. This experience taught him discipline, resilience, and teamwork—qualities that would define his leadership style in the fast-paced world of startups. It was at Princeton that O'Kelley honed both the technical and interpersonal skills needed to navigate the challenges of building and scaling a company. From apartment startup to global ad-tech leader After graduation, O'Kelley co-founded AppNexus in 2007, launching the company from his apartment in New York City. The mission was ambitious: to create a better internet by offering a transparent, real-time advertising platform that could compete with established tech giants. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Over the next 11 years, O'Kelley grew AppNexus into a global ad-tech powerhouse, serving advertisers and publishers worldwide. But what truly set him apart was his approach to company culture. O'Kelley emphasized learning, inclusion, and empowerment, nurturing an environment where employees could thrive and innovate. According to Fortune, AppNexus became known not only for its technology but also for its values-driven culture—something rare in the high-stakes tech industry. W hen AT&T acquired AppNexus in 2018, O'Kelley made headlines for his unusual approach to the proceeds. He kept less than $100 million for personal use and donated the rest. As he told Fortune, billionaires with yachts, private islands, and extreme wealth are 'obnoxious,' as such excess can distance individuals from reality and human experience. For O'Kelley, true success is measured by impact, not ostentation. Waybridge and Scope3 : Purpose-driven ventures After AppNexus, O'Kelley continued to pursue mission-driven entrepreneurship. In 2019, he co-founded Waybridge, a collaborative platform that tracks commodities from mining through manufacturing. By enabling companies to monitor their supply chains, Waybridge promotes transparency and sustainability, helping businesses make ethical, environmentally-conscious decisions. In 2022, O'Kelley co-founded Scope3, a public benefit corporation dedicated to decarbonizing the global economy. Scope3 provides companies with the data and tools needed to measure, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across their supply chains. Through Scope3, O'Kelley combines his technical expertise with a strong environmental mission, demonstrating that entrepreneurship can be a force for systemic change. Beyond tech, O'Kelley has ventured into media as an executive producer at Wonderstruck, blending creative projects with entrepreneurial thinking. This move illustrates how a career can evolve while remaining aligned with personal values and purpose. A philosophy of wealth, responsibility, and impact O'Kelley's approach to wealth is deeply philosophical. He believes that capping personal wealth keeps him accountable, grounded, and connected to everyday life. According to Fortune, he wants his children to appreciate hard work and struggle rather than growing up spoiled by luxury. Extreme wealth, he argues, can alienate people from the realities of life and disconnect them from the consequences of their decisions. For O'Kelley, entrepreneurship isn't just about financial success—it's about creating systems, companies, and initiatives that generate meaningful social and environmental impact. His approach exemplifies conscious capitalism, showing that leaders can combine profitability with purpose.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
"I Don't Believe In Billionaires": CEO Donates Most Of $1.6 Billion Fortune
Brian O'Kelley, the co-founder and former CEO of ad-tech company AppNexus, made headlines after revealing that he gave away the majority of his $1.6 billion earnings from the sale of his company to AT&T in 2018, according to Fortune Magazine. Despite owning a 10% stake in AppNexus, O'Kelley chose to keep less than $100 million for himself and his family, donating the rest to causes they care about. O'Kelley, now 48, said the decision was made after a thoughtful discussion with his wife about how much money was truly "enough". They calculated a comfortable amount, doubled it for security, and gave away the remainder. He explained that his decision was not just about generosity but also about maintaining a grounded lifestyle and staying connected to everyday realities. O'Kelley believes extreme wealth can disconnect people from society and lead to irresponsible spending. He criticises the billionaire lifestyle, private islands, yachts, and luxury excess as unnecessary and "obnoxious", according to Fortune. "I don't believe in billionaires. I think it's just ridiculous," the serial entrepreneur exclusively told Fortune, adding that he kept less than $100 million from his 10% stake in the startup after it was acquired. Currently leading a new startup focused on tracking supply chain emissions, Scope3, O'Kelley says he has no plans to ever become a billionaire, even if his next venture succeeds. He also shared concerns about raising his children with too much luxury, wanting them to experience life with limits and values. In a world where the number of billionaires is growing rapidly, O'Kelley's actions stand in sharp contrast. He believes true wealth should come with accountability, and that living with financial boundaries keeps people honest and responsible.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Family-owned company shares secret to multi-generational success: 'You come to some grim realities quickly'
Collins Pine Co., a family-owned timber company based in Chester, California, has operated for over 80 years using an approach that keeps forests healthy for generations, reported the Plumas Sun. The secret? "Live on the interest, don't dip into the principal," says Eric O'Kelley, forest manager for Collins Pine. The company selectively removes weaker trees from its 135,000 acres, giving stronger ones room to grow. It returns to the same areas every 15-20 years, maintaining a natural balance. This method, called uneven-aged management, earned Collins the first Forest Stewardship Council certification in North America. The company's founder, Truman W. Collins, pioneered this approach in 1942 after seeing other timber companies run out of trees. The Chester facility produces 80-100 million board feet of lumber yearly and employs 122 people. "There are always opportunities to walk in off the street and have a career," says former operations manager Murray Caton. These jobs support the local economy while maintaining sustainable forest practices. The company adapted quickly when the 2021 Dixie Fire burned 60,000 acres of its land. "You come to some grim realities quickly," Caton says. Collins is now planting over 1 million trees annually, up from its usual 30,000. It focuses on drought-resistant species, such as ponderosa pine, planted at lower densities to create more resilient forests. "The forest will tell you what will grow," O'Kelley explains. The company stays current with technology too. Modern equipment makes logging safer: the Chester facility recently celebrated its first year without workplace accidents. Its mill uses artificial intelligence to grade lumber quality, boosting efficiency while maintaining its commitment to sustainable practices. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Collins manages 95,000 acres in its Almanor Forest and 40,000 acres near Westwood. Its lumber reaches markets worldwide, including Japan, though locals can still buy directly from its Chester builder supply store. This mix of global reach and local presence helps maintain a stable business model. The company's success demonstrates smart forest management can build strong local economies. The approach creates jobs, maintains healthy forests, and supplies sustainable wood products. It's showing how businesses can thrive by taking care of natural resources. As O'Kelley puts it, "The best feeling is when you're taking out trees that are weak, giving the mill a good product, but still improving the stand." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘It impacted a lot of our students': Over 100,000 items donated to Baldwinsville apartment fire victims
BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — A rallying cry came from to the village of Baldwinsville this weekend. Over 100,000 items were donated in a 48-hour span to multiple families that lost everything in the Legacy Apartments fire Friday night. Northwest Fire District Assistant Chief Robert O'Kelly helped fight it. Senate confirms Scott Bessent as Trump's Treasury secretary Speaker Johnson brushes aside economic concerns associated with ICE raids Syracuse crews work to keep roads clear despite salt shortage 'It impacted a lot of our students': Over 100,000 items donated to Baldwinsville apartment fire victims Republicans back tax cuts 'I came around to the back side of the building and saw they had more fire on that side of the building, so I upgraded it to a second alarm just because of the amount of fire and reports of people still inside the structure,' O'Kelley said. Not even 24 hours later, thousands of donations poured in as the Baldwinsville Central School District rallied to help those affected. 'It impacted a lot of our students' families. Eight families. Given the size and scope of how many families it impacted, we knew we needed to do something,' said superintendent Dr. Joseph DeBarbieri. It may not be easy for those affected to start over, but these donations will help. Items include toiletries, food, and toys. There's also plenty of winter clothing for them to restock their wardrobes. 'It was great for the community to show support for the victims of the fire. My wife and I donated to the cause also,' O'Kelley said. The school district is making sure students are alright back at school with assistance from counseling services. 'Number one was being present. Working with teachers, prepping them as to what to look out for in terms of warning signs, conversations, when to refer, when to give a call, what do you need,' said Assistant Superintendent of student services Karrie Lamacchia 'Baldwinsville, that's just what we do. The folks here in this community always pull together,' said Dr. DeBarbieri. If you'd like to still donate, you can drop off items at the Baldwinsville Community Center. The donations made over the weekend will start going out to those affected tomorrow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
