Story

Liz Borer: Lessons to my younger self

The Ann Bancroft Foundation welcomes Liz Borer as a new board member in 2026. Below, Liz shares three lessons she's learned through her years of experience.

Throughout my life, I've returned to a few gems of advice from people who are wiser than me.

  1. “Be who you are, and be that well.”  - St. Francis de Sales

    Exploring who you are can feel clunky sometimes. It’s okay to try on different selves, to experiment, and to embrace change. These experiences will help you understand more about your interests, your values, and your goals.

    And as you discover more about these unique aspects of your personality, there is power and peace in being yourself. We get to keep changing and discovering who we are throughout our lives, and in each moment, we get to decide how best to show up in ways that are true to ourselves.
     
  2. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

    Mistakes happen, embarrassment is part of life, and we all do and say things we regret. Your words may not come out exactly the way you wanted. You may have dropped the ball or fallen on your face (sometimes literally). Your intentions may not have matched your impact. In these moments, your response is what matters most. Taking good care of others (and ourselves!) requires accountability, humility, and empathy. 
     
  3. “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” - Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

    It’s on all of us to work for the world we want to live in, and to ensure that people and the planet can thrive. Effective advocacy is not about having the loudest voice or even the best argument. Successful advocates listen carefully, bridge across differences, adapt their approaches, and bring a good sense of humor to build trust and find joy together.
Liz Borer
Board Member
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies

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