By Sam Kazran

For most of my career, I’ve worked in high-growth, high-pressure industries where the focus was on performance, results, and speed. Business success is often measured in numbers—revenue, market share, growth. And while I’ve always been driven to excel, I’ve also come to believe that profit alone is a shallow measure of true success.

For me, the real question has always been: What are you doing with your success? That’s where purpose comes in. Over the years, I’ve found that investing in humanitarian causes not only changes the lives of those in need—it transforms the leaders who choose to give.

The Limits of Profit

Don’t get me wrong—profit matters. Without it, no business survives. But profit is a means, not an end. I’ve seen executives who chase numbers endlessly, only to find themselves burned out, unfulfilled, and disconnected from what really matters.

The truth is, money can build a business, but purpose builds a legacy. You can measure profit on a spreadsheet, but you measure purpose in the lives you touch, the communities you strengthen, and the hope you help create.

Why Humanitarian Causes Matter

For me, humanitarian causes—especially supporting orphans and expanding access to education—have always resonated deeply. Around the world, there are millions of children who don’t have the basics that so many of us take for granted: parents, safety, or schools.

When I first got involved with organizations like Orphans Worldwide and His Hands Extended, I realized how far even one act of generosity could go. A new school means children who once had no future suddenly have opportunities. An orphan supported with food and care has a chance to grow up strong and hopeful.

These are not abstract problems. They are urgent, real, and deeply human. And when entrepreneurs and executives step in to help, we can make a difference on a scale that few others can.

Executives Have Unique Tools to Give

So why executives? Why entrepreneurs? Because we’re uniquely equipped to make an impact.

We’ve learned how to mobilize resources, build systems, and execute under pressure. These same skills that help us run companies can also help humanitarian organizations expand their reach and improve their effectiveness. It’s not just about money—it’s about sharing leadership, strategy, and vision.

I don’t just see my role as writing checks. I want to help ensure that the causes I support are sustainable, effective, and truly changing lives. That’s where business experience can be invaluable.

Giving Brings Balance

There’s another reason I believe successful executives should invest in humanitarian causes: it keeps us grounded. The world of business can be intense, even consuming. Without balance, it’s easy to lose sight of why we’re working so hard in the first place.

When I’m involved in humanitarian work, I’m reminded that life is bigger than quarterly goals or annual reports. Giving my time and resources to orphans, schools, and community organizations helps me reconnect with what matters most—people, compassion, and purpose.

For me, faith also plays a big role in this. I’m an active member of my church, and I believe that the blessings we receive are meant to be shared. Service isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a calling.

Beyond Charity—Building a Legacy

There’s a difference between charity and legacy. Charity is about meeting immediate needs. Legacy is about creating long-term change.

When executives invest in humanitarian causes, they have the chance to move beyond simple donations and create systems that last. That could mean funding schools, building programs for orphans, or creating partnerships that provide opportunities for generations to come.

I want my legacy to be more than business achievements. I want it to include the children who got an education, the orphans who felt loved, and the communities that were uplifted because someone cared enough to act.

The Ripple Effect

One of the most rewarding parts of humanitarian work is seeing the ripple effect. Help one child, and you change a family. Help a family, and you strengthen a community. Strengthen a community, and you impact an entire country.

As executives, we’re used to thinking about scale. The same principle applies here: impact multiplies. What seems like a small act of kindness to us can set off a chain reaction that touches countless lives.

A Challenge to Fellow Leaders

To my fellow executives and entrepreneurs, I want to challenge you: look beyond profit. Think about the purpose behind what you’re building. Yes, chase growth and success—but don’t stop there. Ask yourself: How can I use my success to create hope for others?

The world doesn’t just need more profitable companies. It needs compassionate leaders. Leaders who understand that the ultimate measure of success is not just in what you build, but in what you give back.

Final Thoughts

I’ve been fortunate to achieve business success, but I’ve been even more fortunate to find purpose beyond profit. Supporting orphans, building schools, and investing in humanitarian causes has taught me that true leadership is about service.

In the end, profits fade, titles change, and businesses evolve. But the impact we make on people—the lives we touch—that’s what lasts.

For me, that’s the real reward. And I believe every successful executive has the chance to experience the same truth: when you invest in others, you’re not just changing their lives—you’re transforming your own.