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After Mr. Kauffman’s passing she recalls reviewing videotapes and written stories about his hopes and aspirations for the foundation. Guillies also came across notes of the kind of leader he aimed to be that also covered his principles and values. One message that resonated for her was Mr. Kaufmann’s mantra: “I’m just a common man who did uncommon things.”“I feel pretty common in that I don't have a fancy pedigree from an elite university. I don't have any sort of extraordinary talent.
Wendy Guillies with Steve Case, CEO and chairman of Revolution & co-founder of America Online, and Victor Hwang, VP of Entrepreneurship at The Kauffman Foundation.From roles as Communications Manager to Vice President of Communications to acting CEO and then CEO, Guillies found it to important to do as she could to fulfill her responsibilities to the best of her abilities. When the time arose for new leadership, she describes: “I had no sights set on being the CEO of the Kauffman Foundation.