In Memoriam: Words of Wisdom from Our Beloved Friend and Mentor Jerry Levin
It is with heavy hearts that we share that Jerry Levin, who served as the chairman of the StartUp Health Board of Directors for many years, has passed away. Jerry was our beloved friend, mentor, and partner in health moonshots since 2010, before we even formally launched StartUp Health. While the canned obits (probably first drafted decades ago) focus on Jerry’s complicated history as a powerful media mogul from 30 years ago, we wanted to highlight the Jerry we knew – his legacy as a visionary sage and a loving friend to innovators and creators, a humble philosopher who cared deeply about humanity, a great confidant, and a trusted advisor through thick and thin. He always listened.
Jerry knew where the future was going because he helped create history yet lived each day in the present. Jerry had more questions than answers, and for those who really listened, they were given a lifelong gift. I’ve never stopped thinking about two seemingly simple questions he asked Steve and me multiple times over the years: Who are you and why are you here? And what is StartUp Health?
We were first introduced to Jerry by another of our great friends, investors, and sage advisors, Esther Dyson. Esther somehow knew to connect us all together at just the right time, for just the right reason. Steve and I still talk often about our very first lunch together at the SOHO House in NYC so many years ago – the sun beaming like a spotlight on Jerry and Esther – as Steve and I shared our rough vision for wanting to infuse more entrepreneurial energy and collaborative networks into the future of health. Just having these two extraordinary giants share their time to listen to our crazy ideas gave us the confidence to move forward. Thank you, Esther. Jerry’s light still shines bright to us and the wisdom you both shared still impacts our mission every day.
We’d like to dedicate this newsletter to Jerry and pay tribute by resurfacing some of his ideas and lessons he shared with our community of Health Transformers over the years.
We love you, Jerry.
– Unity Stoakes and Steven Krein
Our Mission to Transform Health - Featuring Jerry Levin
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Who Are You and Why Are You Here?
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Health Moonshots, Mindsets & Mastery: Jerry Levin, in Conversation with Steven Krein and Dr. Dean Ornish, on the StartUp Health Festival Stage
» Watch
In the Halls of Power, Character Is King
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This is a Revolution: Jerry Levin, in Conversation with Unity Stoakes on the StartUp Health Festival Stage
» Listen
» Watch
Transforming an Industry: Jerry Levin, in Conversation with Esther Dyson and Steven Krein, on the StartUp Health Festival Stage
» Listen
» Watch
The Importance of Values Based Leadership
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Everybody Has a Story
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Published: Mar 14, 2024