Bo Parfet

Bo Parfet

 

A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, whose grounding in the world of high finance has complemented his activities as a daredevil adventurer, Bo Parfet has traveled a long way, both literally and figuratively, since graduating with an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management at Chicago’s Northwestern University, as well as with a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Michigan.

After serving as a Research Fellow at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the organization responsible for establishing the accounting rules followed by all businesses), Bo worked on Wall Street as an investment banker in corporate finance for J.P. Morgan. It was then that he began an around the world journey to climb the highest mountain on every continent: Mount Everest (Asia), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), Mount McKinley (North America), Cerro Aconcagua (South America), Mount Elbrus (Europe), Mount Kosciuszko (Australia), Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania) and Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), where a return visit saw Bo serve as a vanguard member of a scientific team that discovered 29 new species. Bo is only one of 127 people in the US to achieve the Seven Summits.

In 2004, in conjunction with Explorers Club, Bo established the Seven Summits Awards Program that rewards top students with grants to perform healthcare-related field research. At the same time, he also formed a partnership between The Explorers Club and The Kellogg School of Management that enables seasoned explorers to lecture on-campus about the invaluable leadership lessons that they’ve learned.

Bo and his wife, Meredith, started Denali Venture Philanthropy in 2013 as an investment organization that funds entrepreneurs who are committed to social change. The fund was established to honor and build upon a family legacy of philanthropy by interpreting the legacy in a modern and innovative framework. Bo’s time has largely been dedicated to Denali Venture Philanthropy since 2012.

Bo and his family live in Boulder, Colorado where adventures are easily accessible and the startup community is vibrant.

Publications:

Speaking Engagements:

I have spoken all over the world, including: Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, United States, Nepal.  

  • Financial Conferences

  • Leadership Conferences

  • Educational Institutions; primary through post-graduate

  • Non-Profits

  • Outdoor Stores, including REI

  • Explorer Clubs

Awards:

  • British American Project, Fellow, nominated for, and selected to participate in, an annual international conference around sustainability and global resource limitations

  • Presidential Volunteer Service Award – completed 4,000 hours or more of volunteer service throughout the world

  • JPMorgan Leadership Award – employees who demonstrate extraordinary leadership within JPMorgan and the community

Civic Volunteerism

  • Timmissartok Foundation Bangkok, Thailand – assists individuals with adventurous projects that will take place in a foreign country. The foundation believes that one individual with a dream can be more powerful than a string of committees. Albert Einstein showed us that “imagination is more important than knowledge.” Ideas inspire people. The Timmissartok Foundation wants to invest in the people with the big dreams - “the hungry dogs” - who have a strong enough heart to make their dreams come true.

  • Specialized Language Development Center, Kalamazoo, MI – provides specialized instruction to people who struggle with dyslexia. Please note, I am on the advisory board.

  • Gilmore Foundation, Kalamazoo, MI - focuses on educating the community on the history of automobiles and is most noted for its Classic Car Museum, one of the country's top 10 car museums.