Five Questions With: Kevin O’Neill

Leukemia Lymphoma Society Man of the Year Kevin O’Neill with LLS Boy and Girl of the Year Nicholas Harrington and Grace Duffy. / PHOTO BY JOHN BORZAIN
Leukemia Lymphoma Society Man of the Year Kevin O’Neill with LLS Boy and Girl of the Year Nicholas Harrington and Grace Duffy. / PHOTO BY JOHN BORZAIN

As founder and managing partner of O’Neill Consulting Group, a global executive search firm, and Acertitude, the firm’s parent company, Kevin O’Neill strives to help his clients’ organizations unleash their human potential. Outside of work, O’Neill makes a conscious effort to invest his time and energy in initiatives that give people the opportunity to shine. He has served as an American Heart Association regional board chair, YMCA board member, local parish council president and, most recently, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Man of the Year. His #KOBLOODCANCER Man of the Year campaign raised over $154,000 over 10 weeks to support the fight against blood cancers.

PBN: How did you first become aware of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and what interests you about its work?
O’NEILL:
Strangely, I first became aware of LLS when listening to a morning radio program on WCTK 98.1 during my commute to work a couple of years ago. Co-host Amanda Leonardo was a candidate for Woman of the Year and her co-host Brian Mulhern was helping her raise money. I phoned in to make a challenge pledge and the rest is history. What appealed to me about LLS was their mission to address general blood cancers, which are so prevalent. Every three minutes a person in the U.S. is diagnosed. Whether it is leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or one of the countless other cancers of the blood, we all seem to have been touched by these deadly diseases.

PBN: What does it mean to you to be named 2016 Man of the Year by the organization?
O’NEILL:
I am humbled by the overwhelming support – financial, organizational and moral – of my Man of the Year campaign from friends, family members, business associates and even people I have never met. Together we raised over $154,000, which is enough funding to support 77 weeks of research for an LLS-funded expert in the blood cancer field or to help over 300 patients cover the substantial travel costs to access the best treatment possible.

PBN: How did you go about collecting the more than $154,000 you raised for the organization?
O’NEILL:
Simply put, we asked. Our message was simple; blood cancers are a deadly affliction that will likely touch us all very directly, at some point in our lives. LLS is at the leading edge of researching treatments and cures.

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PBN: How would you suggest others in the greater Rhode Island community become involved with or raise funds for nonprofit organizations like you did?
O’NEILL:
Everyone possesses the ability to make a difference in the lives of others. First, find an organization that does good work for a cause that you are passionate about, perhaps one where you have a personal link. There are three things we can give: time, talent and treasure. Use your gifts. I don’t have a lot of time or talent, so I usually have to give some treasure!

PBN: What role does philanthropy and support of local nonprofits play in your life?
O’NEILL:
As a father and business leader, I try to encourage my children and colleagues to participate in organizations that make a difference in the lives of others. Our community thrives because of the work local nonprofit organizations play in bettering our world. If you want your heart to overflow with gratitude, spend some time in the trenches with the volunteers and staff members of these organizations and watch them touch the lives of people in need. You will quickly realize that the giver is actually the receiver.

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