When walking through the Alumni office hallway, it’s hard not to peek into one particular office: the very last one, filled with what seems like dozens of medals. The collection is impressive, but what’s more impressive is the man behind the medals: Director of Major Gifts, Jason Rizzi, ‘03.

Mr. Rizzi’s passion for philanthropy started well before he came back to the hilltop. He worked with a five-year-old boy named Braylen, who was born without legs, since he was three and came to watch the New York City Triathlon, which also happens to be the Paratriathlete Championships. Braylen was eager to meet them, and they told him to go to a running and soccer clinic where he eventually met Mr. Rizzi. “Part of the Iron Man I ran in Lake Tahoe helped raise $1,000 to help him receive a new pair of legs.”

Mr. Rizzi recently gave a Chapel Talk to the senior class on his own philanthropic work, and ever since, his words have been buzzing around campus.

Mr. Rizzi was pleased to give a Chapel Talk, seeing as they were not common when he was at Hackley. “It was such an amazing way to see how seniors get this new perspective on life,” he said, “Other than just through things in classes and sports.”

After graduating Hackley and George Washington University, and living in many different cities, Mr. Rizzi became involved in philanthropic work and raised money for various charities. As an alumnus, he found that his experiences could serve seniors well going forward, showing them the opportunities available to them after Hackley.

Mr. Rizzi wanted to make sure the senior class knew that “Life is short, and it’s good to be different.” He wanted students to walk away knowing that accepting their individuality now, especially in an environment like Hackley, can set them up for success long after they graduate.

Working in the Alumni and Development Office provided Mr. Rizzi with the perfect opportunity to give back to Hackley. He helps raise money through donations to expand Hackley’s financial aid availability. “One of the things I’m working on right now is trying to get some of the alums to work on endowing the Student Diversity Leadership Conference trip. And not just that, but diversity and leadership trips in general,” said Mr. Rizzi. His job involves figuring out creative ways to get alums involved, but Mr. Rizzi says that this challenge is his favorite part.

Looking towards the future, Mr. Rizzi hopes to raise enough money for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds to go on trips that promote the individuality he encouraged in his Chapel Talk. He likes working in a department that opens up so many windows of opportunity for all students.

Unfortunately, Mr. Rizzi’s inspiring Chapel Talk was a one time deal, open only to seniors. He said he would be happy to do another one in the years to come on a wide range of topics beyond philanthropy.

One thing Mr. Rizzi wants the whole Upper School to hear from his talk is a quote taken from a TED Talk by journalist Andrew Solomon, which captures the essence of what he wanted the seniors to walk away with: “When we’re ashamed, we can’t tell our stories, and stories are the foundation of identity. Our greatest personal challenges can be used to consciously create meaning and purpose in our personal identity.”