Is Capitalism Good? A Journey from Steel Mills to Social Impact with Brian Gallagher

• X
• LinkedIn

In this powerful episode of the Business Elevation Show, Chris Cooper speaks with Brian Gallagher – former CEO of United Way Worldwide and current Founder of the Leargas Group – about one of today’s most pressing questions: Is capitalism good?

Drawing on a life journey from humble beginnings in a steel town to leading one of the world’s most influential non-profits, we will discuss insights on inequality, planetary health, and the urgent need to rebuild social capital in our digital age. With deep experience in systems thinking, impact investing, and philanthropy, Brian offers a rare, honest perspective on how we can realign economic models to serve both people and planet.

Here are some key takeaways from the interview:

• Personal Adversity Shapes Social Values
  Brian’s upbringing in a working-class immigrant family, marked by financial instability and witnessing both gender and racial inequalities, fostered empathy and a deep commitment to supporting the underdog. His early life taught him that not everyone starts with the same opportunities, which later fuelled his passion for social impact and equity in his professional endeavours
  .
  Capitalism’s Dual Nature: Potential and Pitfalls
  Brian offered a nuanced take on capitalism. He acknowledged its role in creating economic vitality and lifting many out of poverty, but also emphasised its inherent inequalities—especially during periods of dramatic transformation like the current digital revolution. He argued that while capitalism is better than any realistic alternative, it still requires checks—either from government, philanthropy, or, increasingly, private capital—to mitigate inequality and promote collective, not just individual, success.
  
  The Power of Saying “Yes” and Navigating Change
  A key to Brian’s 39-year career progression, eventually becoming CEO of United Way Worldwide, was a willingness to say “yes” to new opportunities—even those he felt unprepared for initially. He stressed that significant organisational and social change comes from creating compelling visions for the future, building buy-in from the middle majority, and adapting as you proceed rather than waiting for perfect plans or heroes.
  
  Biomimicry and Ecosystem Thinking in Social Impact
  Brian’s current work with the Abundance Circle employs biomimicry as a framework for impact investing, emphasising that financial returns and social good should coexist—much like balanced natural ecosystems—rather than one being subordinated to the other. This approach seeks to regenerate and recirculate resources, connecting capital with impact at the local level and prioritising people and planet alongside profit.
  
  Real Change Starts with Individuals, Not Heroes
  One of Brian’s lasting messages was that real, normative change starts with people at the grassroots—not with “Superman” figures or political leaders. He encouraged everyone to contribute actively to positive social change within their sphere of influence. Optimism, collective action, and personal responsibility are the foundation for societal progress.

Big change happens when normative change happens first, when we as people, through our actions and our beliefs and our desires, start to overwhelm policy and economics.
Superman’s not coming. Do it yourself. It’s on us.
– Brian Gallagher

This conversation isn’t just about business – it’s about humanity, purpose, and the kind of future we want to co-create. Essential listening for leaders, changemakers, and anyone committed to meaningful change..

You can listen to this Business Elevation Show interview with Chris Cooper & Brian Gallagher here. Alternatively on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio (latter US only).

---

More about Brian Gallagher:

Brian Gallagher is the Founder and CEO of the Leargas Group, an economic and social impact firm focused on creating social capital using digital technology, racial justice and equity, and impact investing.

Gallagher co-founded the Abundance Circle. Working with a group of partners, the Abundance Circle led a design process to create a multi-sector approach to impact investing. The Abundance Circle is an initiative with the purpose of developing a true multi-stakeholder approach to collective impact, through systems thinking, using conscious capital, through a biomimicry lens, and putting people and planet at the center.

Gallagher also co-founded Donorful. Donorful is a company working with commercial donor advised funds and wealth advisors and their clients to match their philanthropy with results-oriented non-profits and initiatives through an effective and trusted “Smart Network” of local United Ways and Community Foundations.

Gallagher had a long career with United Way. He served as the United Way Worldwide CEO for 19 years. He is responsible for several advancements at United Way. He established new membership standards that required internal consistency and public transparency in financial reporting. Under his leadership, United Way changed its mission from one focused on fundraising to measurable community impact. Under Gallagher’s leadership United Way became the largest privately supported non-profit in the world, and one of the non-profit sectors’ most valuable brands. United Way is now active in 40 countries around the world as a single brand.

---