It’s been a little over two months since Jean S. Desravines took the helm as president of The Wallace Foundation, and he’s already approaching the role with the same focus and spirit that earned him a brown belt in Taekwondo. A longtime education and nonprofit leader, Jean spent more than two decades helping to create learning environments where students can thrive. He was previously the CEO of New Leaders, where he helped expand access to effective school leadership for nearly two million students nationwide. He has also held several executive leadership roles with New York City Public Schools, co-authored two books, and he was named to Forbes’ “Impact 30” list of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.
Now, we’re turning the spotlight from his professional accomplishments to the person behind them. From running five to seven miles a day to salsa dancing with his daughter, Jean shares a few glimpses of what inspires and recharges him outside the office.
What was the last arts or cultural event you attended that left an impression on you?
Just a few weeks ago, I attended a wonderful event to see my daughter, a trained ballerina, dance at her college. It was a salsa dance celebration. The level of intricacy of the dance and how they were able to bring a level of joy and expression through their movement was energizing and mesmerizing. It was a source of pride and wonder to be able to see firsthand, not only my daughter, but many of her classmates engaging in such a beautiful artistic endeavor.
What is a creative outlet or hobby you enjoy that people might be surprised to learn about?
There are actually two. First, I am a brown belt in Taekwondo. I began my Taekwondo journey with my son over 15 years ago, and it’s something we continue to regularly do together. The second is that I love dancing, many forms of it, and that’s partly due to the years of watching my daughter train. It's also a great way for me to stay engaged with my daughter. The dances we enjoy most are salsa, kompa, jazz, and hip-hop. I’d like to think that some of her natural talent comes from me! It’s truly a pleasure to be able to share these hobbies with my kids, who are now young adults. Spending time with them is always a gift.
Being able to be resilient and lead with a steady hand during times of opposition is a differentiating factor in leadership.
What’s one everyday ritual that helps you stay balanced in busy times?
The ritual that keeps me balanced is that I work out five to seven days a week. It’s a habit I’ve kept for the past 10 years. I not only appreciate that it is a source of physical exertion, but that it also allows me to meditate and manage my stress levels. I like how I can use it to decompress at the end of the day, or conversely, set the right tone as I start my day. My workout routines can be pretty intense. I try to run five to seven miles a day, and I lift weights four to five times a week.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from a mentor, teacher, coach, or family/friend?
The advice I most value from my mentor, who served on over 20 corporate boards and was a mentor for Steve Jobs, is to be steadfast as a leader. She pointed out that, at times, you’ll get resistance and pushback, particularly around tough issues. Being able to be resilient and lead with a steady hand during times of opposition is a differentiating factor in leadership. I’ve turned to this advice many times over the course of my career.
Another piece of advice that I have gotten from my mentor has been to focus on the right things and have the right sense of perspective on day-to-day things to really focus your energy around what really matters. And enjoy yourself while you do things. Oftentimes, we take ourselves too seriously, and it's okay to enjoy yourself and to smile.
What’s your favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
After I've worked out, my favorite Sunday afternoons are those where I connect with friends and family over a meal. I love going out to brunch, finding a favorite spot that we haven’t been to in a while and having a long, relaxed conversation. A couple favorite brunch spots are Limani on Long Island—I have a soft spot for seafood—and BK9 in Brooklyn, which serves some Caribbean food of my childhood.
