Jeff Perlman

JEFF PERLMAN
Cornerstone Class 24
EVP
CDS International Holdings
Gulfstream Region

Briefly describe your organization and its journey:

We started the Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation in 2021 at the request of our founder, a world class entrepreneur who revolutionized nutrition (Rexall Sundown) and energy drinks (Celsius). Our goal is to build a transformational philanthropy that will improve lives in Palm Beach and Broward. To date, we have funded over 50 innovative nonprofits and we’ve only just begun. In 2027, we expect to be one of the largest family foundations in Florida. We believe in relationships not transactions. We partner with organizations that are changing and saving lives. Our goal is to give people the tools to break the cycle of poverty. We also invest in health, entrepreneurship, leadership, education, vocational training and Alzheimer’s research. Every day this work enables us to work with community heroes who are devoting their lives to bettering the lives of others. Our job is to partner with and help these leaders do the work that builds and sustain communities.

What leadership lesson contributed to the success of your business or business you are affiliated with?

The best lesson I’ve learned is that leadership is a job to do, not a job to have. At every stop in my career, journalist, editor, mayor, C-suite executive and now philanthropist I’ve strived to move the ‘big rocks’. You can’t play it safe, you have to dream big, work hard and make good things happen. 

Thank you to our sponsor!