Colt of the Month:
Mike Delzotti F
rom a young age, Michael Delzotti has found fulfillment through service and through connecting with people. Growing up in Chicago, Illinois, he was always looking for ways to get involved with missions bigger than himself. As the old saying goes, some things never change. In December of 2015, Delzotti was appointed the new President and CEO of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation, whose main purpose is to raise funds for the cutting-edge research and treatment being carried out at the UK Markey Cancer Center, Kentucky’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer treatment and research facility. Located in downtown Lexington with affiliates throughout the state, the Center serves people throughout the Bluegrass from all walks of life and from all societal and economic backgrounds. FOLLOWING A PATH OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP Delzotti’s career has been built in the realm of healthcare philanthropy, but it wasn’t his original plan upon graduation from high school. “I left Chicago to attend college in Philadelphia at Villanova and spent my first two years of college in seminary studying to be a Roman Catholic priest,” said Delzotti. “After much soul searching, I decided it wasn’t for me, but my heart was in meaningful service and I wanted to follow a path that would make a difference in the lives of people who had been dealt a difficult hand. I had done volunteer work all of my life and I had contemplated a number of service-type directions for my life, including the Peace Corps and non-profit work.” Delzotti began his career in healthcare administration, but his talents for communication and his ability to make authentic connections with people from all walks of life soon saw him find his niche in non-profit fundraising. While the majority of his positions have been in the realms of healthcare and higher education, one of his most meaningful forays into the field of philanthropy was as Vice President of Development and Marketing for Special Olympics of Southern California. “The work of Special Olympics is very important and a measure of ours’ as a society. It is a movement full of people with purpose. I loved working with everyone involved with the organization, from the athletes and donors to the volunteers and families. They are all passionate and so giving, whether it is through an investment of money, time or resources,” said Delzotti. Profile by Jen Roytz | Photos by Keni Parks
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OCTOBER 2016 | TOPSINLEX.COM