FYIDC | WHO’S NEXT
WHO’S NEXT Youth Philanthropy Advocate Patrick Gage BY ERICA MOODY
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atrick Gage, 20, calls himself a “dedicated abolitionist” who is passionate about bringing an end to human trafficking. The Georgetown University sophomore has spoken out on the issue at some of the most high-profile venues on the world stage – the White House, the United Nations and the Vatican. An heir to the Carlson hotel and hospitality fortune (think Radisson, Country Inns and T.G.I. Fridays), Gage credits his family for inspiring his activism.
of slavery, Pope Francis has taken a stand. He’s an inspiration to the entire anti-trafficking movement. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT SO FAR? Being invited to the Vatican, without a doubt. The symposium I attended brought 80 of the world’s best and brightest young abolitionists together to discuss a host of problems, including a depressing lack of systemic reform in the pr ivate sector. Today, corporate supply chains enslave more than 20 million people. That’s not something I can live with.
HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN FIGHTING MODERN SLAVERY? My interest in fighting this contagion stems from the work of my parents and WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO g randparents; the YOUNG PEOPLE WISHING TO modern abolitionist GET INVOLVED WITH A CAUSE movement has been LIKE YOU DID? First, I would tell one of their philthem not to get discouraged. The anthropic focuses numbers can be daunting: 21-36 for many years. But million people enslaved; hundreds that’s not the whole of millions without access to clean story. About a year water; and billions living in poverty. ago, Nexus, a global But you can make a difference. Trust network of young me. Second, never let anyone tell philanthropists and you you’re too young. And third, Patrick Gage at Georgetown University Meeting the Pope (Photo by Tony Powell) s o c i a l e n t re p re don’t take no for an answer. (Photo by Patrick Gage) neurs, asked me to speak publicly about an overwhelming sense of purpose, like God WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN modern slavery for the first time (at the was telling me, “This is why you’re here, YEARS? I’ll definitely be working with White House, no less). My activism grew Patrick. This is why you were born.” That hotels, either for one company or several from there. was the day I became an abolitionist. (as an independent consultant). Believe it or not, trafficking is a big issue for them. WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT WAS IT LIKE MEETING THE I might start a nonprofit, too. I don’t think THAT EXPERIENCE? I cannot capture in POPE? Incredible. We only exchanged a hotels collaborate enough when it comes to words how much the White House confer- few words, but I’ll never forget it. In a world fighting slavery. The organization I have in ence changed my life. I walked away with that often ignores the continued existence mind would solve that problem.
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