BRUCE KUSMIN

BRUCE KUSMIN

Global Community Impact

“My life isn’t only about my business,” said Bruce Kusmin, co-founder of Mariner Wealth Advisors LLC in Leawood, Kan. (primary custodians Fidelity and Schwab Institutional Services). “Working with the Global Orphan Project helped me find my purpose.”

Founded in 2003, the Global Orphan Project serves orphans by building supportive infrastructure in their home countries.

The organization works with the country’s local churches to build villages that include orphanages (referred to as homes), schools, cafeterias and businesses to sustain the community. There are now about 140 homes in 40 villages in countries such as Haiti, Uganda, and the Philippines, altogether helping 3,500 orphans.

Mr. Kusmin was introduced to the project when he helped its founders, who are also his clients, “transition from the corporate world to the philanthropic world.”

As a board member, Mr. Kusmin is involved with fundraising, public relations and outreach.

“I lead “vision trips’ to Haiti to inspire people and build awareness,” he said. “In 2011 so far, 600 people have gone. They’re usually affiliated with a church or business that supports us, or they come because friends tell them what a life-changing experience it was. It puts things back into perspective pretty quickly — the local people find joy in simple things.”