Our Board of Trustees: Meet Ronald B. Given

With a career spanning more than four decades in law, business, and cross-border leadership, Ronald B. Given brings an exceptional level of insight to his role as a Trustee at RED NOSES International. From his first encounter with RED NOSES Croatia, Ronald has witnessed the organisation’s growth from a local start-up to a powerful international movement. 

In this interview, Ronald reflects on how humour, professionalism, and purpose come together in the organisation’s mission, and why he believes RED NOSES is only just beginning to realise its full potential.

• Can you recall your very first experience with RED NOSES? What struck you most, and how has that first impression shaped your long-term engagement?

I first encountered RED NOSES some 15 years ago when I was managing the Zagreb office of a Vienna law firm. We helped RED NOSES set up their initial operation in Croatia. In the beginning RED NOSES did not even have an office in Zagreb so we agreed that the initial team could use our conference rooms until they secured their own space. For a time we would often have clowns mingling with our lawyers and clients as we were all going about our respective tasks. 

Having practiced law for many years, I would sometimes feel (not in a good way necessarily) like I was surrounded by clowns. However, in those early days with RED NOSES, I found myself in fact being surrounded by actual clowns – but clowns of an absolutely enchanting nature who brightened and uplifted the days of lawyers and clients alike. It is so wonderful to see that RED NOSES Croatia has since grown into a robust and important part of the entire RED NOSES organization.

• In your view, what makes RED NOSES unique and how do you see your board role amplifying that uniqueness?

Like those of us in the lawyering trade, RED NOSES more often than not comes into the lives of those we serve when things are difficult for one reason or the other. Even with the magic of clowning, RED NOSES cannot necessarily simply make difficulties disappear. What RED NOSES can and does do is to bring smiles and joy to the here and now which in turn encourages the growth of hope and purpose for whatever is ahead of us. What a marvelous example to follow!

• If you had to describe your personal leadership style as a clown character, what would they be like? What wisdom would they bring to the RED NOSES table?

I think I’d be the clown that might be a little difficult to understand and accept at first, encouraging you to know clearly who you are but also to grasp just as clearly what you can be. As much good as RED NOSES has already done, we are still at the beginning as the needs of the world have never been greater. Although it will be a lot of work, there will be much joy (and many smiles!) in the continuous process of getting there.

Ronald’s insights reflect only part of the story. To learn more about his journey and impact within RED NOSES International, take a look at his full profile here.