Phil McDonald

Phil McDonald is president of Leader Empowerment And Development, Inc. (LEAD), an American nonprofit that empowers leaders in the developing world through education and social entrepreneurship. With work experience in thirty-eight countries, the author has helped set up or empower more than 150 overseas development projects on five continents. Projects included hospitals, clinics, orphanages, community centers, schools, businesses, farms, plantations, and factories. His current priority is helping social enterprises, bringing hope and dignity to his field partners. Phil earned a Ph.D. in International Education from Michigan State University and specialized in national planning, policy analysis, and development economics. It was an unusual challenge from a college basketball coach that launched his journey into the wider world. After two summers in Africa, he was hooked on international adventure and humanitarian work. Over the next four decades, he clocked more than two million air miles on fifty-five airlines, the equivalent to eighty trips around the world. A published textbook author, McDonald was drawn to story-telling because the power of stories shows how the real world works. His recent book, unreal: Adventures of a Family's Global Life, is a memoir of fascinating experiences over the course of his career. He says, "Make no mistake, don't let the word 'unreal' fool you. Trust me, personal experiences with lions, rhinos, riots, war zones, rebel fighters, coups, pirates, terrorists, traffickers, cyclones, and deadly tropical disease were all very real." In other words, his book is a real-life journey of thrilling adventures, yet focuses on his amazing field partners, whose empowered lives will inspire you.