January 20, 2023 – On his first visit to Ethiopia in 2009, Jeff Butler was struck by the devastating impact of poverty on so many families there. “I saw for the first time how extreme poverty causes vulnerable families to disintegrate, leaving countless children abandoned and alone to survive on the streets or enslaved in human trafficking,” he recalls. “I couldn’t stop asking myself, ‘What am I going to do about this?’”
He soon discovered that the same strengths that helped him excel as an account executive at McKesson Medical-Surgical – listening, caring, building relationships and problem-solving – could also help him improve the lives of families in Ethiopia. Through Family Hope International, a nonprofit organization he founded 10 years ago, he has transformed families on the brink of starvation into independent entrepreneurs who can provide for their children and remain hopeful for a brighter future.
Twenty years ago, when Butler’s longtime friend, Ben Hull, mentioned how much he enjoyed working at McKesson and suggested that medical product sales might be a great fit for Butler, it led to some careful consideration. “I had been with Boeing for almost 10 years and was ready to explore a new opportunity,” he says. Still, there were plenty of discussions with his wife, Crystal, before he felt ready to make the leap. “It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life!”
Several years later, in 2009, Hull opened another door for his friend. “Ben invited me on a mission trip to Ethiopia to visit several widow and orphan homes,” says Butler. “My heart broke over the hopelessness I saw in the eyes of desperate mothers and hungry children. I learned that Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries on Earth. It has some of the highest number of orphans and homeless children. I could see how severe and urgent the need was and knew something had to be done.”
In 2012, he founded Family Hope International. He has served as president ever since alongside another close friend and McKesson account manager, Ethan Bauer, the organization’s vice president. Together, they have developed “an incredible U.S. and Ethiopian staff who really make this program work,” says Butler. “Both our part-time and full-time staff work tirelessly to care for our sponsored families. “If our team is successful in their roles, we can fulfill our mission. So my primary role is to help them stay focused on – and expand – our vision, as well as help solve any problems and address obstacles.
Read more in the latest issue of Repertoire Magazine.