Growing up in a middle-class family as one of six children, the importance of hard work, perseverance, and helping others was drilled into us. My mother Jeanette had a special presence with others and embodied a spirit of curiosity — and a touch of playful mischief — in all she did. She approached life with a spirit of generosity that shaped who I am and continues to guide the way I live and lead.

I’ve been fortunate in life. I’ve had the privilege of building companies that help people live healthier and happier lives, worked alongside passionate people, and learned from incredible mentors and partners. These opportunities have provided me with resources far beyond what I ever imagined. With that comes a responsibility — not just to give, but to give generously and intentionally. One of my mentors, a college professor named Douglas Candland, put it simply: we didn’t educate you to make money, we educated you to make a difference. And like my Mom, he would have asked how I was using my good fortune financially to make the world a better place.

That’s why I’m joining the Giving Pledge.

My commitment to give back is rooted in the Jewish tradition of “tikkun olam,” repairing the world. I believe philanthropy should be proactive, entrepreneurial, performance-driven, and deeply personal. It should be about solving big problems. It should challenge the status quo, amplify voices that go unheard, and invest in the future we all want to build for and gift to our families, our loved ones, and to those less fortunate.

Much of my giving has focused on health and care, along with education, areas I believe are foundational to unlocking human potential. Most recently, I’ve made a $100 million commitment to accelerate progress in diabetes research — a cause that’s both personal and urgent. But this pledge is about more than one issue. It’s about a lifelong commitment to using my resources to drive change, empower others, and leave the world a better place than we found it.

I’m blessed with three amazing children, who inspire me every day, and three awesome grandchildren with another on the way. But I consider my family so much larger because we all have to care for each other and set an example that would make our own children proud.

I’m grateful to be joining a community of people who believe, as I do, that the gift of wealth should serve a higher purpose. For me, this pledge serves not as a final destination, but as a public declaration of my ongoing commitment to give more, do more, and live up to the values that have guided me this far.

— Glen Tullman

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” — Roald Dahl