Beau Olinde
Joseph “Beau” Olinde, Jr. has a long and distinguished record of service to the Baton Rouge community.
A graduate of LSU’s Law Center, he was President and Chairman of the Board of B. Olinde & Sons Company, LLC, the fourth generation of his family involved in the management of the business that began in the late 1800s.
In addition to currently serving on the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation Board, he also serves on the Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge Advisory Board as the Finance Chair. He has held key leadership positions with outstanding organizations in the community, including the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Friends of the Baton Rouge Zoo, Better Business Bureau, Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, Istrouma Area Council of Boy Scouts of America and others.
He is inspired to lead a life of service by his mother, one of founders of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Her legacy of volunteerism instilled in him a strong desire to serve his community.
He says he’s particularly proud to serve on the board of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation because of the exceptional leadership and staff of the organization.
While he has received awards for his service, he his most proud of his family, including, Cheryl, his wife for over 40 years, his two daughters and five grandchildren.
My Mary Bird Perkins Story
What makes Mary Bird Perkins the leading cancer care organization?
Mary Bird Perkins is a premier cancer center that provides innovative treatments using the latest cancer care technology and top-notch educational opportunities for clinicians and students in its programs, such as through the renowned Medical Physics Program. The Cancer Center also participates in national clinical trials and cancer research. It really is one of the country’s leading cancer care centers.
Why do you support Mary Bird Perkins?
I originally got involved with Mary Bird Perkins when my wife was diagnosed with cancer. The depth of care she has received from her treatment team makes it clear that she is receiving the very best care possible.
It is wonderful for such excellence to be available to her right here in Baton Rouge. She receives targeted therapy and is doing very well. Our experience makes it abundantly clear that supporting Mary Bird Perkins benefits our community tremendously.
Why is a gift to the endowment so important?
The endowment provides long-term financial support that enables Mary Bird Perkins to stay on the cutting edge of cancer care, a rapidly evolving field. A gift to the endowment supports providing the Cancer Center’s exceptional care to individuals who would otherwise would not have access to such comprehensive resources.
If someone asked you why he/she should make a gift to Mary Bird Perkins, what would you say?
Your gift helps ensure that patients have access to the advanced technology, the most highly-trained and caring providers and staff, and the depth of care that a cancer patient needs as their disease progresses across the entire continuum of their cancer treatment. It is an investment in the future of cancer care.
What is your vision for MBP and how do you think philanthropy can drive that vision?
Mary Bird Perkins, since its inception, has had the benefit of visionary leaders who have the passion and drive to take the Cancer Center into the future. The opportunity to expand that vision to other communities in the region where individuals can receive the depth of care that Mary Bird offers is very exciting. But we need community and philanthropic support to make that happen.
What motivated you to accept the invitation to serve on the MBPCF Board of Directors?
My personal connection to the mission and witnessing firsthand the impact that Mary Bird’s high degree of expertise has not only on individuals facing a cancer diagnosis, but also on their families and communities. This is what motivated me to devote myself to serving the mission of helping to improve survivorship and of lessening the burden of cancer for everyone.