Reflections on Growth and Community: Tanner Wright

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how your background brought you here?

My name is Tanner, and I am a licensed attorney. I currently work as an in-house counsel for a rapidly growing infrastructure investment firm in the renewable energy sector. Previously, I've worked in other cutting-edge sectors, such as life sciences and early-stage venture capital. I've been very fortunate to have these experiences, and these opportunities have all taught me a lot along the way. As I got connected with Dreamzilla, I realized I had a wonderful opportunity to "pay it forward" and put my background towards helping others through servant-leadership (Servant- leadership is a leadership philosophy that prioritizes the growth, well-being, and empowerment of the community.)

How did your gifts bring you here?

I've always believed it important to serve others I come into contact through mentorship and inspiration. Over the years, I found that I grew a great deal personally and professionally through various mentors. I learned firsthand what made great mentors great and what worked well in inspiring other individuals to be the best version of themselves. Today, Dreamzilla is another wonderful opportunity for me to continue to grow as a person while also serving others.

What inspired you to join the board of Dreamzilla?

A number of years ago, while I was still in law school, I took a course called Corporate Governance. This particular class discussed the role of directors serving on boards and the fiduciary duties assumed by them. The course was taught by the legendary William H. Cunningham, a former President of the University of Texas and a Board Member for Southwest Airlines for over 20 years. If it wasn't for Professor Cunningham, I don't think I would have ever realized that serving as a Board Member with a nonprofit is a realistic, fulfilling way to advance a cause.

What duties does your role involve?

As a member of the Board of Directors for Dreamzilla, my role involves several things. First, I advise on strategic oversights. The Board and I help set long-term goals, evaluate the performance of the executive team, and monitor the effectiveness of programs and services. Second, we ensure financial stewardship. This includes approving the budget, overseeing fundraising efforts, and reviewing financial statements to ensure accuracy and transparency within Dreamzilla. Third, the Board of Directors govern the organization. We approve policies, recruit and orient new board members when needed, and we participate in board evaluations, succession planning, and other matters as they arise.

What do you like best about this position?

While I'm still stepping into this role, I have been very impressed by the quality of my fellow Directors and the Executive Director of Dreamzilla. I've already learned a great deal, both in professional and personal matters, in such a short amount of time from these individuals.

How does Dreamzilla’s mission align with your personal or professional values?

One of the more important lessons I've learned over the years is to have a great attitude about every situation. There is always a new takeaway from each circumstance, if one knows where to look for it. Dreamzilla and I both want to encourage people to be the best they can be and to constantly move forward in life in a healthy way, no matter what the challenge may be.

Life will always be full of challenges. Those we cannot control, but we can always control our attitude and how we respond.

What do you think sets Dreamzilla apart from other organizations?

Dreamzilla is really more than just an organization. It's a mission statement and an attitude. Dreamzilla is about being the best you can be and taking on life with the support and encouragement of a like-minded community that wants to help others succeed. Dreamzilla wants to enact a generational change in our communities through promoting excellence in our lives, especially for those with neurodivergence.

How do you see Dreamzilla growing in the next three years (short-term)? and in the next ten years (long-term)?

Over the next three years, I'd like to see Dreamzilla set up and carry out its programs successfully while implementing a number of standard operating procedures. By year three, I hope Dreamzilla will be able to positively impact the lives of hundreds of individuals around the country. As for the next decade, I hope Dreamzilla can expand its mission internationally in multiple countries around the world and have successful programs in place that can impact tens of thousands of lives in a meaningful way each year.

How do you measure success?

Success looks like inspiring and challenging others to be a better, healthier version of themselves. I've often thought that this type of success has a "multiplier" effect, where these other individuals go forward and challenge others to be the best they can be. Success is really a grassroots effort that will lead to a community-wide change for the better.

How has your disability impacted your life and your career? Were there any personal or professional challenges you had to overcome?

I was born completely deaf in both ears. Back in those days, there really wasn't much that could be done for deaf individuals, so they were largely left to their own in separate communities. However, my parents came across a then-new, unique medical device called the Cochlear Implant. It was cutting-edge tech then and still is incredibly impressive today. The Cochlear Implant is a device that is surgically implanted to allow certain deaf individuals to hear. As one could expect, my childhood was full of numerous challenges physically and socially, but my experience with deafness and my cochlear implant taught me one of the greatest lessons I'll ever learn: grit, determination, and focus will always be greater than the sum of the challenge before you. Over my lifetime, I've made it a personal mission to inspire others and to help them find their own grit, no matter the circumstances. 

Who is someone who inspires you?

My Granddad was the greatest person I had ever had the privilege of meeting. While there's too much to say about his life to put here, one of the recurring themes of his life was that he was content with what he had. He never wanted more than what he needed, and he was always the first person to give if he saw others in need. He was a pilot for the US Marine Corps during the Second World War, where I think he realized that he just wanted to spend the rest of his days in peace. 

What do you wish more people understood about autism?

Autism is just a different way of experiencing the world and processing it. Those with autism often mask to fit in socially, which is an exhausting effort that can lead to burnout for many individuals. At the end of the day, we have to realize that everyone is unique.

If you could give one piece of advice to a loved one of a neurodivergent person, what would it be? 

Practice patience. Many times, what looks like resistance might just be a response due to a feeling of being overwhelmed. Neurodivergent persons are just trying to navigate a difficult world in ways that often seem unfamiliar and unconventional to us. Instead of us trying to "fix" or "interpret" their behavior through our lens, the most meaningful response can often just be a mature display of patience towards others.