FIVE MINUTES WITH ...
DEREK WHITE
Derek White is the CEO of Galileo , the API standard for card issuing and digital banking . He tells us what inspires him daily and what he ’ s most looking forward to doing as life returns to normal again
Q . WHO WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD HERO AND WHY ?
» My father ; not just when I was a child , but still today . That unending patience and attentive listening with perfectly placed questions to prompt and guide are invaluable . Dad raised me to believe we could become ANYTHING we wanted to , if we search for truth , with an emphasis on continuous learning , finding the joy of serving others above ourselves , academics over athletics , the power and value of hard work , humility , organisational behaviour and positivity .
Q . WHAT ' S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED ?
» “ Open your mouth .” As a kid growing up in the mountains of Utah , I dreamed of one day working in global business and living abroad . A friend taught me the first step in realising your dreams is to open your mouth and share your dream with others ; you never know who will help open a door for you . When I shared my dream with one of my mentors , she picked up the phone and within a week my dream was a reality .
Q . WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ - AND HOW LONG AGO DID YOU READ IT
» I don ' t read a lot of books , but I reflect a lot on what I do read . I also bounce between multiple books at the same time . I recently read AI 2041 by Kai-Fu Lee . I admire and have met Kai-Fu Lee a number of times in China . His ability to simplify complexity and peek into the future is inspiring .