Meet Drew Koven

We were lucky to catch up with Drew Koven recently and have shared our conversation below.

Drew , we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

I was raised to give back and be kind.

My generosity through many experiences including most recently the LA Strong Foundation where I am co chair and Executive Director is an extension of my career in venture capital and executive leadership in the consumer goods industry.

I’ve been fortunate to build success and resources that I now channel into helping others.

Along with my wife Maxi, I’ve turned that success into heartfelt, hands-on, logistical, and rapid recovery and relief work, especially for wildfire victims by leveraging both personal resources and strong partnerships to deliver real-time impact.

Hands on with boots on the ground, my commitment is deeply rooted in my Torah, spiritual, and rabbinical studies, which continually remind me of the importance of Oneness, responsibility, service, and compassion. Growing up in Brooklyn, and living in East Harlem later on with a mother who was a school guidance counselor, I saw firsthand the realities of privilege and inequality.

As someone fortunate in many ways, I learned early on the importance of standing with and standing up for those who didn’t have the same access to resources and opportunities.

My diverse group of friends and experiences expand my knowledge and understanding of daily life and constantly shape my beliefs, that embracing differences is a strength, and that generosity must be action-driven, not just spoken words.

I believe true leadership isn’t measured by net worth and what we accumulate, but by what we give and how we show up for our communities to create self esteem and self worth for others, especially now if we seek to build a better future.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

What I do through the LA Strong Foundation is build connections, community and relationships that bring together people, resources, and partnerships to respond quickly and effectively when communities are in crisis.

Whether it’s organizing massive relief drives, securing essential goods, or creating networks of support, I focus on direct impact, making sure help gets to those who need it fast and with dignity.

What excites me most about this work is seeing how generosity sparks more generosity.

When neighbors, businesses, and volunteers all come together, you witness the power of community at its very best. It’s not just about donations or logistics, it’s about reminding people that they are not alone, that someone cares, and that recovery is possible. That feeling of shared strength and resilience is truly special.

What I’d like people to know is that my commitment to this work comes from more than my professional success, it’s rooted in my Torah and spiritual studies, in the lessons I learned from my mother, a school guidance counselor, and in my upbringing in East Harlem and Brooklyn.

Growing up, I experienced privilege alongside inequality and was shaped by a diverse group of friends who taught me the importance of kindness, empathy, inclusion, and standing up for others. Those lessons guide me everyday. .

At the end of the day, I believe leadership isn’t about what you gain, but about availability, accessibility, what you give and how you show up for your community. That’s what drives me.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, relationship-building, and perspective.

Faith in G-d which builds Resiliency. This has carried me through setbacks and uncertainty, both in business and in philanthropy. Nothing ever goes exactly as planned, markets shift, partnerships fall through, disasters happen, but the ability to see things more deeply, reflect and adapt and keep moving forward has been essential.

My advice for anyone early in their journey is to treat challenges as teachers, opportunities for learning and growth.

Instead of asking “Why is this happening to me?” ask “Why is this happening for me?”

Relationship-building has been just as important. Every major step in my career, and my work with LA Strong has come through building genuine connection, sharing resources with colleagues, mentoring and investing in entrepreneurs, needs gathering with community leaders, and collective actions with neighbors.

For those starting out, my advice is to focus on listening more than talking, and to approach people with authenticity. Relationships based on trust and mutual respect will open doors you never could have forced open on your own. And have faith that if your intentions are true and just, G-d will see that and help.

Finally, to further that point is a strategic and positive perspective—shaped by my Torah and spiritual studies, my upbringing, living in East Harlem and Brooklyn, and the diverse people, the friends I grew up with and am still in touch with, all this helps to inform and inspire how I see the world and my role in it.

Perspective, my family, friends and meaningful work are the things that keep me grounded, it reminds you what truly matters, and prevents success from being only about personal gain or a what’s in it for me, transactional mindset.

For anyone developing this, I’d say: seek out experiences beyond your comfort zone, surround yourself with people who see the world differently, and take time for reflection, be clear on your why and live with positive intentions.

If you can develop resilience, relationships, and a perspective of gratitude and generosity, you’ll not only grow in your career—you’ll grow as a person and inspire others to do likewise. You’ll also live happier with higher purpose.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The Torah, Old Testament has been a guiding force in my development, shaping how I see my responsibilities to others and how I try to live my life. A few of the most impactful lessons for me are:
• Tzedakah (righteous giving) – The Torah teaches that giving isn’t just charity, it’s an obligation. That perspective transformed how I think about generosity. It’s not optional—it’s part of who we’re meant to be.
• B’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God) – The idea that every person has inherent dignity and worth. That teaching has guided how I approach diversity, equity, and inclusion, reminding me that standing up for others is not just a value, but a responsibility.
• Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) – This principle fuels both my business and philanthropic work. The world is imperfect, but each of us has the opportunity—and the duty—to do our part in making it better.

These teachings have been more than ideas to study—they’ve been a compass for how I act, how I lead, and how I try to show up for others, whether in my community, in business, or through LA Strong.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lastrongfoundation.org
• Instagram: @lastrongfoundation
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akoven
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

Image Credit
Andy Gordon