In this episode, Michael Staenberg, Founder & Owner of The Staenberg Group, reveals the childhood lessons his father taught him about the importance of being a partner and the wisdom of "staying in your lane" learned from delivering newspapers to Warren Buffett. He also shares the personal philosophy behind his "converging ripple theory" and why his company's philosophy extends beyond the boardroom to a commitment to community transformation. This conversation is a compelling reminder that the biggest legacies aren't just built with bricks and mortar, but with a compassionate heart and the humility to learn from every experience.
Bio: Michael Staenberg, founder and president of The Staenberg Group, achieved unprecedented success in the commercial real estate sector, but his greatest achievements may be through his charity. His father, who passed away when Michael was 13, taught him the importance of giving back, through the Jewish tenants of tzedakah, charity, and Tikkun Olam, acts of kindness to repair the world.
Michael began making charitable donations over 40 years ago. In 1984, he made his first large gift, $80,000 to the Dwight Davis outdoor tennis center in St. Louis’s historic Forest Park, to fix the center court and ensure that people had a nice place to play.
In 2005, Michael established The Staenberg Family Foundation, whose mission is to ensure that the Jewish community, as well as the greater St. Louis region, thrives and flourishes. Funding supports programs relating to Jewish causes, arts and culture, children, education, and medical services. Over the past 20 years, through his foundation and additional personal donations, Michael has given over $110 million in cash donations to over 700 organizations.
Michael and his family are dedicated to building a legacy of giving to create positive change “I want my kids, the younger generation, to know that you’re not going to go broke giving. Time, talent and treasure – you can always give at least one of these.”
What makes Michael’s giving truly extraordinary is that he invests far more than cash. Michael lends his professional expertise and vast network to assist organizations with sound business practices, access to builders, developers, facilities, property and capital. He has generously used this leverage and expertise to help nonprofit organizations purchase buildings, retain loans and improve infrastructure so that they can serve clients more effectively and efficiently. He has donated over $500 million through these additional efforts.
Michael saved the Jewish Community Center in St. Louis from bankruptcy and subsequently rebuilt the entire Millstone campus – investing hundreds of millions to transform the Jewish Federation, Holocaust Museum, JCC, the Fox building and Crown Center Senior Living facility into state-of-the-art facilities serving the community. He has led transformations of the Kansas City, Omaha, Denver and St. Paul Jewish Community Centers, historic Forest Park in St. Louis, the Center for Creative Arts in St. Louis, and many more.
Getting hands on with each project is what makes Michael stand out. Having the means to fund worthy causes is important to him, but being a real part of the change in the community is even more so. “If people want my money, they get my advice,” Michael explains. “If they want my advice, they get my money.”
Michael gives his time, expertise and resources to many organizations. He serves as a board member and has been in numerous leadership roles for agencies including the Jewish Community Center (St. Louis and Denver), Regional Business Council, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, The Sheldon Arts Foundation, Variety Club the St. Louis Charity, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis, and Forest Park Forever, among others.
Something Extra: "I think that something extra for every leader is to be able to put yourself in someone else's shoes and understand where they're coming from ."
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