Every year for over 40 years Ronnyjane Goldsmith has written her obituary determined to make it Sunday New York Times worthy. In the process she challenged norms, confronted power brokers and changed the landscape of her times.
After receiving her BA, MA, and Ph.D. from Temple University, Goldsmith began her career as a public servant, holding appointed positions in Pennsylvania, Maryland and California. The fiscal policies she advanced, well documented by newspapers throughout her career, brought to light conflicts of interest in the public sector that cost taxpayers billions of dollars while enriching the coffers of elected officials, private consultants and labor unions.
Goldsmith left public service after 25 years in order to live up to her obituary by becoming an entrepreneur and philanthropist. When asked why she was leaving public service, she explained only part in jest “because all my references are dead, indicted or incarcerated.”
As an entrepreneur, Goldsmith has built a private investment management business with close to $100 million dollars under management. And as in the public sector, her solutions for private clients are simple and elegant and many times at odds with prevailing practices.
SIGGiving was established by Goldsmith in 1998, the year she left public service to become an entrepreneur. It began with Goldsmith making a $100 donation to charity for each client referred to her.
Over the decades, SIGGiving has grown to embrace programs providing medical assistance to children without hope; programs improving access to higher education for children without family support or financial resources; and programs to preserve our national heritage.
Since inception 46 SIG Scholarships have been awarded to students at Temple University and City College of New York.
Goldsmith is the author of Temple Made. Profiles in Grit, published October 2021 and she is under contract to write CCNY Made. Profiles in Grit. Both books are about alumni who rose to the pinnacle of their professions. Proceeds from the sale of Temple Made. Profiles in Grit are dedicated to The Temple University Alumni Scholarship Fund, endowed by Goldsmith. Proceeds from the sale of CCNY Made. Profiles in Grit are dedicated to the Delancey Street Fund at CCNY established by Goldsmith to assist students facing catastrophic and unforeseen life events.
Goldsmith currently divides her time between San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Palm Beach. She has no plans to retire, still determined to make her obituary Sunday New York Times worthy.
Ronnyjane Goldsmith 