Winning Stroke: Interview With Matthew Flannery, CEO & Co-Founder, Branch International

If not in the current profession, you would be?
I was almost a philosophy professor!

One tune you always hum?
King without a Crown -- Matisyahu

One book to read when you want to motivate yourself?
Beginner's mind Suzuki Roshi

One dialogue of a movie that motivates you or you like the most?
(nothing)

The place you have never been to and always want to go?
I’ve always wanted to go hiking in the Himalayas.

An animal that signifies you & why?
Dolphins - they are intelligent and social. They display compassion and altruism. One of the reasons why we address everyone at Branch as Dolphins.

A Movie Character you most resemble or resonate with?
Dignan in “Bottle Rocket” is my favorite movie character.  This movie blew my mind when I saw it in high school.  Everyone needs to  channel their inner Dignan.

If your life was to be turned into a movie, who would you like to play your part?
People always say I look like Woody Harrelson.

Luck or Hard Work, what do you think weighs more in defining a successful person?
Doing what you care about; working hard comes easy.  

One best decision you ever made?
Marrying Breanna and starting a family has been more rewarding than any of the accomplishments in life.

A strategy that you always use to take your decisions in Personal or Professional life?
Surrender my ego in service of others.  Leave the world a better place.

Whose advice do you seek when in a dilemma?
I turn to my family and my co-founder - Daniel Jung.

What has been your biggest achievement?One thing that you want to change in yourself?
In terms of work, I think I have played a role of bringing awareness around global inequality to the public.  

A line said by your closed one that you never forget?
Geoff Davis of Unitus offices once said “That sounds like it would be hard to scale”. This was before we started kiva.org It was the first time we had heard that feedback when we started it. We left with a lot to think about, a little depressed, but also resolved to solve the problems in the model. 5 years layer, Kiva.org was one of the stronger businesses with operations across 77 countries.