Dick DeVos: Making It Happen

Dick DeVos – Visionary Leader, Entrepreneur, Investor, Changemaker and Philanthropist.

Dick DeVos is well known for his entrepreneurial spirit and transformational leadership. The son of Amway co-founder Richard DeVos, Dick carved his own path of success, overseeing global ventures, leading iconic companies, and driving initiatives that have made a lasting impact on both the economy and the community. But his influence doesn’t end with his business achievements, DeVos is also a philanthropist whose vision has reshaped education, healthcare and much more.

A Visionary Business Leader

Dick DeVos’ business career demonstrates his ability to identify opportunities and navigate challenges with both vision and strategy. One of his most notable roles was as President of Amway. From 1993 to 2002, DeVos was instrumental in Amway’s growth across six continents, reporting $4.5 billion in sales by his final year. Under his leadership, Amway became a global powerhouse with a values-based culture that fostered individual empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Dick DeVos co-founded the Windquest Group in 1988, an investment firm that focuses on sustainable businesses. Through Windquest, DeVos has invested in a diverse range of industries, including sporting, manufacturing, hospitality, wellness, consumer products and nonprofit solutions. The emphasis has been on driving innovation and job creation in Michigan. The Windquest Group’s portfolio reflects his commitment to building successful businesses with a focus on long-term social and environmental impact.

One of DeVos’ more personal and high-profile business ventures was his family’s acquisition of the Orlando Magic NBA franchise in 1991. As President & CEO, DeVos steered the franchise through key moments and positioned it for future success in the competitive world of professional sports. His connection to the team remains strong, and it continues to be a source of great pride for both his family and the Orlando community.

Uplifting Communities Through Philanthropy

While DeVos is undoubtedly an extraordinary business leader, it is his philanthropic initiatives that have left the most profound mark on the communities he deeply cares about. The Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, which was founded in 1989, has donated millions of dollars to causes that range from educational reform and community development to leadership programs and the arts.

One of Dick DeVos’ greatest passions has been education, particularly the idea that every child should be able to access high-quality schooling, regardless of their background. As co-chair of the Education Freedom Fund, DeVos worked to provide scholarships for low-income children in Michigan, enabling them to attend private schools that would otherwise be financially impossible. His advocacy for school choice has been a key focus of his philanthropic efforts, aimed at giving parents more control over their children’s education and future.

DeVos’ commitment to education is further exemplified at the West Michigan Aviation Academy, a public charter high school founded by DeVos in 2010 that offers students a curriculum that emphasizes aviation and STEM education, giving young people in the region the chance to pursue careers in one of the country’s most dynamic industries. The academy underscores DeVos’ belief that education should be innovative, accessible, relevant and designed to meet the needs of the future workforce.

DeVos’ philanthropic endeavors are not limited to education. His involvement in community development has been transformative, particularly in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. DeVos helped to secure funding for major projects to revitalize the downtown area, with a new convention center, a state-of-the-art arena, and a heart hospital. These developments have contributed significantly to the city’s infrastructure, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

DeVos has also been deeply involved in healthcare, serving as the Chairman of the Board for Spectrum Health, which later merged with Beaumont Health to become Corewell Health. Under his leadership, Spectrum Health grew to become one of Michigan’s leading healthcare providers, known for its commitment to improving patient care and promoting medical initiatives across the region.

Inclusive and Transformational Leadership

Through the foundation, DeVos has supported organizations that promote leadership development, particularly for young people, and works to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to make a difference in their communities. His personal belief in leadership is seen through many of his philanthropic initiatives, which often aim to empower and embolden individuals rather than simply to provide donations.

Dick DeVos’ legacy is built on more than business success; it is built on his passion for shaping a future of progress. His entrepreneurial spirit is matched by a commitment to giving back with purpose, and his philanthropic vision has created tangible impact in education, healthcare, and community development.

DeVos stands out as an example of how business acumen, philanthropy, and a desire to uplift communities can converge to create a lasting impact. Whether through his leadership at major corporations, his investments in sustainable businesses, or his tireless efforts to improve his hometown, Dick DeVos has proven that success is not only about accumulating wealth, but also about making a meaningful difference – for Good.

In conversation with Dick DeVos – Chairman of Windquest Group:

Over the years, you have invested in a diverse range of industries, from manufacturing to sports to hospitality. How do you identify opportunities that align with your long-term vision for both profit and social impact?

I look for opportunities that address real problems in the marketplace and create meaningful value for customers. At the core, if a business can solve a problem better, faster, or more efficiently than others, it has the potential for both strong financial returns and lasting impact. The greater the value created for customers, the greater the opportunity for growth and positive change.

You’ve played a key role in the growth of several high-profile companies. What qualities do you look for in a business or founder before making an investment?

From my experience across a range of businesses — whether with Amway, the Orlando Magic, The Windquest Group, or serving on various boards — I look for three important qualities in a leader: vision, adaptability, and integrity. Great leaders have a clear plan and the ability to see beyond the immediate horizon. But equally important is their willingness to evolve — the most successful businesses are led by people who can adapt to changing markets and challenges. And above all, I look for integrity. Trust is the foundation of any partnership — I want to work with leaders who consistently do what’s right for their business, their customers, and their teams.

With significant investments fostering sustainability, how do you see the future of sustainable investing, and what role do private investors play in addressing global environmental challenges?

At The Windquest Group, we invested in a company that offered an innovative, sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles. Founded in 2009, it has seen meaningful growth in recent years. Looking ahead, I believe companies focused on sustainability have a significant opportunity — but they need to be intentional about telling their story about their value add beyond just a sustainability argument. Customers and investors want to align with businesses that share their values, but they also want their needs met at a high level. Private investors play a critical role here and need to push these companies to sharpen their message, demand high quality performance beyond just a sustainability argument, and then consistently live their values with integrity.

As an investor, you’re often in a position to influence industries and communities. How do you approach the responsibility that comes with wealth, and what impact do you hope to make beyond financial success?

I believe business offers the very best opportunity to improve the human condition, and thoughtful, principled investors play a critical role in fostering business innovation and growth. Governments and NGOs talk about it but business actually gets it done at scale. Business is about so much more than just offering a product or a service. We are truly making the world a better place for our employees, our communities and our customers. Then, when we are rewarded economically for our investment success, I believe we are responsible to also give back. My wife and I launched our family foundation in the late 1980s as a vehicle for our personal charitable giving.

Our philanthropy is centered on cultivating leadership and accelerating transformation in areas (both geographically and philosophically) that are important to us, from strengthening our community to improving educational outcomes. We both learned from our parents’ legacy of generous giving. Their legacy left a profound impression on us and our siblings, and it’s a lesson we’ve carried forward: wealth is a tool — not just for investment, but for impact.

With the rapidly evolving landscape of tech and innovation, how do you stay ahead of market trends, and are there specific technologies or sectors you’re particularly excited about investing in right now?

We don’t have a tech forward focus, so we tend to instead focus on applied tech that improves efficiency, quality and customer service.

You’ve had a diverse career that spans multiple sectors and businesses, with Amway, Orlando Magic, the Windquest Group. What has been the most defining moment or turning point in your journey, and what lessons from that experience do you carry forward today?

I have been fortunate to have spent my career in a variety of executive roles at national and international organizations, and in every chapter of my career, I’ve carried forward lessons that shaped the next. At Amway, when I became vice president of Amway International, I was able to help the organization think differently about international growth challenges and possibilities. When I began, sales outside of the United States accounted for only five percent of overall sales. Six years later, that figure exceeded fifty percent — a shift that transformed the company’s global trajectory.  At the Orlando Magic, we needed to think differently and develop new skills to remain competitive and win Championships. When I returned to Amway as CEO, we again had to think differently about the challenges the company was then facing.

So, the theme for me is that leaders need to know when to optimize what they have – and when it is necessary to think about their business in very different ways so that they can then drive what could be necessary difficult changes.

How do you view the impact and legacy of multi-generational family succession? With US$2.5 Trillion in intergenerational wealth transfer over the next 5-10 years, many new wealth families in Asia are focusing on building stronger legacy and succession plans, what advice would you offer them?

Our family office was founded in 1991 in our hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a resource to help prepare future generations for both the opportunities AND responsibilities of wealth. The office provides professional expertise in areas like finance, tax, investing, and philanthropy — but just as importantly, it fosters a culture of stewardship and shared values. In our family, we concluded that there were really three options for our wealth after we die: 1) Give it to your children/family 2) Give it to the government (in the USA there are substantial death taxes at higher wealth levels), or 3) Give it all away to charity. Our conclusion was that we trusted our children the most to invest wisely to help grow businesses, and continue to give generously to the things (areas and ideas/ideals) that we as a family believe in. My advice to other families is to be intentional about legacy — it’s not just about transferring assets, but about equipping the next generation with the tools, character, and vision to lead, to invest well in businesses that help make our world a better place, and to give generously.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and investors looking to replicate your success, especially those passionate about making a sustainable, positive impact in their industries?

First and foremost, find your purpose—success is much more fulfilling when it’s tied to a mission beyond just financial gain. Focus on building something meaningful. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you and are willing to hold you accountable. Continue to learn and be curious. Finally, be bold—many of the best opportunities come from taking smart risks and having the courage to innovate where others hesitate.

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