In his new book, Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens, Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, makes a compelling case for optimism in the face of global challenges. Drawing from his extensive career, including his work on crises like the East African famine and the 2014 Ebola epidemic, Shah outlines strategies for driving ambitious change. He argues that taking bold, visionary actions—what he calls “big bets”—can attract new ideas, collaboration, and support, even from unlikely stakeholders.

Shah’s message is particularly aimed at inspiring leaders at all levels to reimagine what’s possible in solving today’s problems. He believes that bold solutions, rather than incremental improvements, are the key to achieving transformational change. “People are yearning for a message that is grounded in the idea that we can still do big things together,” he says, emphasizing the potential for collective action.

A central theme of Big Bets is the power of optimism and collaboration. Shah highlights the Periodic Table of Food Initiative as an example of what can happen when leaders across diverse fields—from academia, technology, philanthropy, and nonprofit sectors—come together. This initiative is spearheading groundbreaking scientific research and fostering a cohort of fellows to expand its impact. Shah believes such projects, particularly those that engage young people, are reasons to remain hopeful about the future.

“Making innovation, science, and progress available to everybody can change the face of humanity and bend the curve towards justice, equity, and opportunity for all,” he argues. This belief is reflected throughout Big Bets, where Shah shares stories from his own career, the 110-year history of The Rockefeller Foundation, and examples from leaders around the world, all demonstrating that large-scale change is not only possible, but achievable with the right mindset.

At a time when many feel overwhelmed by climate change and other crises, Shah’s book offers a roadmap for how to move forward. It challenges the pervasive sense of distrust and disinformation, encouraging institutions and individuals to think big and work together to solve the most pressing issues of our time.

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