"Whose going to reach my people but me?" Interview with Sharon Chen

In this episode, taped in November of 2024, Michael Gast interviews Sharon Chen, an important U.S. based leader in the work of organizing the rich. Earlier this year, Mike and Sharon's conversation was turned into a Substack post titled, "Who's going to reach my people but me?". Sharon is currently (as of Fall 2025) the Interim Executive Director of Donors of Color Network, the former board chair of Donors of Color Action, board member of Women Donors Network, and emeritus president of the Progress Alliance of Washington [the C4 state donor table for WA]. A daughter of immigrants, she was one of three women and the only woman of color to graduate from Princeton University in the 90s with a computer science degree. In the subsequent decades, she became wealthy, along with her husband, working for Microsoft.Listen in to hear about Sharon’s early money memories, and her journey from an apolitical techie to an engaged donor organizer. With honesty and laughter, Sharon shares her personal story and reflects on the role of embarrassment, shame and redemption in this work, and why it's so important for wealthy progressives to take responsibility for organizing the rich.Later on, Sharon and Mike talk about the importance of having spaces just for wealthy women and wealthy people of color, the role of patriarchy and the "male gaze", and what cross-racial solidarity can look like.This is a must-listen episode that cover so much – UNICEF boxes, carbon in the atmosphere, code-switching, and the importance of moving the rich from behind the microscope to under the microscope. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, please rate and review it on Apple podcasts, and share it with others. We’re relying on our community, like you, to help us spread the word.To learn more about Organize the Rich and find us on Substack, YouTube or Instagram: https://linktr.ee/organizetherichOrganize the Rich Radio is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.