Jeff’s favorite movie is “Field of Dreams” (he’s even taken our team on a road trip to Dyersville, Iowa, where it was filmed), so it’s no surprise that The Prouty Project — the company he founded 30+ years ago — has become a “field” where he works with others to make dreams come true.
Many of the dreams are business-related: each year, Jeff and his team work with up to 100 CEOs from all over the world, helping them develop strategic plans and stronger leaders. His capacity for serving as a true visionary, for his own organization and in support of his clients, is well known. What’s even more impressive however, is his predisposition for optimism and kindness. That reputation has fueled his firm’s success for more than three decades.
Jeff and his wife Mary live in Eden Prairie. They have two daughters, Paige and Shea, both adopted from China. The family actively contributes their time, talent and treasure to causes they care about, including the National Charity League, Inc., Ronald McDonald House, Sigma Phi Epsilon National Fraternity, FINNEGANS Board of Inspiration (FBI), the Minnetonka Band Boosters and one initiative they hold particularly dear — The Prouty Project Stretch Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation, which they intend to grow to $2 million.
In his free time, Jeff, who describes himself as “the luckiest guy in the world,” enjoys reading, seeing movies, working out and spending time on Think Tank II, The Prouty Project’s powerboat and “floating meeting space,” the perfect spot for both Jeff and clients to dream new dreams and steer a course to new horizons.
“After doing a little homework on The Prouty Project, I expected to meet a cool guy with a groovy office and a good vibe. Wow! I totally underestimated everything! What’s the word for cooler than cool? Jeff Prouty! Hiker, good-deed doer, thoughtful boss, and a big thinker! Offices that are so thoughtful that you feel smarter just being there! Good vibe? How about a GREAT vibe! I left your office in such a good mood I sang all of the songs on the Mama Mia cast album while saving a cat stuck in a tree and helping an elderly woman across the street!”
Brad Pappas
Executive Director, FEI
As I reflect on the last 36 years—we have worked with over 800 companies, and over 150 boards of directors---it’s exciting to think about the growth we have seen among clients and their leaders.
Whether it’s a $1 million not-for-profit, a $5 million farming and trucking business, a $15 billion publicly-traded company, or a $30 billion privately-held financial services company, it’s a joy--every day--and I look forward to the next 36 years, at which point I’ll be 103 years old. (Ala Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger.)
