“I have found that the best way to learn what truly brings you satisfaction and purpose is to try something completely outside of your normal comfort zone or experience. Sometimes you will succeed; other times you will fail miserably. The fact is – both are completely fine. The real failure is not having tried something new in the first place.” – Bill W.
FabNewport is very excited to welcome William Wynne to our Board of Directors.
Bill is a trial lawyer with Nixon and Peabody who assists clients with complex commercial, business, land use, and real estate litigation. He has extensive experience litigating matters in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts state and federal courts. He frequently uses this experience as outside general counsel to small businesses and start-ups to identify, assess, and mitigate risk in their business practices. Bill is recognized within the legal community for his strong track record in commercial litigation and real estate law.
It is imperative for us to learn from each one of our members. How would you describe your journey?
Grateful dedication. I have always been driven by a competitive need to “do better.” Whether it was in sports or academics, I always wanted to push myself to be the best that I could and work with those around me to achieve the same for the team. In high school I had the unique opportunity to try something that, as a lifelong competitive swimmer up until that point, I normally would never have experienced – rugby. What started as a whim one afternoon, grew to a lifelong passion playing for colleges and clubs around the country and ultimately led to the honor of playing for the United States in international competition.
After I realized, much to my chagrin, that I likely could not continue to play high-level rugby forever, I had to find a new outlet to focus my energies. I was lucky enough to know from a young age that I wanted to dedicate myself to helping people in their time of need. For me, that naturally lent itself to becoming an attorney where I have applied that same drive I once placed on athletics, training, and team building toward becoming a passionate advocate and trusted counsel for my clients.
The challenges I overcame and success I experienced outside of the classroom had a positive, enduring impact on my performance inside the classroom and throughout my professional life. However, I could not have achieved that success on my own. The important thing that I learned throughout my professional journey is that while we can all strive to do the best that we can, we are strongest and most successful when our personal drive is nurtured and supported by those around us. I am ever grateful for the support, guidance, and mentorship I have experienced throughout my career that have allowed me to get to where I am today. I am happy to say that my brief experience with FabNewport has taught me that this formerly intangible concept of mutual support, engagement, belonging, and opportunity that has played such a pivotal role in my professional development can be defined into one statement – “Positive Future Vision.”
What’s your connection with FabNewport? Based on our hands-on learning. How do you see yourself as a maker?
I am new to FabNewport, but excited to be a part of such a purposeful, supportive organization. I initially heard about FabNewport through PVDx Director Keith Ranaldi. The passion he has for the organization and its dedication to students is infectious. My first interaction with FabNewport was an informational “get-to-know you” meeting where I talked with students and witnessed firsthand the impact that FabNewport has on them – I was hooked.
While I am still getting used to thinking of myself as a “maker,” I want to assist others in developing and achieving their own Positive Future Vision. One can have the drive and desire to achieve something, but lack the support or opportunities to succeed. It is imperative that those who can provide the necessary support and/or opportunities do so. Accordingly, I hope to serve as a sounding board, counsel, and a conduit of opportunity to assist both the children and the organization (now including me) in becoming the best versions of ourselves.
What are you bringing to FabNewport?
I aim to bring a fresh perspective, open mind, and the necessary support to assist in the expansion of FabNewport’s work and programming to reach a larger population. I have experience assisting young and successful organizations navigate the sometimes tumultuous waters of growth from concept to reality. I look forward to working as a member of the team to tackle the challenges often associated with the growing pains of a successful organization.
What are you looking forward to and hope to see as the future of FabNewport?
Simple. Bring the FabNewport experience to more people in order to let them control their own futures. I have witnessed the negative emotional and financial impact that uninformed, uninspired, and pressured pursuit of higher education can have. I have sat in classrooms with friends who pursued a degree out of a sense that it was “what they were supposed to do” or because they did not really know what they wanted to do. In doing so, many took on substantial debt and felt trapped in career paths that provide no sense of satisfaction and no ability to pivot toward something more meaningful. It is easy to go with the flow and not “rock the boat.” However, I have found that the best way to learn what truly brings you satisfaction and purpose is to try something completely outside of your normal comfort zone or experience. Sometimes you will succeed; other times you will fail miserably. The fact is – both are completely fine. The real failure is not having tried something new in the first place. FabNewport’s experiential learning programs and supportive environment provides kids with an early opportunity to take the leap into the unknown, confront new challenges or experiences, and grow as a person coupled with the safety net of people who provide the necessary guidance and mentorship so – even if they fail – they can rise up and try something else. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to expand FabNewport’s reach and provide more students with the opportunities to truly explore experiences outside of their “normal” and meet the challenges necessary to have the self-confidence and drive to live purposeful, meaningful, and impactful lives.
