Nonprofit founder delivers a message of hope and giving to Mays students

Todd Storch ’91 shared more than a typical business success story when he spoke recently to a nonprofit business class and to students from the Freshman Business Initiative.

BUSN 302, which teaches students about the nonprofit sector, is a required component of Mays Business School’s Certificate in Not-for-Profit Business, which allows students to tailor their education toward a career of service.

“We know our graduates will inevitably work with, for or alongside a nonprofit at some point in their careers,” said Academic Advisor Kyle Gammenthaler ’11. “The Certificate in Not-for-Profit Business prepares students to engage in productive interactions with members of their communities.”

Storch holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas A&M and was also part of the Fellows Program at Mays. His family’s life took a drastic turn in 2010 when his 13-year-old daughter Taylor passed away after a tragic skiing accident. Today, Storch is president and founder of Taylor’s Gift Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in honor of his daughter.

Taylor’s Gift is a multi-faceted organization. In addition to seeking to increase the number of official organ donor registries, the organization provides financial gifts to those touched by organ donations; encourages a positive view of organ donation; awards scholarships to graduating seniors; and sponsors lodging for pre-transplant and post-transplant patients and their families at Nora’s Home in Houston.

Nail polish company OPI has even created a color of nail polish named “Taylor Blue,” which is for sale on the Taylor’s Gift website. Proceeds from the sales go toward the organization.

Storch’s message had a profound impact on the students. “It was inspiring to hear the positive impact that has come through Taylor’s gift, and it made me consider the legacy and value of my own life,” said Emily Anderson ’17.

Some students even became organ donors after hearing Taylor’s story, including Lauren Lockemeyer ’16. “Because of everything I had heard, I went to the website and looked into organ donation further,” she said. “I am now a registered organ donor!”

Anderson and Kate Rohrbough ’17 even took action by leading a group of students to participate in MaysFest on behalf of Taylor’s Gift. MaysFest is a semiannual event held outside Mays Business School that includes food, games and entertainment.

The students hosted a table at MaysFest with the goal of raising awareness for the work that Taylor’s Gift does. Following the organization’s tagline “Outlive Yourself,” students were encouraged to write down a way in which they plan to outlive themselves and then take a picture with their statement. They also were invited to try out the Taylor Blue nail polish on one fingernail.

Storch said he hopes, through the Taylor’s Gift Foundation, to ultimately transform a tragedy into a message of hope. Some of the students he spoke with said he is well on his way. “Taylor’s Gift sends a message that even in the dark times of life, light can shine through,” said Jacob Renfro ’15.

ABOUT MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School educates more than 5,600 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing and supply chain management. Mays consistently ranks among the top public business schools in the country for its undergraduate and MBA programs, and for faculty research. The mission of Mays Business School is creating knowledge and developing ethical leaders for a global society.