The Taproot Foundation's mission is to lead, mobilize and engage professionals in pro bono service that drives social change. This interview with Tim McClimon, President of the American Express Foundation and a CECP member, originally appeared on the Huffington Post on September 8, 2011. To read more of Aaron Hurst's interviews and reflections, visit the Pro Bono Junkie's Blog.

Aaron Hurst
President and Founder
Taproot Foundation

September 9, 2011 -- Tim McClimon is the President of the American Express Foundation, one of the most innovative leaders in philanthropy today. He has a rare ability to see opportunities to make an exceptional impact for both the community and the company's bottom line. We talked this week about how he has translated his vision and insights about the community into powerful programs at American Express.

9/11 is a very personal day for American Express employees given that your HQ is across the street from Ground Zero and you lost 11 employees that day. How did you decide to honor that day by becoming the lead sponsor for the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance?
We had to look at our strengths as a company. Our real strength is in service; we depend on having high quality customer service to attract and keep our customers. It's ingrained in our culture here. We felt that the way we could participate in remembering that day would be to engage in something we know very well.