Steve Mazda

Registered Investment Advisor, teacher, surfer, public speaker, author, licensed pilot, car enthusiast, triathlon runner…all these adjectives describe Steve Mazda. But if there is a common theme to all of his endeavors, it is his firmly held belief that you can be whatever you dream, and Steve Mazda has dreamed big all of his life.

However contagious and spontaneous his enthusiasm, Steve is very disciplined about the decisions he makes, applying specific principles for making prudent decisions. “Become aware of your options, don’t make decisions based on emotion alone, read the small print, evaluate the investment properly, and gain as much knowledge as possible to make a prudent decision,” explained Steve. He admits, once he makes a decision, he goes forward full bore. That energy, insight, and commitment have led Steve and his wife Cindy to join the ranks of St. Mary Medical Center financial supporters.

In 2004 Eileen Moser invited the Mazdas to a banquet and seated them next to Sue and Michael Wert, and Carter Van Dyke. “We were in the process of building our dream house at the time, so we welcomed the conversation with Carter, who engaged us in the Healing Gardens project, and Sue and Mike invited us to participate in a few St. Mary activities,” said Steve, explaining how he became part of the St. Mary family.

“Before I buy a stock for my company, I investigate. I visit the company. I ask questions. I find out about the leadership,” said Steve. “I went through the same process with St. Mary. I met the members of the Board. The outreach programs are important because they introduced me to the nuts and bolts of the hospital, the cutting edge laboratories, the new treatment centers. At every step of the way, I was impressed with the outstanding leadership of the administration and operation, so my decision to participate became an easy one.”

Much of Steve’s teaching focus is directed toward young people; a population he believes can and should become aware of the hospital and what it offers. “It takes forever to become 21,” he said. “Blink, and you are 31, blink again and you are 41, using the services of the hospital. The best time to shop for anything is before you need it so that you are more objective.”

Steve admits that in his youth, he was called “Turtlehead,” because his classmates thought he was a little slow. What a mistake! Like the fabled tortoise and the hare, Steve has become an accomplished leader in his professional life, and in his personal life, he has the means to give generously to his community.

“I believe that if you do the right things to and for people, goodness will come back to you,” he said as a way of explaining why he is such a champion of St. Mary Medical Center. “I want to be excellent in what I do and I want to be surrounded by excellence. St. Mary, simply stated, is part of that excellence, and merits financial support from those of us who are fortunate enough to help.”