Interview with Michael Wald, May 23, 2023

Interview Summary

When Wald and his wife entered the Peace Corps, Wald was an established lawyer with his own practice. He was service-oriented with overseas experience, having lived and worked abroad earlier in his life. He and his wife were posted in Santiago, Panama, a mid-sized city and both of them worked in the Normal School there where his wife taught English as a Second Language, and he initiated after-school activities. Wald created the Saturday English Club that lasted over 10 years until the pandemic. It was open to the public and offered members the opportunity to be guest speakers. Wald organized the Club so that there were officers; it was held in a conference room in the Panama Canal Authority. Wald transferred his skills of developing clients for his legal practice into making marketing “cold calls” on important people in the city inviting them to the Club. This Club was replicated in other areas throughout Panama. From these experiences, Wald enhanced personal self-confidence and wrote a book, Why Didn’t You Call? based on his experiences.

Interview Keyword

Santiago, Panama Lawyer Normal School Saturday English Club Panama Canal Authority Marketing skills Book: "Why Didn't You Call?"

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