On this episode of Knowledgecast, Jack welcomes Ross Mason—a man whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. Ross is a social entrepreneur, visionary leader, and founder of the High Impact Network of Responsible Innovators (HINRI), a global initiative designed to empower changemakers who are tackling some of the world’s toughest problems with faith, innovation, and compassion.But Ross’s story doesn’t begin in boardrooms or with nonprofit ventures. It starts in Madison, Georgia, a small Southern town where faith, community, and character formed the foundation of his life. From those roots, Ross’s path led him through the halls of Georgia Tech and Wharton, into the fast-paced world of Morgan Stanley, and across continents as he launched businesses in Silicon Valley and even a real estate investment firm in Moscow. Driven by curiosity and compassion, Ross combined his business acumen with a missionary heart. His work took him to Africa, where he witnessed both the devastation of the AIDS epidemic and the resilience of the human spirit. These experiences inspired him to reimagine what social entrepreneurship could look like—one rooted not in profit, but in purpose. Then, in 2007, everything changed. While training for an Ironman triathlon, Ross was in a cycling accident that left him paralyzed. Yet, rather than allowing tragedy to define his life, Ross allowed it to refine his calling. Through his recovery and reflection, he began to see his injury not as a limitation, but as a new platform—a way to reach and serve others with greater depth, empathy, and purpose. Today, Ross leads international projects focused on health innovation and humanitarian impact. His organization, HINRI, has completed over 65 projects in 120 countries, supporting visionary leaders who bring healing and hope to communities in need. Whether he’s collaborating with global faith leaders, mentoring entrepreneurs, or praying with people from around the world, Ross lives by two simple yet powerful questions:
“How can I pray for you?” and “How can I help you?”Throughout this episode, Ross shares profound lessons about faith, perseverance, and the power of living without an agenda—serving others simply because that’s what love compels us to do. He also opens up about the mentors and moments that shaped him, including his encounters as a child with Corrie ten Boom and Demos Shakarian, both of whom inspired his lifelong commitment to faith in action.Listeners will walk away from this conversation with a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Ross’s journey is a reminder that sometimes the greatest challenges and tragedies open doors for the greatest gifts and blessings—and that through prayer, humility, and a heart for others, God can use any circumstance to make an eternal impact.