Former Board Chair and Alum, Bill Farley '97, Publishes a Book of Spiritual Insights

HIU alum and former Trustee Bill Farley ‘97, who chaired the Board for six years, recently published a book titled Taking the Big Risks that focuses on how faith can guide decision-making in just about any context. 

The project began as an autobiography for his family. Encouraged by a friend in publishing, Bill refined the manuscript, removing personal anecdotes to focus on the spiritual insights gleaned from his career as CEO and founder of The Farley Company, a successful commercial real estate firm. The book also includes experiences from his time at Hartford International University. 

“It does have HIU references,” Bill said, “and particularly celebrates the profound effect that my dear friend, M.T. Winter, had on my life.”

The book is intentionally concise and practical, written for readers — especially young professionals — who wonder whether faith, work, and service can truly coexist without compromise.

Bill earned his MA in Religious Studies from then Hartford Seminary, concentrating in daily ministry. By that time, he was already a successful commercial real estate executive and civic leader. He did not come to seminary seeking ordination or a career change, but clarity.

“I was studying for fun,” he recalled. “I wanted to learn how faith actually shows up in everyday life. Particularly in business.”

During his studies, Bill found language for something he had long practiced intuitively. The institution’s emphasis on applied theology and interreligious engagement helped him articulate how faith could guide decision-making in business, community leadership, and family life. Studying in a multifaith environment challenged assumptions formed in a more insular religious upbringing.

The key, he found, was bringing this integrated faith directly to the workplace. Inspired by the St. Francis of Assisi adage to "always preach the gospel; if necessary, use words,” Bill committed to leading by example and life. This philosophy propelled a lifetime of service, most notably through 24 different board appointments, nearly half of which he chaired. 

His legacy includes transformational work with Hartford’s House of Bread, which eventually grew to serve 100,000 meals a year into an organization providing affordable housing, shelters, and educational programs; co-founding the Hartford Prayer Breakfast, which HIU now supports; and, after a moment of prayerful clarity sparked by hearing Anne Murray’s song “You Needed Me,” accepting a request from Mayor Eddie Perez to chair a commission on homelessness. That commission gave birth to Journey Home, which began with a small staff and now employs 21 people, having housed countless individuals and prevented homelessness for many more, an organization whose enduring impact fills Bill with pride.

Throughout Taking the Big Risks, Bill reframes risk not as professional ambition, but as moral commitment. His leadership in organizations addressing homelessness and poverty appears in the book as expressions of faith translated into action.

Taking the Big Risks stands as an example to what HIU seeks to cultivate: leaders whose faith is thoughtful, courageous, and lived beyond institutional walls. For Bill, the book is an extension of the formation he received at HIU, a reminder that a life of integrated faith is not only possible, but necessary.