At 82 years old, Judy Faulkner, a name many may not recognize, has made an extraordinary philanthropic commitment that is poised to impact countless lives. Faulkner is the founder of Epic Systems, the company behind the electronic medical records (EHR) software used by hospitals across the United States. This software is responsible for storing the healthcare data of over 300 million patients, quietly influencing nearly every hospital visit in the country. But it is her recent decision to give away 99% of her $7.8 billion fortune that has captured the world’s attention.

Faulkner has joined the Giving Pledge, a campaign founded by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett that encourages billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes. However, Faulkner’s commitment goes beyond a mere promise to give; she has put in place a legal estate plan to ensure that nearly all of her shares in Epic Systems will be transferred into a charitable foundation upon her passing. Instead of passing on her fortune to heirs, Faulkner has dedicated it to addressing some of the most pressing issues in society, including healthcare, education, food, shelter, safety, and other basic human needs.

Her philanthropic efforts are being channeled through her Roots & Wings Foundation, which already supports hundreds of nonprofit organizations. The foundation focuses on communities in Wisconsin and across the United States, with an emphasis on aiding low-income families and children. Faulkner’s generosity includes providing multi-year, unrestricted grants to help these organizations thrive. The foundation is projected to distribute $100 million per year in the near future, making a profound impact on the communities it serves.

Faulkner’s journey to this point is as remarkable as her philanthropic commitment. She founded Epic Systems in 1979, starting in a modest apartment in Wisconsin with just $70,000 in seed capital. Faulkner made the decision to avoid venture capital funding, instead choosing to keep the company private. Over the years, her persistence and vision turned Epic into the largest EHR provider in the U.S. Today, Epic’s technology is used by nearly every major healthcare provider, and Faulkner’s company plays a pivotal role in transforming the way patient data is managed and shared.

Despite her success in building a tech giant, Faulkner has remained relatively low-profile compared to other tech billionaires. Unlike many of her peers, she didn’t seek fame or public recognition for her achievements. In fact, her focus on improving healthcare through Epic’s software has taken center stage, while her remarkable fortune and her decision to donate the vast majority of it have flown largely under the radar. Faulkner’s philanthropic efforts are an example of how immense wealth can be used not to create further personal accumulation but to benefit society at large.

At the core of Faulkner’s decision is her desire to create lasting, positive change. She has already begun making a significant difference through the Roots & Wings Foundation, and her future plans will further extend her impact. In a world where many billionaires tend to keep their wealth within their families or invest in flashy philanthropic initiatives, Faulkner stands out as a rare example of a business leader who quietly built a monumental company and then chose to dedicate the majority of her wealth to causes that can benefit society as a whole.

Faulkner’s commitment is a powerful reminder of the potential that wealth, when used intentionally, has to transform communities. Her decision to give away nearly all her fortune underscores a growing trend among billionaires to shift the focus from personal legacy to social good, offering a blueprint for others who might follow in her footsteps.