New Podcast Episodes: From Disaster Philanthropy to How The 1% Lives and Gives

How the 1% Lives: Tales of Billionaire Philanthropy
Episode 4, Season 2 | Featuring Kerry Dolan

In this episode, we are joined by Kerry Dolan, an Assistant Managing Editor at Forbes where she examines the world’s wealthiest people and their philanthropic legacies. As part of her work, she oversees Forbes’ annual list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women and the list of America’s Biggest Givers. Her coverage has ranged from a rare interview with Mark Zuckerberg last year on the eve of Meta’s 20th birthday to a recent story about how the next-gen think about their philanthropic endeavors.

An award-winning journalist, Kerry has been reporting for over two decades, making her privy to the companies, trends and people changing the giving landscape. Her reporting has taken her to many corners of the globe – 17 countries on four continents, from the streets of Manila to palaces in Saudi Arabia to Chile’s Atacama Desert, giving her a unique vantage point.
In this episode, we discuss:

• The role of tax benefits in American philanthropy
• How Forbes defines a philanthropic contribution and scores philanthropists on their generosity
• Trends in next-gen, billionaire, and ultra-wealthy charitable giving

Listen Now >>

VUCA—What Is It and What Role Does It Play in Philanthropy?
Episode 5, Season 2 | Featuring Suzanne Elise Walsh

In this episode, we are joined by Suzanne Elise Walsh. With a background in philanthropy, higher education, community development, and law, today, Suzanne is the President of Bennett College, where she has served since August 2019.

Suzanne is also the Founder and Manager of Discerning SEWlutions, an organization that works with foundations, nonprofits, colleges, and universities to uncover, imagine and plan for future possibilities. Previously, Suzanne also served as Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, where she developed a portfolio of over $70 million in postsecondary investments. Additionally, she has held roles at the Lumina Foundation for Education and The Heinz Endowments and was a board member of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. She has received national recognition for her portfolio of work with organizations at the intersection of innovation, technology and learning.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The concept of VUCA – Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity, and how it informs Suzanne’s role as a leader in higher education
• How nonprofits and funders can build transparent, effective relationships that lead to better results
• The value of funders working with grantees as partners and making space in portfolios for nonobvious partners

Listen Now >>

Disaster Philanthropy: An Increasingly Important Field of Giving
Episode 6, Season 2 | Featuring Regine Webster

In the episode, we are joined by Regine Webster. Regine is a philanthropic consultant, guiding foundations to create sustainable and equitable impact. She was the founding executive director and vice president of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, an organization aimed at transforming disaster-related giving worldwide. A trusted voice in the sector, Regine has worked to develop the field of disaster philanthropy over the past twenty years.

Regine is one of only a handful of people nationwide who have managed a dedicated disaster portfolio for a foundation, including the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, she has worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and Arabella Advisors.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What disaster philanthropy means and the intersectional nature of disasters
• How philanthropy can provide support for disaster-related challenges
• The role technology plays in identifying need and targeting response surrounding disasters

Listen Now >>

Catch Up on Seasons 1 & 2
Check out all our episodes.

Questions In the Meantime?
We’re here to help! Schedule a call with us or reach us at 800-839-0054. Together, let’s #begiving.