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Is Philanthropy the Solution or Part of the Problem?

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Session Description

The world of philanthropy is no stranger to critique, but over the past year, the field has weathered sharp and sometimes scathing criticism. Many agree that philanthropy can and should play a role in systems change. Others argue that philanthropy perpetuates inequity and undermines democracy. Join leaders on all sides of this issue to discuss whether philanthropic dollars and their institutions are heading in the right direction.

Time & Location

Time:
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 BST
Location:
Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre
Speakers
  • Speaker
    Founder, Common Future
    Rodney Foxworth has spent over 15 years working at the intersection of community development finance, economic inclusion, impact investing, and social entrepreneurship. He is CEO and Co-Founder of Worthmore, a specialist consultancy and private investment firm focused on creating ownership and wealth for diverse communities and stakeholders. Most recently, Rodney served as CEO of Common Future. Previously, he founded Invested Impact, an intermediary that facilitated millions of dollars in philanthropic and impact investment capital into community economic development projects and social entrepreneurs of color. An inaugural Ford Global Fellow and a Skoll Awardee for Social Innovation, Rodney serves as Vice Chair of Nonprofit Finance Fund, Treasurer of Race Forward, and board director of Rhia Ventures, RockHealth, and SOCAP Global.
  • Speaker
    Chief Executive Officer, VisionSpring
    Ella Gudwin is the CEO of VisionSpring, a social entrepreneur and strategist with more than 20 years of experience in global health and international development. Before coming to VisionSpring, she served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Program Development at AmeriCares. She completed her Master's in Emerging Market Economics and Southeast Asia studies from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University. She regularly speaks about hybrid business models which blend earned revenue with philanthropy; growing a purpose-driven business that serves low-income customers; and measuring social impact.
  • Speaker
    Co-Founder & Partner, Dasra
    Deval is the co-founder of Dasra, an India based strategic philanthropy foundation which brings a field building approach to create systems change in India. Over the past 20 years, Dasra has actively shaped the philanthropic sector by building stronger institutions such as Magic Bus, Educate Girls and SNEHA, has worked with leading foundations including Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Tata Trust, Omidyar Network and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and works closely with government departments at a state and national level to put impact first in the development agenda. Dasra's work spans across a spectrum of focus areas, such as creating collaborative funding platforms in the fields of Adolescents, Urban Sanitation and Democracy and Governance in India. Reinforced through a research-backed approach and institution building for non-profit organisations, Dasra focuses on prioritizing human lives at the centre of all of its thinking. As co-founder, Deval provides strategic guidance and support to a 100+ member team, is an advisor to multiple family foundations and serves as a trusted confidant to leading NGO leaders and management teams.
  • Speaker
    Founder, Decolonizing Wealth Project
    Edgar Villanueva is a globally-recognized author, activist, and expert on the intersection of race, wealth, and power. He is the author of the best-selling book, Decolonizing Wealth and is the founder and CEO of Decolonizing Wealth Project and Liberated Capital. Edgar advises organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to global and national philanthropies and nonprofits on advancing racial equity inside of their institutions and through their community investment strategies. He holds two degrees from the Gillings Global School of Public Health at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
  • Moderator
    West Coast Correspondent, Devex
    Catherine Cheney is a Senior Reporter for Devex, the media platform for the global development community. She covers the West Coast of the U.S., focusing on the role of technology and innovation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. And she frequently represents Devex as a speaker and moderator. Prior to joining Devex, Catherine earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale University, worked as a web producer for POLITICO and reporter for World Politics Review, and helped to launch NationSwell. Catherine has reported from around the world, and freelanced for outlets including the Atlantic and the Washington Post. She also works for the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit that trains and connects journalists to cover responses to problems.