2017 Annual Conference - Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats
Tuesday, April 25 — 9-10:15 a.m.
This is your opportunity to engage in candid conversations with experienced leaders in philanthropy about the trials, triumphs, and lessons learned from their years of practice in the sector. Hear inspirational stories and get honest answers the questions you have been reluctant to ask.
Please note that space is limited and seating is first-come; first-serve.
C.D. Glin
C.D. Glin is the President and CEO of the U.S. African Development Foundation, where he leads the agency’s efforts to combat some of Africa’s most difficult development and foreign policy challenges. Having spent more than 20 years in international development – including time in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Rockefeller Foundation and service in the Obama Administration – C.D. is a recognized leader in the philanthropy, government, and nonprofit sectors. In this session, C.D. will discuss how working across a variety of sectors and geographies has helped shape his leadership style and approach to creating solutions for the world’s most underserved communities.
Mary McClymont
Mary McClymont is the President and CEO of the Public Welfare Foundation, and, after twenty years in philanthropy, she is stepping down from her post to begin a new chapter, seeking new ways to contribute to social justice concerns. In this session, Mary will talk about her leadership transition and share lessons from her personal journey in philanthropy over two decades.
Tony Pipa
Tony Pipa, former Chief Strategy Officer at USAID and Special Envoy to the UN for the SDGs, will speak about his experience moving from the philanthropic sector, where he held leadership positions at family, public, and community foundations, to government. This session will explore the challenges, triumphs, and differences in exercising leadership in the philanthropic and public sectors, as well as the opportunities and challenges for philanthropic influence and impact amid shifting public policy priorities.
Sandra Vargas
Sandra Vargas, Executive Leadership Fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and former President and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation will speak about her experience in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the philanthropic sector. This session will explore the challenges, triumphs and realities of ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion be truly embedded into the work of your foundation.
Sherece West-Scantlebury
Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF), is celebrating her 10-year anniversary at WRF and her 25 years in philanthropy in 2017. During this session, Sherece will discuss failing forward in philanthropy. There is much to be learned in risk taking and failing, and Sherece will share her experiences of not just failing, but failing badly. Join this session to explore an important lesson these experiences taught Sherece—that failure is not final, especially in philanthropy.