The MPNL program and TD Bank Group hosted “The Power of Women in Philanthropy” event on Nov. 22, 2023.
A video recording of the event and links to Canadian and US research about women in philanthropy are below
Post-pandemic, women are a stronger force within the charitable and philanthropic sector in supporting grassroots initiatives, funding unpopular causes and driving systemic change. Our three panellists elaborated.
Panellists
Jo-Anne Ryan
Jo-Anne Ryan, Vice President of Philanthropic Advisory Services at TD Wealth and Executive Director of the Private Giving Foundation, presented the results of a TD report, “Trust and Transformation – Canadian Women and Philanthropy.” Jo-Anne develops strategies to help clients incorporate philanthropy in their overall financial and estate plans. As a certified “21/64 advisor,” she works with multi-generational families to guide them along their philanthropic journey. She’s also led TD’s leadership role and initiatives around Women and Philanthropy since 2014, producing ground-breaking research and hosting events across the country highlighting the vital role that women play in driving social change. She’s a sought-after speaker and media spokesperson on philanthropy and the charitable landscape, and is the architect and Executive Director of the Private Giving Foundation, the first donor-advised fund to be launched by a financial institution in Canada. Jo-Anne is a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planner’s government relations committee and is also the Vice Chair of the Board for Bishops University Foundation and a member of the MPNL program’s Advisory Council.
Jeannie Infante Sager
Jeannie Infante Sager, Director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI), at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, spoke about research findings from the US and the benefits of research on women in philanthropy. WIP’s “Women Give” series is a compilation of annual research reports that explore unique questions about the factors that shape gender-based giving patterns, including age, religion, income and marital status. Some of the research reports listed in the series are “Women & Girls Index 2023 Research Brief” and “Women Give 2021.” WPI envisions a world where women donors understand and use their growing power and influence supporting causes they care about; where fundraisers and nonprofit leaders take women seriously and approach them in ways that appeal to them; and where both women and men are giving, giving more, and giving more intentionally and effectively. Jeannie advances WPI’s efforts to translate research to practice, guides WPI’s national advisory council and serves on the school’s executive leadership team. She’s been quoted in an array of media outlets and is an active speaker on topics related to women’s philanthropy. She’s an associate professor with the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and teaches with The Fundraising School. She serves as the past chair of the Indiana University Alumni Association’s board of managers and on the advisory council for WOC – Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy. Jeannie earned her master’s degree in philanthropic studies from Indiana University and was recognized with the distinguished alumni award from Rollins College.
Linsey Sherman-Zekulin
Linsey Sherman-Zekulin, a lawyer and nonprofit leader with more than a decade of experience working with families in conflict, spoke about personal and observed experiences of women philanthropists. In 2019, she co-founded Happy Roots Foundation, an Ottawa-based charitable organization dedicated to doing philanthropy differently and with a specific focus on infant and early childhood mental health. Since 2020, through relationship-building and trust-based partnerships, Happy Roots has invested over $2 million into early childhood mental health in Ottawa, supporting community programming, research and the launch of an infant and early childhood mental health clinic — the first of its kind — at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. As a writer and speaker, Linsey is a long-standing advocate for gender equality, family justice reform and innovative approaches to philanthropy. She’s also the co-founder of Sororal, a social enterprise with a mission to use the power of travel to advance gender equality and fight gender-based violence in every part of the world. Linsey holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University, a law degree from the University of Ottawa, and an undergraduate degree from Carleton University. She serves on the Board of Directors at Lanark County Interval House and Community Support and is an active member at her daughters’ school and dance studio.
Dr. Susan Phillips, Graduate Supervisor of Carleton University’s MPNL program and Professor in Carleton’s School of Public Policy & Administration, moderated the panel. Her research focuses on comparative public policy for the third sector; philanthropy and nonprofits; and public management. She recently published a book, “Philanthropic Response to Disasters: Gifts, Givers and Consequences,” with Alexandra Williamson and Diana Leat.
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Banner photo is courtesy of Chris Czermak.
Monday, November 27, 2023 in News, PhilanthroTHINK, Research & Impact
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