Comments on: Three Minutes with Melinda Tuan

By: Carrie Varoquiers

Carrie Varoquiers — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:05:19 +0000

Sean-

This is such an excellent addition! Melinda came across as 100% approachable- just what our sector needs. You did ask for feedback, so I will provide my opinion (normally even without prompting)!

I had trouble hearing Paul, just as you suspected. It did make it tough to hang in there. I’m no mic expert, so sadly, I cannot provide any feedback past that.

Well done, and again, a great addition. Thank you.

By: Aaron Stiner

Aaron Stiner — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:52:09 +0000

Passion, passion, passion, it all starts with passion for the sector, passion for making positive change!

By: Sean Stannard-Stockton

Sean Stannard-Stockton — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:29:59 +0000

I got Paul too, but we’re struggling with the sound quality a bit. As you know, the hotel was hosting a Halloween conference the night of the SVP conference, so we’re still trying to edit out some of the odd background noise!

By: Krystyna

Krystyna — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:46:35 +0000

This is a great idea, Sean, to help us connect with our heroes and mentors on a human level. Melinda is such a lovely, down to earth and approachable person and takes the academic approach to philanthropy to the masses in simple terms.

I sure hope you captured a few minutes with Paul Shoemaker as well!

By: Sean Stannard-Stockton

Sean Stannard-Stockton — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:28:53 +0000

Thanks Laura. Your comment highlights exactly why I wanted to do this series. Many readers are thinking Cynthia Gair? Anne Marie Burgoyne? I’ll get to them both for sure.

Many more segments to come!

By: Laura Deaton

Laura Deaton — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Highlighting Melinda Tuan as the person to launch this new series was a terrific idea. I was fortunate enough to work at Community Gatepath (www.communitygatepath.com) while they were part of REDF’s porfolio original portfolio. Melinda and her team, including Cynthia Gair (who is still REDF’s Director of Programs), provided funding for Anne Marie Burgoyne (now at the Draper Richards Foundation) to work with us full-time as a REDF Farber fellow and to help increase the effectiveness of Gatepath’s employment-based social enterprises. REDF’s pioneering approach to providing funding accompanied by guidance and counsel was critical to our future direction. Glad to hear, and see via her report, that Melinda is continuing to contribute to the nascent field of social program evaluation.

Sean, thanks for the three minutes, and looking forward to more!