Comments on: Best Philanthropy Speakers

By: Rikard Treiber

Rikard Treiber — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:27:18 +0000

Brad Smith, President of the Foundation Center, gave the opening plenary speach at the annual meeting of the Grants Managers Network. Brad has great grasp of philanthropy and nonprofit sectors, as well as the social and political contexts in which they carry out their work. I’ve also seen Brad as a discussant and moderator on various panels with senior leaders in philanthropy. He is always engaging and inspiring, and adds humor without making light of important issues.

By: robert egger

robert egger — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:36:55 +0000

quick shouts for some new folks on the scene–
Rosetta Thurman (DC) on the changing faces of philanthropy
Mando Rayo (TX) on New Americans and Philanthropy
Jason Sabo (TX) on Nonprofit Political Engagement

By: Sean Stannard-Stockton

Sean Stannard-Stockton — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:00:32 +0000

Rich, Andy Goodman is the best speaker I’ve seen on any topic. Amazing guy!

By: Rich Polt

Rich Polt — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:52:18 +0000

Been traveling, so I’m late in the game to this thread…

Someone who has not appeared on this list yet (I’m shocked actually) is Andy Goodman (www.agoodmanonline.com), He is one of the most entertaining and enjoying speakers I’ve seen on the topic of effective communications in the nonprofit sector. He makes you feel like you’re at a stand-up comedy performance, and then you remember this is actually work-related!

By: Kris Putnam-Walkerly

Kris Putnam-Walkerly — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:50:12 +0000

I highly recommend Angela Glover Blackwell, CEO of PolicyLink. Exceptionally inspiring, and always thought provoking and right on point.
http://www.policylink.org/site/c.lkIXLbMNJrE/b.5158329/k.FA47/Our_Staff.htm

Also agree with the recommendation for Jed Emerson above. http://www.blendedvalue.org/about/emerson.html

By: Larry Blumenthal

Larry Blumenthal — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:37:01 +0000

Great list, Sean. I’ll add another vote for Bill Strickland. Great storyteller. And I’ll add Holly Ross, executive director of NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Network. Holly knows how to present technology (including social media) and its related issues in understandable and useful terms.

By: Lauren Kay

Lauren Kay — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:41:48 +0000

Kris Putnam-Walkerly, of Putnam Community Investment Consulting.

Kris served as co-presenter for a webinar we did on social networking tools for philanthropy consultants. She was passionate and knowledgeable about the topic and she has an engaging and comfortable style. Kris also had great real-world experience to share. The webinar was very well received and a majority of participants said they were interested in attending a more advanced follow-up session.

I also heard Dr. Robert Ross of the California Endowment speak in Los Angeles recently about grantmaking and advocacy. He was most eloquent and inspiring.

By: Marcia Stepanek

Marcia Stepanek — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:55:46 +0000

Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea) and Jaqueline Novogratz and Clay Shirky (on social media for social change) and cartoonist Lynda Barry (!) on the design movement for social good. Alec Ross (State Dept) also is pretty good, about social media for social change…

By: Jay Browning

Jay Browning — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:24:10 +0000

Claire Gaudiani
She gives an amazing historical perspective of philanthropy and where it came from and how to influence it today. I strongly suggest reading “The Greater Good”.

By: Teju Ravilochan

Teju Ravilochan — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:29:31 +0000

This is a great conversation you’ve started Sean! 2 of the best speakers I’ve ever seen are:

1) Paul Polak – Founder of International Development Enterprises, which has enabled 19 million farmers to lift themselves Out of Poverty. He’s a self-identified “trouble-maker”, unbelievably knowledgeable, and also hilarious.

2) Brian Bordainick – The Founder of 9th Ward Field of Dreams gave a speech that brought every person at The Feast Conference in New York City to their feet, recounting the incredible story of how he raised over $1 million in post-Katrina New Orleans.

By: Ann Fitzgerald

Ann Fitzgerald — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:19:10 +0000

I’d vote for Leslie Lenkowsky, Professor of Public Affairs and Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University. He’s a great speaker and challenges the conventional wisdom in the philanthropic world. He is able to give insights from his practical experience in both government and the nonprofit sector combined with his knowledge of latest academic research.

Also: Adam Meyerson, president of Philanthropy Roundtable. He’s very knowledgeable regarding donor intent and the preservation of philanthropic freedom.

Finally: William Schrambra, Director, Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal at the Hudson Institute. He hosts regular discussions in Washington, DC on many topics regarding philanthropy and encourages lively debate from all sides.

By: sbrown@statetheatre.

sbrown@statetheatre. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:00:22 +0000

Dan Nigito gets my vote. I’ve heard him speak twice..his topic was :It’s My Money and I’ll Give When I Want To!”. He was riveting..and funny.

He brought his new book -The Power of Leveraging the Charitable Remainder Trust: Your secret weapon against the war on wealth. (Wiley and Sons) A great opportunity for charities and their welthy donors (or potential donors).

By: Beth Carls

Beth Carls — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:13:44 +0000

From Tracy Gary’s bio….
Tracy Gary is a philanthropist, nonprofit entrepreneur and legacy mentor who has worked tirelessly to help others experience the joy of giving charitable dollars to causes they care about. Through her eighteenth start-up, a non-profit called Inspired Legacies, she consults with a diverse range of organizations to improve and expand philanthropy and volunteerism. Her latest venture is the Tipping Point Fund for which she is raising $20 million to shift poverty and the environment. She has appeared on The Today Show and Oprah Winfrey and been interviewed by The Washington Post, NPR, Time, The International Tribune, and others. Ms. Gary is the author of “Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step by Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan and Leaving a Legacy” (published by Jossey-Bass, Nov. 2007, and available from http://www.inspiredlegacies.org)

By: Sean Stannard-Stockton

Sean Stannard-Stockton — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:06:41 +0000

Thanks Jesse. If you want to have Bono give me a call, I promise I’ll give him a keynote! ;^)

By: Jesse W

Jesse W — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:36:42 +0000

Some others not mentioned:
Robert Egger
Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod
Matt Flannery
Antony Bugg-Levine
Jim Collins
Matt Flannery
Jacqueline Novogratz
Kevin Jones
Bono