The Dorothy A. Johnson Center's 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2026 highlights a landscape shaped by declining trust, technological disruption, changing donor expectations, and increasing pressure to demonstrate meaningful impact. Each of these trends is pulling philanthropies toward the same question. Why strategy still matters In my experience of working with philanthropies, a clear sense of direction helps in three ways: Firstly, it enables greater impact by helping organi

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Brussels to see a client's work up close, not just to talk about their work but to get to know the practitioners behind it. That trip confirmed what I always advocate for: being in the room whenever I can. The most meaningful moments were not always the scheduled conversations. They were the exchanges between meetings, the unexpected questions, the shared experiences and the moments where practitioners had the space to connect beyond their rol

My daughter's school graduation was two weeks ago, marking a major milestone and a moment of pride for her, other parents, and classmates. But beneath the celebration, I felt a deeper, bittersweet sense of one chapter closing and another beginning. What stayed with me was everything beneath it. The expectations around what education for the next generation leaders should look like and what counts as "the right path“. As a mother who broke from my family's tradition, I carry a

Recent political and business events have put leadership back in the spotlight, raising familiar questions about who should lead, what qualifies someone to lead, and why public confidence in leadership feels so fragile. These are not new questions, but they feel harder to ignore right now. The more leadership dominates global conversation, the more I find myself wanting to return to something quieter and more grounded. Leadership is not limited to governments or boardrooms. I

My mother always says that even good things become unhelpful at extremes. It is one of those sayings I find myself returning to often, especially in philanthropy and social impact work. At one end, we can become so focused on process that we lose sight of what makes meaningful change possible: relationships and a people-focused approach. Process creates clarity, consistency and accountability. We need it. But when it becomes the primary focus rather than the foundation, we ri

Anyone who has a teenager will recognise this moment, especially after the weekend. You are speaking clearly and calmly, doing everything you know works, and still nothing seems to land. The same thing can happen in professional partnerships. Most relationships flow naturally. We build trust, navigate complexity, influence outcomes, and create shared understanding. Then suddenly, in one particular relationship, none of the usual approaches seems to work. I find that uncomfort

I remember 2008 less by the dates than by how it felt. And lately, there has been a growing sense of déjà vu. I was pregnant, working at The Economist Group, and my husband was at Lehman Brothers when it collapsed. I remember hearing the announcement and the alarm that followed. What stayed with me was not only the financial instability but the collective paralysis. People and organisations froze. Decisions stalled. Everyone waited for some certainty to return. Lately, I am r

The most powerful thing about today's run had nothing to do with running. Today I joined more than 31,000 participants at the ASICS Austrian Women's Run in Vienna's Prater. Some ran. Some walked. Some kept going despite injury and exhaustion. Along the route were children, partners, friends, and families cheering us on! The energy was extraordinary, not because of medals or finish times, but because of what it represented: Freedom. Solidarity. Togetherness I ran for a dear fr

Three things I'm still turning over from a session on reimagining NGO models at Skoll World Forum last April: 1- Letting go of ego, logo, and control 2- Seeking PERFECT clarity hinders survival 3- Collaboration, sharing infrastructure, knowledge, and expertise is the new norm The conversations at Skoll shouldn't stay in Oxford. The real work is carrying them forward into our strategies, our partnerships, our funding relationships. How does this resonate with you? #SocialImpac

This question surfaces something deceptively simple but essential to cultivating and stewarding partners. Connection is shaped in the small, human choices we make every day. Checking in as people first, not roles. Being clear about what we can offer, and what we can’t. Taking time to understand context, culture and background, while still allowing more of ourselves into relationships over time. What stands out most is that vulnerability, curiosity, and authenticity aren’t ext

This question stayed with me after the #TheSideBar session on "The Infrastructure of Trust: Why relational approaches matter." In the room, trust looked simple but demanding. It looked like listening deeply and not rushing to fix. It looked like showing vulnerability, co-designing work plans, feeling safe and practising accountability. It did not look like micromanagement, constant reporting and control. This idea really stood out to me: Trust cannot be performative. But it d

Heading to Skoll tomorrow. Already thinking about the conversations I'm looking forward to having. My personal checklist: Ask for permission to talk Share knowledge, Bring a standpoint Be useful, Be helpful Stay open to being challenged See you there! #SkollWF2026 #SkollWorldForum #SocialImpact #SystemsChange

While the world is enduring the ripple effects of the war, counting the costs, mapping the damage, I am asking a different question: what about the ripple effects of philanthropy? I see that the true impact of philanthropy is rarely linear. It doesn't move neatly from philanthropist to project to outcome to impact. It ripples, overlaps, and gathers momentum in ways we often don't immediately see, especially when efforts intersect, when projects connect with other initiatives,

As Spring is finally here and has also been associated with renewal, it feels like a timely reminder to pause and take stock. In recent days, I have been reading about further reductions in UK overseas aid, adding to a wider shift in global funding systems that is already underway. These changes have immediate consequences for communities that need this support, and they reshape the environment in which philanthropy operates. It raises a question I keep coming back to: what d

Some moments call for stillness. Others demand action and honest conversation. This one calls for all of the above and even more. I’m heading to Skoll World Forum 2026 from 21 to 24 April to make sense of what this moment asks of philanthropy and our wider sector. The need to come together has always been there….now it feels more urgent. The world is moving so fast and unpredictably. I’m looking to engage in honest, grounded conversations about what this means in practice and

Is the act of “Giving” itself under threat? Is philanthropy standing in quicksand? Is philanthropy caught between a rock and a hard place? Is philanthropy living a new reality? These are questions racing through my mind. If you work in or alongside philanthropy, you may recognise them. Which one resonates most? #Philanthropy #Change #NavigatingChallenge #ANewWorld #WhatComesNext

The values we are taught at home quietly shape how we approach work, philanthropy, and relationships. I was raised to value integrity and connection, and I carry that with me to this day. Many have not had the right guidance early on, but they chose good values, creating a better legacy and taking a different path for their children, family and their work. I spent time with my family last weekend, and it reminded me of how grounding those bonds are, especially in these diff

The events since this weekend are shaking people, families and organisations across the globe. Travel disrupted. Loved ones at risk. Anxiety rising… Here’s the thing: Anxiety doesn’t stay with you. It ripples out, touching everyone around you, making a tough situation even harder. We are all feeling it, at work or at home. I have family and loved ones in the Middle East right now, and I am hyper-aware of how I need to manage my own energy. So, I am intentionally holding onto

A conversation starts with a promise. You share ideas. Momentum feels possible. And then… the energy stalls… Follow-ups fall flat, or don’t happen at all. The connection doesn’t seem to grow. Sometimes, conversations stall for all sorts of reasons: timing, work pressure, personal challenges, or sometimes just because it’s not the right fit. One way that works for me is to re-ignite conversations by giving people space to think, nurture an idea, or just be ready. Respecting

Not the polished achievements. Not the easy wins. The quiet resilience built in life’s lowest points. The lessons learned in moments no one else saw. That strength is what allows us to show up with clarity and conviction. It shapes how we lead. It determines how we partner. And it is often the difference between collaboration that merely functions and partnership that truly flourishes. We have spoken about what makes partnerships thrive: knowledge, shared language, passion, a