#Philanthropy

How did I get unstuck?

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

6 days ago1 min read

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on three components which contribute to building authentic relationships, which lead to partnerships: Passion. Language , which reaches the heart and mind, and how we communicate. And today, something that sits underneath both of those: having knowledge worth sharing. The kind of knowledge that allows us to contribute with confidence, to be useful rather than performative, and to build trust and respect through what we bring to

Feb 122 min read

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart” - Nelson Mandela.

Last week, I reflected on the power of passion and how it inspires those around us. But passion on its own isn’t enough. For it to truly land, we have to speak in a way the other person can hear and connect with. It’s a simple but powerful reminder: the language we use has the power to create powerful ripples, far beyond what we realise. Whether you are cultivating a relationship to advance your philanthropy or just in your personal life, the right approach makes all the diff

Feb 61 min read

Passion is contagious.

Research by Sigal G. Barsade at Yale University demonstrated that emotions truly are contagious within groups. Her experiments showed that when positive moods are expressed, they spread. For foundations and philanthropists, this matters. In my experience, funding decisions aren’t made solely based on evidence and data. They’re shaped by the confidence of the people behind the work, the trust they inspire, the emotions they awaken, and the clear sense that they truly understan

Jan 292 min read

“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” Brené Brown

Looking ahead to 2026, my focus is clear: enabling changemakers to tackle today’s challenges in ways that meaningfully better our world. Over the years, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about and actively creating connections and collaborations. Some relationships flourished. Others did not. Some that I thought would go nowhere unexpectedly thrived, while others that seemed promising never materialised. Each experience taught me something about trust, connection, an

Jan 152 min read