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

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

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

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

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

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

After years of conversations with philanthropists, I noticed one difference that consistently stood out: their mindset, specifically, a...

I am glad to be back after my first three-week break since 2018. It took some coaxing from friends and my husband to unplug, and I am...

I saw David Guetta, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Tate McRae, and Calvin Harris live this summer, and their performances gave me inspiration...

Over the years, through my work with philanthropists and grant-making foundations, I have learned that building and deepening...

I shudder when I hear these questions, not because they shouldn’t be asked, but because they often reflect a misunderstanding of what...

President Trump’s decision to dismantle USAID has sent shockwaves through the funding landscape, leaving a gap too big for philanthropy...

“It’s cheaper to do it by hand than machine,” a laundry worker in Mumbai told me. At first, I thought I had misheard him over the roar of...