(Press release, Dec. 29, 2014) — Whether writing a book; giving a speech at a philanthropy forum; sitting down for a national radio or television interview; connecting with people through social-media outlets; or sharing their philanthropic story with investors, employees, grantees or volunteers, these top 20 women executives, thinkers and experts are some of the philanthropic sector’s most influential leaders.
There were more than 400 nominees for Top 20 Women in the philanthropic community, with the winners selected by Michael Chatman, host of #WHYiGIVE.
Although they are highly visible and have built national (even international) platforms, these women were selected for their philanthropic impact through the art of collaboration and their ability to facilitate, to the highest degree, the free flow of information and innovation across sector networks to advance social change.
In addition, these women are not only thought leaders, they are love leaders with compassion for the people they serve. Philanthropy without love has zero social impact. Money and endowment assets have nothing to do with our list. It is all about social impact, advancing the overall philanthropic sector (not just your own organization) with strategy and thought-leadership.
Vikki Spruill, president and CEO at Council on Foundations, captures the essence behind our selection process best in this quote: “The more we collectively operate as part of a holistic philanthropic network, the closer we will come to working together to create a just and globally prosperous society.”
Here are the Top 20 Women in Philanthropy, Social Innovation and Civic Engagement:
- Sue Desmond Hellmann , President, Gates Foundation
- Oprah Winfrey, Founder, Oprah Angel Network
- Melissa Berman, CEO and President, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
- Diana Aviv, CEO and President, Independent Sector
- Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, CEO and President, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Amanda Rose, Founder, Twestival
- Bette Midler, Singer, Actress and Humanitarian
- Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, Founder, Giving 2.0
- Vikki Spruill, CEO and President, Council on Foundations
- Anna Cunningham, Senior Manager, Global Responsibility, Starbucks Coffee Company
- Carol Larson, CEO and President, The David & Lucile Packard Foundation
- Debra Mesch, Director of Women’s Philanthropy Institute
- Kathleen McLaughlin, President, Walmart Foundation
- Jane Wales, President, Global Philanthropy Forum
- Kerry Sullivan, President, Bank of America Charitable Foundation
- Cathy Clark, Board Chair at Investors Circle and Associate Professor at Duke School of Social Entrepreneurship
- Stacy Palmer, Editor, Chronicle of Philanthropy
- Mary Wong, President, Office Depot Foundation
- Maave Miccio, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, Silicon Valley Community Foundation
- Susan Taylor, Founder, National Cares Mentoring Movement
