Philanthropy Practice: Placing Collaboration at the CoreBriefing for Online Event – Thursday 25th June @ 2p.m. WET/GMT

The COVID 19 pandemic has impacted severely, none more so than the vulnerable and frontline members of our communities. Grant makers and funders have responded to the immediate crisis, with many examples of philanthropic responses.

But the impact continues to unfold. We face many unknowns as we move to the next stages of stability and recovery.

One of the few probable ‘knowns’ is that there will be significant needs and likely demands on funding resources will exceed supply. Philanthropy can and will play a role. But how can this be maximised? How can the practice of philanthropy add value? Can collaborative practice make a difference to the overall impact of philanthropic giving? Is the evidence there to suggest this could be a key influencer? And if collaboration is a worthy feature of philanthropy practice, how can it happen? What are the challenges involved?

These are just some of the questions we hope to reflect on in a collaborative style discussion on philanthropy practice!

The discussion will provide a forum for considerations on how collaboration between funders can lead to greater impact, recognising the challenges and opportunities involved, particularly in COVID 19 recovery.

Panel Speakers:

  • Katie Boswell, Associate Director Strategy and Leadership, NPC

Co-author of recently published ‘Collaborating for a Cause: How cause-related networks multiply the impact of philanthropy’ Katie works within NPC’s research and consulting team supporting funders and charities to improve their strategies and maximise their impact. She is passionate about the potential for greater user involvementsystems change and place-based approaches in the social sector. In 2018, Katie worked with Lankelly Chase Foundation to gather practical insights on systems change, which were shared in Thinking big: How to use theory of change for systems change.

Katie’s work covers a range of causes—and she regularly works with charities and funders who are joining the dots between different issues. In 2017, she led NPC’s work with The Health Foundation on how non-health charities address the social determinants of health. In 2018, she co-authored NPC’s guide to Tackling the homelessness crisis: Why and how you should fund systemically.

Before joining NPC Katie gained ten years’ experience in grant-making, research and consultancy. At One World Children’s Fund she managed a programme that partnered with community-based organisations in over twenty countries. She has worked and studied in the UK, USA and India. In 2013, she completed a Masters in Development Management, during which she specialised in institutional development, social research methods, education, and human rights.

As a result of her work, Katie has received several honours and awards, including an RSA Fellowship for her community research work, and the title of Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum for work promoting children’s rights. Katie is a Trustee of the Finance Innovation Lab, which aims to transform the financial system so that it works for people and planet. She has also served as Programme Chair for the Northern California Grants Managers Network and as an Elected Executive member of the London Civic Forum.

  • Marcel Lauzière, President and CEO of the Lawson Foundation.

For much of his career, Marcel Lauzière has headed major national organizations: Founding Executive Director of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences; President and CEO of the Canadian Council on Social Developmentand President and CEO of Imagine Canada.

He has also been a senior civil servant here in Canada and abroad: Special Advisor to the President at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Deputy Chief Executive (Assistant Deputy Minister) in the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development.

He has been an active volunteer on numerous boards and committees including the International Council of Social Welfare, the Statistics Canada Advisory Committee on Social Conditions, the Governor General’s Advisory Committee on Giving and Volunteering, the Accounting Standards Oversight Council, and the Public Policy Forum. He is currently Chair of the National Board of YMCA Canada.

He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) and the Governor General’s Cross for Meritorious Service (2016) for his work in philanthropy in Canada.

He holds an MA in Canadian History from the University of Ottawa and has received an honorary degree from George Brown College. Marcel lives in Cantley, Qc. with his wife and works out of Foundation House in Toronto.

Moderator:

Emma Lane-Spollen, Philanthropy Adviser at Lane-Spollen and Associates

Emma has spent 18 years working on social change in Ireland, deepening her understanding of how the system works. She has direct experience working within NGO’s, Foundations, Government departments and Statutory Agencies. Emma places a strong focus on addressing the root causes of problems.

Emma has spent much of her career in lead roles in grant-making trusts and foundations in Ireland, with particular knowledge of family led foundations. She held the position of CEO of Tomar Trust, with prior roles as Advisor to the Tony Ryan Trust and as Deputy CEO and Portfolio Adviser of the One Foundation, Ireland’s largest limited life foundation.

Working on areas of public policy, Emma has provided Interim Management support to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and worked on a range of projects for the Center for Effective Services including the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People.

Emma is a qualified management accountant with a post grad in implementation science.

Joe Quinsey

Joined the Board in January 2021

Joe Quinsey, currently CEO of DCU Educational Trust, has over 30 years’ senior-level experience covering both industry and the non-profit sector. Previous non-profit roles include CEO of The Children’s Medical & Research Foundation and Director of Change for the Rehab Group, whilst his industry experience includes senior finance, commercial and general management roles in blue chip multi-nationals, Diageo and CRH. A chartered management accountant by profession, Joe also holds an MBA from Dublin City University

Brid Cannon

Bríd is an Associate Director in Risk Consulting. She commenced her career working in private equity and investment management and has since built over 10 years’ experience in professional services.

Bríd advises clients on matters relating to governance, conduct, regulation and compliance. Previous engagements include working as Authorised Officer for the Central Bank of Ireland on conduct related issues; advising an international insurance group on the authorisation process and also an international banking group on compliance relating to its private banking business. She has significant experience in Individual Accountability, Fitness and Probity having advised both Irish and UK institutions on their obligations in these areas.