25 Leaders to Speak on Women in Philanthropy

A broad cross section of philanthropists, activists, and entrepreneurs in philanthropy will convene in Chicago April 2-3 for #WomenLeading Philanthropy, a national symposium that will highlight the impact of women as leaders in philanthropy. Topics include how the philanthropic landscape has changed as a result of women’s increased involvement, the impact of women’s collective action, social entrepreneurial ventures, and optimal considerations for fostering women’s philanthropic leadership in the twenty-first century.

Pentera President & CEO Claudine A. Donikian serves on the advisory council of the symposium's organizer, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

The symposium is subtitled “25+ inspiring leaders, one powerful story.” Among the more than 25 presenters are:

• Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods and the youngest ever female CEO of a publicly held firm.
• Nadia Malik, co-founder of Global Partnership 4 Women and Girls.
• Natalia Oberti Noguera, founder of the Pipeline Fellowship, an angel investing boot camp for women.
• Jennifer Dulski, President and COO of Change.org, considered the world’s largest platform for social change.
• Julie Robertson, national cause director of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.
• Jacki Zehner, chief engagement officer of Women Moving Millions.

“People participating in the symposium will engage with a diverse group of women and men who are asking the right questions, applying formulas that work, and developing the leaders of today and tomorrow in the world of philanthropy," said Debra Mesch, Ph.D., director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. “They will leave with new information, new connections, new insights, and new energy to deepen awareness about women’s philanthropic leadership.”

Registration is limited to ensure opportunity for small group discussion and networking. Discounted registration continues through March 5. Detailed information about the symposium is available at #WomenLeading Philanthropy.