Imran Ahmed is the founder and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate US/UK.
He is an authority on social and psychological malignancies on social media, such as identity-based hate, extremism, disinformation, and conspiracy theories. He regularly appears on the media and in documentaries as an expert in how bad actors use digital spaces to harm others and benefit themselves, as well as how and why bad platforms allow them to do so. He advises politicians around the world on policy and legislation.
Stephanie Beasley is a senior writer at the Chronicle of Philanthropy where she covers major donors and charitable giving trends. She was previously a global philanthropy reporter at Devex. Prior to that, she spent more than a decade as a policy reporter on Capitol Hill specializing in transportation, transportation security, and food and drug safety.
Stephanie has been awarded grants by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting and the International Center for Journalism and has written stories from Brazil, Canada, Cuba and the U.S.-Mexico border.
Tom Brookes is the CEO and Founder of the Global Strategic Communications Council and Meliore Foundation, a leading organization for philanthropy focused on funding fact-based strategic communications around climate and related issues. With over ten years of experience in climate communications, related political strategy, and funder advisory capacities, Tom has in-depth knowledge of the actors and capacity needs in the space.
Tom is also a member of the Advisory Boards for the Climate Leadership Initiative, the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, and the Lancet Countdown.
Don Gips is the Chief Executive Officer of the Skoll Foundation, a global philanthropy with a mission to build a sustainable world of peace and prosperity for all. With a career spanning public service, politics, business, nonprofits and technology, Gips leads the Foundation’s work investing in, connecting, and championing social innovators around the world.
Gips was recognized for his efforts to promote improved relations with South Africa and recieved the 2010 Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service. He currently sits on the board of CassTech, and has served on the boards of Zayo, Mindspeed, Liquid, Omnispace, and Nextnav.
Dr. Granger-Ellis is a distinguished expert in neuroscience of adaptive learning, neurobiology of resilience, and systems thinking for social change. She is the Chair of Institute for Applied Transformative Neuroscience.
As an award-winning researcher and cross-field author, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work with UNICEF and the World Bank in post-war countries. She has served on the faculty of several prestigious universities and currently serves as an advisor for numerous corporations, governments, and international non-profit agencies.
Tirana Hassan is the Executive Director at Human Rights Watch, one of the world's leading international human rights organizations. She is a qualified social worker and lawyer who has spent the past two decades working with individuals and communities to pursue their rights and fight for justice.
Tirana specializes in human rights protection in conflicts and crises. Between 2010-2015, she worked as a senior researcher in Human Rights Watch’s Emergencies Division, where she carried out dozens of investigations in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Raj Kumar is a Washington, D.C.-based social impact leader, journalist, and author specialized in global development. He is the President & Editor-in-Chief of Devex, the independent news organization, and the author of The Business of Changing the World, an influential book about the future of global aid and philanthropy.
Mosun Layode is a development professional with two decades of experience in international development and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the African Philanthropy Forum (APF) where she works extensively across Africa with established and emerging philanthropists who are committed to the sustainable and inclusive development of Africa.
Passionate about the interplay of social issues and business, Mosun founded Social Runway, a nonprofit organization that supports social innovators. Mosun currently sits on nonprofit boards and recently joined the Board of Trustees of Candid.
Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala is WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific and the first Pacific islander to take up this role.
Dr. Piukala is a politician, public health leader, and surgeon who brings nearly 30 years of experience working in Tonga and across the Pacific. He is a champion of multisectoral collaboration to tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the threat to health posed by climate change.
Prior to his election as WHO Regional Director, Dr. Piukala was a Member of Parliament and Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Jennifer Risher is an author, speaker, philanthropist, and investor. Her book, "We Need to Talk: A Memoir About Wealth" explores the impact of wealth on identity and relationships with the goal of acknowledging and validating the emotional complexities of money.
In response to COVID, Jennifer and her husband, David co-created #HalfMyDAF to inspire more giving. Through #HalfMyDAF, they've contributed millions in matching funds, rallied donors and nonprofits, and built a community that has put over $65 million to work at nonprofits.
Deval Sanghavi co-founded Dasra in 1999 and has since been at the forefront of galvanizing strategic philanthropy efforts in India. Dasra is a social catalyst organization that influences philanthropy, strengthens capacity, and drives collaboration and progressive narratives in the Indian development space.
His extensive experience and commitment to strategic philanthropy underscore the critical role philanthropy plays in not just responding to immediate needs but also in building long-term solutions to emerging challenges, mobilizing the global diaspora to engage in impactful giving.
Nicholas Tedesco is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP). Nick is a passionate advocate for philanthropy and brings over a decade of experience working with donors and their families to establish and meet their giving goals.
Prior to joining NCFP, Nick served as a Senior Advisor in the J.P. Morgan Philanthropy Centre, and Relationship Manager and Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he helped launch the Giving Pledge. Nick was named to the inaugural Chronicle of Philanthropy 40 Under 40 ranking in 2016.
