Reflecting on the Dialogue Series for Philanthropy Leaders „Reconciling the What with the How“
Reflections from Katherine Milligan, elea Fellow at IMD, Senior Lecturer at the Graduate Institute, and Co-Initiator of the Series
As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself returning to the spirit that inspired this Dialogue Series in the first place: a desire to create deeper coherence between our words and actions in a sector rife with dissonances and contradictions. Instead of the same stale debates that have echoed for years, Suba Umathevan, CEO of the Drosos Foundation, and I felt a need for a different kind of conversation – one that shifts our collective attention from what philanthropy espouses to how we show up as leaders.
This series, developed as part of the Future-Proof Funding Initiative, set out to explore the questions that sit beneath the surface: How do the habits, assumptions, and power dynamics within our organisation enable – or quietly undermine – the change we seek? Do we live the values we ask of our partners? And how might our internal cultures evolve to recognise diverse forms of expertise, embrace humility, and invite leadership at every level?
We designed the series as a space for informal, sometimes deeply personal conversations – opportunities for experienced foundation leaders to gently, lovingly reflect and question the taken-for-granted norms of our sector. It has been a privilege to sit with each foundation executive this year and witness their honesty, courage, and introspection.
Suba Umathevan of Drosos Foundation invited us to walk our talk, modelling humility and a learning mindset from within – creating internal cultures where vulnerability, feedback, and iterative dialogue with partners are the norm, not the exception. Cheikh Mbacke Gueye of Medicor Foundation challenged us to shift philanthropy’s narrative from helping or saving to co-creation with shared power, reminding us that real change requires questioning deeply held assumptions and working at eye-level with partners while resisting the “tyranny of numbers” – a phrase I love and have used several times since.
Maya Ziswiler of the Roger Federer Foundation urged philanthropy leaders to confront structural dissonances — especially power imbalances in priority-setting and rigid processes — and share decision-making in collaborative models that truly serve local needs rather than ego and brand visibility. Andrea Studer of Fondation Botnar brought us back to the heart of purpose by naming the everyday tensions leaders face, inspired us to translate hope for a better future into agency today, and issued a call-to-action to fund organisations, not just projects.
Looking back at the conversations in 2025, several actionable insights for philanthropy leaders stand out:
- Internal culture matters. To align operational practices with stated aspirations, create spaces for uncomfortable questions, set incentives that encourage collaboration across teams, and engage in transparent conversations with the board.
- Authentic collaboration must take precedence over brand considerations. Build trust through transparent decision-making and shared accountability. Integrate honest feedback and acknowledge your own responsibility when things go awry.
- Fund organisations, not projects. Short-term projects with rapid reporting cycles can hinder innovation and weaken the organisational capacities of nonprofit partners. Real impact comes from investing in trusted relationships and providing long-term, flexible funding.
- Think in portfolios to create systemic impact. If you are not intentional about how the efforts you are funding support and nourish each other at a portfolio or thematic level, chances are they aren’t. Strategic clarity helps direct scarce resources toward deeper, interconnected impact.
- Centre the voice and agency of grantees and implementing partners. Foundations hold significant financial, narrative, and symbolic power. Sharing that power — rather than seeking visibility — is essential to telling an honest and equitable impact story.
The stories shared this year remind me that transformative philanthropy does not come from grand statements but from courageous self-reflection, intentional collaboration, and the slow, sometimes messy work of building trust. As I look ahead to 2026, I am excited to continue the Dialogue Series with renewed curiosity, courage, and commitment. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
In the picture, from left to right: Suba Umathevan, CEO Drosos Foundation, Cheikh Mbacke Gueye, CEO Medicor Foundation, Maya Ziswiler, Roger Federer Foundation, Andrea Studer, Fondation Botnar, Katherine Milligan, elea fellow at IMD and senior lecturer at the Graduate Institute
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