Charles Lee

The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneur The philanthropic advising sector is at an inflection point. Historic wealth transfer, rising donor sophistication, the rapid expansion of DAFs, and growing demand for impact-oriented giving are fundamentally reshaping how philanthropy is practiced. Within this transformation, philanthropic advisor entrepreneurs are emerging as a critical and influential force. In 2024, Daylight conducted the first comprehensive study of philanthropic advisors. Of the 258 advisors surveyed, 30% operate independent consulting practices. This entrepreneurial cohort is both diverse and experienced: 74% identify as women, 38% as BIPOC, and 9% as LGBTQ+. Entrepreneurial advisors are relatively early in their business lifecycle: 39% have operated for 1 to 4 years; 26% for 5 to 9 years. This rising group of entrepreneurs requires intentional investments: more equitable pathways into the profession, adoption of shared competency standards, stronger referral and network systems, sustained professional development, and access to capital that enables independent advisory practices to stabilize and grow. More: https://lnkd.in/gtV7CpU5 Crystal Thompkins,CAP®,CSPG, IPA (she/her) Sharmila Rao Thakkar, MPH, MPA, CAP, IPA Jaimi Cortes, MBA Joy B. Webb, MBA,IPA, CAP® Mark Greer II, MBA, CAP®, IPA Jilla Tombar, CAP® Christina Gorczynski, JD/MBA, CAP®, CFRE, IPA Sarah Taylor Shelby Goodrum, MBA, CAP®, CFRM® Bree Rose, IPA Shelly Kurtz Marselle Alexander-Ozinskas Akruti Desai (AH-kru-thi) Tony Bowen Alisia Robin, CAP®Dion Cook Elaine Chu, MPA, IPA, CAP® Toussaint Bailey Kasey Oliver Elisa Zygmunt, MSW

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Scaling Innovative Ideas for an Evolving Workplace... The Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge will award $60M to transformative solutions that help women thrive and build a better workplace for all. Launched in fall 2025, the Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge is a new initiative led by Aspen Digital, a program of The Aspen Institute. Supported by Pivotal Ventures, a group of organizations founded by Melinda French Gates, the WIN Challenge aims to discover and scale innovative ideas that will help women thrive and everyone win in a rapidly changing workplace. Each of the WIN Challenge pillars has $20 million to award up to eight awardees who will receive either $2.5 million or $5 million each. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eSugZgn8

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Entrepreneurs aren't buying advice anymore. In 2026, outcome-based and done-for-you business models win by delivering real results. Here's why clients now pay more for outcomes, not effort.

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One proposed policy change could eliminate 40% to 60% of current angel investors. Overnight. In the latest episode of The Diligent Observer, I chat with Mark Friedman, Angel Capital Association Board Member and Managing Partner of RTP Angel Fund. Mark breaks down: • What would happen if accredited investor thresholds were simply indexed to inflation • Why a "sophistication test" could soon open up new pathways for private investing activity • How the INVEST Act could reshape angel funds, pitch competitions, and capital access This is the 3rd of 5 episodes we recorded LIVE at the 2026 Angel Capital Association Summit in Westminster, CO - you won't want to miss it. Want more? Check out my full conversation with Mark 👇 #TheDiligentObserver #StartupPolicy #RTPAngelFund #AngelInvesting

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🚀 ANNOUNCING: "The AI Enabled Nonprofit: Transforming the Social Sector with AI" Is your nonprofit ready for the AI revolution? The game-changing tools that are transforming the corporate world are now accessible to organizations like yours. Don't let your mission-driven work fall behind. 🔍 Why This Book Matters RIGHT NOW: - AI tools are becoming more accessible and affordable every day - Early adopters in the nonprofit sector are already seeing 25-40% improvements in fundraising efficiency - Donors are increasingly expecting data-driven impact measurements - The time to learn and implement is NOW, not tomorrow 📘 What You'll Discover: • Step-by-step guides for implementing AI in fundraising, program delivery, and volunteer management • Real-world case studies from nonprofits that have successfully embraced AI • Ethical frameworks for responsible AI adoption • Cost-effective strategies for organizations of any size • Ready-to-use templates and tools 💡 Perfect For: - Executive Directors seeking efficiency - Development Directors looking to boost fundraising - Program Managers wanting better impact metrics - Board Members guiding strategic technology decisions - Volunteer Coordinators needing better engagement tools 🎯 Immediate Benefits: - Learn how to automate repetitive tasks and free up staff time - Discover AI tools that can predict donor behavior and prevent donor churn - Understand how to measure and demonstrate impact more effectively - Get practical strategies for stretching your limited resources further "This isn't just another tech book – it's a practical roadmap for amplifying your mission's impact through accessible AI tools. Whether you're a small local charity or a global foundation, this guide meets you where you are." 🌟 Special Launch Price: $23.97 Available worldwide through Lulu Press Don't wait until your organization is playing catch-up. The future of nonprofit work is AI-enabled, and that future is here. 🔥 Order now: https://lnkd.in/evQWhuvP #NonprofitTech #AIforGood #SocialImpact #NonprofitInnovation #DigitalTransformation #FundraisingInnovation #TechForGood

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💡 JOY AS A LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVE: A CALL TO ACTION In my work across advisory boards, boards of trustees, and consulting engagements with nonprofit and for-profit organizations, I have seen how often joy is missing from leadership conversations. Yet joy is not a luxury. It is a strategic asset that fuels innovation, well-being, and long-term success. First, leaders must define joy for themselves. What brings you joy, and how does that shape your leadership practice? Research from Harvard Business Review shows that leaders who intentionally cultivate positive emotions inspire greater resilience, collaboration, and performance in their teams (Ozcelik & Barsade, Harvard Business Review, 2018). As leaders reflect on their definition of joy, it is important to be honest, open, and willing to explore how that definition resonates emotionally and within the organization’s culture. Second, leaders should examine where joy exists in their organization and where it is missing. This requires evaluating team dynamics, workplace rituals, and organizational structures. Leaders can go further by creating a simple metric to measure joy across the organization and track how it evolves over time. Third, it is time to move beyond viewing joy as just an emotional state. Joy should be treated as a value, a measurable outcome, and a driver of innovation. Research has found that happy leaders create teams that are significantly more productive, creative, and engaged (Achor, The Happiness Advantage, 2010). Finally, I encourage leaders to develop a joy plan for themselves and their teams. A joy plan, based on my work, is an intentional framework that includes: 1️⃣ Joy intentions: specific actions or experiences that reliably create joy 2️⃣ Joy barriers: an honest assessment of what gets in the way of joy 3️⃣ Joy commitments: practices that embed joy into daily routines and organizational strategy Joy is not a feel-good add-on. It is essential for creating organizations where people and ideas thrive. 🌟 Visual interaction prompt: Post a photo or image that represents where you see joy in your leadership or your organization. What story does that image tell about how you lead with joy?

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Designing a website is an interesting process. Not just how it looks, but what it says and what it stands for. Heliant Advisory has been taking shape slowly, through conversations, reflection, and a lot of questioning about how wealth, responsibility, and impact intersect. This is a small glimpse behind the scenes (with a little puppy supervision 🐾, and some background music from The Cure). Not finished. But clear enough to begin. Heliant works with individuals, families, and organisations seeking to align capital with purpose, and partners with those in the financial sector supporting them, bringing an impact lens into how wealth is understood, advised on, and ultimately deployed. Getting this right matters because how we frame wealth shapes how it’s used. Launch coming soon… #Philanthropy #WealthManagement #PurposeDriven #SystemsChange #ValuesBasedLeadership

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What kind of founders join the Praxis Accelerator? We’re looking for founders who are building redemptive ventures—and want to do it in community. Praxis Fellows are typically: + Serious Christians + Humble and ambitious + Working full-time on their venture + Seeking accountable, values-aligned community These founders are leading ventures that are: + Early-stage, but gaining traction + Innovative in model or mission + Built for scale + Aimed at addressing major issues of our time Know a founder building in this way?  Nominate a Fellow for our 2026 US Business or Nonprofit Accelerator—or consider applying when applications open on July 14th. Let’s build together. Nominate a Fellow: https://lnkd.in/e3DcnRZW Learn more about our Accelerators: https://lnkd.in/eyqpX8yq

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The "collaborative research examined the financial realities of impact-first investing, revealing that higher operational costs often reflect the price of inclusion and careful stewardship, not inefficiency." For donors and investors focused on impact, this study bears actionable insights - well worth digesting. Thank you, Brigit Helms and Miller Center for Global Impact, for this important work. At MicroLoan Foundation USA, we are focused on creating impact on the lives and businesses of women entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa. The cost of serving micro businesses is not insignificant, but the impact is substantial. For those focused on impact rather than simply the cost side of the equation, these are important distinctions. #impact

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AI feels like it comes with only two options: 1. “Jump in now or you’re already behind.” 2. “Stay away—it’s dangerous and unethical.” For nonprofits, the truth lies somewhere in between. AI isn’t going to solve everything or destroy everything (at least not yet!) But it can absolutely free up staff time, reduce burnout, and keep your team focused on mission-critical work if you approach it with the right balance of caution and curiosity. I recently sat down with Ben Freda from BFC Digital on UnTangled to map out 5 practical steps nonprofits can take to clear a path to AI adoption. Spoiler alert: you don’t need a giant overhaul or a massive budget. Small, thoughtful steps make the biggest impact. Read the full blog here - https://lnkd.in/gPKM7hp7

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Transitions aren’t detours. They’re defining moments. Maruf Haider, of Carilion Clinic reflects on why career shifts and leadership changes often bring the most growth. When approached with intention, they reveal clarity about purpose, identity, and the kind of impact a leader wants to make. Click the link in the comments for the episode. #DisruptiveInnovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

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Leadership is not just about vision, strategy, and execution. It is also about consistency, emotional wellness, trust, and self-awareness. In the newest episode of What's Next? With The Chief Librarian, I had the opportunity to speak with Adrienne Wise of Wise Choice Counseling and Consulting Services®️ about the impact emotional wellness and burnout have on leadership effectiveness and workplace culture. This conversation explores: ✔️Trauma-informed leadership ✔️Emotional exhaustion in leadership roles ✔️Accountability and consistency ✔️Workplace trust ✔️Supporting teams while managing personal stress One statement from the episode that stayed with me: "You’re not a bad leader. You’re just inconsistent." That distinction matters. This episode is a meaningful reminder that leadership development must include emotional intelligence and wellness, not just operational performance. 🎧 Episode streaming now. https://lnkd.in/eCCCqNZs #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast #TheChiefLibrarian #consistencyisthekey

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Honored to have participated as a panelist on the Imposter Syndrome discussion during Fascinating WomenHood Masterclass on an important topic that continues to resonate deeply across entrepreneurial and professional journeys. What stood out most was not just the richness of the discussion also the depth of reflection from the panelists Prof. Isidore BIKOKO Sara Orelie N. BITANGA and the genuine connection with the audience. Imposter syndrome is often perceived as a personal challenge yet it clearly reflects broader questions around growth, legitimacy and self-perception in high-pressure environments. We explored how it shows up in leadership, decision-making and even success itself and more importantly and how to navigate it without letting it limit ambition or execution. A key takeaway: the feeling does not disappear with progress; it evolves! The difference lies in how we interpret it and move forward regardless. Grateful for the quality of the exchange, the thoughtful perspectives shared and the engaged audience that made this conversation meaningful. INTELLIUM ACCELERATOR #WaziEats #ImposterSyndrome #Resilience #PersonalGrowth

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Stepping Into the Boardroom: Reflections for Aspiring Directors As we begin a new year, I have been reflecting on what board leadership requires. Board service is more than governance - it is where experience, perspective, and purpose come together to shape long‑term vision and guide organizations into the futures, they have yet to imagine. Every voice in the boardroom carries both achievement and responsibility. A board seat is a platform for progress, strengthened by diverse perspectives, and collaborative leadership. Through my own board journey, I have learned that preparation, focus, discipline, and confidence matter, as much as credentials. For those exploring their first board opportunity, three reflections stand out: 1. Start With Honest Questions Before beginning your search, ask yourself: Why now? What organizations align with your values? What energizes you? What skills differentiate you? Clarity on your purpose and strengths, helps you approach board service not as a title, but as a meaningful opportunity to apply your judgment, experience, and voice. 2. Understand the Evolving Landscape Governance is changing. Women now hold ~35% of S&P 500 board seats, yet representation for underrepresented groups remains uneven. Boards increasingly prioritize emotional intelligence, collaboration, and strategic thinking, alongside C-suite experience in leadership, finance, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and human capital. Knowing where your skills fit, gives you the language and confidence to position your value authentically. 3. Build Visibility, Authentically Board opportunities grow from trust built, over time. Visibility is not self‑promotion. It is showing up intentionally, contributing where you can, and helping others understand your judgment, values, and leadership style, so you are top of mind, when relevant opportunities arise. Closing Thoughts This is a pivotal moment, especially for Asian American women, entering the boardroom. Each of us widens the path for those who follow. Lead with clarity, empathy, and conviction. When boards think more inclusively and act more strategically, they create enduring value for all stakeholders. #boardleadership #governance #aspiringdirectors #valuecreation #vision #strategicthinking #empatheticleadetship #enduringvalue

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I had a fantastic time representing EatLove PRO at the Stanford Center on Longevity! Beyond the technical insights, my biggest takeaway was the power of community. As founders, we all face similar challenges in scaling impact and navigating a landscape evolving at lightning speed. I've learned during this journey how important it is to surround yourself with peers and colleagues who challenge your perspectives constantly while rooting for your success. I was truly inspired by my fellow panelists, Melis Yilmaz Balban, PhD of Neurosmart and Amy Li Concha Labs. Please check out their work as it is world-class. Thank you Barbara Waxman MS, MPA, PCC for moderating with such grace and giving us something new to think about, and to Marie Conley-Smith for organizing this gathering as well as the AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP for making this introduction.

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We often talk about mentorship as something we give, but not enough about how we build it. On this episode of The Dr. Renee Fraser Show, I’m joined by two powerful voices in the mentoring space: 🎙️ Tony LoRe, CEO & Founder of Youth Mentoring Connection 🎙️ Jason Garcia, from the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Together, we explore what mentorship really means—not just for youth, but for professionals, communities, and future leaders. We discuss how to be a mentor, how to ask for one, and why mentoring relationships are some of the most transformative (and underutilized) tools for growth. Whether you're climbing the ladder or sending one down—this conversation is for you. 🎧 Listen in here: https://lnkd.in/gQnXnnbj #MentorshipMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #DrReneeFraserShow #FraserCommunications #YouthMentoring #PurposeDrivenLeadership #LALeadership

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No board governance structure obviates the need for effective board governors. A core requirement of being an effective board member is being willing and able to productively disagree with the organizational leader. This is true for boards of public/private cos, schools, non-profits, churches, or any organization. It's not to say that a board member's contributions come only through disagreement - not at all. It's also not to say that disagreement should occur often - hopefully that's not the case. But, if a board member is unwilling to voice disagreement when it matters and the board is made up predominantly or entirely of such individuals, then the board isn't really playing any governing role at all. It's all cheerleading, no challenging. If you are the organizational leader, you can foster a productive board by doing something that is counterintuitive and often unnatural - elevating, listening to, and engaging with those on the board who disagree with you. And do that in front of the entire board. That sets the cultural tone that you value a range of opinions and believe in the value of different perspectives - even those that might challenge your own. If you are an organizational leader and your board always agrees with you and always rubber stamps what you're doing, consider the possibility that your board isn't functioning as a board at all, and the organization isn't therefore receiving the value of a well functioning board.

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