What brought you to work at Geneva Global and how did you get started in this field?
I stumbled into philanthropy on a whim. I was about a year and a half post-grad working at my local library and I thought I would go back to school to get my master’s in Library Science. I planned to look into programs around the holidays when I saw a post on LinkedIn about an open role with Geneva Global. Actually, a current teammate posted about it (Shoutout Eliza!). We were part of the same internship program with Penguin Random House, so I reached out to her asking about the role. Even while going through the interview process, I was still learning about what exactly philanthropy advising is (and still am today). But back then, I was really drawn to the people-centric aspect of the team and the company, as well as building trust with clients in relationship management, and encouraging philanthropists to do more with their giving. So I trusted my gut and made a career pivot. I’ll always believe that this is one of the best career decisions I’ve made because I love my job and what we do here!
What does your role at Geneva Global involve?
I joke that I send emails for a living, which is about a quarter true. My day to day looks different depending on our project needs. As an Associate, I support a team that works with foundations to mobilize resources and funding from donors. I use my research, writing, and data analysis skills on a variety of projects to support our clients’ donor relations, communications, and education, specifically for the ultra-high-net-worth and foundation donor segments. The Donor Advising Team is full of thoughtful, compassionate, and smart people who I feel lucky to work alongside and collaborate with. I learn something new every day from our work and each other. We support one another while facing challenges, and knowing that what we do makes an impact in the long term is truly a delight.
Which of your professional accomplishments at Geneva Global are you most proud of?
Even within a year, it’s hard to choose just one accomplishment that I’m proud of. I approach every day as a win! But one project workstream that I’ve been in since I started is a service for our largest client that provides resources to support the philanthropic learning and giving journeys of their partners. Our team receives requests covering a variety of issues, whether it’s connecting partners with other funders in their community, focus area overviews, and even 101 learning guides on philanthropy-specific topics. To date, I’ve worked on nearly 20 resource sheets that have been provided to philanthropists. I love to research topics I’m interested in, but also topics I know nearly nothing about. It’s fun to become a quick expert on a focus area and write a succinct report that hopefully expands and enlightens a philanthropist’s knowledge. I’ve heard great feedback from our clients on the work, which reflects positively back on our team as a whole. These resources have been shared between philanthropists, refreshed to include up-to-date information, and serve as a helpful repository for our client to lean into for their partners. The service is a project I’m grateful to have been part of and witness its evolution even after just one year.
What’s your favorite way to start the day? What’s your ideal morning routine?
I’ve recently adopted a daily journaling exercise as soon as I wake up. It’s a 2-minute morning clarity dump. I quickly answer three prompts to orient myself and start my day off. Your brain as you wake up is most grounded when you take a moment to reflect. I think it’s been immensely helpful for me to start my day right and approach work with a clear head free of worries and stress before they can accumulate.
What’s one thing that always brings a smile during your workday?
My team is hilarious. Everyone makes me smile even on a tough day. Our chat threads, whether outside a meeting or within one, never fails to make me chuckle. I think we bring a fun, light energy to our work, which helps us work better and more efficiently. We also are all either fully remote or hybrid. The opportunities when we can convene together in-person are always so refreshing. The in-person gatherings help me reorient and get ready to jump back into our incredible work.
What energizes you outside of work?
I love my job, not just because of the work, but also because of the culture that encourages taking breaks to recharge. Outside of work, my family and friends are my cheerleaders. I’m very grateful to have a positive support system at home. I have the space to be my own person, but also convene with my loved ones and be in community with one another. I love to travel and visit friends who moved away from my hometown. My family and I are trying to visit the Philippines more to see my family there too, which is always so rejuvenating to return to my roots. I love to read and talk about books. I also love to watch movies, either by myself or with others, and debrief about what happened afterwards. I’m getting into running, and as someone who hated running growing up, I’m ruefully proven wrong by my past prejudices. Running DOES actually improve your mental health alongside making you stronger. I like to journal and write; collect stickers; visit coffee shops and bookstores. And more hobbies I’m forgetting… but these are just some of the ways that I energize myself and have a holistic life.
What are you most excited about or in anticipation for in regards to the future of philanthropy?
The Great Wealth Transfer is upon us. Nearly $124 trillion is projected to pass between generations in the next 20 or so years. Which also means that more women are poised to steward and influence significant philanthropic capital — reshaping not just how much is given, but how values, impact, and long-term change are defined in philanthropy. Championing women, especially women of color, to do more with their money and steward them into leadership roles to make great change is vital. I’m excited that there is more advocacy, opportunity, and access for all women and girls to take charge of their futures. But there’s always more that can and should be done. In a world that seems to be more divided every day, returning wealth back into the communities who need them most is of the utmost importance. Not just women, but all philanthropists and givers need to come together to learn, connect, and collectively think about what comes next, and how we can shape a better world by putting in the work today.
What are you reading right now?
I’m reading The Other Sister by Janice Hadlow. It’s basically a Pride & Prejudice fan fiction that centers Mary Bennet, the serious, overlooked middle sister of the Bennet family. The book details her coming-of-age journey outside of her family’s shadow, discovering who she is and finding the love that she accepts and truly deserves. I am a P&P and Jane Austen stan, and I love stories that reimagine and center characters who are not exactly main character material. I’m also admittedly a romantic and believe everyone deserves to find love in the capacity they desire the most, whether romantically or platonically. I’d love to talk shop about Jane Austen any day!
