Speakers Discuss Collaboration, Measurement and Philanthropic Strategies at “Leading by Example: Best Practices in Charitable Giving” Conference

On Oct. 20, The Boston Foundation, Boston College, and Ropes & Gray hosted the second daylong Leading By Example conference. Speakers and participants at the conference identified an overarching need for interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnership in the nonprofit world, as well as a need for rigorous measurement and data analytics in order to better access resources, expertise, and ultimately deliver evidence-based solutions and results. Other themes addressed at this year’s conference included multi-generational philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, complex gifting strategies, navigating non-profit board participation, and mobilizing the legal, charitable, public, and private sectors to create social change.

Focused on latest developments and best practices in charitable giving, the conference was held at the Campus Center at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. The conference was attended by more than 200 professional advisors, family office leaders, non-profit professionals, and donors, and provided a forum in which they could share their experiences, review recent developments, discuss best practices, learn from other experts, and express their passion for philanthropy. Greg A. Shell, managing director of Bain Capital Double Impact Fund, presented the keynote address. In her closing conference remarks, Tiziana Dearing, professor of macro practice and co-director of the Center for Social Innovation at Boston College, discussed how transformational change comes with teaming talent well, implementing comprehensive systems to tackle problems, and having “ninja level skills” in collaboration – in other words, possessing the capabilities and networks to drive an initiative to a successful outcome.

The Leading By Example conference was organized by private client group partners Martin Hall and Ropes Wealth Advisors financial planner Frank Sennott.