Francie Ostrower

February 15, 2019
Francie Ostrower, Ph.D., is Professor in the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Department of Theatre and Dance, Director of the Portfolio Program in Arts and Cultural Management and Entrepreneurship, and Senior Fellow in the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service. Prior to joining the University of Texas in 2008, she was Senior Research Associate at the Urban Read More

Frank Merrick

February 15, 2019
Frank W. Merrick enjoys many roles and they all help him serve others. He is President of Foundation Management, Vice President of the Merrick Foundation, and President of Ward S. Merrick, Inc., where he manages all aspects related to oil, gas, real estate and venture capital investments. Most of Frank’s work involves helping individuals, companies and foundations connect with and Read More

Fred Smith

February 15, 2019
Fred Smith is a graduate of Denver University and Harvard Divinity School. He spent several years as teacher and administrator at Charlotte Christian School in North Carolina and The Stony Brook School in New York before joining Bob Buford in founding Leadership Network, where he served as President for 12 years. As well, Fred was the founder of Fourth Partner, a local Read More

Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr Fund

February 15, 2019
The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund seeks to fulfill our founders’ vision of a just and caring society where all people are able to live, work and raise their families with dignity. Walter and Evelyn’s vision is at the heart of the Haas, Jr. Fund’s commitment to tackle some of society’s most pressing and complex issues. At the heart Read More

Ellen Remmer

February 15, 2019
Ellen Remmer is President of the Remmer Family Foundation, a small family foundation focused on girls empowerment and sustainable fisheries. Founded in 1991, the Foundation Board now includes members from both the 2nd and 3rd generation.  All other family members participate on focus area committees.  Ellen is also a Senior Partner at The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), the nonprofit philanthropic advisory Read More

Ellen Sabin

February 15, 2019
Ellen Sabin is the founder of Watering Can Press (www.wateringcanpress.com) and the author of a series of award-winning books that “grow kids with character” including: The Giving Book, The Hero Book, The Special Needs Acceptance Book, The Autism Acceptance Book, The Healing Book, The Greening Book, The Healthy Body Book, The Nickels, Dimes, and Dollars Book, The Healing Heroes Book, Read More

Emily Tow

February 15, 2019
Emily Tow (she/her/hers) is the president of The Tow Foundation, a family foundation that envisions a society where all people have a voice in their community and the opportunity to enjoy a high quality of life. Emily joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors at its inception in 1988 and has served as the Foundation’s president since 1995. Under Emily’s leadership, Read More

Emmett Carson

February 15, 2019
Emmett Carson is CEO and president at Silcon Valley Community Foundation. Read More

Elizabeth “Buffy” Minkin

February 15, 2019
Elizabeth R. Minkin (Buffy) is the Director of Baltimore and Domestic Initiatives of the Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, a group of Baltimore-based family foundations with local, national and international impact. Buffy, a fourth generation Meyerhoff family member, is part of a three-member management team that oversees the family’s grant making, strategy and next generation work. Buffy spent Read More

Elizabeth Newton

February 15, 2019
Elizabeth Newton leads the Family Engagement team as the Director of Family Engagement at Crown Family Philanthropies. She oversees the strategic development and execution of experiences that facilitate the Crown family’s participation in and ongoing engagement with their deep legacy of giving. Prior to joining CFP, Elizabeth worked as an independent philanthropic advisor serving individuals, nonprofit clients, and family and Read More