2025 Global Philanthropy
Leaders Summit
March 12-14, 2025 in San Francisco, CA
Day 2: Thursday, March 13
Registration Opens (3:00 - 4:00 PM)
Opening Remarks (4:00 - 4:15 PM)
The opening plenary at the 2025 Global Philanthropy Forum Leaders Summit will explore how philanthropy, multilateral cooperation, and global leadership can address today’s most pressing challenges. Specific topics include:
Leveraging economic cooperation to foster peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
Lessons from APEC’s leadership in sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.
Reflecting on San Francisco’s legacy as the birthplace of the UN Charter to inspire renewed commitments to multilateralism.
How philanthropy and partnerships can drive innovative solutions for a more peaceful and stable future.
Speakers:
Sarah Howard, Managing Director, Global Philanthropy Forum
Philip Yun, GPF Steering Committee Chair and Co-CEO and Co-President of Commonwealth Club World Affairs (CCWA)
Panel (4:14 - 5:00 PM) | The Funder of 2050: Leading Through Risk, Innovation and Global Shifts
What will it mean to be a funder in 2050? As the world contends with the tectonic forces of climate change, frontier technologies, and the evolving landscape of governance, today’s philanthropic leaders must embrace bold risks and rethink the role of funding in shaping the future.This forward-looking panel will explore how funders can navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world while championing multilateral collaboration and long-term resilience. Panelists will discuss how philanthropy can lead in advancing climate solutions, ethical innovation in technology, and governance models that prioritize equity and inclusion. Together, we’ll envision the qualities and strategies that will define the funders of tomorrow—those prepared to address complex global challenges with courage, creativity, and purpose.
Speakers:
Heba Aly, Director, UN Charter Reform Coalition
Moderator: Sarah Howard, Managing Director, GPF
Panel (5:00 - 5:45 PM) | AI for the Public Good: A Global Blueprint for Innovation
As AI development accelerates, international philanthropic funders have a unique opportunity to shape its trajectory toward social good. The launch of Current AI, a $400 million foundation backed by France, major tech companies, and philanthropies, underscores a growing movement toward public-interest AI. But how can funders ensure that their investments promote equity, transparency, and accountability while mitigating risks of bias, misinformation, and environmental harm? Panelists will discuss how funders can bridge gaps between research, regulation, and real-world impact, ensuring AI serves global communities, not just corporate interests.
Speakers:
Dr. Sasha Luccioni, AI & Climate lead, Hugging Face
Nabiha Syed, ED, Mozilla Foundation
Vilas Dahr, CEO, McGovern Foundation
Percy Liang, co-founder, Together AI
Fireside Chat (5:45 - 6:05 PM) TBC
Welcome Reception (6:10 - 7:30 PM)
Day 2: Thursday, March 13
Registration Opens (3:00 - 4:00 PM)
Opening Remarks (4:00 - 4:15 PM)
The opening plenary at the 2025 Global Philanthropy Forum Leaders Summit will explore how philanthropy, multilateral cooperation, and global leadership can address today’s most pressing challenges. Specific topics include:
Leveraging economic cooperation to foster peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
Lessons from APEC’s leadership in sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.
Reflecting on San Francisco’s legacy as the birthplace of the UN Charter to inspire renewed commitments to multilateralism.
How philanthropy and partnerships can drive innovative solutions for a more peaceful and stable future.
Speakers:
Sarah Howard, Managing Director, Global Philanthropy Forum
Philip Yun, GPF Steering Committee Chair and Co-CEO and Co-President of Commonwealth Club World Affairs (CCWA)
Panel (4:14 - 5:00 PM) | The Funder of 2050: Leading Through Risk, Innovation and Global Shifts
What will it mean to be a funder in 2050? As the world contends with the tectonic forces of climate change, frontier technologies, and the evolving landscape of governance, today’s philanthropic leaders must embrace bold risks and rethink the role of funding in shaping the future.This forward-looking panel will explore how funders can navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world while championing multilateral collaboration and long-term resilience. Panelists will discuss how philanthropy can lead in advancing climate solutions, ethical innovation in technology, and governance models that prioritize equity and inclusion. Together, we’ll envision the qualities and strategies that will define the funders of tomorrow—those prepared to address complex global challenges with courage, creativity, and purpose.
Speakers:
Heba Aly, Director, UN Charter Reform Coalition
Moderator: Sarah Howard, Managing Director, GPF
Panel (5:00 - 5:45 PM) | AI for the Public Good: A Global Blueprint for Innovation
As AI development accelerates, international philanthropic funders have a unique opportunity to shape its trajectory toward social good. The launch of Current AI, a $400 million foundation backed by France, major tech companies, and philanthropies, underscores a growing movement toward public-interest AI. But how can funders ensure that their investments promote equity, transparency, and accountability while mitigating risks of bias, misinformation, and environmental harm? Panelists will discuss how funders can bridge gaps between research, regulation, and real-world impact, ensuring AI serves global communities, not just corporate interests.
Speakers:
Dr. Sasha Luccioni, AI & Climate lead, Hugging Face
Nabiha Syed, ED, Mozilla Foundation
Vilas Dahr, CEO, McGovern Foundation
Percy Liang, co-founder, Together AI
Fireside Chat (5:45 - 6:05 PM) TBC
Welcome Reception (6:10 - 7:30 PM)