C4: Soaring Successes and Fantastic Failures of Mission Investing (CEO Roundtable)
Session Designer
Peter Berliner, PRI Makers Network
Session Description
Moving established organizations from traditional philanthropy into new ways of doing business can be exciting and challenging. Grantmaking investments made in the pursuit of both financial and social returns can provide broader impact than grantmaking alone, but there is no one way to do this type of investing. Through this moderated discussion, battle-tested foundation leaders will share their successes, failures and adventures in building mission investing programs. Hear about how they decided to use investment strategies to accomplish philanthropic objectives, addressed tough issues such as resource allocation and risk, and managed the challenge of engaging their trustees, staff, and other key constituents in their journey.
Conference Theme
Supporting Effectiveness
Speakers
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/173/profile_05ed9a94007a18c12347873578b2e6e7.png "Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation")
Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation
Title
President
Speaker Biography
Diane Kaplan is the president of the Anchorage-based Rasmuson Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the Pacific Northwest. She began administering the Foundation in 1995. From 1994-2001, Kaplan's consulting company provided management and government relations services to philanthropic and nonprofit organizations and Native corporations and tribes. She was previously president and chief executive officer of Alaska's 28-station public radio network. Kaplan earned a degree in Communications and Women's Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She attended executive management programs at the Wharton School, Stanford University and UC Berkeley.
Kaplan was appointed by governors Murkowski, Palin and Parnell to the Alaska Children's Trust and serves as its chair. She is a founding board member of United States Artists and The Foraker Group. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Grantmaker Award, the highest honor awarded by the Council on Foundations, .
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/41a61f7b92922fd40df9db2f44bdb5d0.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Richard Woo, The Russell Family Foundation")
Richard Woo, The Russell Family Foundation
Title
Chief Executive Officer
Speaker Biography
Richard Woo became the chief executive officer for The Russell Family Foundation in April, 2000. Woo collaborates with the board of directors to guide the foundation's strategic planning, programs and community affairs. Prior to arriving at the foundation in 2000, he spent many years working in nonprofit organizations and business in California. As the former executive director of the Levi Strauss Foundation, Woo has experience in global philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. He is on the Philanthropy Northwest board of directors.
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4361561a789b53425aa80edb9e491904.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Mr Peter Berliner, PRI Makers Network")
Mr Peter Berliner, PRI Makers Network
Title
Managing Director
Speaker Biography
Peter Berliner is the managing director of the PRI Makers Network, a national association of foundations making program-related investments to achieve philanthropic goals. Berliner was previously the program director at the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and the executive director of the Children’s Alliance, a policy advocacy organization. He has served on numerous boards and commissions including Washington State’s Early Learning Advisory Council, Thrive by Five-Washington, and 501Commons. He is also a past president of the board of Philanthropy Northwest, a regional association of grantmakers.
Berliner earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s in teaching from Oberlin College.