Pro Bono Perspectives

Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Sally Holmes gives us a peek behind the scenes at the iconic brand, including insights into new topics they’re taking on and a closer look at powerful women making headlines.

Sally shares her take on Marie Claire’s role in progressing diversity and equity as well as her commitment to engaging and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Visit marieclaire.com for the latest stories on everything from fashion and culture to politics and activism.

Jerome Tennille, Manager of Social Impact & Volunteerism at Marriott International, joins host Danielle Holly for a dynamic conversation on the state of volunteering and employee engagement.

Jerome shares how Marriott has reimagined service for the current moment by going online, but why the future of volunteering isn't virtual. He also makes a powerful call for greater diversity and equity in the nonprofit sector.

Learn more at marriott.com/marriott/aboutmarriott.mi and jerometennille.com.

In our first episode of Black History Month 2021, host Danielle Holly speaks with Delores Morton, CEO of Step Up, a mentorship nonprofit that supports girls in fulfilling their potential by empowering them to become confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women. About half of girls who start the program are not on track to graduate high school, but with Step Up’s mentorship, over 98% do.

United Way Worldwide Senior Director of Volunteer & Employee Engagement Mei Cobb reveals how her organization is pivoting amidst COVID-19’s significant disruptions to volunteering and the first responder organizations that provide vital services. She also reflects on the future of volunteerism and how the pandemic has given us an opportunity to build back better with an increased focus on equity, inclusion, and unity.

To learn more about United Way Worldwide, visit unitedway.org.

Vu Le of NonprofitAF and formerly Rainer Valley Corps joins host Danielle Holly the day after the violent insurrection on the Capitol to discuss how we can and must be bolder in responding to injustices like this. It's time for an existential crisis in philanthropy, Vu declares. Time to reject purpose washing, harmful funding practices, and flawed approaches to capacity building. Time to release power so underrepresented and marginalized groups can lead.

For more from Vu, visit his blog, NonprofitAF.com.

In our Season 2 finale, host Danielle Holly reflects on the challenging moments we lived through this year, from COVID-19 to a divisive election to the brutal murders of Black Americans and racial justice reckoning that followed. Danielle highlights some of the most moving experiences and advice our guests shared in 2020 and why she is optimistic for the new year, one that we hope sees more resilient, equitable, and connected communities than ever before.

Tom Crohan, Vice President & Counsel, Corporate Responsibility & Government Relations at John Hancock, joins host Danielle Holly to talk co-hosting this year's Skills for Cities day of skills-based volunteering to support racial justice and BIPOC-led nonprofits, as well as John Hancock’s response to COVID-19, racial injustice, and social inequity.

To learn more about John Hancock’s services, CSR initiatives, and community engagement programs, visit johnhancock.com/index.html.

Shalu Umapathy, Managing Director of New Ventures at IDEO.org, shares how her organization creates a more just and inclusive world through people-centered design. IDEO.org partners with organizations to pioneer new ways of working and builds tools that help millions of people learn and practice human-centered design.

Shalu explores what innovation means in the context of COVID-19, how to make it stick, and how it can serve as a path toward diversity, equity & inclusion.

Visit IDEO.org to learn more.

Edgar Villanueva is a SVP at the Schott Foundation and author of Decolonizing Wealth, a bestselling book offering hopeful and compelling alternatives to the dynamics of colonization in philanthropy and social finance.

In this episode, Edgar unpacks the concept of “decolonizing wealth,” addresses several important critiques of philanthropy, and shares how his return to his Indigenous values now guides his career.

To learn more about Edgar’s work, visit schottfoundation.org and decolonizingwealth.

Chris Tyson, President & CEO of Build Baton Rouge, joins host Danielle Holly to share about the redevelopment authority’s mission to bring together people and resources to promote equitable investment, innovative development, and thriving communities across Baton Rouge.

Chris explains why a lens of equity and a deep understanding of the community are essential for overcoming the racial and spatial stratification resulting from decades of discriminatory policy.

To learn more, visit buildbatonrouge.or