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Episode 046 – Cecilia A. Conrad, CEO, Lever for Change

On this episode of The Executives’ Exchange, we have a special treat for you as we delve into the future of philanthropy. Join us as we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Julia Stasch, former President of the MacArthur Foundation, and Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. Together, they uncover the transformative power of philanthropy, offering unique insights through the lens of Lever for Change. Recorded in front of a live audience on April 13, 2023.

00:00 – Intro
00:57 – Who is Cecilia Conrad?
02:07 – The current state of philanthropy & disruption
05:53 – The aspiration gap
08:09 – The origin of Lever for Change
12:41 – What does Lever for Change do?
15:37 – Lever for Change values
20:18 – The problem with the word ‘solution’
25:40 – Message from our sponsor, Shure
26:14 – Lever for Change reached their $1B milestone and what that means
28:49 – Why Lever for Change is ‘issue agnostic’
35:46 – How philanthropy, government, and business can work together
39:28 – Most outrageous ideas Lever for Change has encountered
42:20 – Academic sectors role in philanthropy
44:54 – Ideas Lever for Change would love to see
46:17 – What post-award relationships & partnerships look like
48:06 – Is this disruption to philanthropy ready to expand and be replicated?
50:55 – Outro

Episode Link: Lever For Change | MacArthur Foundation

Guest Host: Julia Stasch, Board Chair, Lever for Change; Former President, MacArthur Foundation
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago

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