With an endowment exceeding $14 billion and annual grantmaking of roughly $600 to $700 million, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation occupies a distinctive position in global philanthropy: large enough to shape conversations, yet intentionally focused on convening expertise, supporting long-term thinking, and backing institutions working on society’s most complex challenges. In this episode, Amber Miller, President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, joins Alberto Lidji to discuss how one of the world’s leading foundations is approaching artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and an increasingly uncertain global landscape.

The conversation explores how AI is becoming a cross-cutting concern across the foundation’s work, spanning climate, democracy, education, public systems, and global development. Rather than treating AI solely as a technological issue, Miller describes efforts to connect traditionally separate areas of expertise, creating new ways to understand both risks and opportunities.

A central focus is security. Miller reflects on near-term threats linked to AI and emerging technologies, including vulnerabilities affecting hospitals, energy grids, water systems, transportation networks, and other forms of critical infrastructure. The discussion also examines the convergence of AI with biosynthesis and quantum technologies, including concerns that advances in quantum-enabled decryption could eventually undermine existing encryption systems with implications for public systems, state resilience, and national security.

The governance challenge is equally complex. Beyond familiar narratives centered on competition between the United States and China, Miller points to the potential influence of "middle powers" and subnational actors in shaping norms, oversight, and approaches to AI governance. The episode considers who will help guide the future of these technologies: governments, researchers, civil society, universities, industry, philanthropic institutions, and actors operating across borders and sectors.

Yet the conversation is far from pessimistic. Miller repeatedly emphasizes that AI is not inherently good or bad, and that its ultimate impact will depend on how societies choose to deploy it. Potential opportunities discussed include:

• Accelerating breakthroughs in medicine, genomics, and disease treatment
• Improving efficiency in clean energy systems and supporting climate solutions
• Enabling more personalized learning and strengthening educational outcomes
• Expanding productivity, unlocking new forms of work, and augmenting human capability rather than replacing it

Drawing on a career spanning astrophysics, university leadership, and science-informed public engagement, Miller offers a perspective shaped by interdisciplinary thinking and a deep interest in solving difficult problems. Throughout the episode, she returns to a recurring theme: humanity is living through a pivotal moment marked by rapid technological advancement, societal polarization, and mounting global challenges, but also extraordinary potential for ingenuity, collaboration, and progress.

This is a conversation about AI, philanthropy, governance, and emerging technologies. More fundamentally, it is a conversation about whether institutions can work together to steer powerful innovations toward human flourishing rather than instability.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

What does thoughtful philanthropy look like when the ambition is to deploy $6 billion over the next 35 years in support of girls’ education?

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji speaks with Dana Schmidt, Program Director at Echidna Giving, about the realities of large-scale grantmaking, the responsibility that comes with stewarding significant philanthropic capital, and why supporting girls’ education remains one of the most evidence-backed pathways toward long-term social change. Echidna Giving is expanding rapidly, with annual grantmaking projected to grow from roughly $50 million to $200 million.

Dana explains why giving money away well is far from straightforward. The conversation explores how funders can remain responsive to grantees, learn continuously, and avoid becoming disconnected from the communities they seek to support. Central to Echidna Giving’s approach is a commitment to listening to those closest to the problems, investing in long-term relationships, taking measured risks, and embedding clear values into day-to-day decision making.

The discussion also examines how philanthropic organizations can preserve culture and effectiveness while scaling. Dana shares how Echidna Giving formalized guiding principles for its work, used independent grantee perception surveys to gather honest feedback, and saw stronger results even as the organization grew and expanded geographically.

A major theme throughout the conversation is proximity. As Echidna Giving has built teams closer to the regions where it works, including East Africa, its grantmaking has evolved. The organization has increased direct engagement with locally led institutions and is supporting efforts to strengthen African-led education research, with the aim of shifting who produces evidence and shapes educational priorities.

Dana also outlines the areas where Echidna Giving concentrates its funding, including early childhood, foundational learning, and adolescent girls’ education, recognizing these as pivotal moments that influence whether girls remain in school and thrive over the long term. The conversation considers how philanthropy can complement, rather than replace, public systems, acknowledging that governments remain the largest investors in education worldwide.

This episode is a thoughtful exploration of effective philanthropy, trust-based grantmaking, systems change, and the challenge of turning substantial resources into meaningful, lasting impact.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Nicole Taylor, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, joins Alberto Lidji to explore the evolving landscape of modern philanthropy through the lens of the world’s largest community foundation.

The conversation examines how donor advised funds (DAFs) are reshaping giving across generations, from ultra high net worth philanthropists to everyday donors seeking meaningful impact. Nicole explains why donor advised funds have become a flexible and increasingly influential vehicle for charitable giving, and how Silicon Valley Community Foundation supports donors in translating intention into action.

Nicole also discusses the Foundation’s deep local engagement across the Bay Area, including work focused on housing affordability, economic mobility, healthcare workforce development, and small business growth in one of the most unequal regions in the United States.

The episode further explores the Foundation’s global reach, including how it supports donors pursuing international development and cross border philanthropy through partnerships and philanthropic networks spanning regions such as Africa, including Rwanda.

Key themes include:

• The role of donor advised funds in contemporary philanthropy and why they appeal to donors across wealth levels
• How philanthropy evolves across generations, from emerging wealth creators to legacy focused giving
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s work on housing, healthcare careers, and economic opportunity in California
• The importance of collaboration, donor circles, and expert networks in advancing more strategic philanthropy
• Why community foundations remain essential civic institutions in both local and global giving

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Sustainability has shifted from corporate aspiration to financial reality, but how do companies actually measure its impact on value creation?

In this episode, Alberto Lidji speaks with Michel Driessen about the evolving relationship between sustainability, ESG, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Drawing from the themes explored in Green Gold: How Sustainability Creates Deal Value, Michel explains how businesses and investors are increasingly translating sustainability into measurable financial outcomes.

The conversation examines why sustainability has become more politically charged in recent years, while simultaneously becoming more embedded inside corporate operations, investment decisions, and supply chains. Michel argues that although the public conversation around ESG may have cooled, many companies continue advancing sustainability initiatives behind the scenes because the financial and operational implications are too significant to ignore.

A major focus of the discussion is the role of CFOs and financial leaders. Michel explains how sustainability responsibilities are shifting away from standalone ESG teams and becoming central to finance, strategy, and investment committees. The episode explores how organizations can assess sustainability risks and opportunities at the business unit level, rather than relying solely on broad company-wide ESG ratings.

Alberto and Michel also unpack:

• How sustainability factors influence valuation, EBITDA, cash flow, and cost of capital • Why materiality and maturity assessments matter in transaction due diligence • The growing influence of investors, pension funds, banks, and regulators • The connection between reputational risk and financial risk • Why governance issues are often underestimated compared to environmental topics • The complexities and unintended consequences of ESG decision-making across industries and geographies • How new disclosure and reporting standards are reshaping corporate accountability • Why MBA students and future executives are increasingly focused on sustainability regulation and financial integration

The discussion also touches on examples from global business, including Unilever’s sustainability leadership, investor expectations, supply chain resilience, and the practical realities of balancing profitability with long-term responsibility.

Ultimately, this episode explores how sustainability is becoming integrated into mainstream financial decision-making, not simply as a reputational exercise, but as a core component of business performance and enterprise value.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji speaks with Professor Jennifer Davidson, Executive Director of the Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures at the University of Strathclyde. The conversation examines how global coalitions, governments, and communities can work together to better uphold children’s rights.

Professor Davidson outlines the Institute’s mission to bridge research and real-world impact, focusing on children facing the greatest adversities. The discussion highlights a persistent global gap between society’s aspirations for children and their lived realities, and the structural barriers that continue to limit children’s access to justice, safety, and well-being.

A central theme is the concept of child-centered justice. This approach reframes justice systems to recognize children as rights holders with agency, emphasizing outcomes that are safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate. It extends beyond formal legal systems to consider the full spectrum of children’s lived experiences, from victims of abuse to those in conflict with the law.

The episode also examines the work of the Justice Action Coalition, a high-ambition partnership advancing people-centered justice in alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16. With growing governmental engagement, the coalition is now placing children at the forefront of justice reform efforts, aiming to align political will with actionable, scalable solutions.

Key insights from the conversation include:

• Why justice systems often fail children, even when laws are in place
• The importance of listening directly to children’s experiences and perspectives
• Early findings from research across Sierra Leone, Greece, South Africa, Colombia, and the Philippines
• The role of feedback loops in improving public systems and closing implementation gaps
• Emerging challenges, including the impact of AI and digital systems on children’s rights
• The need for greater philanthropic focus on justice for children as a distinct field

Professor Davidson also reflects on her professional journey, from frontline social work to leading systems change initiatives, and explains why accountability and justice are essential to sustaining progress for children over time.

This episode offers a rigorous and globally informed perspective on how justice systems can evolve to better serve children.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji speaks with Emily Teitsworth, Executive Director of the Honnold Foundation, about a powerful and often overlooked approach to climate philanthropy.

Founded by professional climber Alex Honnold, the Honnold Foundation focuses on expanding access to solar energy in underserved communities around the world. But its impact goes far beyond clean energy. The organization identifies and supports grassroots leaders who are frequently invisible to larger funders, helping them develop, grow, and ultimately access greater resources.

Emily shares how the foundation operates as both a funder and an intermediary, providing not only grants but also hands-on capacity building. This includes support with strategy, financial management, communications, and storytelling. By strengthening organizational foundations, these small, locally led groups become better positioned to scale and engage with larger institutional funders.

A central theme of the conversation is trust-based philanthropy. Rather than imposing rigid frameworks, the Honnold Foundation meets partners where they are, offering flexible funding and long-term support. This approach allows unexpected and transformative outcomes to emerge. From solar-powered internet access in remote Brazilian communities to solar boat fleets in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the ripple effects extend far beyond energy access.

Emily also discusses the importance of patience in philanthropy, especially when working with grassroots organizations navigating complex regulatory and operational environments. She highlights the foundation’s role in bridging the gap between early-stage innovation and large-scale funding, helping surface high-potential projects that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The episode explores the broader funding landscape, where billions flow into large-scale energy infrastructure while relatively little reaches community-led initiatives. The Honnold Foundation accounts for a meaningful share of global community solar funding, underscoring both the scale of need and the opportunity for more funders to engage.

Ultimately, this conversation challenges traditional notions of scale and impact. It makes a compelling case for investing in small, locally rooted solutions as a pathway to meaningful, lasting change.

Key topics include:

• Expanding solar energy access as both a climate and development solution
• Identifying and supporting overlooked grassroots organizations
• Trust-based philanthropy and unrestricted funding
• Capacity building as a pathway to scale
• Bridging grassroots innovation with institutional capital
• The concept of emergent impact in climate work

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, host Alberto Lidji speaks with Irene Pritzker, Chair and Co-Founder of the IDP Foundation and author of The School in the Market. The conversation explores how innovative financing models can expand access to quality education in underserved communities, with a focus on Ghana and Kenya.

Pritzker shares the origin story behind the foundation’s work, which began with a visit to Ghana and a revealing encounter with informal, low-cost private schools serving families who lacked viable public education options. These schools, often founded by local entrepreneurs, operate in challenging conditions yet meet a critical need. Despite strong demand from parents, they were largely excluded from traditional financial systems due to perceived risk, lack of collateral, and limited formal business training.

What followed was the creation of a new model: combining microfinance with targeted training in financial literacy and school management. By partnering with local financial institutions, the IDP Foundation developed a system of small, structured loans paired with capacity-building support. The results were striking. Schools improved their infrastructure incrementally, repayment rates reached approximately 98 percent, and student outcomes began to improve.

The model has since scaled significantly, reaching hundreds of thousands of students and expanding beyond Ghana into Kenya. Importantly, it has also shifted perceptions within the financial sector. Institutions that once dismissed these schools as too risky are now beginning to recognize them as viable clients and a meaningful opportunity for both impact and return.

The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. Rather than viewing low-cost private schools as competitors to government systems, Pritzker argues they should be seen as complementary, particularly in regions where public provision falls short. Governments, she notes, are increasingly engaging with the model, intrigued by both the data and the potential for improved learning outcomes.

Finally, Pritzker shares insights from her broader philanthropic philosophy. She underscores the value of staying nimble, keeping governance structures lean, and focusing on interventions that can unlock larger systems change. Above all, she encourages funders and practitioners to identify overlooked opportunities where relatively small, strategic investments can catalyze significant and lasting impact.

This episode offers a compelling look at how finance, entrepreneurship, and education can intersect to create scalable solutions for one of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Partnership is often spoken about as an ideal. Much more rarely is it treated as a discipline.

In this episode Alberto Lidji speaks with Darian Stibbe, Executive Director of The Partnering Initiative, about what it takes to build collaborations that are not only well intentioned, but genuinely effective.

At a time when the world’s most pressing challenges demand coordinated action across sectors, Darian makes the case that collaboration is no longer optional. Governments, businesses, philanthropies, civil society organisations and communities each bring different forms of value, but bringing those contributions together in a meaningful way requires far more than goodwill.

This conversation explores the deeper architecture of effective partnership: trust, incentives, governance, mindset, shared accountability and the ability to work productively through ambiguity. Darian argues that partnering should be understood as a professional capability, one that can be developed, strengthened and embedded within institutions.

The discussion also examines why so many partnerships struggle in practice. Often, the problem is not a lack of commitment, but a lack of structure, clarity and organisational readiness. From relationship-building and co-creation to institutional culture and leadership, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of what makes collaboration succeed or fail.

A rich and practical conversation for those working across philanthropy, sustainability, international development, business and systems change.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.