2025 GPC Gathering: Post Event Reflection
Published on May 16, 2025
As we look back on last week’s GPC Gathering—set in the lush, spring-filled grounds of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden—our hearts are full of gratitude and inspiration. Over two transformative days, members and speakers from around the world came together to explore what it truly means to lead with courage. It was a celebration of bold vision, honest dialogue, and deep connection—anchored in the belief that inner work and brave action must go hand in hand if we are to shape a just and
flourishing future.
We opened with a moving conversation between Alyse Nelson of Vital Voices and 2025 honorees of the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award, Yael Admi (Women Wage Peace) and Reem Al-Hajajreh (Women of the Sun), who emphasized the extraordinary power of mothers to bridge divides and lead with love—even amidst deep conflict. Their joint manifesto, Mothers' Call, offered a powerful vision of hope, rooted in the shared humanity of Palestinian and Israeli families.
Our Founder and Chair, Peggy Dulany, facilitated an intimate fireside conversation on Generous Listening with GPC Member Vuslat Sabancı, which reminded us of the of the power of Generous Listening and encouraged us to embrace listening not as a passive act, but as a courageous, transformative practice. Her reflections—paired with insights from her art—invited us to slow down, listen deeply, and connect beyond the noise.
In a moving talk, Dr. Mauricio Diazgranados of the New York Botanical Garden shared his journey from surviving violence in Colombia to leading global efforts in biodiversity conservation. His passion for plants and exploration has taken him across Colombia’s most remote and biodiverse regions, where he now works to protect endangered ecosystems and empower local communities through sustainable bioeconomy initiatives. Dr. Diazgranados’s story reminded us that healing the planet and healing ourselves are intertwined.
Our first afternoon together featured a candid and heartfelt conversation on family legacy and systems change, facilitated by Synergos CEO Camille Massey. The session brought together Next Generation GPC members Rowan Finnegan and Phil Engelhorn, alongside Pauline Borg of Kairos, who shared deeply personal reflections on navigating legacy, leadership, and impact. From redefining wealth to aligning investments with values, the panellists spoke about the courage required to shift from traditional philanthropy to systems change. Themes of deep listening, bridge-building, and long-term thinking echoed throughout the discussion, offering a powerful reminder that the Next Generation is not only inheriting capital—but also reimagining its purpose.
In one of the day’s most compelling and creative sessions, Patrick Dowd of the Long Now Foundation asked us to stretch our thinking beyond centuries—to millennia. Founded in 1996, the Long Now Foundation fosters long-term cultural thinking through bold, tangible projects—like the 10,000 Year Clock, a language archive on the Moon, and a global series of talks exploring everything from planetary computation to ancestral wisdom. Their mission: make long-term thinking more common and automatic in an era of accelerating change. Participants designed mythic artefacts for future generations, drawing on science, myth, and memory to reflect on the legacies we want to leave 10,000 years from now. "Imagination is infrastructure - it’s how we prepare for futures we may never live to see—but can still shape”, said Patrick Dowd.
We closed the day with a captivating conversation between Peggy Dulany and Dr. Larry Brilliant, who took us on an extraordinary journey from Detroit to the Himalayas, from eradicating smallpox to pioneering new approaches to healthy ageing. Dr. Brilliant shared how his spiritual grounding, rooted in Nishkam Karma Yoga (selfless service), has informed every chapter of his life—from public health to tech to global philanthropy. Now, using AI and big data, Dr Brilliant is focused on creating personalized health plans that prevent disease and extend quality of life. His message was one of urgency and optimism: “A better future is possible—if we choose to build it together.” The second day began with heartfelt reflections on the evolution of the Global Philanthropists Circle. Members shared exciting updates and courageous initiatives. Throughout, a common thread emerged: Purpose. As one member noted, “That’s what sets this community apart.”
In a powerful dialogue, Dr. Francis Kuria of Religions for Peace and Jonathan Lever of the Fetzer Institute explored how faith-based leadership can build bridges and foster peace. Dr. Kuria urged us to view religious insitutions not as obstacles, but as critical partners in community transformation. Gretchen Steidle, leading Synergos’ Inner Work for Outer Impact initative, guided participants through mindfulness, storytelling, and breathwork. Her session was a grounding reminder that courageous action begins within—and that tending to our inner lives is essential for sustainable, purpose-driven leadership. 
In a timely panel hosted by GPC Member Jonathan Evens (Evens Foundation), experts Alexandra Reeve Givens (Center for Democracy and Technology), Yaёl Eisenstat (Cybersecurity for Democracy), and Aviv Ovadya (AI & Democracy Foundation) unpacked the threats of AI-driven inequality, algorithmic discrimination, and the erosion of democratic processes—from surveillance to misinformation. They highlighted the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration, transparent governance, and new democratic infrastructure that can evolve alongside rapidly advancing AI. The session concluded with a call for courageous, systems-level philanthropy to fund civil society, elevate bridging narratives, and champion democratic values in this critical moment.
“We must support the people and organizations shaping AI in the public interest—before it shapes democracy without us.”
We ended on a high note with an uplifting workshop led by Ori Leshman of Music for Dialogue. Through music, reflection, and storytelling, participants mapped out one courageous action to take in the next six months—from adopting a child and restoring ecosystems, to launching civic unity initiatives and eradicading human trafficking. Each group closed by choosing an anthem—a musical expression of shared purpose and unity. This Gathering affirmed what we already know: the GPC community is a place of trust, boldness, and belonging.
Thank you to every member, speaker, and partner for showing up with curiosity and courage!