United for Collective Impact: GPC Gathering in Singapore
On February 23-24, members of the Global Philanthropists Circle (GPC) gathered in Singapore for a reflective and collaborative convening centered on the theme “United for Collective Impact: Moving from ‘I’ to ‘We.’” The gathering brought together the wider global GPC community to explore how collaboration can deepen philanthropic impact in an increasingly complex world.
The convening began with a celebratory 25th anniversary lunch hosted by GPC member Cherie Nursalim, offering a moment for participants to reconnect and reflect on the relationships and experiences that have shaped the GPC community over the years. Later that evening, an intimate prelude dinner hosted by Dr. Mary Ann Tsao created space for participants to arrive in community, sharing reflections on collaboration and setting intentions for the day ahead.
The main Gathering took place the following day in one of Singapore’s historic Black-and-White Houses, whose tranquil setting provided an atmosphere conducive to thoughtful dialogue and reflection. The day opened with a grounding exercise led by Peggy Dulany, founder and chair of Synergos, inviting participants to arrive with presence, listen deeply, and engage generously with one another.
The morning sessions focused on unpacking the realities of collaborative philanthropy. Zhen Liu of The Bridgespan Group opened the conversation with insights on what collaborative giving looks like in practice—highlighting both the motivations that bring funders together and the structural and relational challenges that often accompany collective efforts. This was followed by a panel moderated by GPC Managing Director Jamie Webb featuring Phillip Henderson of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation and Amee Parikh of Amansa Group, who shared candid reflections on the building blocks required for effective collaboration, including trust, shared purpose, and governance.
Participants then moved into an interactive workshop co-curated with the Asia Philanthropy Circle titled “From Barriers to Bridges: Opening Pathways to Collaboration.” Through personal reflection and small group dialogue, participants explored the internal and relational dimensions of collaboration—surfacing common barriers and identifying opportunities for deeper partnership. Rooted in the Synergos Bridging Leadership approach, the session emphasized that meaningful collaboration begins with self-awareness and trust-building.
In the afternoon, the program turned toward lived experiences of collaboration in action. In conversation with Manisha Shah, Stephen Powell of the Benjamin Wong Foundation reflected on the foundation’s philanthropic journey and introduced Give+, a new initiative aimed at inspiring more intentional, heart-centered giving.
A fireside conversation with Esha Husain of Synergos Bangladesh highlighted how Bridging Leadership has supported cross-sector collaboration to address complex challenges affecting children and families in Bangladesh. Over several years, the initiative brought together government, civil society, and philanthropic actors to create an integrated early childhood care and protection program that is now implemented nationally.
The day concluded with a panel moderated by Peggy Dulany featuring members of the Tsao family—Mary Ann Tsao, Sonia Tsao, and Ed Peng—exploring how philanthropic families can move from legacy to collective action across generations. Participants ended the gathering with a reflective walk, each committing to one courageous step toward collaboration in the months ahead.
The Gathering closed with a traditional tea ceremony led by GPC member Mina Yu and Songqiao Yao, offering a quiet moment to integrate insights and express gratitude for the shared journey.
Together, the two days reaffirmed a central insight: addressing complex global challenges requires not only strategic collaboration, but also the inner work, trust, and shared purpose that make collective action possible.