Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors appoints four new board members. September 25, 2026 - By Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), a global philanthropic service organization dedicated to accelerating philanthropy in pursuit of a just world, is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its board of directors: Jon Harold Dutton, Luther Ragin Jr., Nick Tedesco, and Adam Wolfensohn. Jon Harold Dutton is the President & CEO of Cavalcade Capital, a New York City-based family office and SEC-registered investment adviser providing private wealth advisory services to high-net-worth clients. Before founding Cavalcade, he was a Senior Vice President at AlixPartners, advising teams through large corporate turnarounds, and earlier, a management consultant at Accenture. A Brooklyn resident, Jon serves as a trustee of a family charitable trust and on the boards of jazz radio station WBGO, JustLeadershipUSA, and Common Justice. He is also a member of the Aspen Institute Society of Fellows and the Brooklyn Museum's Contemporary Art Committee. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Nicholas (Nick) Tedesco currently serves as President & CEO of the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP), a hub of learning, connection, and collaboration for families committed to intentional philanthropic stewardship. Previously, he was a Senior Advisor in the J.P. Morgan Philanthropy Centre and a Relationship Manager at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he helped launch the Giving Pledge. Nick received a B.A. from Villanova University and resides in Washington, D.C. Luther M. Ragin, Jr. is an impact investing leader who currently serves on the boards of the McKnight Foundation and the Community Reinvestment Fund USA. He is the retired President and Founding CEO of the Global Impact Investing Network and previously served as Chief Investment Officer of the F.B. Heron Foundation, where he oversaw the Foundation's $300 million endowment, and Chief Financial Officer of the Opportunity Finance Network. He holds a B.A. and Master of Public Policy from Harvard and is a graduate of Columbia University's Executive Program in Business Administration. Adam Wolfensohn currently serves as Co-Managing Partner of Encourage Capital, a leading climate-focused impact investment and advisory firm. Previously, he was Managing Director at Wolfensohn Fund Management, where he managed the family office's cleantech and environmental markets strategies. Adam's board service includes the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Yad Hanadiv, Urban Ocean Lab, and Bang on a Can. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Adam earned a B.A. from Princeton University and a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. "Together, Jon, Luther, Nick, and Adam bring decades of combined expertise leading and strengthening organizations focused on social impact," said Valerie Rockefeller, Chair of the RPA Board of Directors. "Their individual backgrounds in the fields of impact investing, philanthropic stewardship, and environmental causes make them outstanding additions to RPA's board." RPA Co-CEOs Nic Campbell and Walter Sweet added, "Jon, Luther, Nick, and Adam are joining RPA's board at a pivotal moment. As the organization works to deepen its role within the broader, global philanthropic ecosystem, these four board members bring diverse perspectives that align with the evolving needs of the communities we serve and the justice-centered vision of the organization." About Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) accelerates philanthropy in pursuit of a just world. Its work centers justice and people, prioritizing the well-being, dignity, and development of all stakeholders. Continuing the Rockefeller family's legacy of thoughtful, effective philanthropy, RPA is a global nonprofit that remains at the forefront of philanthropic growth and innovation, with a diverse team of experienced grantmakers with significant depth of knowledge across the spectrum of issue areas. Founded in 2002, RPA has grown into one of the world's largest philanthropic service organizations and has facilitated more than $4 billion in grantmaking to more than 70 countries.

Beyond borders: what US and Australian philanthropy can learn from each other. July 23, 2026 - By Sanya Mirpuri In the spring of 2026, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) partnered with Philanthropy Australia (PA) to deliver a "State of Philanthropy Insight Series" across six capital cities throughout Australia. During the sessions, RPA's Heather Grady delivered keynote addresses and joined fireside chats, and Sanya Mirpuri conducted workshops on RPA's Operating Archetypes for PA members. From left to right: Sanya Mirpuri, Heather Grady, Maree Sidey, Darrell Wade, Jodi Farley, Fleur Allen The series was an opportunity for cross-collaboration on philanthropic learning between the US and Australia. While RPA was able to share its learnings from the US philanthropic space and international philanthropic trends, it also took away insights from Australia's growing philanthropic sector. Currently, Australia's philanthropic landscape is expanding as the country's wealth increases and its social services are stretched thin. At the same time, the country is experiencing a rise in anti-philanthropic sentiment - something many countries, including the US, are seeing. Given these factors, PA asked RPA to share what Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors has learned about the role of philanthropy in moments of crisis. This included how federal laws and public and private sector funding shifts can quickly and dramatically affect under-resourced and historically disenfranchised communities as well as broader norms and practices around democracy, equality and justice. Below are some of the key takeaways from these conversations: Tall poppy syndrome. One phrase reverberated throughout these events - tall poppy syndrome. This phrase refers to the phenomenon of criticizing those who seek prominence. Many note that this derives from Australia's view of itself as not fiscally wealthy but rather rich in connectedness and care for one another, as seen through its vast social resources. In practice, this causes philanthropists to silence themselves so as not to bring attention to their good fortune. Tall poppy syndrome sits in direct contrast with philanthropy in the US, where donor names commonly inscribe the walls of buildings. Although American philanthropy can be loud and centered around the individual, such visibility can build excitement in a movement or inspire others to give both independently and collaboratively. In discussions with philanthropic organizations across Australia, people often expressed the need to be more vocal about giving to facilitate directed support and group learning. Through coalition building, Australia's philanthropic space has the potential to become more robust and collaborative, impacting those in need on a larger scale. Similarly, US philanthropists could learn from Australia's approach by centering community members over memorializing or announcing their giving. Voicing the existence and needs of the First Nations. Australia and the US each have painful histories regarding the treatment of Indigenous peoples, known as First Nations in Australia, and the lands they steward. In both countries, colonization displaced, killed, starved, and caused additional harms toward these communities that endure to the present. In the US, Indigenous communities are chronically underfunded by both government and philanthropy - a problem compounded by the near-absence of Indigenous voices within philanthropic institutions themselves, which further limits their influence over funding decisions and their ability to access resources. Conversely, Australia's philanthropic landscape seems to position First Nations' people at the forefront of recognition and understanding of need. This is not to say that funding and education needs do not exist; however, it is a starting point that the US lags far behind. Like many other countries, Australia is seeing government support for First Nations rights decline - a shift that makes the work of philanthropic organizations supporting these communities more difficult. To prevent Indigenous culture from being erased and funding barriers from growing, Australia must continue prioritizing First Nations advocacy. The US, meanwhile, can learn from Australia's example by centering Indigenous voices and ensuring their stories continue to be heard. Investing in climate work. Across Australia, climate change was a key philanthropic interest. Unlike the US, corporate funders are notably invested in the space, and schools actively teach forestry and oceanic research. Many speculate that this is due to Australia's vast ecosystem, which includes one of the world's oldest rainforests, deserts, and the Great Barrier Reef. Many Australians understand the importance of investment to ensure the future sanctity of the land. A great example of this is the University of Tasmania, located in Hobart. This school is the second-best university globally for Marine and Freshwater Biology. The US has much to learn from Australia's approach to climate funding, both federal and philanthropic. As American philanthropy builds momentum in this space, closer collaboration with Australian funders and grantees - from ocean conservation to climate justice - could benefit both countries and support the work needed for future generations to thrive. These three main takeaways from the State of Philanthropy Insight Series are just a few of the many opportunities for learning and growth between the US and Australia. As Australian philanthropy inevitably grows, the country has an opportunity to shape its approach by learning from other nations' successes and missteps - while staying true to its own identity. At the same time, RPA encourages US philanthropists to look to Australia for diverse approaches worth considering.

Allison Vanterpool McDaniel bio. Allison Vanterpool McDaniel is a senior human resources executive with more than 20 years of experience advising executive leadership and governing bodies on talent strategy, organizational effectiveness, and enterprise transformation. She currently serves as Senior Director of Human Resources at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, where she partners with senior leaders to align workforce strategy with business priorities, oversee complex organizational change, and strengthen leadership and succession pipelines. Previously, Allison was Vice President of Human Resources Operations at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, where she provided strategic oversight of HR operations and Centers of Excellence while advancing integrated, mission-aligned Inclusion strategies across a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects. Her earlier career includes senior leadership roles at ConvergeOne, AIG, Willis North America, and Prudential Financial, supporting large, regulated, and global organizations through periods of growth, restructuring, and transformation. Allison brings a governance-minded perspective to people and culture, with deep expertise in executive advising, risk-aware workforce strategy, organizational design, and inclusive leadership. She is known for her ability to translate complex human capital issues into clear, actionable insights that support long-term organizational sustainability. Allison holds an MBA from St. John's University, a bachelor's degree from Boston University, and has served as an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. March 12, 2026