Collaboration at Scale: From Rhetoric to Radical Partnerships
Collaboration is one of the most celebrated words in global development — yet too often, it stays at the level of rhetoric. If we want transformational change, we need new forms of partnership: radical collaboration that makes professional community health workers the norm, south–south consortia that amplify local leadership, and cross-sector alliances that link philanthropy, fintech, and grassroots movements.
This session will explore what it takes to move beyond silos and power imbalances to build coalitions that are truly systemic, equitable, and impactful. Together, we’ll ask: how can philanthropy advisors, funders, movement-builders, and communities work differently — and what keeps us from collaborating more deeply?
Speakers
Christa Lane Hooper — Director at Geneva Global, helping families, individuals, and foundations deploy capital for deeper social impact.
India Gupta — Deputy Managing Director at KM Strategies Group, designing philanthropic strategies that center communities in climate and justice work.
Molly Voss Fannon — Founding Director of Institutional Strategy and Partnerships at Shared Futures Alliance, shaping cross-sector collaborations and strategies to drive systemic global impact.
Priyanka Rao — Principal at Leher Lumina, strategist and partnerships leader driving inclusive systems change across climate, philanthropy, and social impact sectors.
What to Expect
Interrogate collaboration – Have an honest conversation about the barriers that keep funders, advisors, and movements from working together.
Spotlight radical models – Explore examples like professionalizing CHWs through radical collaboration, or field catalysts orchestrating system-wide impact.
Connect sectors – Learn from consortia linking finance, tech, policymakers, and grassroots leaders to co-create equitable climate and health solutions.
Strengthen south–south networks – Discuss how regional collaborations can accelerate community-led and gender-equitable change.
Explore collaborative funding – Consider how pooled funds, philanthropy platforms, and networked impact can shift power and resources.
Why Join?
Reframe collaboration as a practice, not a buzzword.
Learn from models that demonstrate how large-scale partnerships can transform systems.
Share your own challenges and successes in building radical partnerships.
Walk away with practical insights for co-creating systemic, community-led change.
Who Should Attend?
Funders, philanthropy advisors, and collaborative fund leaders.
Community leaders and grassroots movements seeking stronger partnerships.
Technologists, policymakers, and innovators bridging sectors.
Anyone committed to turning rhetoric about collaboration into real, radical practice.