March 12-14 | San Francisco, USA
Prof. Jane Mariara Engages in Global Discussions on Adaptive Philanthropy and Sustainable Agriculture at San Francisco Summit
The Executive Director of the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), Prof.Jane Mariara, attended the 2025 Global Philanthropy Leaders’ Summit in San Francisco, where global philanthropic leaders explored the theme "Embracing Risk: Adaptive Philanthropy in the Age of Complexity.
Jane Mariara participated in various sessions that aligned with PEP's mission to promote evidence-based policy solutions in the Global South. She joined the field trip to TomKat Ranch Educational, which showcased sustainable agriculture and regenerative practices aimed at enhancing food security and combating climate change. Discussions focused on how philanthropy can de-risk investments in regenerative agriculture and address the funding gap for climate-smart food systems.
During the summit, she engaged in discussions on adaptive philanthropy in an unstable world, philanthropy as a market accelerator, and the future of giving through social cohesion and civic engagement. These sessions provided insights into how philanthropy can navigate climate disruption, technological advancements, and governance challenges to drive systemic change.
Reflecting on her experience, Jane Mariara emphasized:
"Philanthropy must be informed by lived experiences. At PEP, we see firsthand how research and policy interventions, particularly those led by local researchers with more than half of them being women, bridge critical gaps in economic empowerment for women. When we empower grassroots leaders, we ensure that no woman—regardless of her background—is left behind."
Inspired by the summit’s discussions, Prof. Mariara developed two blogs during the event: Women and Philanthropy: Driving Impact Through Economic Empowerment and Regenerative Agriculture in Action: Lessons from TomKat Ranch. The pieces highlight the critical role of bold, gender-responsive philanthropy in empowering women and the importance of sustainable agriculture in tackling food security and climate challenges.
The summit brought together senior philanthropic leaders, investors, and policymakers from around the world, reinforcing the need for collaborative, risk-taking philanthropy to drive meaningful and lasting impact.
As the summit concluded, it reinforced PEP’s commitment to integrating these insights into its work—promoting locally led research and policies that empower communities in the Global South.
