Letter from the Chair
As we move toward the public launch of the Generosity Commission later this year, we are focused on preparing for the work ahead. Behind the scenes, we are finalizing Commission Members, commissioning academic research and building up our team.
I am pleased that two new team members have recently joined us: Suzy Antounian, our new Director of the Generosity Commission, and Nazly Sobhi Damasio, our new Senior Communications Lead.
In Suzy, we are thrilled to have someone with her rich expertise and knowledge of non-profit operations, strategic planning and program design to guide the Generosity Commission as it sets out to reenergize generosity across America.
In Nazly, we have a person who is adept at leading campaign strategy, producing messaging, crafting storytelling and driving engagement. They are joined by Kelli Gabbert, Senior Partnerships and Programs Lead, who has been with us since December overseeing and managing our external partnerships. I have below the profile of all three so you can get to know them better.
I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to Yvonne Thomas for her leadership as the outgoing Generosity Commission DIrector. Over the last year, Yvonne has built a strong framework that has set up the Generosity Commission for future success. We are grateful for her vision and stewardship during this important phase of the Generosity Commission’s work.
I wish you a wonderful summer and thank you for your continued interest in the Generosity Cmmission. You can learn more at the Generosity Commission website.
With warmest regards,
Ted Grossnickle
Chair, Working Committee
The Generosity Commission
Member Profile
Suzy Antounian
Director, The Generosity Commission
About Suzy:
Suzy Antounian has over 20 years of nonprofit management experience, with a focus on strategic planning, program design, institutional development, partnership building and operations. She was most recently COO of the World Affairs Council of Northern California where she has also managed World Affairs’ programs. She was Senior Vice President overseeing its Global Philanthropy Forum and helped found its regional affiliates, the Brazilian Philanthropy Forum and the African Philanthropy Forum. She also served as Vice President for Public Programs for three years, overseeing World Affairs’ more than 150 annual programs and its annual conference on international affairs.
Prior to joining World Affairs, she helped establish the American University of Armenia as Vice President, Dean of University Extension and Director of Policy and Planning. She also provided advisory services to clients that included the Aspen Institute and The Elders and worked as a tax associate with Ernst and Whinney (now Ernst and Young) and Howard, Rice et al. (now part of Arnold and Porter).
Suzy serves on the boards of King Baudouin Foundation US, Give2Asia, and the American University of Armenia Corporation. She holds a J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law and a B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
In Suzy’s Words: Why is the work of the Generosity Commission so crucial?
Giving and volunteering are quintessential to who we are as Americans. They enable new ideas and solutions to emerge, empower citizens and communities and provide the glue that connects us to our values. A vibrant philanthropic sector and an engaged citizenry are critical for a healthy democracy. The Generosity Commission’s work on finding the linkages between them is needed now more than ever.
Member Profile
Nazly Sobhi Damasio
Senior Communications Lead, The Generosity Commission
About Nazly:
Nazly is an organizer and visionary campaigns and communications strategist who has worked on numerous global campaigns at the intersection of racial justice, gender-based justice, migration and labor rights in the U.S., Latin America, Asia and the South West Asian/North African (S.W.A.N.A.) region for more than a decade. Nazly holds a B.A. in International Relations from DePaul University and is fluent in Spanish, Farsi, Arabic and English. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Telesur, Latina Magazine, Teen Vogue, The Fader, Wear Your Voice Magazine, Remezcla and various other digital platforms.
Member Profile
Kelli Gabbert
Senior Programs and Partnerships Lead, The Generosity Commission
About Kelli:
Kelli Gabbert has over 10 years of experience with program and grant management in corporate philanthropy. She has worked at Microsoft Philanthropies, Target Community Relations and within the Seattle nonprofit sector. Throughout her work in corporate philanthropy, Kelli has managed complex partnerships and programs with a focus on creating efficiencies and maximizing impact.
Current Insights on Generosity
The NonProfit Times Reported on Women and Giving in 2021
The NonProfit Times reported on Fidelity Charitable’s recent study, 2021 Women and Giving, which explores women’s attitudes and behaviors toward giving. Learn more: The NonProfit Times Report; Fidelity Charitable Study
The Independent Sector Releases Second Annual Report
Independent Sector’s newly released Second Annual Report on Trust in Civil Society found that trust is declining across all institutions, but Americans remain confident in the ability of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector to strengthen society. Learn more: Independent Sector
The Giving Environment: Understanding Pre-Pandemic Trends in Charitable Giving
The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s recent study, The Giving Environment Understanding Pre-Pandemic Trends in Charitable Giving, which found declining donor participation compared to 2000. Learn more: Chronicle of Philanthropy Report; Infographic; Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Study
Share Your Own Stories of Generosity
Do you, your organization or someone you know have a story to share about generosity and your own experience with giving? We want to hear from you! Sharing impactful stories will help raise awareness of the Generosity Commission and foster a national conversation about generosity. Stories may be used in this newsletter, on social media channels or in traditional media. Please reach out to [email protected] with any story ideas or questions.
Follow Us On Social Media
The Generosity Commission is now on social media. Follow our LinkedIn and Facebook profiles for insights, updates and more.