In honor of Women’s History Month, I sat down with friend, colleague, and fellow champion of woman in philanthropy, Hali Lee, to discuss the role of women in transforming the field of philanthropy. We spoke about the historical and cultural roots of community giving and giving circles, how more women can get involved, and why that’s important for driving long-term social change.

Below is my conversation with Hali, edited for clarity and readability.

Tricia: I have the pleasure of speaking with Hali Lee, who is doing so much to unlock the power of women in philanthropy to support transformational change. Hali is a philanthropic leader dedicated to democratizing and diversifying philanthropy. She co-founded the Donors of Color Network and launched the Asian Women Giving Circle. She currently leads Radiant Strategies and is actively participating in sector initiatives, blending her passion for the arts with her deep commitment for equitable social change. Hali Lee support women in showing up boldly in philanthropy, and I'm looking forward to having her share her wisdom. Hali, I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today.

Hali: Thanks for having me, Tricia.

Tricia: I want to start with congratulations on the very recent release of your new book, The Big We. It turns out that the subject matter of your book and the timing couldn't be better, given that the month of March is a time when we celebrate women and their many accomplishments. I would love to dive into the topic that I know we both care deeply about, which is the role of women in shaping philanthropy. I also want to touch a little bit on the importance of prioritizing joy in that process.

Hali: Yes, let's do it.

Tricia: As long as I have known you, you have been deeply committed to helping others learn and build confidence in exercising their philanthropic muscle. I'm curious—what inspired you to get involved in philanthropy, and how do you remain motivated, particularly in the complex times that we are in?

Read the full article about women's role in philanthropy by Tricia Raikes at Raikes Foundation via LinkedIn.