Talking Philanthropy Geneva Summit
Ten years of convening the people who shape global giving.
In November 2026, Talking Philanthropy marks a decade of dialogue by culminating in its first Summit in Geneva.
Geneva 2026
A Global Summit in the World’s Humanitarian Capital
The first of an annual Global Summit, hosted in Geneva, Switzerland.
Talking Philanthropy brings together philanthropic leaders, family offices, foundations and institutions to examine the changing global order, the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history, and the future of humanitarian action.
Speakers
Announced For Geneva
HRH Princess Esmeralda of Belgium
Journalist, author and activist
Princess Esmeralda of Belgium is a journalist, author and activist for the environment and human rights, particularly those of women and indigenous peoples. She is President of the Leopold III Fund for Nature Exploration and Conservation, Chair of Friendship Belgium, and an ambassador for WWF and Stop Ecocide International.
Lady Mary Dinah
Founder & CEO, Mary Dinah Foundation
Mary Dinah, Lady of Ellington, is a philanthropist, hotelier and CEO of Mary Dinah Foundation, an international NGO advancing nutrition, maternal and child health among refugees and displaced communities across Africa. For over two decades, she has championed locally led solutions, delivering more than 125 million specialised meals. She is a Special Envoy for Child Protection and was recently featured on the cover of Forbes Africa’s first-ever philanthropy edition.
Cindy Forde
Founder at Planetari and author
Cindy Forde is an author and systems change leader named in The Independent’s Climate 100 2026. She founded Planetari, whose Earth-led education won the Climate Positive Award at COP28, and wrote the acclaimed children’s book Bright New World. She is also the co-founder of the Centre for Systemic Change at Homerton College, Cambridge.
Jojo Mehta
Co-Founder & CEO, Stop Ecocide International
Jojo Mehta is Co-Founder and CEO of Stop Ecocide International, established in 2017 with the late legal pioneer Polly Higgins to support recognition of ecocide as an international crime. She convened the 2021 Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide, catalysing legislative progress at national, regional and international levels.
Marie-Laure Salles
Director, Geneva Graduate Institute
Marie-Laure Salles (Harvard PhD'96) has been Director of the Geneva Graduate Institute since September 2020. She previously was Professeur des Universités at Sciences Po Paris, where she was the founding Dean of the School of Management and Innovation, and before that Professor at ESSEC Business School, where she held senior roles including Dean of the Faculty.
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She has published broadly on the historic transformation of capitalism and national political institutions, the dynamics of transnational governance, the transnational diffusion of ideas and institutions, the ethics and philosophy of international relations.
Dato Dr Kim Tan
Chairman of SpringHill Management
Dato Dr Kim Tan is Chairman of SpringHill Management, a private fund specialising in biotech and social venture capital. A pioneer of social impact investing for over 25 years, he is Co-Founder of the Transformational Business Network Alliance, inventor of sheep monoclonal antibodies, and founder of NCI Cancer Hospital in Malaysia.
Dr Achim Wennmann
Geneva Graduate Institute
Dr Achim Wennmann is a Professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute, where he holds the Nagulendran Chair in Peace Mediation. He specialises in peace processes, political transitions and the political economy of conflict. He is also the Institute’s Director for Strategic Partnerships, with extensive experience connecting research, diplomacy and policy practice to enable strategic collaboration across institutions and sectors.
Lord Simon Woolley
Principal of Homerton College
Lord Simon Woolley, Principal of Homerton College, is the first black man to head an Oxbridge college. Founding director of Operation Black Vote, he created and led the UK Government’s Race Disparity Unit. Knighted in 2019 and now a crossbench peer, he is a leading campaigner for equality and representation.
The Film
Ten years in 90 seconds
A decade of convening, distilled. A glimpse of Geneva 2026 and the story of the conversations, connections and ideas that brought Talking Philanthropy here.
The Format
Inside the Room
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The format of Talking Philanthropy fosters thought leadership and encourages innovative ideas.
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Speakers and attendees identify challenges and discuss solutions through talks, panels, workshops, and Q&A sessions.
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An opportunity to think beyond the day-to-day of work, reflect on the sector, and how it impacts the world.
The Archive
A Decade of Thinking That Shaped Philanthropy
Every edition is recorded. These are the conversations that shaped the series, from London and Hong Kong to the sessions setting the agenda for Geneva.
2016 – 2026
Ten Years of Bringing Together the People Shaping Global Giving
Since 2016, Talking Philanthropy has created space for honest, rigorous dialogue about the forces reshaping global philanthropy. Its strength lies in its community: philanthropists, advisers and leaders who are not simply funding change, but actively designing it.
This is a moment to reflect, reconnect and reimagine what philanthropy can achieve.
The Room
Who’s In The Room
Family Offices
High-net-worth Individuals
NGOs
Government Representatives
Academic Institutions
Testimonials
Voices from the Room
Expected Outcomes
What the Summit Will Achieve
Strength in Participation
Talking Philanthropy strives to be the leading forum for strategic philanthropy, with thousands of global attendees both online and in person.
Digital Presence
We use digital distribution to extend the reach of the summit well beyond the day itself.
Building Awareness
Spotlighting best practice, aligning stakeholders and mobilising family offices that advance the philanthropic agenda.
Masterclasses
Sessions facilitated by influential figures that transcend boundaries, enrich practice and foster growth.
Ten Years Of Support