I Have a Dream…

When I woke up Monday morning, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I realized that I too have a dream. I was inspired by the plethora of Martin Luther King, Jr. quotations making their rounds on the Internet and the conversations I’ve been having with people recently about philanthropy (see my last post). I was also […]

Why Philanthropy Camp for Women?

It happened again. A woman came up to me and said, “Oh, I wish I could be a philanthropist.” I answered emphatically, “YOU CAN.” My name is Deborah and I am a philanthropist. I want everyone to be able to clearly own this term, just as I do. In fact, it is part of my […]

Giving is Key to Creating a Happy, Healthy Life!

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Are you ready for the year ahead? Do you want to have a happy, healthy year? Try GIVING! Yes, that’s right, giving contributes to your happiness and health. Appearance on Your Health The other day I had the pleasure of joining my friend Gina […]

New Voices of Philanthropy: Skye

Last month I was honored to meet Skye Burttschell, the Central Coast’s National Philanthropy Day 2013 Outstanding Philanthropic Youth. Skye’s smile and energy are infectious, as is his passion and desire to help a local organization near and dear to his heart—Dance Kids of Monterey County.  I was pleased to sit down with Skye, a […]

New Voices of Philanthropy: Maya and Lezah

I have had the pleasure of working with Maya Pollack and Lezah Winick over the last few years as they have served on the board of the high school youth group I advise at Congregation Beth Israel. Three years ago we started YOD (Youth Organized Donations), a philanthropy or tzedakah (Hebrew for justice, often translated […]

Special Edition of Enlightened Philanthropy’s Newsletter!

Five years ago this month, I launched what became Enlightened Philanthropy! It has been an incredible journey—one that continues to delight and challenge while also allowing me to grow personally and professionally. I am grateful for the friends and family who have been with me as I take each new step, my mentors and coaches […]

Dreams Really Do Come True, Part 2

What better way to follow up a wonderful week with the turtles than to spend more time with turtles! After my week in northwest Nicaragua with the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative (or ICAPO-Iniciativa Carey del Pacifico Oriental), I traveled to southwest Nicaragua, near the border of Costa Rica, to learn about the conservation efforts of […]

Dreams Really Do Come True, Part 1

For years, as my friends and family can attest, I have been dreaming of volunteering with a sea turtle conservation organization. When I turned 40 last year, I decided it was finally time to make this dream come true. It did. In a BIG way. I ended up winning my trip from SEETurtles, a group […]