Illuminate Philanthropy

Episode 17: Closing the Wealth Gap: Advising Women and Small Business Owners with Denise Sarkor

Tune in for an a powerful discussion with Denise Sarkor, Private Wealth Advisor and Founding Principal of Sarkor Financial Advisors,  about what it truly means to close the wealth gap through intentional, values-based financial planning.   Disclaimer: No direct financial advice is provided in this episode. Sarkor Financial Advisors LLC (“Sarkor Financial”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Georgia, the State of New Jersey, and other jurisdictions where exempt nationwide. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Episode 16: Multigenerational Philanthropy & Shared Leadership with Sharmila Rao Thakkar

Tune in for an engaging conversation with Sharmila Rao Thakkar, a nonprofit and philanthropy leader with over 25 years of experience driving social impact. She shares how her personal journey shapes her advisory work, her approach to engaging multigenerational philanthropy, and her insights on leveraging board leadership—often an overlooked engine of change.

Episode 15: Meaning Over Money with Bree Rose, IPA

Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Bree Rose, IPA, as she shares her career transition and the powerful shift from money over meaning to meaning over money. With the support of the Daylight Community and the Impact Philanthropy Advisor Program, Bree reveals how leveling up her skills and investing in her network helped her uncover a deeper sense of purpose—and a new kind of “net worth” that has nothing to do with money.

Episode 14: Pulling the Future Forward: Higher Education & Philanthropy with Tiffany Polite, PhD

Tune in for an engaging conversation with Tiffany Polite, Ph.D., a leader at the intersection of equity, social impact, and future-forward thinking. Tiffany helps organizations and communities build the capacity for lasting, equitable outcomes through strategic foresight.  Together, we explore how strategic foresight can be applied in higher education and the vital role philanthropy plays in supporting institutions and shaping what’s ahead.

Episode 13: Estate Planning: Not Just For The Rich—Defining ‘Enough’ with Brian Balduzzi

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on the intersection of estate planning and philanthropy. Host Megan Bell, is joined by attorney and inaugural Certified IPA cohort graduate Brain Balduzzi.  Brian shares insights from his co-authored article, Estate Planning Lessons from the Oracle of Omaha, and his take on estate planning as a meaningful tool for charitable giving, emphasizing that it is not reserved for the wealthy.