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  • Tony Macklin, CAP®, IPA | Daylight

    Tony Macklin, CAP®, IPA Tony Macklin (He/Him) Director, Advisor Practice tony@daylightadvisors.com At Daylight, Tony leads the development of new education programs and field-building projects. A Certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, Tony helps donors, families, grantmakers, and their advisors and associations answer questions about shared purpose, use of resources for social impact, governance, strategy, and assessment. He is a frequent speaker, trainer, and author for the same audiences. He served four years as executive director of the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, a multi-generational family foundation. While there, he facilitated a visioning process and changes in investment management, impact investing, grantmaking, trustee education, and back-office management. In twelve years at the Central Indiana Community Foundation, he led grantmaking and community change initiatives, advised generous entrepreneurs and families, attracted $39 million in assets and co-investments, and co-founded a social enterprise. Before that he managed technical assistance and financing programs for the State of Indiana’s Community Development Division. Tony was raised in Indiana and now lives in Pittsburgh. He is a member of the National Network for Consultants to Grantmakers and Purposeful Planning Institute. He also serves as a senior consultant for the National Center for Family Philanthropy, senior consultant with Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates, and senior advisor to the Impact Finance Center. He’s reviewed proposals for a wide variety of funders and purposes, co-founded a giving circle, and served on more task forces and committees than he can remember. LinkedIn

  • October 2024 Cohort | Daylight

    Certified IPAs October 2024 Cohort Ada Williams Prince Becky Crowe Bree Rose Christina Gorczynski David Pickler Erin Hulme Oceguera Jen Holleran Julia Toffoli Lydia Oh Michelle Caragol Padric Scott Rebecca Stibbe Seth Klukoff Steve Grourke Tim Wilmot Zakiya Lord Adam Creighton Beth A. Hubbard Brian Balduzzi Christopher Beck Dien Yuen Ginni Galicinao Joan Ai Kimberly Karol Mark Greer Mike Rea Rachel Denny Richard C. Peck Sharmila Rao Thakkar Steve Saalfeld Tony Macklin Alanna Casselle Chew Beth Harper Briglia Carí Jackson Lewis Crystal Thompkins Dorothy Stuehmke Jaimi Cortes John Unterreiner Kyle Funakoshi Mary Jovanovich Muhi Khwaja Randi Hogan Rob MacPherson Shazly Zain Sudha Nandagopal Warren Northern Alisia Robin Beverly Cox Caterina Ferrari Cynthia Yongvang Eileen Egan Jane Nordell Jonathan Herndon Leah Caragol Meg Bell Natalie Kennedy Rebecca Darwent Robin Elmerick Stephen E. Peeler Sumitra Pasupathy Wendy Soone Broder Allie Lemieux Bleu Blakslee Chris Nazareth Darley Tom Emma Beeston Janelle Cavanagh Joy Webb Lorena Patlán Michel Vekved Nhi Chau Rebecca Rothey Sarah Taylor Stephen Robinson Tiffany Polite Yolanda F. Johnson

  • Dien Yuen, CAP®, AEP®, IPA | Daylight

    Dien Yuen, CAP®, AEP®, IPA Dien Yuen (She/Her) CEO Dien is the Founder and CEO of Daylight, a learning partner equipping wealth and philanthropic advisors with the confidence, competence, and cultural dexterity to grow their practices and strengthen client relationships. Daylight’s Certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor (IPA) program and certificate offerings establish a new benchmark for excellence in philanthropic planning education. She was named in Wealthmanagement.com’s 2025 Ten to Watch: Innovators and Influencers Set to Change the Industry. Dien was inducted into the 2023 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) Hall of Fame and recognized for her academic leadership with the Distinguished Faculty Award from Wealth Management Institute in Singapore. Dien served as the lead faculty for philanthropy at WMI, where she was instrumental in launching Asia’s first professional philanthropic certification program. Previously, Dien founded the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services, where she also developed and taught courses in the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) program as the Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy. Dien’s early career included senior roles in wealth management and global development organizations. She holds a Juris Doctorate, an LLM in International Law, a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), an Accredited Estate Planning (AEP) designation, and is a Certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor. LinkedIn

  • Where Do Philanthropy Advisors Come From? | Daylighthttps://lydiamoh.wixsite.com/daylightadvisors/daylight-in-practice/where-do-philanthropy-advisors-come-from?skipRedirect=true&ssrOnly=true&extendedTimeout=true&debug=false

    Where Do Philanthropy Advisors Come From? Papa, Where Do Philanthropy Advisors Come From? By Tony Macklin Well, son, sometimes a donor couple loves a cause very much. So much they want to put a lot of money into it… OK, maybe a child hasn’t asked you that question. But the topic comes up in the Daylight team’s conversations with philanthropy professionals. Our answer has been something like “from more than a dozen allied professions like nonprofit management, grantmaking, gift planning, and financial services.” It turns out philanthropy advisors’ backgrounds are far more diverse. During a packed session about philanthropic services at the 2023 DAF Giving Summit , we asked attendees to share their previous three jobs or roles. Forty two percent of them came from the types of philanthropy jobs you might expect: But the larger percentage listed backgrounds as varied as cowboy, bartender, ecological designer, letter carrier, marketing coordinator, social worker, and domestic violence attorney: Wildly mixed backgrounds can be a strength in the field of philanthropic advising. The diverse lived experiences will benefit clients and advisors working collaboratively. And different professions bring new angles to identifying and solving problems, involving people in decision-making, structuring client services, and more. The mix also presents challenges. The primary one, often reported by employers, is an advisor’s limited experience with the broad range of philanthropic motivations, resources, vehicles, strategies, and social impact tools clients use. To be sure, some advisors make a living only knowing about grantmaking to charities or only working in an issue such as education. But most private sector employers, and an increasing number of foundations, need generalists who can comfortably navigate multiple options, often without judging the client’s final choices. What’s Next? Over the past 18 months, Daylight team members have been developing a standardized set of competencies for philanthropic advisors, mapping where professional development programs meet those competencies, and asking advisors where they rank themselves on a scale from novice to expert. And, no surprise, we have ideas for filling gaps with new programming and research. Stay tuned for more information about our competency mapping and new programming in April! REN DAF Giving Summit 2023 ©2025 Daylight Advisors, Inc.

  • Singapore Gives — But Not Always: Here’s Why | Daylighthttps://lydiamoh.wixsite.com/daylightadvisors/daylight-in-practice/singapore-gives-but-not-always-heres-why?skipRedirect=true&ssrOnly=true&extendedTimeout=true&debug=false

    Singapore Gives — But Not Always: Here’s Why Singapore Gives — But Not Always: Here’s Why By Dien Yuen Earlier this month, I completed a training on philanthropy and social impact with a group of learners from Singapore’s wealth management and nonprofit sectors. As part of the session, we explored why people in Singapore choose to give, and why they sometimes hold back. Why People Give Six key themes emerged as we discussed why people in Singapore give. Generosity here extends far beyond charity - it is an expression of purpose, identity, and legacy. 1. Altruism & Social Impact The dominant motivation centers on helping others and improving the world. People give to multiply goodness, pay it forward, help underprivileged communities, and to uplift others. The responses reflect a deep-seated belief in social responsibility and the transformative power of collective good — giving as a means to create positive change. 2. Financial & Pragmatic Factors A secondary cluster focuses on strategic or rational benefits: tax deductions and reductions, corporate branding, and funding innovation. Here, giving is seen as both smart and impactful — aligning philanthropy with business or financial stewardship. 3. Legacy & Family Values Many view giving as an act of legacy — teaching children, honoring loved ones, or to instill good values for the next generation. This cluster highlights intergenerational philanthropy, where giving becomes a way to pass on moral and social capital. 4. Personal Fulfillment & Meaning For some, giving fulfills a personal or emotional need: feeling grateful, finding purpose, or feeding the soul. 5. Religious & Spiritual Roots Faith-based reasons, such as afterlife blessings , karma , or emptying for regeneration, play a meaningful role, underscoring how religion anchors generosity in moral duty and divine reciprocity. 6. Cultural & Moral Influences Some respondents connect giving to upbringing, tradition, or cultural expectation, especially within Asian or collectivist contexts — giving as a reflection of who we are raised to be: part of Asian culture , custodian for the future , or social theories of reciprocity and gift exchange . Why People Do Not Give Learners shared a range of personal, social, and practical reasons for why people in Singapore do not give. Seven main themes emerged, showing that hesitation stems from emotional, informational, and situational barriers. 1. Trust and Credibility Gaps A recurring barrier is distrust in charitable institutions. Many learners noted uncertainty about how funds are managed or whether donations truly reach the intended beneficiaries. Comments such as “don’t trust charities” and “lack of credibility (data)” reflect deeper concerns about transparency and accountability — highlighting the need for clearer communication and tangible evidence of impact. 2. Financial Constraints Giving may also be constrained by economic realities. Respondents mentioned “not enough money (yet)” and a “scarcity mindset” , reflecting the tension between wanting to help and needing to prioritize personal financial security. Some also perceive that some contributions would be insignificant compared to wealthier donors — a belief that diminishes motivation. 3. Awareness and Knowledge Gaps Some mentioned that people don’t know where or how to give. This indicates that information accessibility and simple giving pathways could significantly increase participation. 4. Lack of Personal Connection or Relevance Some people don’t give because charitable causes feel distant or unrelatable ( “cause does not relate to me” ). When individuals don’t see a clear connection between their values and a cause, motivation wanes. 5. Structural and Convenience Barriers Practical barriers also play a role. The comment “operational hurdle to give — not easy to donate” illustrates how inefficient systems or complex donation processes can discourage action, even among those who want to give. 6. Social and Cultural Influences Giving is also shaped by social context and cultural expectations. Phrases like “my family does not appreciate” and “kiasu mentality” reflect social norms that discourage giving or prioritize self-preservation over generosity. This indicates a social permission gap, where community attitudes can either enable or inhibit giving behavior. 7. Fatigue and Negative Experiences Some respondents suggested signs of donor fatigue or emotional burnout. Prior negative experiences — such as feeling unappreciated, over-solicited, or disappointed — can lead to disengagement. The Balance of Heart and Head Together, these insights paint a portrait of giving in Singapore that is both empathetic and evaluative. People give when it aligns with their sense of purpose and trust; they hesitate when these are absent. The future of philanthropy in Singapore, therefore, lies in bridging this gap — fostering trust, transparency, and personal connection that turn good intentions into sustained generosity. Dien Yuen with WMI October 2025

  • July 2025 Cohort | Daylight

    Certified IPAs July 2025 Cohort Aisha Alexander-Young Antoine Lunsford CJ Dates Greg Pollard Jacqueline Ackerman Jill Dotts Kati Dray Laura Dean-Shapiro Maura Donlan Myrna Orozco Sarah Ramsey Szu-han Chen Alex Alkire Beka Whitson Denver Frederick Gretchen Vanderveer Janell Kaplan Jim Marconi Kelly Shea Lexie Cde Baca Michael Davis Nicole Stuke Shelby Goodrum Tamisha Keith Amber Mueller Breechaye Milburn Elly Grogan Hilary Leav Jeanine Holden Jon Kraus Kelsey Wetzstein Lisa Ellis Michele Fugiel Gartner Nisha Patel Shiloh Turner Tiffany Dyson Andrea Faiss Brianna Jackson Emily Myles Huong Nguyen-Yap Jenny Johnson Jose Orellana Klementina Sula Marguerita Cheng Mikayla Riskin Richard Taylor Sokol Shtylla Vanessa Murrieta Angelika Arutyunova Byron Liles Gabriela Boyer Ilona Prucha Jessica Lazar Judy Kinney Krista Riddley Maryann Fernandez Mike Worley Sangeeta Nandi Susana Cáceres

  • October 2025 Cohort | Daylight

    Certified IPAs October 2025 Cohort Alicia Thomas Ashley Gordon Casey Johnson Dawn Rocky Evelyn Chen Holly M. Hatcher Jody Dilday Juliet Valdinger Kelsey Russell Maria Drury Nandini Gondhalekar Suzy Beeler Travers J. Oliver Alissa Moen Aubrie J. Willaert Catherine Rollhaus Debra Faulk Giselle Pole Isabelle Leighton John Knight June Ho Kimberly Collins Maureen Greenwood-Basken Peter Leon Guerrero Tamieka Atkins Yvonne Moore Altaf Rahamatulla Camille A. Emeagwali Christopher Meyer Dee-Anna Janku Heather Pruess JC De Vera John Sansome Kate Fink DeYoe Kristi Patton Hasman Michael T. Walsh, Jr. Sahana Mehta Tanner Edwards Zach Maynard Ana Marie Argilagos Carrie Ogami Cleo Cavolo Diana Donlon Helle Burlingame Jennifer Stitely Josue De Paz Kathleen Maloney Luciana Bonifacio Michelle Cottrell Sharon Van Pelt Todd Hermon Aquanetta Betts Carrie Simon Courtney Lundquist Elizabeth Versten Holly Coleman Jill McIlroy Julie Asher Kelly Wilson Luigi Fu Milan Ball Susan Burns Tony Steuer

  • The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs | Daylighthttps://lydiamoh.wixsite.com/daylightadvisors/daylight-in-practice/the-rise-of-the-philanthropic-advisor-entrepreneurs?skipRedirect=true&ssrOnly=true&extendedTimeout=true&debug=false

    The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs By Crystal Thompkins and Dien Yuen The philanthropic advising sector is entering a defining moment shaped by unprecedented wealth transfer, rising donor sophistication, the growth of donor-advised funds (DAFs), and the professionalization of impact-oriented advising. For entrepreneurial advisors, the opportunity is significant: demand is increasing, expectations are shifting, and new business models are emerging. Yet despite this momentum, the field lacks a clear picture of who these advisors are, what they do, and how their backgrounds inform their practice. This article presents data to fill those gaps and offers recommendations to strengthen this essential segment of the advising landscape. Who are Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs? In 2024, Daylight conducted the first comprehensive study of philanthropic advisors, defined as practitioners who guide the who , what , why , and how of using resources for philanthropy and social impact. Of the 258 advisors surveyed, 30% (77) operate independent consulting practices. These entrepreneurs reflect a diverse and experienced cohort: 74% identify as women, 38% identify as BIPOC, 9% identify as LGBTQ+. 16% are between 30 and 39 years old, 25% are between 40 and 49, and 33% are between 50 and 59. 28% earn between $100,000 and $149,999 annually. Question: What is your current annual base salary or average annual gross consulting income? Category Percent Up to $99,999 21% $100,000 - $149,999 28% $150,000 - $199,999 11% $200,000 - $249,999 18% $250,000 - $299,999 12% $300,000+ 9% What Does Their Current Practice Look Like Entrepreneurial advisors are relatively early in their business lifecycle: 39% have operated for 1 to 4 years 26% for 5 to 9 years. Entrepreneurs most commonly reported providing services in defining purpose (77%), developing impact strategies for charitable vehicles (61%), and cultivating family capital (55%). They work across broad client groups, including individuals and families (79%), nonprofit organizations (71%), and private foundations (60%). For entrepreneurs working with individuals and families, 49% reported that more than half of their clients are builders of new wealth. 21% reported that more than half their clients were BIPOC. Question: Of your individual and family clients, what percentage are primarily builders of new wealth (as opposed to being inheritors of existing wealth)? Category Percent Less than half 36% More than half 49% I do not know 14% I prefer not to answer 1% Where Do They Build Their Skills? The study confirms what many in the field anecdotally understand: philanthropic advising is still primarily learned through experience rather than formal training. 55% cite ‘learning on the job’ as their top professional development method. Advisors self-identified as competent to proficient across core skill domains, including client resource identification, client purpose discovery, philanthropic plan, and strategy development. Question: Which have been most helpful to your learning as an advisor? (Please enter 1, 2, and 3 below to rank the first, second, and third most helpful.) Category First Second Third Formal education programs 13% 16% 18% Learning on the job 55% 19% 17% Mentor relationships (formal or informal) 13% 22% 12% Professional associations 9% 15% 21% Resources found on my own (books, blogs, forums, etc.) 8% 24% 27% Other 2% 3% 5% A Field in Formation Despite real progress, the field remains, in Daylight’s words, “a beautiful mess.” Several systemic barriers impede growth: Low visibility: The market lacks a shared narrative about what philanthropic advisors do, how they create value, and how their services are structured or priced. In addition, most donor clients do not know that philanthropic advisors are available to work with them. This ambiguity suppresses demand and slows market formation. Network access: Unlike adjacent fields such as wealth management, legal services, or consulting, philanthropic advising lacks strong, established pipelines for sourcing clients and building credibility. As a result, early-stage business development is slower, riskier, and disproportionately dependent on personal privilege and proximity to wealth. Advisors from underrepresented backgrounds face especially steep barriers, with limited access to the high-net-worth networks, institutional gatekeepers, and referral pathways that meaningfully shape client acquisition and long-term viability. Knowledge gaps: Even seasoned practitioners identify financial capital development as a weakness (34% of novices; 20% of advanced beginners). Funding and capital constraints: Most philanthropic advisors operate as small firms or solo practices, entities that rarely attract investment despite serving a rapidly expanding market. These small philanthropic advising businesses do not have access to growth capital, operating reserves, or R&D funding. This capital scarcity suppresses innovation and limits the ability of advisors—particularly emerging entrepreneur-advisors—to scale beyond a boutique or referral-dependent model. As a result, the field remains fragmented and fragile, with high-quality practitioners often unable to expand their impact because the business model is capital-poor and structurally at a disadvantage. Investing in Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs for the Decades Ahead The rise of the philanthropic advisor entrepreneur signals a profound shift in how generosity is practiced, structured, and sustained in the United States. Entrepreneurial advisors are stepping into a rapidly expanding landscape shaped by historic wealth transfer, increasingly values-driven donors, and a proliferation of giving vehicles that require specialized guidance. While the field is rich with promise, these advisors still face gaps in visibility, standardization, and access to capital for business growth. Daylight’s research highlights the unique value these advisors bring: deep subject-matter expertise, experience, cultural dexterity, and the relational capacity required to guide donors through high-stakes decisions about purpose, assets, and impact. But their effectiveness—and the sector’s potential—will depend on intentional investment in the ecosystem. To fully realize this moment, the field must prioritize: Clearer and more equitable pathways into the profession. Expanded access to networks, referral channels, and client pipelines. Adoption of shared competency standards . Robust, ongoing professional development. Financial support that enables entrepreneurs to stabilize and scale their business. Doing so will not only strengthen individual advisory practices but also build the infrastructure needed for a mature, trusted, and high-impact philanthropic advising profession. The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs .pdf Download PDF • 70KB

  • April 2025 Cohort | Daylight

    Certified IPAs April 2025 Cohort Allison Brody Aurora Colindres Dana Rogers Diamond Ebony Bloom Everett Poisson Jaclyn Sablosky Julia Ge Lauren Bartolozzi Matthew Closter Molly Judge Shanan Spencer-Brown Solomon Kim Allison Parker Brantley Boyett Danese Bardot Edward Wang Evlyn Andrade Jen Goh Kathi Littmann Lauren Graham Maya Hemachandra Nneka Nwaifejokwu Shannon Stagner Sylia Obagi Andy Kastner Christy Cole Davinah Simmons Emilia Blancarte Jaber Fernanda B Nogueira Jennifer Curry Kimberlin Butler Lauren Hadi Meghan Clifford Patrick Fletcher Shannon Walker Tiffanie Purvis Aparna Rae Constance Young Devi Vat-Ho Erik Rankin George Suttles Jennifer Ryan Kimberly Bailey Lauren Sgandurra Merrick Nguyen Rebecca Mantey Shirley Kwan Tyeshia Wilson Ashlee Carter Corinne Handelman Dianne Chipps Bailey Erin Gollhofer Selfridge Jackie Demee Jordan Richardson Laura Risimini Lori Kranczer Mohamed Alansari Robyn Sneeringer Simone Hassan-Bey

  • What trends are influencing gift planning? | Daylighthttps://lydiamoh.wixsite.com/daylightadvisors/daylight-in-practice/what-trends-are-influencing-gift-planning?skipRedirect=true&ssrOnly=true&extendedTimeout=true&debug=false

    What trends are influencing gift planning? What trends are influencing gift planning? By Megan Bell and Dien Yuen At Daylight, we monitor trends in philanthropic advising and listen closely to advisors and gift planners working with clients and donors on the frontlines. One way we do this is by connecting some of the dots we see and asking advisors how it might apply in their day-to-day work and what's on their minds. In April, we asked attendees at the Northern California Planned Giving Council, "What trends in philanthropy or gift planning are on your minds?" We received over 60 responses written on notecards. They can be grouped into six general themes: giving styles and trends, gift planning, DAFs, demographics, AI/Tech, and concerns over the current political climate. Below are examples of what the participants shared. Do they resonate with you? We've shared our "Adapting to 8 Trends in Philanthropic Advising" presentation to over 600 non-profit and for-profit advisors in many small gatherings. The responses vary based on geography, advisor mix, client or donor sophistication level, etc. One consistent theme is that advisors are looking to broaden their definition of philanthropic planning. Adapting to 8 Trends in Philanthropic Advising Episode 1: Changing Client Base Episode 2: Evolving Definitions Episode 3: Evolving Vehicles Episode 4: Questioning Norms Episode 5: Growing Mistrust Episode 6: Wealth Planning Episode 7: AI for Good Episode 8: The Messy Marketplace

  • Bleu Blakslee, IPA | Daylight

    Bleu Blakslee, IPA Bleu Blakslee (She/Her) Senior Consultant, Advisor Practice bleu@daylightadvisors.com Bleu Blakslee supports Daylight's Advisor Practice engagements. Bleu is a nationally and internationally noted expert in philanthropy with more than 35 years of experience working with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and nonprofits. She has designed and implemented giving strategies that combine cultural relevance, complex assets, and measurable impact. Bleu held senior roles at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a top U.S.-based medical nonprofit with global partnerships, Save the Children, a 105+ year-old humanitarian organization active in over 115 countries, and others. Her leadership has focused on cross-border giving, innovation, NextGen strategy, innovation, and high-impact giving, with thought leadership represented at events such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, the United Nations General Assembly, with attendance at various global convenings such as AVPN in Abu Dhabi. LinkedIn

  • Daylight | Philanthropic Advising Ecosystem

    Together with our partners, we’re building a community of learning and collaboration to empower advisors in shaping the philanthropic sector. Partners Daylight works with organizations that share our belief that collective expertise drives transformative change. Together with our partners, we’re building a community of learning and collaboration to empower advisors in shaping the philanthropic sector. Our partners have access to Daylight's professional development programs at special rates, and Daylight learners enjoy benefits with select partners. Explore our network of valued partners to learn more. Contact Megan Bell at megan@daylightadvisors.com if you're interested in becoming a partner.

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