Past Events

SIRV Speakers Series

The SIRV Speakers Series brings together SEO alumni and other professionals of color to learn about wealth creation strategies that help one build capacity for philanthropic commitment, while incorporating a discussion of how young professionals can effectively engage with and impact their communities.  Through the Speakers Series, participants have the opportunity to hear from a combination of investment management professionals and members of the nonprofit and philanthropic community.  Topics have included: stock and mutual fund selection, real estate and homeownership, entrepreneurship, setting financial goals, budgeting, credit and debt, asset diversification, international investing, nonprofit board service, developing a philanthropic roadmap, and careers in the nonprofit sector.  The 2005-2007 SIRV Speaker Series was sponsored by J.P. Morgan.

Legends in Business, Leaders in Philanthropy

With Tides Foundation as a partner, SEO launched the Legends in Business, Leaders in Philanthropy series in 2006 and 2007 for mid-career and seasoned alumni interested in expanding their philanthropy.  These intimate roundtable-style events featured three tremendously accomplished individuals: Dr. Henry Jarecki, Chairman, Falconwood Corporation; Russell L. Carson, General Partner, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe; and Carla Harris, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley.  The hosts shared the inspirational stories of their success in business as well as the strategies and impact of their philanthropic endeavors.

Tides Foundation staff played an integral role in these events, educating attendees about enhancing their charitable giving practices with donor-advised funds and other vehicles.  Participants also learned about an opportunity to take advantage of $50,000 in matching funds provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.  Attendees from these events were among eleven SEO alumni who established a donor-advised fund at Tides and had their funds matched by 50 percent, up to $10,000, through this initiative.  Including the matching grant, more than $260,000 was placed into funds for charitable purposes.