“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”
-Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky

Panel (from left): Carol Adelman, Byron Johnson, Susan Raymond, Dennis Whittle and David Simms.

Panelists included:

• David Simms, Chair, Board of Directors, Opportunity International Network Services Organization
• Byron Johnson, Director, Baylor University Institute for Studies of Religion
• Susan Raymond, Executive Vice President, Changing our World, Inc.
• Dennis Whittle, President, The Whittle Group; and Co-founder, GlobalGiving
• Carol Adelman (moderator), Senior Fellow and Director, Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Prosperity

Each panelist offered their unique perspective on philanthropy with respect to their fields of work and individual passions for changing the world for the better through charitable action. Common threads ran through the discussion including the need for greater transparency and accountability, the role of technology in propelling philanthropic action, and the new generation of philanthropists who are increasingly focused on positive, sustainable outcomes.

Opportunity International‘s David Simms spoke about the important role that microfinance plays in the future and the sustainability of philanthropy, making a practical impact on poverty alleviation efforts. He told the group about his long-running affiliation with Opportunity, and how a trip to meet the people of Jamaica solidified his assertion that financial inclusion empowers individuals to build themselves up and out of poverty.

Opportunity's David Simms addresses the audience on the power of microfinance.

Based on his work with Opportunity, David shared his predictions for the future of philanthropy saying, “I think philanthropy will continue to drive innovation. In the absence of philanthropy, Opportunity International would not have started banks; we would not have had the courage to do the things we’ve done over the last 40 years. Without philanthropy we couldn’t fund schools, protect farmers, etc. Philanthropy will drive increasing accountability, there is now a business model being applied to social outcomes. Philanthropy will drive a learning agenda because there is a willingness to collaborate across philanthropic and research organizations. I also believe that philanthropy will become increasingly personal. Through Opportunity International, a person can pick a loan they want to support and track the progress of the person they’ve funded.”

The event concluded with a Q&A session, which was a chance for individuals who work in philanthropy to learn more from the panel. Among the audience members there to hear from David Simms and his fellow panelists were Carrie Slease, Opportunity International Regional Director; Bruce Smith, member of Opportunity’s Board of Governors; and Emily Egan, co-chair of the DC chapter of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity.

Watch the full-length video of the Hudson Institute’s May 12 panel discussion:

She has been called on to speak at multiple Opportunity events, so we knew we were in for a treat.

Dale began, “we’ve talked about stories a lot. What I have learned as I look at my own life is that what I so often lack is perspective. Sometimes to me the threads of my life seem random. Sometimes they even look like lint. And later I will look back and realize that was the color that was meant to be woven into my life, to give it interest and to create a pattern.

“When I tell stories about myself, it’s not because I am fascinated by myself. But I am fascinated at how God works. For me, most of my stories are some version of ‘once I was blind, but now I can see.’”

Dale tells of a time when a statistic became a story, and the story moved her to take action. A long-term supporter of Opportunity International, Dale joined Opportunity Regional Director Carrie Slease  in Washington was in D.C. for a meeting with an Opportunity International staff member from Uganda. Ribena, who was working with victims of AIDS, began to talk about the people who were both living with and also dying from HIV/AIDS. When they began to share their experiences with one another, Dale realized that she was talking to a woman who had not just statistics to share, but stories.

Her eyes were opened to the stories of those around her. She didn’t see statistics, she saw people. And the people made her want to do something.

Dale went on to make a difference in the world, championing the fight against HIV/AIDS. Dale found her second calling.

She finishes with a blessing on the conference attendees.

“May God bless you with enough foolishness to think that you can make a difference in this world,” she concludes. This Franciscan prayer sums up her own journey, and will bless us on ours.

Dale’s new book, Embracing Your Second Calling, will be released soon. You can reserve an advance copy here.