Synergos Cultivate the Soul: Stories of Purpose-Driven Philanthropy

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Jan 2026

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About the show

Cultivate The Soul explores the intersection of philanthropy, contemplative practices, self-reflection and spirituality. Hosts Gretchen Ki Steidle and Melissa Durda are joined by leaders in philanthropy who discuss how they are bringing inner work to outer action and the impact this creates for charities, foundations, and other nonprofits. Presented by Synergos, a global organization helping solve complex issues around the world by advancing bridging leadership, which builds trust and collective action.

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57 recent

January 15, 202632 min

KinMaker Philanthropy with Suzanne Bowles, Founder of Cattail Strategy

Suzanne Bowles is a philanthropy strategist, collaboration designer, and post-capitalist systems architect devoted to helping funders and movements meet this moment of profound transition with integrity, courage, and relational depth. She is the founder and Chief Strategist of Cattail Strategy, a consultancy that supports philanthropic organizations, funding collaboratives, and cultural stewards to scale equitable systems change rooted in relationship, reciprocity, and regeneration. Suzanne is also the co-founder of Indigenous Commons. Over more than two decades, Suzanne has played a central role in the transition of over $100 million to grassroots, Indigenous-led, and systems change initiatives across the globe. Her work spans economic democracy, climate justice, regenerative economies, and just transitions, supporting a wide range of partners—from values-aligned foundations and philanthropists to frontline movements and multi-sector collaborations. She is a founding contributor to influential initiatives including Indigenous Commons, FEST (Financing Ecosystems for Transformation), Catalyst Now, Common Good Finance, CoFundEco, and the Alliance for Economic Democracy. Suzanne’s practice is grounded in the belief that lasting systems change begins within—through shifts in relationship, identity, and worldview. She co-creates new frameworks with her clients that integrate strategic rigor with inner and ancestral development.  A trusted ally to many Global South, Indigenous, and BIPOC movements, Suzanne is known for her long-term commitment, ethical clarity, and ability to bridge worlds—linking philanthropic capital with the wisdom, leadership, and lived experience of those most impacted by extractive systems. Through her KinMaker Return journeys and programs, she invites philanthropists to engage giving as a spiritual, relational, and ancestral one—repairing Western cultures of separation while aligning resources with planetary and future-generation needs. Suzanne walks this path as both practitioner and learner, guided by conscious generosity and a deep practice of inter-being. In times of collapse and possibility, her work creates space to grieve what is ending, listen deeply to one another, and co-create the conditions for life-affirming systems to emerge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

December 30, 202535 min

Transformational Philanthropy with Xavi Ginesta, Founder, Humanitas Foundation

Xavi Ginesta founded Voxel in 1998, a Barcelona-based company that became a global leader in electronic invoicing and payments for the travel industry. Voxel was recognized as the third best workplace in Spain by the Best Workplaces ranking in 2019 and 2020. Xavi’s professional journey has always been closely intertwined with a personal commitment to fostering a more conscious worldview. This dedication led him to become CEO of the Spanish chapter of Conscious Capitalism in 2019 and to co-author the book Humanitas with Sergi Torres in 2022. That same year, he co-founded The Festival of Consciousness, a landmark event that ultimately inspired his decision to sell Voxel in 2024 and fully align his personal and professional paths through the creation of the Humanitas Foundation. The Humanitas Foundation supports initiatives rooted in transformational philanthropy. Unlike traditional impact philanthropy, which seeks to solve systemic problems without altering the system itself, transformational philanthropy addresses the underlying mindset that gives rise to those problems—aiming for deep inner impact as a catalyst for systemic outer change. Xavi holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering by La Salle School of Engineering (Ramon Llull University) and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from New York University (NYU).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

December 11, 202533 min

Interpersonal and Reparative Philanthropy, with Hilary Giovale, author of Becoming A Good Relative

Hilary Giovale is a mother, writer, facilitator, and community organizer who holds a Master’s Degree in Good and Sustainable Communities. She has taught improvisational dance and has served on the boards of philanthropic, human rights, and environmental organizations. Descended from the Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe, she is a ninth-generation American settler. For most of her life these origins were obscured by whiteness. After learning more about her ancestors’ history, Hilary began emerging from a fog of amnesia, denial, and fragmentation. For the first time, she could see a painful reality: her family’s occupation of this land has harmed Indigenous and African peoples, cultures, lands, and lifeways. With this realization, her life changed.  How can I become a good relative? This inquiry guides Hilary’s work, including her writing, teaching, and reparative philanthropy. Divesting from settler colonialism and whiteness, she seeks to follow Indigenous and Black leadership in support of healing, mutual liberation, and equitable futures. She is the author of the award-winning book Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair. Go deeper with Hilary’s Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan, and find a copy of her book here. 100% of book proceeds go to the Decolonizing Wealth Project and Jubilee Justice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November 21, 202529 min

Mindfulness for Social Change with meditation pioneer, Sharon Salzberg

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is among the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over fifty years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of fourteen books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl: A Little Crocodile with Big Feelings, co-authored with Jason Gruhl, is set for release in late 2025 from Shambhala Publications. Sharon’s podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed eight million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. www.sharonsalzberg.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 4, 202529 min

Holistic Happiness and Impact with Chun Dong, Founder of Intelli Alliance Foundation and Atrium Legacy Foundation.

After 17 years working for PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Leader in their China business practice, Chun Dong created a Comprehensive Advisory Business Model for Ultra High Net Worth families and their private businesses in 2023, which includes multifamily office, business transformation, legal, financial and tax advisory services. She and her team not only provide these families and businesses with professional services, but also help them to design their families’ Comprehensive Philanthropic Strategies which lead to finding the true meaning of their lives.  On the philanthropy side, Chun is the founder of two foundations, Intelli Alliance Foundation and Atrium Legacy Foundation. Intelli Alliance Foundation focuses on cultivating people’s inner joy and peacefulness through events and retreats, education curriculums, and personal transformation programs. Atrium Legacy Foundation focuses on empowering communities by installing social values, supporting holistic wellness, and creating sustainable futures through four initiatives: Holistic Aging, Empathy Education, Resilient Housing and Global Harvest.   On the personal side, Chun happily lives in Vancouver, Canada with her ever-expanding family. She is extremely extroverted and loves to make new friends and enjoys helping others. She is also very adventurous and loves to explore the world. Chun is trying to inspire people of all ages to get involved in philanthropy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 4, 202532 min

Resonance-based resourcing and living learning systems with Josef Kembel, Founding Architect and Director, Stanford University’s d.school.

Josef George Kembel is an educator, entrepreneur, and advisor whose work sits at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and systems change. As the founding director of Stanford’s Design School (the d.school), Josef helped launch a global movement in design that has influenced education, business, and social innovation worldwide. Earlier in his career, his entrepreneurial work contributed to the foundations of today’s mobile app and app ecosystems. Josef’s global perspective was shaped by a six-month voyage to 30 countries, where he co-founded and co-led a ship-based social impact accelerator. Bringing together entrepreneurs, mentors, leaders, and students, the program explored how innovation can drive meaningful change across cultures and contexts. Today, Josef works with leaders and organizations around the world on aligning vision, values, and action. His focus is on building “living learning systems”, adaptive structures that enable individuals and organizations to learn continuously, innovate responsibly, and grow in ways that serve both people and planet. He has developed modular learning approaches that empower people to design self-guided projects, using their own lives and communities as laboratories for growth and impact. With a deep connection to the oceans and a commitment to collective flourishing, Josef brings a unique blend of practical innovation experience and inner consciousness work to the fields of philanthropy, leadership, and social change. His work centers on creating environments and practices that help people move more fluidly, act with clarity, and unlock value that goes beyond financial returns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 28, 202535 min

Indigenous-led Philanthropy and Right Relationship with Dilafruz Khonikboyeva, Executive Director, Home Planet Fund

Dilafruz Khonikboyeva is the Founding Executive Director of the Home Planet Fund, the latest tool inthe Patagonia philanthropic ecosystem. Ms. Khonikboyeva was previously a political appointee ofthe US Biden-Harris Administration, spent five years with the Aga Khan Development Network, andeight years responding to conflict and climate crises. Ms. Khonikboyeva is a transformational conflict expert, focused on civil war, climate and resourceconflicts, and storytelling. Ms. Khonikboyeva was selected by the US presidential centers and libraries of George W. Bush,William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson as a 2019 Presidential LeadershipScholar. Her story of immigrating to the US from the civil war in Tajikistan and President Bush’spainting of her were featured in the bestselling book, “Out of Many, One - Portrait’s of Americas Immigrants” Dilafruz is originally from Khorog, Tajikistan and is Indigenous Pamiri.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 5, 202525 min

Catalytic Investments in Social Sector Infrastructure with Peter Brach, Founder of Propel Philanthropy

Peter Brach, founder of Propel Philanthropy, is a thought leader who advocates for the inclusion of far-reaching social sector acceleration in funders’ portfolios. He partnered with Alliance Magazine and WINGS on two successful campaigns spotlighting the value of Social Impact Infrastructure Organizations (SIIOs). He founded a network of over 60 SIIOs and launched the Funder-to-Funder Infrastructure Group, which now includes more than 50 foundations and private donors. Peter has served as a trustee for a private foundation for over a decade and is also a meditator, guitarist, songwriter, and animal lover.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 6, 202529 min

Wavemaking: Inspired Impact with David Evans Shaw

David Evans Shaw is CEO of Black Point Group, with wide-ranging interests in technology companies, impact investing and public service activism. His business creation, leadership, investment and board experience includes more than a dozen successful technology companies, employing more than 15,000 people worldwide, with a combined market valuation of tens of billions of dollars. These companies harness modern science to address important needs in healthcare and other markets.  Early in his career, Shaw helped build a leading global consulting firm in food and agriculture. Shaw’s career has included extensive public service in science, arts, conservation and public policy.  He has served on the faculty of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the Visiting Committee of the MIT Media Lab.  He is a founding director of the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Chair-emeritus of The Jackson Laboratory, Treasurer emeritus of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he has been a global leader in science-based conservation of nature as a trustee of the National Park Foundation, as founding chair of the Sargasso Sea Alliance and Aspen High Seas Initiative, as a Patron of Nature to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, as a member of Ocean Elders, and as founder of Shaw Innovation Fellows and Second Century Stewardship for America’s national parks.  He has served as a partner of Venrock Associates, on the board of Maine Medical Center, Hurricane Island Outward Bound, the scientific advisory board of Discovery Communications and Curiosity Stream, a member of the Executive Committee of the US-Israel Science and Technology Commission, YPO and CEO, a Fellow of The Explorers Club, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Leadership Council of the Service Year Alliance, and advisory councils of Just Capital, Polaris Venture Partners, Arctaris Impact Fund, Sustainable Harvest International, the Telluride Science and Research Center, Nautilus Media, Waterbear Media, Saildrone, Visby Medical, and the National Geographic Impact Story Lab.  He supports his advocacy interests with the production of documentary films and is the author of a 2024 book entitled Wave Making: Inspired By Impact.  Shaw is resident of the State of Maine along with his children and 12 grandchildren. Shaw has been awarded honorary degrees by Colby College, Bates College, Maine College of Art, the University of New England, and the University of Southern Maine. He is a recipient of the Leslie Cheek Medal from the College of William & Mary.  Other honors have included induction into the Teddy Roosevelt Society, International SeaKeeper of Year, Blue Ocean Festival Wavemaker, Life Science Foundation Biotech Hall of Fame, honoree New York Restoration Project, UNH Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, Maine Creativity Center, and Maine Business Hall of Fame.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

January 20, 202531 min

Rewilding Ecosystems with Kris Tompkins, President and Co-founder, Tompkins Conservation

Kristine Tompkins is the president and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, an American conservationist, and former CEO of Patagonia, Inc. For three decades, she has committed to protecting and restoring wild beauty and biodiversity by creating national parks, restoring wildlife, inspiring activism, and fostering economic vitality as a result of conservation. Kristine and her late husband Douglas Tompkins have protected over 15 million acres of parklands in Chile and Argentina through Tompkins Conservation and its partners, making them among the most successful national park-oriented philanthropists in history. Through Tompkins Conservation and its offspring organizations, Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile, she has helped to create or expand 15 national parks in Argentina and Chile, including two marine national parks, and works to bring back over two dozen species that have gone locally or nationally extinct, such as the jaguar, red-and-green macaw, and giant river otters in Northeast Argentina, and Darwin’s rheas and extremely endangered huemul deer in Chile. Kristine served as Patron for Protected Areas for the UN Environmental Programme from 2018-2022. The recipient of numerous honors, she was the first conservationist to be awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. In 2024, she followed up her 2020 TED Talk, "Let's Make the World Wild Again," with over two million views, with “A Bold Plan to Rewild the Earth—at a Massive Scale,” available in 14 languages, on the TED mainstage in Vancouver. About Tompkins Conservation Founded by the late Douglas Tompkins and cofounded by Kristine Tompkins, Tompkins Conservation is protecting and restoring wild beauty and biodiversity by creating national parks, bringing back species through rewilding, and fostering regenerative economies. Over three decades, the nonprofit has protected approximately 15 million acres of parklands in Chile and Argentina through the creation or expansion of 15 national parks in Chile and Argentina, in addition to two marine protected areas of 30 million acres. Through active rewilding, the organization is bringing back over a dozen species that are in critical numbers, endangered or locally extinct. In 2015, a kayaking accident in Patagonia took Doug's life. Alongside his wife Kris, the couple are amongst the foremost conservation philanthropists in history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.