Women Who Give

Hosted by Alex Townsend

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Ever wondered if women give to philanthropy? Do women give differently, and if so, how do they like to give to charity? If you have asked these questions, this podcast is for you! The reality is that the face of philanthropy is changing. Yet, many charities and institutions are still only raising funds from a small, non-diverse population of philanthropists. Women Who Give are on a mission to dismantle old perceptions about who is a philanthropist and how different groups give. We will speak with charity professionals, philanthropists, and philanthropy experts to better understand the women’s philanthropy landscape in the UK and beyond.

Listen to episodes

6 recent

October 13, 2026Episode 235 min

The Giving Business with Elizabeth Thomson: Mentorship, Networks and Family Philanthropy

In this episode of the Women Who Give podcast, host Alex Townsend speaks with Elizabeth Thomson, a Canadian solicitor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Elizabeth shares her journey into philanthropy, her experiences with the Amber Foundation, and her commitment to empowering ethnic minority women through scholarships and mentorship programs. The conversation explores the definition of philanthropy, the importance of networks, and the barriers women face in the philanthropic sector. Elizabeth emphasizes the need for education and mentorship in charitable giving, drawing parallels between running a charity and a business. In this conversation, Elizabeth L Thomson shares her journey from running a charity out of her apartment to establishing impactful programs that empower women and address community needs. She emphasizes the importance of accountability in philanthropy, the need for inclusivity in Hong Kong, and the dynamics of family decision-making in their charitable endeavors. Elizabeth offers valuable advice for aspiring philanthropists and discusses future aspirations for expanding their charitable impact. Elizabeth and The Amber Foundation are currently seeking summer internship opportunities, group leaders for their Health Sciences, STEM, and Finance groups, and venue sponsors for their workshops. Anyone interested in supporting the future of ethnic minority young women in Hong Kong is encouraged to get in touch. https://www.theamberfoundation.org/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Philanthropy and Elizabeth Thompson 02:48 Defining Philanthropy: Elizabeth's Perspective 04:45 Early Experiences and the Birth of the Amber Foundation 08:57 Empowering Ethnic Minority Women through Scholarships 11:48 Workplace Preparation and Mentorship Programs 15:55 The Role of Networks in Philanthropy 17:10 The Need for Mentorship in Philanthropy 18:31 Barriers for Women in Philanthropy 21:15 Lessons Learned in Running a Charity 21:29 From Apartment to Charity: The Journey Begins 24:39 The Importance of Accountability in Philanthropy 27:45 Inclusivity and Community Engagement in Hong Kong 30:14 Family Dynamics in Philanthropic Decision-Making 34:20 Advice for Aspiring Philanthropists 37:10 Future Aspirations and Expanding Impact

July 29, 2026Episode 143 min

Why Women’s Philanthropy Is Bigger Than Money: A Conversation with Meenal Sachdev

In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Meenal Sachdev, a social impact leader working at the crossroads of business, government, and civil society. Meenal shares her grassroots work addressing modern slavery, her unique perspective on philanthropy, and her vision to empower women as changemakers in their communities and beyond. ** This episode contains discussions of sex work, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. Some listeners may find these topics distressing. Key Topics Covered: How Meenal transitioned from traditional philanthropy to systemic, systemic change-driven initiatives The importance of lived experience and survivor voices in shaping effective social impact work Building collaborative, cross-sectoral strategies to combat modern slavery and exploitation Women's roles in philanthropy: breaking stereotypes, increasing visibility, and expanding influence The long-term, systems-level approach needed for meaningful social change The challenges of measuring impact Meenal's upcoming role as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and her future plans Practical advice for philanthropists and change-makers committed to responsible, inclusive giving Resources & Links: Modern Slavery Act 2015 Stepwell Alliance High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Connect with Meenal Sachdev: LinkedIn X Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Meenal Sachdev and her impactful work 02:12 - Redefining philanthropy: moving beyond charity to systemic change 03:45 - The importance of survivor voices and lived experience in philanthropy 05:38 - Meenal’s journey into tackling modern slavery through cross-sector collaboration 09:12 - Building policy frameworks and practical tools for lasting impact 11:31 - The perception of women as philanthropists and breaking stereotypes 12:52 - Women’s holistic approach to giving: time, talent, treasure, and trust 14:18 - Harsh realities faced in India: supporting women and girls in brothel settings 19:53 - The limitations of rescue efforts and the importance of systemic change 21:19 - Long-term solutions: prevention, economic alternatives, and systemic reform 25:17 - Barriers women face in leadership and decision-making in philanthropy 26:41 - Strategies for increasing women’s visibility and influence in giving 33:03 - Practical guidance for responsible, impactful philanthropy 36:07 - The importance of sustained investment and long-term commitment 37:36 - Women’s deeper engagement in philanthropy and systemic impact 42:16 - Meenal’s upcoming role as High Sheriff and her vision for Hertfordshire 44:00 - The future of women's empowerment and collaborative community action 46:33 - Closing remarks and appreciation for Meenal’s inspiring work This episode offers actionable insights into responsible philanthropy, the importance of long-term systemic change, and empowering women as catalysts for social progress. Whether you're a seasoned donor or new to social impact, Meenal's experiences and advice will inspire you to think differently about your role in creating a better world.

September 2, 2024Episode 443 min

Breaking New Ground: Newcastle University's Trailblazing Strategy for Women's Giving in Higher Ed

Are women interested in giving philanthropic gifts to higher education institutions in the UK? If so, what are institutions doing to strategically engage women in a unique and intentional way? These questions served as the genesis for this podcast and will be answered in this engaging episode where we hear from Alexa Charlton, Head of Individual Major Giving, whose team lead on the Women's Giving Circle at Newcastle University. Newcastle University is truly pioneering how to engage and raise funds from diverse audiences in higher education. In fact, they are one of the only UK universities the Women Who Give Podcast has been able to find that offers a women-centric way of giving in the UK higher education space. Join us to learn more about The Women's Giving Circle, which was established in 2010, and hear how it is evolving to raise some of its largest gifts from prominent female alumnae and regional philanthropists. Learn more about The Women's Giving Circle at Newcastle University here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni/news/item/womens-giving-circle-scholarship/

May 7, 2024Episode 353 min

With Women in Mind @ Mind x Women Who Give Podcast

What are the secret ingredients required to kick start a new women's giving collective? A dynamic new project that needs support, celebrity star power, a keen leadership board? Tune into this episode of the Women Who Give podcast to hear from Angela Kelly, Senior Philanthropy Manager and With Women in Mind Lead at Mind. You will learn more about what it takes to launch a dynamic and thoughtful women’s giving initiative. With Women in Mind is an inspiring collective of supporters helping women and young people most affected by trauma. With Women in Mind 's plans are just as ambitious as the incredible people who are already part of the collective. They aim to raise £2.5 million over the next three years to help reach 100,000 young people most affected by trauma. With Women in Mind - Mind

March 16, 2024Episode 10 min

Join me Alex McCall for the Women Who Give Podcast

This is the Women Who Give podcast by me, Alex McCall. I’m on a journey to understand how, where and why women give. I will be speaking with charity and university professionals running women’s giving programmes, philanthropists and experts on the topic here in the UK where I am based as well as abroad, where we will draw inspiration! I’m trying to get under the root of some of the commonly held misconceptions such as ‘women don’t give as much as men’ or ‘women give differently’ or ‘women just aren’t interested!’. I hope you will join me on this exciting journey as we work to understand how we can include everyone in giving back and making a difference.

March 7, 2024Episode 224 min

The Prince's Trust WSW x Women Who Give

In this episode we speak with Amie Atkinson, Head of Women Supporting Women and Gemma Craggs, Head of Principle Giving at The Prince’s Trust. Women Supporting Women was established in 2018 to help young women who face disadvantage and adversity to transform their lives. The collective is committed to raising funds so that more young women can build their confidence and receive support to get into jobs, self-employment, education or training. To date, the collective has raised over £11.8million helping to transform the lives of thousands of young women in the UK. Hear about the success and challenges and what is on the horizon for this important programme.