A Milwaukee for all is both a vision and a journey for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Since making our generational commitment to racial equity and inclusion over seven years ago, I have realized just how much of that journey involves the personal steps we take as individuals and the internal change we must make within our institution.
As someone who has worked in philanthropy for nearly 30 years, I’ll admit it’s often more comfortable to focus on the external work – the grants we make, the organizations we support, the partnerships we forge – than to look in the mirror. But achieving authentic and meaningful community impact, especially in a region where historic and systemic racism negatively affects the lives of so many people, requires us to reflect and change.
This approach to reimagining philanthropy has led me to think differently about leadership, both in terms of how our organization leads as well as my personal role and responsibility as president and CEO. As a white woman with power and privilege, leading an anchor institution whose legacy spans more than a century and is now focused on racial equity, I demonstrate my commitment to the Foundation becoming an anti-racist organization by leaning into building an inclusive culture. We have and will continue to examine and challenge where our embedded policies, practices and norms contribute to an environment that prevents our entire team from thriving, and to make the necessary changes for our culture and operations to fully match our values.
I, by no means, am doing this alone. Through their support and leadership, our Board makes our focus on racial equity possible, and our culture is shaped by our staff’s passionate commitment to transforming the way we work. My personal learning includes crucial conversations with colleagues and peers, and accountability partners who call me in when my behavior does not match my aspirations.
Learning in public is an important part of this commitment, and one path includes talking openly about racial equity in public spaces – not presuming to have the answers but rather engaging in dialogue that leads to greater understanding and growth.
My recent opportunities to learn in public include participation in a podcast powered by our colleagues at Athena Communications, who I thank for prioritizing local conversations about equity in our community.
Leadership is in Session: Reimagining Philanthropy
Learning journeys are personal, and I remain inspired by everyone in our community who has continued theirs with us, through convenings and conversations geared toward action and impact. And I am deeply grateful for those who share their time, understanding and lived experience with us, so the Foundation can follow community voice in contributing to a Milwaukee where all are valued, and all may thrive.
Ellen M. Gilligan
President & CEO