Bridgespan is convening and participating in a series of conversations at and alongside the Skoll World Forum on topics such as: advancing cross-sector collaboration in global health and development; exploring high-impact philanthropy in Asia; supporting the important work of field catalysts, and working with nonprofit leaders and funders to understand how large, flexible gifts can be deployed—and stewarded—to translate “big bets” into sustained results.
If you’ll be in Oxford, we’d welcome the opportunity to connect with you or your team.
The Bridgespan Team at Skoll
Bridgespan colleagues from across regions will be in Oxford for Skoll World Forum. Connect with us during sessions, receptions, or throughout the week.
Alison Powell, Partner, Co-Lead of the Philanthropy Practice
At Skoll Week: Leading Global Health and Development at a Crossroads: The Power of Cross-Sector Collaboration
Leslie MacKrell, Partner & Head of the Nonprofit/NGO Practice
Emma Nothmann, Partner
At Skoll Week: Leading Field Catalysts Thriving; Leading The Art of the Long Game
Lija McHugh Farnham, Partner & San Francisco Office Head
At Skoll Week: Leading Field Catalysts Thriving; Leading The Art of the Long Game
Margaret Boasberg, Partner
Nidhi Sahni, Partner & Head of US Region and Advisory
At Skoll Week: Speaking at Sustaining Impact: What’s Next for Big Bet Funding?
Pritha Venkatachalam, Partner & Co-Head, Asia and Africa
At Skoll Week: Leading Asian Philanthropy: Big Bets and Collaborations
Sonali Patel
Partner & Head of Impact Capital Practice
At Skoll Week: Hosting Climate and Health Funders Coalition Reception
Sridhar Prasad
Partner
At Skoll Week: Hosting Big Bet Leaders Reception; Leading Big Bets Working Meeting
Events on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (Skoll sidelines)
Field Catalysts Thriving: Building the Ecosystem of Supports (invite only)
Time: 9:00–10:30 AM
Host: Emma Nothmann & Lija McHugh Farnham
Overview
An interactive workshop exploring how the ecosystem supporting field catalysts has evolved and where it needs to go next. Participants will reflect on emerging trends, shifts over time, and priorities for strengthening the field.
Global Health and Development at a Crossroads: The Power of Cross-Sector Collaboration (invite only)
Time: 9:00–10:30 AM
Host: Alison Powell
Overview
A session exploring how cross-sector partnerships are adapting to major disruptions in global aid. The discussion will highlight innovative collaborations across governments, philanthropy, and NGOs to build more resilient and locally rooted systems.
Asian Philanthropy: Big Bets and Collaborations (luncheon)
Time: 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
Hosts: Pritha Venkatachalam & Anant Bhagwati
Overview
A discussion on how philanthropy in Asia can shift toward more strategic, collaborative, and high-impact approaches, including the role of corporate giving, family offices, and systems change.
The Art of the Long Game: When Everything Feels Urgent (invite only)
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
Hosts: Emma Nothmann & Lija Farnham
Overview
A private funder convening focused on how to balance near-term pressures with long-term systems change. The session shares insights from global field catalysts navigating uncertainty while sustaining long-term impact.
Climate and Health Funders Coalition Reception (invite only)
Time: 4:30–6:00 PM
Host: Sonali Patel
Overview
A reception for coalition members to connect and strengthen collaboration across climate and health funding efforts.
Big Bets Working Meeting (invite only)
Time: 4:45–6:00 PM
Host: Sridhar Prasad
Overview
An interactive working session with nonprofit leaders stewarding major philanthropic gifts, focused on shared challenges and peer exchange.
Field Catalyst Happy Hour (invite only)
Time: 5:00–6:00 PM
Hosts: Emma Nothmann & Lija Farnham
Overview
An informal gathering for field catalyst leaders to connect, share insights, and build community.
Big Bet Leaders Reception (invite only)
Time: 6:00–7:30 PM
Host: Sridhar Prasad
Overview
An informal evening convening of social sector leaders stewarding significant philanthropic gifts, featuring peer exchange and light refreshments.
Thursday, April 23 | 2:30-4:00PM BST (Skoll World Forum)
Sustaining Impact: What’s Next for Big Bet Funding?
Big bets have transformed how change happens—reshaping power, pace, and possibility. But the story of big bets is not complete until the target impacts are achieved. This interactive session invites delegates to take stock of what we’ve learned so far and shape what comes next. Through shared reflection and collective sense-making, we’ll surface insights and ideas for how big bets might evolve to enable the large-scale, sustained change this moment demands.
Featuring Bridgespan’s Nidhi Sahni, alongside:
- Solange Bandiaky-Badji, President & Coordinator, Rights and Resources Initiative
- Lucien Chan, Managing Director, Portfolio Impact, The Audacious Project
- Rebecca Firth, Executive Director, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
- Doug Galen, Co-Founder & CEO, Rippleworks
- Gayatri Nair Lobo, CEO, Educate Girls
- James Nardella, President & Chief Program Officer, Last Mile Health
General Inquiries
Bridgespan-hosted events on the Skoll sidelines are by invite only.
For more information, please reach out to [email protected].
