Elizabeth Wong

Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services
Foundation Source

With three decades of experience in organizational performance and philanthropy, Elizabeth Wong is a highly sought-after expert in the philanthropic sector. As a gifted leader, relationship manager, executive coach and philanthropic consultant, Elizabeth has advised Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients and large corporations in several key areas, including high-impact philanthropy, family foundation governance, succession planning, and leadership/program development. She specializes in strategic planning, leadership transitions, organizational development for corporations, nonprofits and foundations, and business development and client retention.

In her current role, Elizabeth serves as the Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services at Foundation Source, the nation’s largest provider of comprehensive support services for private foundations. She leads an experienced team of philanthropic directors in expertly helping clients carry out their philanthropic missions and activities. She is also responsible for setting strategy for the company’s philanthropic advisory services and leads custom pricing and revenue generation opportunities for the team. She has an undergraduate degree from Columbia College and a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Passionate about philanthropy and the power of the social sector, Elizabeth serves on the boards of the Gates Foundation Alumni Network, Digital Green (a global development organization partnering with smallholder farmers), and the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC). She grew up in San Francisco, CA, and lives with her family in Seattle, WA.

Miriam Billinger

Operations Director
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation

Miriam’s experience and professional passion live in the operational world of mission-driven organizations. Miriam has worked with nonprofits and foundations for over twenty years and is a leader in finance, grant management, organizational culture and team development.

Miriam has worked with nonprofits and foundations for over twenty years as a leader in finance, grant management, organization culture and team development. Miriam lights up when she talks about the intersection of mission and money in nonprofits. She has served as consultant and mentor to organizations with budgets ranging from $30K to $300M and whose areas of focus span conservation, environmental education and sustainable agriculture. Miriam’s work is rooted in strengthening operating systems that enable nonprofits and foundations to be efficient, effective, resilient and impactful.

Previous roles include serving as program finance officer for the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, assistant finance director at Humboldt State University’s Sponsored Programs Foundation and consultant to nonprofits and land trusts across Northern California. Miriam studied business economics and financial accounting, and she is trained in facilitative leadership, project management and meeting facilitation.

Miriam is currently serving as a board member for Multiplier, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and impact accelerator. Miriam lives in the redwoods and can be found quilting, camping and volunteering in the public schools. She is the proud mother of two awesome children who inspire her to work for a brighter future and a healthier planet.

Gillian Howell
Head of Client Advisory Solutions, Foundation Source

Gillian Howell is the Head of Client Advisory Solutions and a member of the Foundation Source executive team. Ms. Howell brings more than 30 years of executive and philanthropic management experience to Foundation Source where she is responsible for overseeing and enhancing the Client Services and Philanthropy Advisory Services functions. In this role, she leads teams of seasoned client management and philanthropic advisory specialists as they help individual, family and corporate foundations achieve their charitable objectives with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Alvina H. Lo
Chief Wealth Strategist, Executive Vice President, Wilmington Trust

Alvina is responsible for overseeing the wealth planning, strategic advice, and thought leadership services for Wilmington Trust’s Wealth Advisory division. She manages a national team of wealth strategists, financial planners, and thought leadership experts, who together, serve as advisors to high-net-worth individuals and families, business owners, entrepreneurs, and foundations and endowments.

Susan Lipp – Moderator
Editor in Chief, Trusts & Estates

Susan R. Lipp is editor in chief of Trusts & Estates magazine, the WealthManagement.com Journal for estate-planning professionals. She oversees both the print and online version of T & E, as well as the monthly e-newsletter articles.