Leading with love in social impact
Throughout history, leaders have shown that love is a crucial element for transformation.
At the 2024 Skoll World Forum, New Profit’s CEO, Tulaine Montgomery, led a session titled “Leading with Love in Social Impact.” This wasn’t just a discussion—it was a declaration of how love can be a radical force for change, a core strategy that we are using to create systems-level change.
Love as a Catalyst for Change
Tulaine opened the session by grounding the conversation in the roots of philanthropy—“to love humankind.” She reminded the audience that this love isn’t passive; it’s an active, transformative force that has the power to reshape entire systems. “We’ve been in the business of learning how to get better at leading with love,” Tulaine shared, signaling our commitment to embedding love at the heart of its mission.
This theme resonated deeply with the panelists, who each embodied this principle in their work. Brianna Fruean, representing Pacific Climate Warriors, spoke of alofa—the Samoan concept of love through service and community. Christine Schuler Deschryver, from City of Joy, shared how simple acts of love can heal deep wounds in survivors of violence. Fernando Travesí, from the International Center for Transitional Justice, highlighted love as both a value and a source of resilience, even in the darkest times.
Operationalizing Love: The M.I.C.™ in Action
The discussion naturally dovetailed into how these principles of love directly support New Profit’s efforts to build The M.I.C.™ —a multiracial, intergenerational, and cross-sector approach to driving systemic change. The panel illustrated that love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a strategy. It’s the fuel that drives collaboration across diverse communities, the glue that binds generations, and the force that propels cross-sector partnerships.
Fernando underscored this by stating, “Love cannot be a free pass from responsibility.” His work in transitional justice, where love is intertwined with accountability, mirrors our mission to create a community where respect, dignity, and mutual responsibility are paramount.
Inspiring Leadership and Collective Impact
The session demonstrated that leading with love is essential for anyone serious about making a lasting impact. By weaving love into the fabric of its leadership and strategy, New Profit is not only influencing the field of philanthropy but also inspiring others to build bridges across divides—racial, generational, sectoral, and more.