Rebecca Darwent

Rebecca Darwent is an internationally recognized expert and captivating speaker in the field of philanthropy and community-led initiatives. With her upcoming TED talk on the transformative power of community-led philanthropy, Darwent is set to inspire individuals and organizations to embrace collaborative approaches in driving positive social change.

With a diverse background spanning philanthropic advising, consulting, and global partnerships, Darwent brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to all endeavors . She has led multimillion-dollar investments in equity, health, and education. She is currently a Senior Advisor to Philanthropy Together focusing on raising awareness of and funding for collaboratives, specifically those that are community-led.

As a co-founder of the Foundation for Black Communities, she led fundraising, community engagement, and advocacy that resulted in a historic $200 million commitment to Black philanthropy by the Canadian government, ensuring sustainable resources are available for Black communities to thrive, engage in solution-making, and create lasting impact.

Prior to this, she was Director of Global Partnerships at Singularity University, leading tech and education programming across five continents. Darwent also worked in the Ontario provincial government as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Children and Youth Services, responsible for the Anti-Racism Directorate.

Darwent is a dedicated volunteer currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Black Communities, The Philanthropy Workshop Canada, and Laidlaw Foundation. She has been recognized as a Women Leaders for the World Fellow and honored as a Canadian Millennium Laureate.