Rebecca Darwent is an internationally recognized expert and captivating speaker in the field of philanthropy and community-led initiatives. Rebecca’s recent TED talk is inspiring individuals and organizations to embrace collaborative approaches to drive social change.
With a diverse background spanning philanthropic advising, consulting, and global partnerships, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to all endeavours. 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 collaborative funds, 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 capital transfer 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. Rebecca 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.
Rebecca is a certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor, holds 21/64 certification, and serves as faculty at Daylight Advisors, where she co-authored the Collective & Collaborative Giving Certificate. Rebecca serves on the Board of Directors for FFBC and Forward Global Canada. She is a 2025 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, a Women Leader for the World Fellow, and a Canadian Millennium Laureate.
Let us know if you’d like to be introduced to this advisor.
