New York, NY – November 3rd, 2021 – Bunchful, the social enterprise company that is all about giving, is pleased to announce that the first annual ‘Bunchful Future of Philanthropy Summit’ will take place on November 17, 2021. The Summit will bring together an exciting line-up of changemakers and innovators to celebrate philanthropy during the Covid-19 pandemic and to delve more deeply into how future philanthropic efforts can be truly impactful, with focused attention to delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Bunchful’s charitable partner in this venture is the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Vinisha Umashankar, a young entrepreneur from India, who created a solar-powered cart as a coal-free alternative that could be used in other applications, is a finalist for the Earthshot Prize, and spoke at COP26 in Glasgow, at the invitation of Prince William. She told leaders there, including US President, Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi: “You are deciding whether or not we are worth fighting for; worth supporting and worth caring.” Upon learning of this speech, Raquel Miller, Bunchful’sfounder, remarked: “We live unendingly and ceaselessly in the present, and so, it is easy to forget the extended human family that will follow behind us, but the time is upon us, when we must urge our governments and leaders into bold action to secure the future for those we leave behind.”
‘The Bunchful Future of Philanthropy Summit’ is approaching on November 17, 2021, and climate action is only one of the topics to be addressed under this broader discussion surrounding generosity and giving back to the community.
The first panel discussion will surround the topic, “How has Covid-19 Galvanized Global Giving?”. This panel will consider how pandemic giving has motivated new kinds of giving and the stimulation of campaigns to deliver widescale outcomes at the community, national, and global scale.
The second panel is centered around the theme “Innovation and the Future of Philanthropy”, which addresses the challenges for philanthropy in a post-COVID world, and how technology can help to enable the needed solutions, and Bunchful is excited to announce the speakers that will be presenting at ‘The Bunchful Future of Philanthropy Summit’.
Speakers for panel discussions include founder and CEO of Bunchful Enterprises, Raquel Miller. Raquel sits on the board of the New York chapter of The New Executive Women in Hospitality (NEWH) as the Director of Equity Inclusion, and Diversity.
The first panel will include speakers Ourania Dionysiou, Nizam Uddin, OBE, and Raquel Miller.
Ourania Dionysiou, Vice President, International Philanthropy & Partnerships and Global Partnerships & Philanthropic Services – IRC. Ourania is a former diplomat of the Republic of Cyprus and UN official, with more than 15 years of experience consulting to, and serving in senior management positions in government, international organizations (UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, WHO, UNOCHA, European Commission, Council of Europe) and private sector multinationals. Ourania has worked extensively on innovative financing and venture philanthropy initiatives for the digitalization of global health (WHO- Bloomberg) and global private-public humanitarian emergency funds.
Nizam Uddin, OBE. Nizam is Chief Strategy Officer of algbra, a technology-based financial ecosystem dedicated to global financial inclusion by focusing on the underserved and underbanked. Nizam has a strong interest and background in overcoming the societal and economic challenges that prevent disenfranchised and minority communities from fulfilling their potential. He is also currently a Trustee of SOAS, University of London, a Trustee of Robert. F. Kennedy Human Rights UK, a Trustee of the Aspen Institute UK, and a member of the Mayor of London’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Group. He is a 2019 Greenberg World Fellow at Yale University and a 2019 US State Department International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) participant. He holds an MA in Public Policy from King’s College London and was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours list for services to social mobility and community integration.
The second panel session will feature panelists, Kay Nikiforova, Megh
Kay Nikiforova is the Head of Clinical at Violet, the first platform dedicated to benchmarking and educating clinicians on delivering culturally competent care. Violet advises startups and digital health organizations including Made of Millions, a global advocacy nonprofit on a mission to change how the world perceives mental health, and Halcyon Health, a full care continuum platform for substance use. Kay is currently pursuing their PhD in Clinical Psychology and developing a program of research focusing on LGBTQ+ and TGNC identities, cultural competence, alternative sexualities and relationships, trauma,and mental health literacy.
Meghna Lakhani, the Founder and CEO of sustainability related start-up OPTAS. OPTAS is a unique community driven eco-system connecting eco-conscious consumers with responsible business, who choose to take action to protect the planet and for a better tomorrow.
Megan Hershiser, Associate Director, Corporate Partnerships Tech, IRC. Megan Hershiser focuses on developing partnerships with tech companies like Airbnb, Uber, Google, and Microsoft to support IRC’s programs around the world. Megan serves on the Board of Directors for NetHope, a consortium of more than 60 leading global nonprofits that collaborates with technology innovators to solve humanitarian and conservation challenges.
Jordan Whitewick, the Director of IT and Development for the EnsomCity project a division of Bunchful Technologies. Jordan Whitewick
For more information on the panelists, please visit https://
The International Rescue Committee, IRC, is the philanthropic beneficiary of the 2021 Bunchful Awards. The IRC, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid, relief and resettlement to refugees and other victims of oppression or violent conflict. To support the IRC, visit: https://www.gofundme.
Current sponsors for the Bunchful organization include AmazonWeb Services, Microsoft, IBM, and Comcast NBC Universal, accompanied by Circa, Inc., a sponsor for the Summit. Sponsorship packages and categories for ‘The Bunchful Awards’ can be found on the Call for Sponsors section of the Bunchful website at https://thebunchfulawards.
Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required. Information and tickets for The Bunchful Future of Philanthropy Summit on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 are available at
Eventbrite: https://www.
