Peter Karoff was a champion of civil rights and social justice, a published poet, and a pioneering leader in the field of strategic philanthropy and philanthropic advising. He founded The Philanthropic Initiative, a Boston-based nonprofit philanthropic advising firm that designs transformative giving solutions at the local, national, and global level. In 2006, Peter was named a Purpose Prize Fellow in celebration of his visionary ideas and profound impact on the field of philanthropy. He was the author of The World We Want: New Dimensions in Philanthropy and Social Change and Parable, a book of poetry, and was the editor of Just Money: A Critique of Contemporary American Philanthropy. He passed away in March 2017.

Melinda Marble is a consultant and philanthropic advisor who has spent her career in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. In addition to heading or directing giving at three family foundations, including the Barr Foundation and the Paul and Phyllis Fireman Family Foundation, she has served at community foundations and led a regional association of grantmakers. She has been a consultant to more than a hundred donors and philanthropic enterprises ranging in size from neighborhood-based grassroots groups to major national foundations and universities. She is a former TPI staff and board member.