Our mission
We believe entrepreneurs are uniquely placed to transform the world, today and in the future, by using their skills, networks, and resources to tackle huge, seemingly insurmountable problems. However, they often lack the time, tools, or knowledge to direct their charitable giving where it will do the most good.
Founders Pledge exists to bridge this gap. We advise on, facilitate, and maximize the impact of our members’ giving.
In our vision of the future, the value created by technology benefits those who need it most.
Our story
We’re focused on maximizing impact in everything we do.
We launched out of Founders Forum — Europe's foremost network of digital and technology entrepreneurs — in 2015. Since then, our drive to make high-impact giving the norm has seen our member base grow into a global community of almost 2,000 members from more than 40 countries. Together, they have pledged more than $10 billion to charity and already donated over $1 billion to the charitable sector.
Founders Pledge operates globally from registered nonprofits in the US, UK, and Germany. We don’t charge membership fees, and there is no cost to join. We are funded by a number of generous donors who believe in our ability to deliver outsized impact with their gifts. In 2023, over 40% of our operating expenses were funded by members. We’re also grateful to work with foundations like Open Philanthropy, and corporate partners, such as Pictet.*
*Figures correct as of Oct. 2024.
Our team
Our senior team combines years of experience across the nonprofit, corporate and technology sectors to set the strategic direction of the organization.
David Goldberg
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Charlotte Monico
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Crystal Chiu
Community Director
Dawn Fournier
Philanthropic Services Director
Diane Sheard
Chief of Staff
Dominic Finelli
Principal Advisor
Ellen MacKay
Director of Product, Communications and Technology
Emily Hoble
Global Head of Growth
Harry Fellowes
Head of Technology
Lizzi Amartey
Head of People
Matt Hurst-Smith
Chief Experience Officer
Matt Lerner
Research Director
Nakita Naik
Interim Head of Community
Sean Hegarty
Chief Financial Officer
Our Trustees and Directors share a strong commitment to our mission, and apply their backgrounds in international development, finance and business to oversee our operations and ensure we stay true to our goals.
Vikrant Bhargava
Chair; UK Trustee
Andreas Haug
UK Trustee
Anna McKelvey
UK Trustee
Danielle Bayer
US Director
David Klein
US Director
Erin Platts
UK Trustee
Isobel Morton
UK Trustee
Luke Ding
UK Trustee
Philippa Lawrence
US Director
Rob Chapman
UK Trustee
Sabrina Pourmand
US Director
We’re guided by a network of Advisors with expertise in philanthropy, research and business.
Alex Comninos
Dafna Bonas
Damian Kimmelman
Jaan Tallinn
Jonathan Harris
Moran Cerf
Neil Hutchinson
Azzurra Bruni
Investment Committee
Mark Doherty
Investment Committee
Stephen Zinser
Investment Committee
Andrew Patey
Audit & Risk Committee
Chris Willis Pickup
Audit & Risk Committee
Mandy Girder
Audit & Risk Committee
Natalie Fletcher
Audit & Risk Committee