Members and guests of Bermuda’s chapter of 100 Women in Finance were encouraged to consider ways they can contribute to the community in making an impact outside the boardroom and within society at a panel discussion held by the organisation.

The panel, “Planting the Seeds of Philanthropy: Women Leaders Learn How to Create a Meaningful Legacy”, was moderated by former communications professional and journalist Amanda Outerbridge.

Panellists included lawyer and insolvency expert Robin Mayor, accountant and board member Pauline Richards, and social policy analyst and grant-making professional, Myra Virgil.

The 100WF group said both the moderator and the panellists are “entrenched in the art of philanthropy and charitable giving”.

The group led active discussion around the challenges non-profit organisations face in Bermuda and how the philanthropic landscape has changed to meet the needs of the island, sharing details on their own charitable and philanthropic contributions.

There was broad agreement among the panellists that while there are more philanthropic organisations in Bermuda than ever before, conversely there are fewer funds available for charitable giving, placing emphasis on the need for strategic planning for both donors and not-for-profits when investing in our communities.

Attendees were challenged to consider the ways that they give back to the community and how this will change throughout their lives based on available time and financial resources. Each individual’s life cycle of philanthropy may look different, but as a collective, doing what you can will leave Bermuda in a better place, attendees heard.

Alison Morrison is managing director and founder of Bermuda Compliance Consultants as well as chairwoman of the 100WF committee in Bermuda.

She said: “This final educational event of our year was a perfect way to end 2019 and we are very grateful for the support and sponsorship of Orbis who hosted three events this year. We were very fortunate to have another all-female panel whose commitment to philanthropy was evident throughout the evening and we thank them for sharing their wisdom and experience with all of us.”

Ms Morrison said Butterfield Bank is to sponsor three 100WF in Bermuda educational events in 2020.

Erin Williams, investment counsellor with Orbis Investments and the 2019 100WF education chairwoman in Bermuda said: “I am honoured that Bermuda’s final 100WF event of the year paid a fitting tribute to the passing of Orbis’s founder, Allan Gray, a man who had an immeasurable impact on many lives as an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.

“Mr Gray saw philanthropy as a natural extension of the impact that the investment business aims to make in people’s lives, spending considerable focus and energy later in his career on philanthropic endeavours. This event was a wonderful reminder that each one of us can make a difference and just how one may start to give, whether through donating one’s time or contributing financially, in a more meaningful way.”