Brandolon Barnett

Head of Innovation and Philanthropy

Washington, DC

Brandolon Barnett is an investor, author, and entrepreneur dedicated to merging technology and social impact to better move resources and knowledge to those in need. His book, Dreams Deferred: Recession, Struggle, and the Quest for a Better World, explores his journey from poverty to a career in philanthropy and tech. He is currently Head of Innovation and Philanthropy at Giving Compass, Founder and CEO of The Regular, and Co-Founder and Lead Faculty of Loyola University Chicago’s Tech for Good Bootcamp certificate program.

Previously, Brandolon worked as Chief Product Officer at Humanitas AI and Deed, as well as led CSR industry solutions at Salesforce.org. He has also been an active volunteer having previously served as an elected ANC Commissioner in Washington, DC and currently on the board of Spur Local and as a trustee with the international study abroad provider World Learning. An active mentor and investor in entrepreneurs of color, Brandolon holds certifications from the Pragmatic Institute and University of California, Berkeley’s Black Venture Institute, along with an MA from the University of London SOAS.

Brandolon is a frequent keynote speaker, podcast and media guest, and panelist. He has been a featured guest on NPR & KERA’s THINK and spoken on the mainstage at events including Blackbaud’s BBCon, Dreamforce, SXSW, the Council on Foundations Annual Conference, and more.

Speaking Topics

  • Social impact innovations
  • AI & tech for good
  • Donor education & behavior
  • Philanthropic trends
  • Building a career in social impact
  • Escaping poverty, entrepreneurism, and general inspiration

Key Questions to Ask

  • What drives your work at the intersection of technology and social impact?
  • What personal experiences most shaped your career path?
  • What’s a project or initiative you’re most proud of?
  • How do you define success in your work?
  • What’s a piece of advice you often share with aspiring entrepreneurs or changemakers?
  • What are you currently excited about when you think about the future of AI, tech for good, and philanthropy?
  • If you could change one thing about philanthropy or social impact today, what would it be?

Notable Media & Publications

Speaking Experience

  • LinkedIn Impact Summit. Social Impact & AI (Fireside Chat, 2024)
  • DAF Summit. DAF Innovations (Keynote, 2024)
  • Fundraise.AI. Social Impact & AI (Panel, 2023)
  • Blackbaud Annual Conference – BBCon. Social Impact & AI (Keynote, 2023)
  • DAF Summit. DAF & AI Innovations (Mainstage Panel, 2023)
  • Social Innovation Summit. Innovations in Employee Engagement & ESG (Panel, 2022)
  • Annual Meeting of the Virginia Society for Human Resources Management. Building a Life with Purpose and Supporting Impact Anywhere through New Innovations. (Keynote, 2022).
  • John’s Hopkins Carey Business School Conference on Entrepreneurship, Civic Engagement, and Innovative Programming: Social Entrepreneurship (Panelist, 2019)
  • United Way National Capital Area Partner Summit: Technological Innovation & Social Good (Fireside Chat, 2019)
  • Dreamforce 2018 & Salesforce DC/New York World Tours 2019: Putting Your Corporate Values to Work with Technology (Speaker, 2018 & 2019)
  • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP): Leveraging Donor Advised Funds and Other Tools to Raise Money in a New Social Impact Economy (Speaker, 2018)
  • SOCAP: Innovations in Municipal Support for Social Enterprise Development (Panelist, 2017)
  • South by Southwest (SXSW): The Evolution of Global Philanthropy (Speaker, 2017)
  • Independent Sector Annual Conference: The Growth and Democratization of Donor Advised Funds and the Implications for 21st Century Giving (Speaker, 2017)
  • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP): Growth and Democratization of Donor Advised Funds and the Implication for 21st Century Giving (Speaker, 2017)
  • Association for Corporate Contributions Professionals (ACCP): Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into Employee Engagement Efforts (Speaker, 2016)
  • Council on Foundations Annual Conference: Diversity in Philanthropy: Ten Years of Data on Gender & Race (Panelist, 2016)
  • Blackbaud Philanthropy Conference 2016 – BBCon: Impact Measurement and the Sustainable Development Goals and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Philanthropy – The Impact of New Funding Models (Panelist, 2 sessions, 2016)

Audience & Ideal Event Types

  • Nonprofit professionals, corporate and nonprofit leaders,
  • Keynotes, mainstage panels