About Us
Philanthropy, given strategically, can create positive and lasting systems change. Founded in 2019, Pi specialises in advancing high-impact philanthropy and world-class social investment practices. With over 30 years experience in social change, we work with philanthropists, their families and boards to enhance the effectiveness and impact of their giving.
Rooted in commitment to increasing impact, we collaborate closely with wealth-owners, family offices, Foundations, private banks and the world’s best peer philanthropy advisors. We work with families across Europe, particularly in the Nordic region, UK and Switzerland, and in South-East Asia. Our diverse community of advisors, partners, and members share a global perspective, united by a passion for driving social innovation and creating catalytic change.
We deliver transformational strategic philanthropy education and leadership coaching, we equip our partners with the skills, knowledge and connections needed to align their values with their giving and achieve extraordinary impact.
Our Team
-
Jo has been a philanthropy educator, advisor and coach for 16 years. Passionate about social justice and strong leadership, with 25 years working with global organisations to achieve change, Jo founded Pi In 2019, to deliver private, confidential and pitch-free philanthropy education to philanthropic families globally.
Jo has worked in over 70 countries, managing health, education and livelihoods programmes. Jo was the Director of Programmes at EveryChild, a child rights organisation; CEO of AMREF UK, African’s largest health organisation; and CEO of Alfanar, the Arab World’s first venture philanthropy fund.
In 2010 she moved from being a practitioner in the global South, to share her knowledge, skills and experience with philanthropists. As Global Director of The Philanthropy Workshop, she led philanthropy strategy programmes for a network of 450 philanthropists across 20 countries and now works to build the philanthropy education ecosystem across Europe, the Nordics and South East Asia.
A former trustee of UBS Optimus Foundation and an active partner of the Gates Foundation, Jo is a trusted advisor and board member to multiple family foundations and has been named a top 10 philanthropy advisor by Spear’s since 2014.
She holds degrees from Oxford University and SOAS and lives in East Sussex with her family.
-
Leadership Coach + Advisor
Heidi Rolston has held senior global leadership roles in both Operations and Human Resources for private and public organisations. She has experience in strategy, scaling organisations, leadership development, and mergers and acquisitions. Throughout her career, Heidi has focused on building differentiated and compelling employee experiences.
Heidi co-founded a non-profit initiative that works to ensure women have control over their own lives, and the right to live with freedom, self-determination, and independence. Her particular focus on leadership development has informed her philanthropy and she is dedicated to supporting and challenging organisations to reimagine leadership for greater inclusion and better outcomes.