About Us

History:

Advanced Philanthropy Solutions, LLC was launched with over twenty years of CEO experience in supporting organizations from early in their life cycles. From the establishment of policies and practices through the development of programs and evaluations, including leading board and staff development, designing and facilitating key meetings, creating communication strategies, and instilling a community culture of trust, Diana Spencer and her associates bring unparalleled experience and expertise to advance the philanthropic sector.

Mission:

We have seen the struggles that individuals, family business offices, and foundations of all sizes encounter in creating opportunities and organizations that will support their philanthropic goals. There is no need for each philanthropist to start from scratch when Advanced Philanthropy Solutions’ experts can provide clarity, best practices, and organizational support from day one. 

Our mission is to empower and support you, your family, and your organization to reach your full potential in impactful, sustainable philanthropy by providing expert guidance and innovative full-service solutions. We are committed to meeting every client where they are on their way to creating a better world.

Diana Spencer is a highly accomplished professional who served as the CEO of a philanthropic foundation. With a strong commitment to making a positive impact in the world, Diana dedicated her career to driving meaningful change and addressing societal challenges.

Throughout her tenure as CEO, Diana demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision. She was instrumental in implementing effective policies, best practices, and cutting-edge technologies, ensuring that the foundation operated at the highest standards of excellence. She spearheaded the transition of leadership from the first generation to the second. Then she successfully prepared the third generation for board service and oversaw the election of the first round of third generation family members to the board.

Diana championed the creation and launch of various programs aimed at fostering ethical leadership development, encouraging aspiring leaders to make a difference in their professions and communities. Diana firmly believes that ethical leadership is crucial to advancing both business and society. This philanthropy program served as a living legacy to the benefactor, keeping his name and vision at the forefront of the work.

One of Diana’s notable achievements was her instrumental role in spearheading the foundation’s focus towards clinical research and lifestyle interventions. Recognizing the importance of preventive measures, she led the organization in supporting initiatives that aimed to reverse metabolic syndrome through intensive lifestyle management and behavioral change. This groundbreaking work not only showcased the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions but also paved the way for making preventative measures accessible to all.

Diana is a strong advocate for collaboration and partnerships. She forged alliances with renowned organizations such as the American Heart Association to combat childhood obesity. Through the Healthy Way to Grow program, Diana and her team worked with early childhood care centers to improve nutrition, increase exercise, and reduce screen time, making a lasting impact on the well-being of children.

Recognizing the challenges for those living in poverty, Diana spearheaded a comprehensive workforce development program, designed to address the intersection of neuroscience and poverty. Steeped in research from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, this two-generation approach incorporated restoring executive function skills through intensive coaching and goal setting with traditional case management, removing all barriers to success, and providing education and credentialing in a career track of participants’ choice for living wage jobs with benefits. 

Moreover, Diana’s leadership was marked by a keen focus on targeted grantmaking efforts. By narrowing the foundation’s scope, she facilitated a more cohesive and impactful body of work, aligning it with the organization’s legacy, values, and vision. This strategic approach enabled the foundation to maximize its learning, evaluate its impact, and drive future strategies effectively.

Diana’s tenure as the inaugural full-time CEO of the foundation was marked by her dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to creating a better world. A passionate problem-solver and strategic thinker, her approach was to dig deep. She focused on the end result for grant program participants, knowing that the foundation was successful when people and society prospered. Her question was always “What is the highest and best work we can do?” 

With her leadership and profound contributions, the philanthropic foundation flourished and continued to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities.