Sylvia Brown

Eldest of the 11th generation of Browns in Rhode Island, Sylvia Brown was attracted to development economics from an early age. Following her BS and MA degrees at the University of Pennsylvania, she pursued a professional career in various aspects of international development, from Wall Street to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Ten years ago, a course in strategic philanthropy redirected her focus to the non-profit sector and eventually prompted a return to her Rhode Island roots. At first, she was involved with the history and heritage sector that her family traditionally has funded. But more recently, Sylvia has become active in the impact investing space, where she sees the world of philanthropy moving: “In the 21st century, philanthropists are looking increasingly to harness market forces to solve the world’s great social issues. Social enterprises — do good/do well businesses — are being funded by investors looking to achieve both financial and social impact.” Sylvia is a director of the Social Enterprise Greenhouse in Providence, RI.

Sylvia also recently launched "Uplifting Journeys," bootcamps for smart donors taught in locations around the world so that participants return home inspired and equipped to give more effectively to any cause, anywhere. “Since I do not have access to the extraordinary resources my grandfather had available for his philanthropy, I need to leverage my skills by helping others give their money away more strategically and thoughtfully.”

Sylvia wrote "Grappling With Legacy" after hearing a speaker at the 2004 inaugural symposium of Brown University’s Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice declare “there were no good Browns.” That remark stunned Sylvia who had envisioned a more-nuanced but positive family legacy, which included the presence of abolitionists among her ancestors and her father’s decision to donate much of the family’s remaining fortune to Brown University in 1995. Since the Steering Committee focused on only one generation, she decided to learn the full story of her ancestors. To conduct her research, Sylvia delved into an extensive family archive including privately-held letters, diaries and records to understand what fuels a multi-generational compulsion to giving. Find resources and images on www.grapplingwithlegacy.com.

Sylvia has two grown children. She and her British husband, Andrew West, divide their time between Providence and London.