Earlier this month, Rise Up’s Founder and Executive Director Denise Dunning hosted an intimate dialogue with Hali Lee – visionary philanthropist, founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle, and one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in global philanthropy. Hali shared insights from her book, The Big We, and offered a bold reimagining of what it means to give – and to belong.
Hali spoke about her own journey as a Korean American growing up in the Midwest, shaped by the cultural legacy of gehs – savings circles rooted in community and trust. These early experiences laid the foundation for her philanthropic vision and the creation of the Asian Women Giving Circle, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
In her words, The Big We follows a path from “me to we to a big we,” calling on each of us to define community expansively, build trust, and take collective action toward a more equitable world. She challenged the dominant narratives of philanthropy – long shaped by institutions and billionaires – and lifted up the everyday stories of generosity that too often go untold.
For the Rise Up community, the conversation was a reminder that the power to shape our future lies not in the hands of the few, but in the collective efforts of the many. “It’s more important than ever that your community – communities like Rise Up – exists so that people can come together to have these conversations and pool our time, talent, treasure, testimony, and ties,” shared Hali.
For those who may not see themselves reflected in traditional philanthropy, Hali offered an open invitation: there is space for you here. Using our influence and resources doesn’t have to look one way – what matters is leading with values, building trust, and walking alongside others with humility and purpose. At a time when the world calls for action, Hali left us with a clear call: “Look up, link arms, and do things together.”
You can view our full conversation here. And if you’d like to learn more, you can purchase The Big We here. Stay tuned for more learning opportunities like this from Rise Up.
