Giving Compass' Take:

• Terri Ludwig, president of Ballmer Group Philanthropy, shares what makes her most excited about her new role: Systems change, the power of communities, and the role of philanthropy. 

• How are you incorporating systems change into your philanthropy? 

• Read other lessons from fellow philanthropists. 


My family and I have just moved across the country to Bellevue, Washington, so I can start my new position as president of Ballmer Group Philanthropy. After my first two weeks here, I’d like to share a few initial thoughts on what makes me most excited about our work.

  • The need for systems change: I look forward to building on this trajectory at Ballmer Group, supporting systems change work across multiple sectors to better ensure that all children have access to a stable early childhood and can continue moving on a pathway to enter the workforce with a living wage.
  • The power of communities: I believe in the power of communities to solve some of our nation’s most intractable issues, especially when buoyed by real-time data to inform their work, and I look forward to digging in to see firsthand the work being done to get results for kids.
  • The role of philanthropy: When I first met with co-founders Connie and Steve Ballmer, I was struck by our alignment around what we believe can make a difference for kids at scale. I find it heartening and empowering to work alongside leaders who are so thoughtful and deeply invested in the impact of their philanthropic choices.

Read the full article about new beginnings in philanthropy by Megan Davies at Ballmer Group