During his seven years on the CEP Board, Ricardo Millett would ask the same question at some point in almost every meeting: “Effectiveness for what?”  

His refrain was so common we used to joke about making it a drinking game. We joked, but we knew it was a serious — and important — question.  

Ricardo, a data-driven evaluator with a deep and abiding lifelong commitment to equity and justice, was challenging us. Would we be technocrats? Or would we push ourselves to be forces for real, lasting good? Would we play it safe or would we challenge the status quo? 

Ricardo helped shape our work, helped push us to take more risks. He also helped shape our board culture, in ways that persist today, to be one in which everyone is heard, everyone matters, and alternate or dissenting perspectives are not just welcomed but encouraged. I learned a tremendous amount from Ricardo and will forever be grateful to have known him, to have learned from him, and to have been touched by his kindness. 

Read the full article about Ricardo Millett by Phil Buchanan at. The Center for Effective Philanthropy.