The Positive Impact Philanthropy podcast interviews women entrepreneurs that have a philanthropic component to their businesses and personal life to create great impact within their business, life, and communities. Enjoy informational and light-hearted interviews with legacy giving expert and entrepreneur, Lori Kranczer!
Episode 118: An Interview with Irene Pritzker, Co-Founder and Chair of the IDP Foundation
In this episode of Positive Impact Philanthropy, Lori Kranczer speaks with Irene Pritzker, chair and co-founder of the IDP Foundation, about her groundbreaking work expanding access to education in developing countries through innovative financing models. Irene shares how a trip to Ghana transformed her philanthropic focus from medical research to education after discovering that low-fee private schools serving some of the poorest families had no access to credit or financial support. What began as a single partnership with a microfinance institution has since grown into a sustainable model reaching hundreds of thousands of students across Sub-Saharan Africa.
You'll hear about:
How a visit to a market school in Ghana inspired Irene's education financing model
Why do low-fee private schools in developing countries often lack access to capital
The role financial institutions can play in improving education outcomes
How the IDP Foundation created a sustainable and scalable lending model for schools
Why catalytic philanthropy and strategic partnerships are essential for long-term impact
The importance of working closely with governments and local communities
How innovative financing and program-related investments can unlock opportunity across Africa
Irene's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-pritzker-65bb0195/
Irene's Book The School in the Market: https://www.idpfplus.org/the-school-in-the-market/
IDP Foundation Website: https://www.idpfoundation.org/
IDP Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idpfoundation/
IDP Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDPFoundation
IDP Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idp-foundation-inc-/
Connect with Lori Kranczer!
Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com
Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com
29 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 116: An interview with Christine Mack, Founder of the Mack Art Foundation
In this episode of Positive Impact Philanthropy, Lori Kranczer speaks with Christine Mack, founder of the Mac Art Foundation and co-founder of Space to Curate. Christine shares her journey from growing up between cultures in Manila and Sweden to building a creative career in New York, and how her path naturally evolved into philanthropy through motherhood, community involvement, and a deep passion for the arts.
Christine's story highlights how following curiosity and taking action can lead to unexpected impact. What began as volunteering and supporting youth mental health initiatives eventually transformed into a mission to uplift emerging artists through mentorship, residency programs, and community-driven art experiences. By creating direct connections between artists, collectors, and communities, she is redefining how philanthropy can support creativity, mental health, and long-term cultural change.
You'll hear about:
How Christine's background and life experiences shaped her philanthropic journey
The transition from design and parenting into community-based philanthropy
Why supporting youth mental health played a foundational role in her work
How the Mac Art Foundation provides mentorship, resources, and exposure for emerging artists
The importance of creating direct connections between artists, collectors, and communities
How art can support mental health, expression, and personal transformation
Christine's vision for building sustainable support systems and a legacy through art philanthropy
Mack Art Foundation: https://www.mackartfoundation.org/
Mack Art Foundation's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackartfoundation/
Simon Sinek's TED Talks: https://simonsinek.com/videos/ted-talks
Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/
Connect with Lori Kranczer!
Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com
Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com
25 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 115: An Interview with Syama Bunten, Founder of Wealth Catalyst and Principal of Big Delta Capital
In this episode of Positive Impact Philanthropy, Lori Kranczer speaks with Syama Bunten, principal of Big Delta Capital and founder of Wealth Catalyst. Syama shares her journey from working in fashion and entrepreneurship to stepping into the world of investing and wealth building after a pivotal life transition. Through her work, she is creating spaces where women can take ownership of their financial futures and feel confident using their capital with intention.
This conversation explores the powerful shift happening as more women step into both earned and inherited wealth, and the critical need to close the confidence gap around money and investing. Syama highlights how community, shared knowledge, and aligned values can transform not only how women approach wealth, but how they use it to create meaningful impact in the world. Her approach reframes philanthropy and investing as deeply personal, relational, and purpose-driven practices.
You'll hear about:
The growing opportunity for women through wealth creation and wealth transfer
Why confidence, not knowledge, is often the biggest barrier to financial empowerment
How Wealth Catalyst is building a community for women to learn, invest, and grow together
The importance of peer networks and shared experiences in shaping financial decisions
Creative approaches to giving that prioritize connection and alignment over size of gift
How life transitions can spark a deeper sense of purpose and agency with money
Syama's vision for helping women use capital to create lasting impact and legacy
Connect with Syama!
Wealth Catalyst's Website: https://wealthcatalyst.com/
Syama's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syamameagher/
Syama's Podcast: https://wealthcatalyst.com/getting-rich-together-podcast/
Syama's Website: https://syamabunten.com/
Syama's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syama.co/
Big Delta Capital's Website: https://www.bigdeltacapital.com/
Connect with Lori Kranczer!
Website: https://linkphilanthropic.com
Email: info@linkphilanthropic.com
Inside a recent episode
Episode 118: An Interview with Irene Pritzker, Co-Founder and Chair of the IDP Foundation
Published 13 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And of course, watching the expansion and adoption of this education financing model and seeing the vital role that financial institutions can play in trying to get education, getting developing nations educated, because absolutely no economy has become prosperous through aid or grounds. It's through investment. Absolutely. I'm actually pretty excited to be able to see something that you've worked on really take root and then also grow into other models and others are following it. It is. That's why I wrote the book, The School in the Market, which describes the development of this model. And it's just turned out to be the perfect time, because now as we are increasing the sophistication of how these financial institutions can operate by unlocking different financing mechanisms, the book is a big jumping off point for these kinds of banks and financial institutions and others that wanted to duplicate the model. […]
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