Janet Atkins

Janet Atkins is a recognized expert in helping families and their charitable and corporate entities develop strategic and values-based methods of giving. Among the first in the United States to recognize the need for an organized response to the impact of the $10 trillion transfer of wealth over the next 30 years, she left her 20 year fundraising career in 1998 to head up an innovative new subsidiary for the Boston based law firm of Goulston & Storrs. As the founder, CEO & President of Philanthropic Advisors LLC, she was responsible for $100 million in annual grant making for 25 families.

In 2004, she and two equity partners founded Ridgeway Advisors LLC, with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, New York City, and London. Ridgeway Advisors focuses on creating a personal and philanthropic agenda for the responsible use of individual and family wealth. Janet brings a personal commitment to the process by facilitating discussions on charitable intent, goal setting, creation of appropriate gift vehicles and grant making  procedures, evaluation and methodologies. She conducts symposiums and educational retreats for individuals, families and nonprofit entities aimed at promoting philanthropic programs to create maximum returns on giving; creating strategic plans for family foundations and their trustees; designing foundation governing systems and conducting trustee training; as well as guiding nonprofit organizations and their volunteer boards. Through Janet's leadership, over $1 billion in philanthropic commitments have been generated for nonprofits domestically and internationally.

In her capacity as a nationally recognized fundraiser, Ms. Atkins has also served as the Senior Vice President of Development for CareGroup, an  alliance of non-profit Massachusetts hospitals and community based health care facilities. Including major teaching hospitals for Harvard University and The Beth Israel Deaconess Harvard Medical School Institute for Research and Education. Her vision for fund development for the academic medical center and CareGorup focused on research and education and their positive implications for health care delivery; and on opportunities for technology transfer and new business development unique to academic medical centers. Her work garnered over $300 Million in new philanthropic commitments including research laboratories and patient care facilities.

Her extensive fundraising career also includes major institutional advancement appointments at Duke University, Georgetown, Emory, the University of Virginia, and the YWCA of Atlanta.

A sought after speaker, Janet has spoken to the Council on Foundations, New York's Women's Foundation, Global Philanthropy Group, JP Morgan Chase Private Client Group, Public Broadcasting Service Board and Affiliates, The association of Collegiate Business Schools, ARCS Foundation, World YWCA and many private and public universities as well as numerous private client groups nation-wide. Her topics include, Women and Wealth, Board Governance and Responsibility, Changing Demographics and the Impact on Non Profits, Global Philanthropy, Wealth Transfer and its Societal Relevance.

Ms. Atkins holds Masters and Bachelors of Arts degrees from Emory University. She has received awards as YWCA Woman of Achievement; Communicator of the Year for United Way; and Outstanding Young Woman of America. Listed in Who's Who, her past professional activities include membership in CASE, NSFRE, Women in Development, Boston; Board of Directors of the Atlanta Women's Network; Past President of the Greater Atlanta Recreational Council; fundraising committee for the Atlanta High Museum of Art; Advisory Board of Dekalb County; Charter Member of the Atlanta's Women's Commerce club; Georgia Alliance for Children; Literacy Action; The Junior League; The Vincent Club of Boston and the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta. She currently serves on the World Council of the World YWCA, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts Board of Visitors and as President of Fernwood Art Foundation.