Darcy facilitates meaningful client relationships at GPA to help them maximize their impact and find joy in their philanthropy. She helps clients translate their passions into philanthropic strategy.

Darcy Addison brings more than 25 years in the philanthropic sector to GPA, having worked directly for nonprofits, family foundations, and as an advisor to individual philanthropists, families, and corporate giving programs. Darcy's expertise includes multi-generational and next-generation family philanthropy, as well as launching innovative philanthropic initiatives. Darcy is trained in group facilitation through 21/64, and earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. In addition, Darcy holds an MBA focused on social impact and corporate responsibility from Loyola University Chicago, where she was a Baumhart Scholar. Darcy’s career began with a passion for the arts and has been guided by tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repairing the world.

email: darcy@grantphilanthropy.com

Porter serves in a Partner role with GPA, making strategic connections to potential clients and thought leaders in the philanthropic field. He also leverages his experience and that of the GPA team to best serve the needs of our diverse client portfolio.

Previously, Porter served as a Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and Counsel at Global Endowment Management. In addition, he served as Staff Counsel and Director of the Education Division of The Duke Endowment, as well as a Partner and Chairman of the Corporate and Securities Department at Baker Donelson law firm. He is currently chair of the board of the National Humanities Center and serves as a trustee of St. Andrews School, Delaware. He is the immediate past chair of the Duke Law School Board of Visitors and has served on the boards of the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, The Oxford American Literary Project, Trinity Episcopal School, and Johnson C. Smith University. He graduated cum laude from Duke University and the Duke University School of Law.

email: porter@grantphilanthropy.com

As an Advisor at GPA, Olivia focuses on empowering rising philanthropy leaders to find their place within their family’s philanthropy. She works with clients to address the opportunities and challenges of intergenerational engagement, succession planning, and stewardship in ways that are both practical and values-driven.

Olivia has built her career around people and impact. She brings a deep familiarity with large, multi-generational family foundations and a passion for helping families work together productively and joyfully. Olivia learned of philanthropy directly from her grandfather, Marvin, who modeled philanthropy for his family.

After a decade in sales and marketing, Olivia worked as Director of Development for the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. As a fourth generation family member of the M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation, she is currently Vice Chair of the board, having served in a variety of roles over the last 15 years. She is motivated by her family’s shared values and is inspired by the passion and participation of her cousins.

Olivia graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Originally from New York City, Olivia lives with her husband in Chicago and is a member of Chicago Women in Philanthropy and the Young Women's Giving Council of the Chicago Foundation for Women.

email: olivia@grantphilanthropy.com

Leslie partners with GPA clients, guiding them through the complexities of philanthropy. She takes great joy in helping philanthropists understand the challenges and opportunities within their giving strategy and then implementing effective plans. Her leadership roles in institutional philanthropy and multi-generation donor education provide clients with access to a global network of top practitioners, thought leaders, and subject matter experts.

A former Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Leslie served at the forefront of disaster response and recovery during Hurricane Sandy, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the Boston Marathon bombing. As a U.S. Senate Chief Counsel, she led investigations into global development funding that uncovered billions in waste and corruption. Leslie has since advised multi-generational wealth holders, family offices, and institutional foundations on governance, risk, and strategy—helping them design resilient giving vehicles, mobilize capital at scale, and strengthen democracy through cross-sector and cross-partisan collaboration.

email: leslie@grantphilanthropy.com

Megan Oglesby partners with GPA as an advisor to develop and lead Legacy in Motion, a business line designed to help families navigate the unique pressures of wealth by offering strategic guidance on managing generational legacies. Megan is deeply committed to sharing her story to inspire place-based impact and leadership among fellow changemakers.

Megan Oglesby is a third generation high-net-worth inheritor and community-driven leader with a focus on economic and community development in High Point, NC. She has championed initiatives in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to drive job creation, entrepreneurship and regional growth.

As Senior Advisor to the Earl and Kathryn Congdon Family Foundation, Megan plays a pivotal role in shaping impactful projects like Congdon Yards, a major downtown revitalization effort. She is also the Principal Investor and one of two majority female owners of Major League Soccer's Carolina Core FC, an MLS NEXT Pro team fostering regional pride and economic growth. Additionally, she’s a founding investor in WPSL Pro, a new second-division women’s soccer league.

email: megan@grantphilanthropy.com

Samantha is the Data Analyst for Grant Philanthropic Advisors. She joined the team in 2023. Samantha handles all of the data analytics and data management for clients. She loves to help GPA clients make informed decisions by providing a clear way to visualize how their giving aligns with their values, goals, and philanthropic strategy. Samantha is a certified Tableau Desktop Specialist and Alteryx Core Designer.

Samantha earned a bachelor's degree in Applied Math & Statistics and Economics in 2019 from Stony Brook University. Born and raised in New York, Samantha currently lives in the Lower Hudson Valley. In her free time, you can find her hiking with her dog or creating elaborate origami sculptures.

email: samantha@grantphilanthropy.com

Bella joined Grant Philanthropic Advisors in 2024 and serves as the Client Services and Marketing Coordinator. She works primarily to enhance marketing efforts, operations and client relationships. Her experience in operations spans different fields, contributing to Bella’s soft skills and ability to work in harmony with others. Bella is passionate about spreading social good and is excited to see clients’ philanthropic goals come into fruition.

Originally from New Jersey, Bella’s time in the South began at the University of South Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in 2021. Since moving to Charleston in 2022, Bella has fostered an admiration for the history and sense of community found within the city. In her free time, you can find Bella at the beach or spending time with family and friends.

email: bella@grantphilanthropy.com

Helen is the Director of Operations and Finance for Grant Philanthropic Advisors and has been with the firm since 2020. Helen brings a strategic approach to both financial oversight and organizational management. She keeps our GPA team in line and on their toes! Helen is motivated by our work as she is passionate about our community's needs and values the nonprofit sector's ability to think outside the box and create solutions that empower people.

Helen earned a bachelor's degree in 2007 from the College of Charleston. Her career has included a variety of roles and industries. She was a data analyst with Benefitfocus, a publicly traded company, for 2 years. Prior to her time at Benefitfocus, Helen honed her project coordination skills at Bishop Gadsden, a continuing care retirement community in Charleston, serving in the role of Resident Services Coordinator. She currently splits her time between GPA and Aging Life Care Charleston.

A native South Carolinian, Helen hails from Pawleys Island. In her free time, you can find Helen at the beach with a good book or enjoying time boating and sharks' teeth hunting with her husband and daughter.

email: helen@grantphilanthropy.com