“Latinos are philanthropic by nature, we have our own social framework to do this. The question is which institution and which way?” said Pedro Ramos, the new president of The Philadelphia Foundation. 

Ramos was the main speaker at the event “Philanthropy in the City of Brotherly Love,” hosted by AL DÍA News, a discussion on how philanthropy can bring a meaningful change in the region.

The event brought together members of different organizations among them Rev. Luis Cortes, president and CEO of Esperanza; Patricia DeCarlo, executive director of Norris Square Community Alliance; and Charisse Lillie, vice president of Community Investment of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast Foundation.

A lawyer with vast experience in government and education, Ramos was appointed to the position last July, thus becoming the the first Latino to head a foundation in the region — a field in which even though there is a diversity of foundation focus, has traditionally been led by white directors and presidents.

“Philanthropy in the City of Brotherly Love” was held on Dec. 9 at the Pyramid Club in Center City, followed by a networking reception.

Pedro Ramos, president of The Philadelphia Foundation, was interviewed by Sabrina Vourvoulias, managing editor at AL DÍA News.

Rev. Luis Cortes, president and CEO of Esperanza, introduced the main speaker of the night Pedro Ramos.

Charisse Lillie, vice president of Community Investment of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast Foundation, Nicolas Jimenez, senior manager of Outreach & Partnerships for the Internet Essentials program at Comcast, next to Joshua Cortes, HRIS Specialist at Comcast.

Don Campbell, president and CEO of Crown Voip & IT, Amy Seasholtz, director of Communications at Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, next to Theresa Jackson, member services associate at Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia.

Dana Wiley, project manager at Global Philadelphia, and Grace Shinn of the Childrens Scholarship Fund/Philadelphia.

Andrea Townrow (L) and Graham Button (R) of Womens Program International, with Pedro Ramos (C), president and CEO The Philadelphia Foundation.

Erin Hillman and Kari Ytterhus of Eisenhower Fellowships.

Robert Toporek, president and founder of Team Children; Melissa Kaiser, executive vice president of Development at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; and Bertha Sarmina, board member at Women's Community Revitalization Project.

Bethany Welch, founding director of Aquinas Center and Marilyn Martinez,  board member at Norris Square Community Alliance.