Here’s what I’m about

Philanthropy as a lifestyle, not a year-end check. I draw ideas and concepts from my "day job" as a philanthropic advisor to families, foundations and businesses. But I’m also a mom of three, a wife and neighbor, an employee, a volunteer soccer coach (thankfully retired) and a consumer, and much of what I write about comes from these experiences as much as anything. 

Handbook for an Integrated Life is meant to be a resource for everyday people to infuse everyday life with love of humanity. This includes many small acts of kindness, honest self-assessment, family traditions big and small, and hundreds of moments every week testing how our values will show up in our decisions. 

I’m still working on bringing more of those decisions in line with my deepest values, and I’m definitely not perfect. Don’t think of me as an expert “guru,” but rather as your co-conspirator in this effort to get our habits, our household, and our humanity aligned. 

I’m hoping together we can build a community of big-hearted individuals who want to turn those instincts into practical and genuinely helpful action plans. 

Questions you’d like to ask the community, great organizations and resources you've found, and your own experiences are welcome here. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.

—Sharon

Professional bio

Sharon Schneider is an entrepreneur, philanthropy expert, impact investor, and strategist who advises socially conscious founders and family offices  She has overseen more than $1.5 billion in philanthropic capital deployed through grants, impact investments, advocacy efforts and business operations from some of the world’s most prominent families, including members of the Giving Pledge, the Forbes 400 wealthiest individuals, top-10 US private foundations, and others. Learn more about her consulting practice here.

Additionally, Sharon was the co-founder and CEO of Moxie Jean, an online marketplace for high-quality, gently used clothes. Moxie Jean was a 2012 portfolio company of renowned tech accelerator Excelerate Labs (now TechStars Chicago). As a mom and tech entrepreneur working to support other moms, Sharon received extensive press coverage and was even featured in a commercial for Microsoft Surface. Moxie Jean was acquired by Schoola in 2015. 

Book Sharon to speak

Sharon can speak about a range of topics at the intersection of impact, sustainability, and building an integrated life and business. Themes include:

  • An overview of An Integrated Life, featuring the 7 principles and practical applications;

  • A new twist on sustainability: Changing the conversation from “buy organic” to “buy less”;

  • DEI: How to accomplish gender equity in a life partnership

  • Building a Socially Responsible Business as an entrepreneur or executive

For more information click here.

Sharon’s previous speaking engagements include

  • Women Tech Founders

  • The Giving Pledge and The ImPact

  • Impact 100 (women’s giving circle)

  • SoCap (Social Capital Markets)

  • Economic Club of Colorado

  • National Center for Family Philanthropy

  • Council on Foundations

  • Social Media Week New York

  • and many more…