The Executive Talk Series presents Chief-to-Chief: A Conversation with Jean S. Desravines & Monique Moore Pryor
Presented by the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
Start your morning with big ideas! Join us for an energizing sunrise conversation between two dynamic leaders shaping the future of education, philanthropy, and community impact.
In Chief-to-Chief, the Executive Talk Series brings together leaders who are reshaping their fields and lifting up the communities they serve. This season, we’re honored to welcome Jean S. Desravines, President of the Wallace Foundation, for a candid conversation with our very own Monique Moore Pryor, President of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, as two chief executives sit down for an honest exchange on leadership at the top.
In this fireside chat, you’ll discover:
- How philanthropy is investing in education, arts, and youth leadership nationwide
- Behind the scenes insights into two organizations driving lasting community impact
- What it really takes to lead with purpose, humility, and vision
- Practical wisdom for professionals looking to grow as leaders in their own fields
- A candid, unscripted dialogue you won’t find anywhere else
Please note this is an early morning event, and we ask guests to arrive on time to enjoy light refreshments before the conversation begins!
Whether you’re a nonprofit professional, a civic leader, or simply someone who believes in the power of great leadership, this is your chance to start your day with inspiration. Grab a coffee, settle in, and be part of a conversation that matters.
Jean S. Desravines, a veteran education and nonprofit leader, became the third president of The Wallace Foundation in 2025. The former chief executive officer of the national nonprofit organization New Leaders, Desravines has spent more than two decades working at the forefront of creating learning environments that allow all students to excel. Prior to New Leaders, Desravines held several executive leadership roles with New York City Public Schools, including senior counselor to then-Chancellor Joel Klein and executive director of parent and community engagement. He is also the co-author of two books, Breakthrough Principals and The School Leadership Playbook, and was named to Forbes’ “Impact 30” list of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. He is a member of several boards, including HMH, the largest K-12 learning technology company in the country, and KinderCare, the nation’s largest early childhood education and child care provider.
The views expressed by the authors and moderators are strictly their own and do not represent the opinions of the Free Library of Philadelphia or its employees.
