It begins with reflection: what matters most, what change is sought, and how giving can reflect a family's values across generations. The answers are rarely simple.
Based in London, with more than 25 years of philanthropic experience with families and founders in the United States and the United Kingdom, I help individuals, families, and family offices bring greater clarity, discipline, and purpose to their philanthropy.
01 APPROACH
My role is not to tell clients what to support. It is to help them develop a clear philanthropic strategy, evaluate opportunities consistently, measure results rigorously, and focus resources where they believe they can make the greatest contribution.
To do that, they need alignment. And gaining alignment within a family and across generations can be complex. In my 25 years of experience of leadership within independent schools, I've earned the trust of families, facilitating difficult conversations, balancing competing interests, and helping them build alignment about values, legacy, education, and philanthropy.
My clients value discretion, thoughtful counsel, and a nimble approach that combines practical experience with rigorous analysis.
I work independently with a small number of clients and collaborate with a trusted network of specialists when appropriate.
02 SERVICES
I begin by understanding what matters most to the client: their values, interests, and goals for their philanthropy. This stage includes getting to know the family members, who has a seat at the table now, and who will be having a seat at the table in the future. This is the time where gaining alignment within the family around your philanthropic priorities is essential.
Typical Deliverables
Once goals are established, I conduct a comprehensive review of current and historical giving to create a clear picture of the client's philanthropic portfolio. This establishes a baseline against which future decisions, investments, and outcomes can be evaluated. Applying the same rigor and thought to philanthropic capital that investment advisers apply to financial capital, I help clients understand what is working, what to retire, and where to deepen.
Typical Deliverables
I support implementation through practical advice and coordination with existing advisers and family office teams. Thoughtful reflection informs next actions. An annual review of your entire philanthropic portfolio - and its results - guides the following year's allocation.
Typical Deliverables
03 CLIENTS
Every family arrives at philanthropy from a different place. The examples below illustrate some of the questions, opportunities, and transitions that often bring clients to Rucker Advisory.
While clients work directly with me, I collaborate with a trusted network of specialists when additional expertise or capacity is required.
04 ENGAGE
Each engagement is shaped around the client's needs, time horizon, and the role they want an adviser to play.
05 ORIGIN
After more than 25 years working with philanthropists, families, boards, and institutions in the US and UK, most recently at the American School in London, I became increasingly interested in the questions that should be answered before a gift is made. What matters most? What change is sought? How do we define and measure success? How can philanthropy reflect a family's enduring values while including the next generation?
My Executive MBA at Cambridge Judge Business School deepened that perspective, bringing greater analytical rigor, strategic frameworks, and an international understanding of governance, family enterprises, and philanthropy. It reinforced my conviction that effective philanthropy begins not with selecting charities, but with thoughtful reflection on purpose, values, and long-term aspirations.
Rucker Advisory was founded to provide independent philanthropic advice to individuals, families, and family offices seeking a thoughtful and strategic approach to giving.
Contact
I'd love to hear about what's important to you and the role you hope philanthropy will play.