Our Panelists

Daniel Trust, Founder, Daniel Trust Foundation

Daniel Trust is a Rwandan genocide survivor and a nationally recognized motivational speaker having lectured at prestigious universities such as the University of Florida, Duke University and Northwestern University. Daniel is the founder of the Daniel Trust Foundation, a Connecticut based non-profit organization that helps students from low-income communities with their educational and career needs, and honors educators, who go above and beyond to help these students succeed in school and in their personal lives. Daniel is the executive producer and host of The Daniel Trust Show, a weekly YouTube talk show that highlights the impact his foundation is making in the lives of young people and teachers.

In the community, Daniel supports many local non-profit organizations including the Triangle Community Center, Cardinal Sheehan Center, and the Southern Connecticut State University Alumni Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors of True Colors, Bridgeport Public Education Fund, and is a member of the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Board Chair Roundtable.

Daniel’s story and philanthropic efforts have been featured in both local and national publications including the Hartford Courant, New Haven Register and Connecticut Post. He’s appeared on daytime talk shows like Better Connecticut, Connecticut Style, and Our Lives. In 2014, Connecticut Magazine listed him to its 40 Under 40 List. Most recently, Daniel’s story was profiled on “NYBERG,” a show hosted by Connecticut TV legend, Ann Nyberg. Daniel holds a business management degree from Southern Connecticut State University is a father of two adopted sons and lives in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

RJ Mercede, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation 

Before joining Fairfield County’s Community Foundation in 2014 to coordinate Fairfield County’s Giving Day and other Center for Nonprofit Excellence endeavors, RJ Mercede spent over 5 years working in the nonprofit sector, specializing in project coordination and event planning. Most recently, he served as the Bridgeport Program Manager with Public Allies Connecticut where he coached, trained and empowered diverse, emerging nonprofit leaders. For his efforts, he was recognized as “Professional of the Year” by the Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative in 2014. A Stamford native, RJ is civically involved in many endeavors including Founder and Director of Eat For Equity Stamford, Co-Founder of Ignite Stamford and President of the Springdale Neighborhood Association. He sits on the statewide steering committee of Young Energetic Solutions and also serves on the Associate Board of Directors with Family Centers. He has been featured in Stamford Magazine and was recently awarded a “Milli Award” by WestFair Communications for his work in impacting Fairfield County.

RJ earned two degrees in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor’s from Stonehill College, and a Master’s Degree from Northeastern University

About Our Session

It has been said that millennials (or, Gen Y) will have the largest buying power in the U.S. by 2017? They are currently very close second to baby boomers in current buying power. The reason for this is the size of this generation; there are more millennials in the U.S. than any other age group.  To tap into this power, it is critical fundraisers know what motivates them to give. This program will present three professionals of the millennial generation each with different backgrounds and interests, but with a shared passion for creating change.  They will talk about their unique models of philanthropy and we will explore how they use social media and networks of partners to achieve impact in philanthropy.

Reservations