2026 Show-Me Philanthropy Statewide Conference
Keynote Presentations
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 - AFTERNOON KEYNOTE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 - OPENING KEYNOTE
The Limits of Responsibility: Making Sound Decisions in Uncertain Times
Leaders in philanthropy are being asked to respond to rising needs with finite resources, often without the clarity or time they would like. Drawing on two decades of work across psychiatry, humanitarian response, and public policy, Dr. Suzan Song explores what sustained uncertainty does to the way we think and make decisions. Burnout is one consequence, but there are quieter strains as well: the moral weight of choices that leave real needs unmet and the gradual loss of purpose that can come from feeling responsible for problems no one person or institution can solve.
Through stories, research, and practical tools, Dr. Song looks at how individuals and institutions can avoid reactive cycles, make thoughtful choices, and set healthier boundaries around what they can and cannot control. The goal is to recognize the limits of our responsibility without disengaging and remain connected to the people affected by our choices in order to preserve our sense of agency and purpose.
DR. SUZAN SONG
Suzan Song, MD, PhD, is a Harvard- and Stanford-trained psychiatrist and internationally recognized adviser working at the intersection of mental health, humanitarian crises, and public policy. Over more than two decades, her work has spanned clinical care, conflict-affected settings, and systems-level leadership, supporting individuals and institutions operating under sustained strain. Drawing on this experience, Dr. Song brings a grounded perspective on how trauma and prolonged uncertainty shape human behavior, and what helps people and systems recover over time.
Dr. Song’s debut book, Why We Suffer and How We Heal, is out now. Described as “a gift of empathy and lived wisdom—rare, real, and deeply human,” the book offers a clear and accessible framework for understanding suffering and recovery. Integrating clinical insight with humanitarian experience, Dr. Song introduces three core capacities that support resilience in uncertain conditions: Narrative, Ritual, and Purpose.
Dr. Song is a sought-after speaker for philanthropic foundations, global organizations, corporations, and public institutions, including Google, Harvard, Stanford, and U.S. federal agencies. Whether addressing senior leaders navigating instability, parents seeking to better understand child and adolescent neurobiology, or mission-driven organizations facing burnout and moral injury, she translates complex psychological and social science into practical insight grounded in real-world contexts. Audiences value her ability to combine intellectual rigor with clarity and care, leaving them better equipped to act thoughtfully under pressure.
Dr. Song has advised U.S. federal agencies including the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security, consulted with United Nations agencies, and provided multiple Congressional testimonies on child protection and human trafficking. She is based in Washington, D.C.
For more information on Suzan Song, MD, PhD, please visit www.prhspeakers.com.