Maggie Miller - The Importance of Proximity

In 2020, many funders pivoted to virtual due diligence to continue bringing on new grant partners amidst a global pandemic. In some ways, this presented an opportunity to remove barriers to entry, placing less emphasis on in-person meetings that can be difficult for proximate leaders to access. While some models of virtual due diligence centered equity, others may have unintentionally created more obstacles. How can we put grassroots actors at the center of virtual due diligence design and processes? As our worlds become more digitally accessible, where are divides widening alongside them? How does the need for proximate leadership within funding institutions play into the efficacy and inclusivity of virtual due diligence?

Maggie Miller oversees all aspects of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, from the nomination and evaluation process to the final selection of recipients by an independent international panel of jurors. She also leads the planning and execution of the annual humanitarian symposium and accompanying ceremony honoring the new Prize recipient. Prior to joining the Foundation, Miller spent nearly a decade in public relations managing and executing programs for clients including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Uncle Ben’s® Rice, Seeds of Change, Mattel, The Broad Foundation, Skirball Cultural Center, the Los Angeles Business Council, First 5 California and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Miller also worked at the Milken Family Foundation, where she led national media campaigns and managed programs for Milken Scholars and the Foundation’s Festival for Youth community service initiative. She received a Public Relations Society of America–Los Angeles Prism Award in the category of one-time media/special event for work on the Noah’s Ark exhibit at Skirball Cultural Center in 2007, and a Crystal Award of Excellence in the category of publicity/television placement for work on behalf of the Milken Family Foundation’s National Notifications in 2004. In 2019, Miller received the 40 Under 40 Award from Empowerment Congress, California Policy & Research Initiative. She graduated magna cum laude from Kenyon College with a Bachelor of Arts in English.