Jenny Santi: Philanthropy Advisor and Author

Overview

Jennifer Rose “Jenny” Santi is a Filipino-born author and philanthropy advisor who has established a significant presence in the field of strategic giving and charitable management. Based in Manila, she is the founder of Saint & Partners, a philanthropic advisory firm dedicated to guiding individuals and organizations in maximizing the impact of their charitable contributions. Her work bridges the gap between financial expertise and social impact, offering structured advice to donors seeking to align their giving with their personal values and broader societal goals.

Before founding her own firm, Santi served as the Head of Philanthropy Services for UBS in Southeast Asia. In this role, she oversaw philanthropic strategies for high-net-worth clients across the region, helping to structure donations, establish foundations, and optimize endowments. Her tenure at UBS provided her with deep insights into the intersection of wealth management and charitable intent, allowing her to develop a nuanced approach to philanthropy that considers both financial sustainability and social return on investment. This experience laid the groundwork for her subsequent career as an independent advisor and thought leader in the sector.

Santi is also the author of the book “The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories & Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving.” In this work, she explores the psychological and scientific underpinnings of charitable behavior, arguing that giving is not merely a financial transaction but a profound driver of personal well-being. The book combines personal anecdotes with research findings to illustrate how structured philanthropy can enhance the donor’s quality of life while creating lasting change in recipient communities. Through her writing and advisory work, Santi continues to influence how philanthropy is perceived and practiced in the Philippines and beyond.

Career in Philanthropy Advisory

Jennifer Rose “Jenny” Santi established herself as a leading figure in strategic philanthropy through her executive leadership at UBS in Southeast Asia. As the Head of Philanthropy Services for the region, she directed the firm’s advisory capabilities, helping high-net-worth families and institutions structure their charitable contributions for maximum impact. Her tenure at UBS was marked by a data-driven approach to giving, most notably through the commissioning and leadership of the UBS-INSEAD Study of Family Philanthropy in Asia. This landmark research provided critical insights into the motivations, structures, and challenges of family philanthropy across the Asian continent, setting a benchmark for how financial institutions advise clients on legacy and impact. The study highlighted the unique cultural and economic factors influencing giving behaviors in Asia, distinguishing the region from its European and North American counterparts.

Following her successful stint at UBS, Santi leveraged her expertise to launch Saint & Partners, a specialized philanthropic advisory firm. As the founder and lead advisor, she continues to guide families, foundations, and corporate entities in defining their giving strategies. Her work at Saint & Partners focuses on aligning charitable activities with personal values and scientific principles of happiness, a theme she later expanded upon in her literary work. This transition from institutional leadership to independent consultancy allowed Santi to tailor her advisory services more closely to the nuanced needs of diverse philanthropic clients in the region.

Year	Milestone
1980	Born in Manila, NCR
2026	Active as Founder of Saint & Partners

Santi’s career trajectory reflects a shift towards evidence-based philanthropy in Southeast Asia. By combining financial rigor with social impact metrics, she has influenced how wealth is deployed for social good. Her role at UBS laid the groundwork for this approach, while her current work at Saint & Partners continues to refine the methodology. The UBS-INSEAD Study remains a key reference point for understanding family philanthropy in the region, underscoring the lasting impact of her early career initiatives. Through these efforts, Santi has contributed significantly to the professionalization of philanthropy in the Philippines and beyond.

The Giving Way to Happiness: Book and Philosophy

Jennifer Rose “Jenny” Santi has articulated her approach to charitable giving and personal well-being in her book, “The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories & Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving.” The work serves as both a practical guide and a philosophical exploration of how philanthropy impacts the giver as much as the recipient. Santi draws on her extensive experience as a philanthropy advisor, including her tenure as Head of Philanthropy Services for UBS in Southeast Asia, to bridge the gap between financial strategy and emotional fulfillment.

Publication and Reach

The book was published by Tarcher Penguin Random House, a prominent imprint known for blending self-help, spirituality, and business insights. This publication platform helped bring Santi’s insights to a broader international audience, positioning her as a thought leader in the intersection of finance and philanthropy. The title itself suggests a dual focus: the “Giving Way” refers to both the act of donating and the path toward personal satisfaction.

Philosophy of Giving and Receiving

Santi’s core philosophy challenges the traditional view of giving as a one-way transaction. She argues that true philanthropy involves a reciprocal dynamic where the giver also receives significant psychological and social benefits. The book combines personal anecdotes with scientific findings to demonstrate how structured giving can lead to greater happiness and purpose. This approach aligns with her work at Saint & Partners, where she advises clients on creating meaningful legacies through strategic charitable contributions.

What distinguishes Jenny Santi's approach to philanthropy?

Jenny Santi’s approach to philanthropy is distinguished by a rigorous integration of empirical research with high-level strategic advisory services, bridging the gap between academic theory and the practical realities of wealth management. As the founder of Saint & Partners, she has positioned herself at the intersection of finance and social impact, specifically targeting ultra-high net worth individuals who seek to maximize the efficacy of their charitable contributions. Her methodology moves beyond traditional donation models, emphasizing a structured, science-backed framework for giving that treats philanthropy as a deliberate, strategic discipline rather than an afterthought of wealth accumulation.

Scientific Foundations and the UBS-INSEAD Study

A cornerstone of Santi’s unique contribution to the field is her work on the psychological and behavioral aspects of giving, most notably highlighted in her book, “The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories & Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving.” This work synthesizes scientific findings with narrative evidence to demonstrate how structured philanthropy can yield tangible benefits for both the donor and the recipient. Her expertise was further validated through her tenure as the Head of Philanthropy Services for UBS in Southeast Asia, where she helped institutionalize these concepts within one of the region’s leading wealth managers.

During her time at UBS, Santi was instrumental in driving the UBS-INSEAD study, a significant collaborative research effort that examined the intersection of wealth and philanthropy. This study provided critical data on how high-net-worth individuals in the Asia-Pacific region perceive and execute their charitable strategies. By leveraging insights from INSEAD’s academic rigor and UBS’s extensive client base, Santi helped uncover patterns in giving behavior that informed more effective advisory practices. The study underscored the importance of aligning personal values with financial strategies, a principle that has since become central to the advisory model at Saint & Partners.

Advisory Work with Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals

Through Saint & Partners, Santi applies these research-driven insights to provide bespoke advisory services to ultra-high net worth individuals. Her firm specializes in helping clients navigate the complexities of large-scale giving, offering guidance on everything from foundation structuring to impact measurement. This approach ensures that philanthropic efforts are not only financially sound but also strategically aligned with the donor’s long-term vision for social change. By focusing on the specific needs and goals of ultra-high net worth clients, Santi’s firm delivers tailored solutions that enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of their charitable initiatives.

Her work emphasizes the importance of education and awareness in philanthropy, encouraging donors to view their contributions as investments in social capital. This perspective is reflected in her writing and public speaking, where she consistently advocates for a more informed and intentional approach to giving. By combining her background in finance with her passion for social impact, Santi has created a distinctive niche in the philanthropic landscape, offering a model that is both analytically robust and deeply human-centric.

Why it matters

Jennifer Rose “Jenny” Santi’s career represents a pivotal shift in how wealth is managed and deployed across Southeast Asia. As the former Head of Philanthropy Services for UBS in the region, she helped institutionalize charitable giving for high-net-worth individuals who previously relied on ad-hoc donations. Her work at UBS demonstrated that philanthropy could be treated with the same strategic rigor as investment portfolios, a concept that resonated deeply with Asian families seeking to preserve legacy while maximizing social impact (per UBS Southeast Asia records).

Founding Saint & Partners

Upon founding Saint & Partners, Santi expanded the scope of philanthropic advisory beyond corporate structures to include family offices and individual donors. The firm’s model emphasizes education and structured planning, addressing a critical gap in the Asian market where traditional giving often lacked long-term vision. By providing tailored advisory services, Santi enabled donors to align their contributions with personal values and measurable outcomes, thereby increasing the effectiveness of their charitable investments (according to Saint & Partners operational profiles).

The Giving Way to Happiness

Santi’s book, “The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories & Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving,” bridges the gap between empirical research and personal narrative. The work synthesizes scientific findings on the psychological benefits of altruism with real-world case studies, making the concept of strategic philanthropy accessible to a broader audience. This publication has inspired individuals across the region to view giving not merely as a financial transaction but as a transformative life practice. The book’s emphasis on the “science behind the life-changing power of giving” provides a robust framework for understanding how charitable acts contribute to personal well-being and community development (per the book’s published content).

Through her dual role as an author and advisor, Santi has significantly influenced the cultural perception of philanthropy in Asia. Her efforts have encouraged a move from reactive charity to proactive, strategic giving, fostering a more sustainable ecosystem for social change. This shift is particularly significant in the NCR and Manila context, where rapid urbanization and economic growth have created both new opportunities and challenges for social welfare. Santi’s work continues to shape the landscape of family philanthropy, offering a roadmap for donors seeking to create lasting impact (per regional philanthropy trends).

Bibliography

Published Works and Research Contributions

Jennifer Rose “Jenny” Santi has established a significant body of work at the intersection of philanthropy, behavioral science, and family wealth management. Her most prominent literary contribution is the book “The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories & Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving.” This work synthesizes personal narratives with scientific research to explore the psychological and social impacts of charitable giving. The publication serves as both a practical guide and a theoretical framework for individuals and families seeking to understand the transformative potential of philanthropy. By combining anecdotal evidence with empirical data, Santi provides readers with a comprehensive view of how strategic giving can enhance personal well-being and community development. The book reflects her dual expertise as an author and a seasoned advisor in the philanthropic sector, offering insights derived from years of professional engagement with high-net-worth families and institutional donors.

Academic and Institutional Research

In addition to her solo authorship, Santi has contributed to major collaborative research projects that have shaped the understanding of family philanthropy in Asia. Notably, she was involved in the UBS-INSEAD Study of Family Philanthropy in Asia. This study represents a significant academic and industry effort to analyze the patterns, motivations, and structures of family-led charitable activities across the Asian region. The collaboration between UBS, a global financial services firm, and INSEAD, a leading international business school, underscores the interdisciplinary nature of Santi’s work. The study provides valuable data and case studies that help families and advisors navigate the complexities of cross-border giving, legacy planning, and impact measurement. Santi’s role in this research highlights her ability to bridge the gap between academic rigor and practical application, making complex philanthropic concepts accessible to a broader audience. This work has been instrumental in informing best practices for family offices and philanthropic foundations operating in the dynamic Asian market.

References

#Jenny Santi #Philanthropy #Author #UBS #Saint & Partners