Speechmaking as a Catalyst for Change
For more than 30 years, Rip has used his speechmaking to address a dizzyingly wide spectrum of issues: the role of philanthropy in municipal policy, environmental stewardship, arts and culture, the revitalization of Detroit, national urban community development, and much more. The following are illustrative.
Philanthropy's New Role: Address to the Florida Philanthropic Network
Philanthropy in a Time of Economic Turmoil: 2008 Address to the United Way of America
Regional Challenges, Regional Solutions: Keynote to Funder's Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communitie
Commencement Address to University of Minnesota College of Architecture
The Growing Imperative for Philanthropic Impact Investing
University of Detroit Mercy Commencement Address: The Tesseract of Transformation
Twenty Years of Leadership: A Journey toward Expanded Opportunity
In Memoriam: Donald M. Fraser (1924-2019)
The Common Good: “THE STATE WE’RE IN”
The Fierce Urgency of Now: Getting the Climate Question Right
The Arc of Community Progress in Post-Bankruptcy Detroit
Helping Communities Make the Most of Historic Public Investment
Working Beyond the Fenceline: The Changing Roles of Philanthropy
The Intersection of Climate Change and Community Development
Repair and Beyond in America’s Cities
Build the New: Detroit’s Next Path
"Rip’s career is grounded in an unwavering commitment to advancing the public interest and tackling the complex, critical issues that many others would not even consider."
- Eric Larson, president of the Detroit Downtown Partnership
Illustration Gallery
Explore Rip's use of drawing as a tool to crystalize complexity and convey ideas in a lively and unexpected way.
Arts in Detroit: 2022
Reimagining Detroit 2020
Books
Learn more about Rip's published works, ranging from a memoir on his five decades of public service, to wilderness conservation battles and the biography of an architectural genius.
“Painting a portrait of leadership moments across decades.”
Select Nightly Notes
Delve into Rip's written notes sent to his staff and board every weeknight, beginning in March 2020, as he sought a way to stay connected.