A Philosophy of Sacred Convergence
Purnell Philanthropy® is a philosophy of sacred convergence rooted in the original meaning of philanthropy, the love of humankind.
Our philosophy is grounded in the worldview that humanity is elevated through the intentional and conscious alignment of visionary work, transformative resources, and collective benefit.
Purnell Philanthropy® supports fields shaping the future of human potential, including consciousness, neuroscience, psychedelic research, expanded states practices, wellness, longevity, education, and the emerging brain economy.
At its center are three essential forces:
- The institution, organization, or visionary advancing transformative work in service of human potential.
- The philanthropist, donor, or investor whose resources help catalyze that work.
- The communities and individuals, locally and worldwide, who benefit from these advancements.
Purnell Philanthropy® helps bring these forces into authentic alignment, transforming capital into an instrument of human evolution.
Through this sacred convergence, resources flow with greater integrity and purpose, institutions expand their capacity to serve, and transformative initiatives gain momentum within the world.
Purnell Philanthropy® serves as the vessel through which vision becomes reality.
Expanded states research is no longer fringe.
It has entered major universities, academic medical centers, philanthropic portfolios, and increasingly, state and federal funding conversations.
In 2025, the State of Texas committed $50 million toward ibogaine research and treatment initiatives, among the largest public investments in psychedelic research in United States history.
Federal momentum has followed as government agencies and policymakers increasingly explore expanded research pathways for emerging mental health and addiction treatments.
This work is no longer operating at the cultural margins. It is moving into institutions, philanthropy, healthcare, and public policy.
With that growth comes complexity:
- governance risk
- donor scrutiny
- reputational exposure
- campaign challenges
- ethical considerations
- public narrative tension
Most institutions are not structurally prepared for the philanthropic and organizational implications of this emerging landscape.
Stephenie Purnell bridges that gap.
Through Purnell Philanthropy®, Stephenie advises universities, research centers, nonprofit organizations, donor collaboratives, foundations, and interdisciplinary initiatives exploring, funding, and implementing work in:
- psychedelic science
- neuroscience
- consciousness research
- contemplative science
- mindfulness
- addiction recovery
- mental health innovation
- breathwork
- human transformation
Stephenie Purnell
Stephenie Purnell is a senior advancement leader, capital campaign strategist, and founder of Purnell Philanthropy®, an advisory practice serving universities, research centers, nonprofit organizations, foundations, donor collaboratives, and mission-aligned enterprises working at the forefront of human potential, health, education, consciousness, neuroscience, and emerging fields of research and practice.
Throughout her career, Stephenie has specialized in helping organizations translate visionary work into compelling philanthropic opportunities, aligning mission, leadership, governance, and funding strategy to accelerate impact.
Before founding Purnell Philanthropy® and Spiritus8®, Stephenie held senior advancement leadership positions with:
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Southern Methodist University
- The University of Colorado Boulder
- St. John’s College Santa Fe
- Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center
Prior to her advancement career, Stephenie spent more than two decades as a paralegal working in complex commercial litigation, commercial real estate, estate planning, and sophisticated legal practice areas. Her work with respected national and regional law firms cultivated precision, discretion, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex human dynamics.
Across more than a decade of institutional advancement leadership, Stephenie has:
- Built and executed capital campaign strategy
- Managed major and principal gift portfolios
- Staffed presidents, vice presidents, deans, and trustees
- Secured six- and seven-figure gifts
- Built and supervised development teams
- Aligned philanthropic investment with institutional priorities
Earlier in her advancement career, Stephenie served as a development consultant to The University of Texas System, helping launch and fund collegiate recovery initiatives across eight UT System institutions in Texas at a time when fewer than twenty-five collegiate recovery programs existed nationwide.
Today, more than three hundred collegiate recovery programs operate across the United States.
That experience became foundational to her work.
Stephenie understands how to responsibly position emerging initiatives, navigate institutional complexity, and build philanthropic support for work that may be ahead of public awareness or traditional funding models.
Alongside her professional advancement career, Stephenie has devoted more than sixteen years to the disciplined study and facilitation of expanded states of consciousness and transformational practices.
She has completed more than 800 hours of formal training in transpersonal psychology, Holotropic Breathwork®, and related modalities. She is certified through Grof® Transpersonal Training and is among a small number of certified Holotropic Breathwork® facilitators in Texas.
This uncommon combination of institutional advancement expertise and long-term immersion in transformational work allows Stephenie to bridge worlds that rarely intersect.
She understands how institutions move.
She understands how philanthropists make decisions.
She understands how emerging fields evolve from the margins into credible areas of research, practice, and public investment.
Today, through Purnell Philanthropy®, she advises institutions, organizations, and visionary leaders seeking to mobilize capital, strengthen governance, and align mission, resources, and collective benefit in service of human potential.