A Gift of Belief: Philanthropy and the Forging of Pittsburgh chronicles the rich but largely untold story of the diverse and lesser known philanthropists whose legacy shaped the region.

This season of Speaking of Change invites philanthropic practitioners and community leaders to comment on the book's themes and draw parallels and lessons to inform current practice.

Book editor Kathy Buechel sits down with chapter author Bob Gleeson of Cleveland State University. Bob and Kathy discuss . Pittsburgh is a city with a long history of business driving economic development. But what about how philanthropists may have supported Pittsburgh’s own economic transformation. Did private philanthropy play apart in this part of Pittsburgh’s story? If so, what did they do and why?

Bob and Kathy dig into the answers in this episode. And, the two discuss progress yet to be made and what the future of the field may hold for economic progress and philanthropy's supporting role.