Georgia Tech will kick off the Spring 2012 IMPACT Speaker Series on Wednesday Jan. 25 with Tom Tierney, chairman and co-founder of the Bridgespan Group, who will discuss effective philanthropy.

Tierney, author of the book Give Smart: Philanthropy that Gets Results, will speak at 4:30 p.m. in LeCraw Auditorium of the College of Management (800 West Peachtree Street).

Tierney is a recognized leader in serving the nonprofit sector. In 1999, he co-founded the Bridgespan Group, an independent, non-profit organization designed to provide professional services to philanthropists, foundations and other nonprofits.

After graduating from Harvard Business School with an MBA in 1980, Tierney joined Bain & Company, where he rose to chief executive. However, he stepped down from that role in 200 to focus on Bridgespan-related activities.

Free and open to the public, the IMPACT Series brings notable business executives, high-tech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and intellectual leaders to the College.

Other speakers in the spring 2012 series include Daryl Dulaney, CEO of Siemens Industry; Meredith Rentz, CEO and president of Medshare; and Randy Olson, author of Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style.

For the full lineup, visit the IMPACT Website.