Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Hi friends, it’s Spiffy, back again on Planet Earth with an eye on entrepreneurs making the world a more equitable place! I have one more interview for you this week. Today I’m excited to cruise around with Chandralika Hazarika, managing director of Bigthinx. Are you ready to be inspired?
Spiffy: Welcome Chandralika. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell me what challenge Bigthinx is addressing?
Chandralika: It’s great to be here, Spiffy! 30% to 50% of all apparel items bought online are returned, up to 84% of which are destroyed through land-filling or incineration which has a huge impact on the environment. 70% of these returns are due to incorrect size, fit, or look.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Chandralika: I love to shop online but hate returning items because of the environmental impacts of shipping, unnecessary costs, and knowing that my returns are unlikely to get re-sold. I want the fashion products I order online to fit and look right on me the first time around, and not have to size sample or return products unnecessarily.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Chandralika: We help online retailers to become more profitable and sustainable at the same time. By giving consumers confidence in their purchases, our artificial intelligence (AI) products reduce returns by up to 70% for online apparel retailers. At the same time, they increase sales conversions by 250% and average order values by 20% and boost customer experiences and brand loyalty.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Chandralika: We brought down fashion returns for a Fortune 500 retail company by 40% with far-ranging impacts on the organization's sustainability measures, as well as their profitability.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Chandralika: Technology holds enormous power to transform our world for the better, and I am a strong supporter of women in tech. Young women often shy away from professional endeavors in technology, and I teach at universities around the world to motivate young women to take up careers in tech.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Chandralika—it’s been an honor!
A branding and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience, Chandralika Hazarika co-founded Bigthinx to create revolutionary new ways to put consumers first and foremost with highly engaging products for fashion retail. She is the recipient of the distinguished Accenture "Women in Tech" 2021 award. (Nominated by Max Kahn at SAP.iO. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 18, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here! I’m back with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Stephanie Benedetto, CEO of Queen of Raw. Let’s see what she is doing to make a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Stephanie, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge is Queen of Raw addressing?
Stephanie: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. Are you naked right now? You're not because you're using fabric. It's everywhere. It’s your clothing. The material on your chair. The inside of your car. The carpet under your feet. It's clearly where it's supposed to be, covering things like us. And guess what? It’s also where it’s not supposed to be. Every second of every day one truckload of clothing is wasted and burned in landfills.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Stephanie: My family has been in the business for over 100 years. In 1896, my great-grandfather came over on a ship from Austria and landed at Ellis Island. After settling into the Lower East Side, he had to make a living for his family as an immigrant chasing the American Dream. So he started working with his hands. He would find materials and supplies nearby to create beautiful garments. And he sold these goods to local customers. And it was a very profitable and successful business. Our vision with Queen of Raw is how can we use technology to get back to the way my great-grandfather did business.
Spiffy: Very interesting! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Stephanie: By keeping excess clothing in circulation, we have already saved over 1 billion gallons of water. That's enough clean water for 1.4 million people to drink around the world for three years. I'm doing this for my children. I want them to have clean water to drink, clothes that aren't toxic to wear, and a planet to live on. And I know that together we will change the world.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Stephanie: One tee shirt takes an average of 700 gallons of water to produce it. And that’s just one shirt—over 2 billion shirts are sold around the world every year. As per the World Wildlife Fund, if we continue at the current pace of producing clothing, by 2025, two-thirds of the entire world’s population will face shortages of freshwater.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Stephanie: This is my son, Jacob, doing my 60-second pitch. Here’s the link.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Stephanie—it’s been an honor!
Stephanie Benedetto is the CEO of Queen of Raw, an award-winning software helping companies discover revenue through excess inventory. Prior to starting Queen of Raw, Stephanie worked as a lawyer and co-founded a sustainable textile manufacturing facility. An advocate for women in business and sustainability, her companies have been featured in Good Morning America, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Stephanie is a Grand Prize WeWork Creator Awards winner presented by Ashton Kutcher, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Solve Circular Economy Solver, and an Accenture and World Economic Forum Circulars 2022. She is a member of Pledge 1% and a founding member of the New York Circular City Initiative and Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network. (Nominated by Max Kahn at SAP.iO. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 18, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the changemaking leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Amanda Bernard, the founder of Shawish Market. Let’s learn what’s happening at Shawish Market and how Amanda is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Thanks for joining me, Amanda! Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Shawish Market?
Amanda: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Shawish Market is a virtual Indigenous marketplace where Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs can create their own shop and upload their own unique items. Unlike other marketplaces, Shawish does not charge monthly or transaction fees, making it affordable for Indigenous communities, especially those who have faced so many barriers such as loss of land, loss of identity, discrimination, and colonization. Also, at Shawish we aim to address the issue of cultural appropriation, as many companies profit from Indigenous-inspired work, often at the expense of local artists. To tackle this problem, Shawish verifies each vendor, ensuring that every purchase made through our website directly benefits Indigenous communities.
Spiffy: What motivates you to tackle this challenge?
Amanda: Having run a small business myself, I encountered numerous hidden costs that were unexpected. I recognized that such hidden fees could also be the death of a small business, particularly for the many talented Indigenous artists who have beautifully crafted designs but whose work remains largely unrecognized by the general public. These artists deserve greater visibility and support, which is why I was motivated to develop software that catered to their needs, and was created by and for Indigenous people.
Spiffy: What is the impact of your work?
Amanda: At Shawish, our mission statement is to help small Indigenous businesses thrive across Turtle Island. The art of Indigenous beading, which can take days to complete a single item, represents a significant investment of time and skill. By removing the pressure to generate large volumes of inventory to cover expenses, our platform allows artists, including beaders, to take necessary breaks, whether for a month or to attend to emergencies, without the stress of meeting financial obligations through constant creation. This change aims to support not only their artistic journey but also their well-being and cultural preservation.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your audience/community?
Amanda: Being a MIT Solve Fellow in 2023 allows me to connect with more Indigenous communities and get the support required to grow this platform.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Amanda: My original last name was Shawish, but when my ancestors were forced to change their names, they decided on Bernard because at that time that was the name of their favorite priest. Therefore, I named the marketplace Shawish to honor my ancestors.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Amanda—it’s been an honor!
Amanda Bernard is a member of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation and the founder of Shawish Market. Her active engagement extends to board roles with the Philanthropy Canada Foundation (PFC) and Advisory Committee with the Canadian Women’s Foundation (CWF) and Indigenous People Resilience Fund (IPRF). Amanda is deeply committed to supporting Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs by creating a platform that allows them to thrive. (Nominated by Maya Bingaman. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 16, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2023 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by George Romar. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the changemaking leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Lamees Butt, the founder and host of the "In Her Shoes" podcast. Let’s learn what’s happening at “In Her Shoes” and how Lamees is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Thanks for joining me, Lamees! Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through the "In Her Shoes" podcast?
Lamees: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Did you know that only 9% of CEOs are women today?
Spiffy: Oh wow, I had no idea! Since women are roughly 50% of the population, that percentage is so much smaller in comparison.
Lamees: Exactly! We are on a mission to change this. The In Her Shoes Podcast is here to share the inspirational stories of women who have earnt a seat at the table. Hearing the remarkable journeys, the challenges, the successes, we begin to create blueprints for what's possible. Female leadership is not just needed, it's necessary.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Lamees: My motivations start from childhood: growing up in a less affluent area in East London, UK, I was wired to see a way out and dream big. There had to be a way I could do things better, be bigger, and achieve whatever I wanted. Having faced resistance, challenges, and hurdles at many moments in my career, each bump in the road I view as a badge that I wear with pride.It made me stronger, wiser, and more determined to make the changes in the world I felt I was born to do.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Lamees: The In Her Shoes Podcast is about discovering the women behind the titles, in the hope that these remarkable stories will provide a blueprint that will inspire and empower you, the next generation of leaders to rise. We are enabling women across the world to find their voice and unlock their potential.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your audience/community?
Lamees: So proud to say that we recently hit the Top 30 Careers Podcast, which means that we are reaching more women across the world, spreading the movement and the mission to discover as many women's stories as possible and amplify them to you!
Spiffy: Awesome! Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Lamees: I was once told that the world is your oyster and the meaning of this is that you have the power within you to be whoever you want to be. Your self-belief is the first and most important thing you will need as you go on this journey of self discovery.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Lamees—it’s been an honor!
Lamees Butt is a dynamic senior vice president at an AI tech SaaS company and the founder of the "In Her Shoes" podcast. With over a decade of experience in digital transformation and partnerships at notable companies, her work epitomizes innovation in digital technology for business value. (Nominated by Max Kahn of SAP.io. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 16, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2023 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by George Romar. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Agnes Wun, the co-founder and CEO of Neufast. Let’s learn what’s happening at Neufast and how Agnes is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Thanks for joining me, Anges! Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Neufast?
Agnes: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Most often, video interviews for employment opportunities are conducted in English, dominated by key players in the US. This poses an opportunity for social and ethnic discrimination against non-English-speaking job candidates in other parts of the world, such as developing countries. Moreover, biases even in AI algorithms may perpetuate discrimination against minority group members, as reported by the Financial Times. This is because personally identifiable information (PII) such as facial images, skin color, and gender are being used by AI models as part of the talent assessment process. This can cause significant adverse impact to the realization of human capital and productivity.
Spiffy: What motivates you to tackle this challenge?
Agnes: As a womantrepreneur, I was born and raised in Hong Kong, a city with a multilingual environment composed of Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. I studied in a Catholic school for girls in Hong Kong with bi-lingual education. After passing a series of cognitive and psychometric tests, I was offered a full scholarship to pursue my GCE A Levels in Singapore at an age of 17 in a culturally diverse environment in the ASEAN region. As an introverted, married, Asian female engineer, I felt I was losing out in my job interviews despite being good at my studies. I co-founded Neufast to break down biases in employment by offering a digital tool in 13 languages with a patent for PII removal to discover human potentials while eliminating discrimination in employment.
Spiffy: What is the impact of your work?
Agnes: Since launching Neufast Enterprise in Q2 2020, Neufast grew our revenue at the CAGR of 170% and acquired nearly 50 direct customers in eight markets in APAC and the EU. In the last six months, we launched a new use case with AIA Malaysia for supporting a workforce of 30,000 in Malaysia. Neufast achieved profitability with USD 520K sales in FY 2023/24 with 90% renewal rate with clients. Neufast signed the Racial Diversity and Inclusion Charter for Employers issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission in Hong Kong. We make reference to best practices aimed at improving racial diversity and inclusion within workplaces in our product development for equal opportunity regardless of race, sex and age.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your audience/community?
Agnes: Neufast recently obtained A1 for our USPTO patent filing for PII redaction using generative AI to offer “blind search” for employers. This will further support employers in achieving ESG targets, compliance with anti-discrimination laws, and for achieving their business goals through talent retention and productivity improvement. The WIPO patent search result can be found here.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Agnes: I am happy to share the good news about our client, AIA Malaysia. One of our products went live and was publicized in Malaysian news channel The Star as of February 28, 2024. Five key business benefits were noted: 1. Winning the talent war: the product helps attract a wider talent pool with a spike of quality hires; 2. 88% time-to-hire reduction; 3. 1.5x productivity improvement: streamlining operations; 4. Real-time AI recommendations: helps managers understand the likelihood of success of their candidates; and 5. ESG: the AI system looks beyond the candidate's background, thus it eliminates unconscious human biases as compared to face-to-face interviews.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Agnes—it’s been an honor!
Ms. Agnes Wun, CEng, CPA (Aust.), FRM, MIEEE, MIET, MBA, MSc, DIC, B.Eng. Hons., is the co-founder and CEO of Neufast. Neufast employs big data and artificial intelligence in cloud-based AI-powered video interviewing platform. In her early career, she worked as a marketing engineer with ABB, and as a software engineer building iPhone apps with Accenture in London. She served at the Labour and Welfare Bureau in the public education of mental health and persons with disabilities. She worked for Gazprom Marketing and Trading in business planning and advanced to the board level of post-acquisition portfolio companies of Cheung Kong group. She has experience in recruitment, workforce planning, executive incentive design, and strategic planning. (Nominated by Max Kahn of SAP.io. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 15, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2023 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by George Romar. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
]]>Subham: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Alokya addresses the challenge of providing sustainable and culturally authentic household goods by partnering with rural artisans in South Asia. These artisans handcraft products using eco-friendly materials, showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage. By doing so, Alokya not only supports rural communities and preserves traditional craftsmanship, but also contributes to environmental preservation by minimizing its ecological footprint.
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Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the changemaking leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Subham Kedia, the co-founder of Alokya. Let’s learn what’s happening at Alokya and how Subham is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Thanks for joining me, Subham! Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Alokya?
Subham: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Alokya addresses the challenge of providing sustainable and culturally authentic household goods by partnering with rural artisans in South Asia. These artisans handcraft products using eco-friendly materials, showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage. By doing so, Alokya not only supports rural communities and preserves traditional craftsmanship, but also contributes to environmental preservation by minimizing its ecological footprint.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Subham: My motivation is driven by a strong commitment to creating positive social and environmental impact. I am passionate about making a difference in the world by addressing pressing issues such as poverty alleviation, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability. By focusing on initiatives that promote social and environmental well-being, I strive to contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, and thriving future for all.
Spiffy: Awesome! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Subham: Alokya's initiatives empower marginalized rural artisans by providing fair employment opportunities and preserving diverse cultural heritage through traditional art forms. By promoting sustainability with eco-friendly practices and providing market access, Alokya fosters community development, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment. This comprehensive approach results in improved livelihoods, enhanced cultural appreciation, reduced environmental impact, and strengthened local economies, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your audience/community?
Subham: Winning the Penn Wharton Innovation Fund Implementation Award marks a pivotal milestone for Alokya, significantly broadening our impact in health, sustainability, artisan empowerment, and innovative design. This accolade propels our mission, enhancing our product range's appeal and supporting global sustainability and cultural preservation efforts, as we blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary functionality for a wider audience.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Subham—it’s been an honor!
Subham is a first-year Wharton MBA student who is building Alokya, a functional-art startup that collaborates with rural South Asian artisans to handcraft consumer-centric, premium products using sustainable materials. Before Wharton, Subham worked at McKinsey & Company as a management consultant for 3 years and at ConnectWise, a Thoma Bravo portfolio company, for 2 years. Subham holds a bachelors from IIT Kharagpur and a masters from Columbia University. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 15, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by George Romar. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Zeeshan Karamat, the co-founder and CTO of 36ZERO Vision. Let’s learn about what’s happening there and how Zeeshan is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Zeeshan, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through 36ZERO Vision?
Zeeshan: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Our AI solutions significantly boost manufacturing quality and sustainability by automating visual inspections. This not only elevates accuracy and speed, thus reducing waste and conserving resources, but also helps in early defect detection, minimizing material usage, and environmental impact. By reallocating human resources from repetitive tasks to more value-added activities, we also improve productivity and job satisfaction. Thus, our technology fosters a more sustainable, efficient, and worker-friendly manufacturing environment.
Spiffy: Need of the hour! What motivates you to do it?
Zeeshan: My primary motivation stems from a desire to leverage my skills towards creating a more sustainable manufacturing industry—I am deeply committed to enhancing production processes and maximizing the efficiency of our planet's resources. However, I will say that the technical challenges associated with this goal were immense. Tackling these complex problems required a substantial effort and a deep dive into innovative solutions. This journey has not only been about solving technical issues, but also about contributing to a more sustainable and efficient future for manufacturing.
Spiffy: What is the impact of your work?
Zeeshan: My work primarily aids manufacturing companies by enhancing their quality control processes through AI-powered visual inspection solutions. This technology helps reduce waste and improve production efficiency, contributing to a more sustainable use of resources. Additionally, it alleviates the workload on employees by taking over repetitive, tedious tasks, thereby allowing them to focus on more critical and engaging work. Ultimately, this not only supports businesses in achieving higher productivity and cost savings, but also promotes a more sustainable and employee-friendly manufacturing environment.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative and the impact it makes on your community
Zeeshan: A key recent milestone for us was establishing partnerships with industry leaders like Bosch and SAP, and launching our AI-powered visual inspection solutions with enterprises such as Mercedes, Leoni, and Siemens. This initiative significantly enhances our integration into the industrial sector, amplifying the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices. The impact of these collaborations is profound, offering advanced quality control, reducing waste, and improving efficiency across manufacturing processes. These achievements not only validate our technology's effectiveness, but also pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient manufacturing industry.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Zeeshan: One story that stands out involves implementing our AI technology in an automotive manufacturer's production line, which struggled with detecting minor defects. Our solution halved their defect rate, significantly boosting both efficiency and quality. This example not only demonstrates our technology's capability, but also reflects our commitment to enhancing manufacturing sustainability and efficiency. It's a testament to how innovation can solve industry challenges, underscoring the real-world impact of our work beyond mere technical achievements.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Zeeshan—it’s been an honor!
Zeeshan Karamat is the co-founder and CTO at 36ZERO Vision and a celebrated hackathon champion with more than 100 wins, including Microsoft, Siemens, and Google. Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine as a top life coach, she is an expert in cloud architecture and machine learning, and leads innovative AI projects. Zeeshan is passionate about weekend machine learning and programming challenges. (Nominated by Max Kahn. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 14, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2023 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by George Romar. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Neerja Patel, the founder of Neerja Public Relations. Let’s learn about what’s happening there and how Neerja is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Neerja, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Neerja Public Relations?
Neerja: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Neerja PR is dedicated to amplifying South Asian voices and underrepresented talent. We recognize that within the realm of fashion, certain voices and perspectives are often overlooked or marginalized due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and more. Our work aims to challenge these systemic inequalities by actively seeking out and amplifying the voices of underrepresented founders, designers, models, artisans, and creatives within the South Asian fashion and lifestyle community.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Neerja: My motivation is driven by the power of inclusivity and the importance of representation. Through our work, we aim to challenge dominant narratives, dismantle systemic barriers, and create opportunities for those who have been traditionally excluded from mainstream fashion spaces. It’s important for our work to provide a platform for these individuals to showcase their skills, celebrate their cultural heritage, and express themselves authentically through fashion and beyond.
Spiffy: What is the impact of your work?
Neerja: The impact of our work contributes to empowerment, providing platforms, expressing creativity, and showcasing talent. By actively promoting diversity and inclusivity, we push back against dominant narratives and beauty standards, creating space for a more diverse range of perspectives. Our impact contributes to a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of fashion as a global phenomenon; ultimately contributing to larger conversations around identity, representation, and social justice.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your community?
Neerja: A recent initiative I was a part of was the formation of an Advisory Board by South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW). This comprised individuals from varied backgrounds, particularly with expertise in South Asian fashion, business, and culture. The impact of this initiative is significant as it enhances the credibility and reputation of SANYFW within the fashion community, attracting top-tier talent and partnerships. It also provides invaluable guidance and mentorship to emerging South Asian designers and helps to showcase their work on a larger platform.
Spiffy: That’s awesome! Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Neerja: It's important to be proud of who you are and where you came from. Our heritage is a gift to cherish and celebrate, so wear your cultural identities as badges of honor in every aspect of your lives, including your fashion choices!
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Neerja—it’s been an honor!
Neerja Patel is the founder of Neerja Public Relations, a boutique branding agency in New York. She is deeply rooted in the South Asian community and works to serve the brands and talent that are underrepresented in mainstream pop culture. She continues to champion the South Asian diaspora across industries with a focus on food, fashion, beauty, arts, and entertainment. Neerja was recently honored as The 100 Women to KNOW Across America, presented by JPMorgan Chase. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 14, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Malvika Agarwal, the founder and creative director of Chal Shoes (Schonfilt LLP). Let’s learn about what’s happening there and how Malvika is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Malvika, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Chal Shoes?
Malvika: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! We are upcycling materials to make shoes and targeting better/conscious consumption under the shoe segment. Our product is not 100% sustainable, but as an organization we believe that sustainability is truly achieved when we work on creating better processes (that reduce the carbon footprint from an existing process) and use materials that don’t take too much from the environment. Our paradigms are using waste and biodegradable materials wherever possible. Tires have one of the most durability when it comes to travel and transportation; we are changing the norms of its usage from a machine to a human being. 75% of tire waste ends up in landfill which is roughly 750,000 tires. A single tire can produce up to four pairs of shoes!
Spiffy: Wow! What motivates you to do it?
Malvika: I have always been inspired by the frugal innovations that I come across on a daily basis in India. Studying in the West made me realize that we don’t value these enough or market them enough. If we simply incorporate even half of the frugal innovations that reuse objects and promote the culture of passing on precious things as a society, we can solve the biggest problem we are facing right now, which is sustainability. As I grew up, I realized that it is becoming more and more fashionable to use and throw things. Drinking water from a small plastic bottle, buying new clothes every season, updating to the latest phone/technology available in the market. I want to change the norms of what it means to be fashionable and be on trend.
Spiffy: I love that! Can you elaborate on the impact of your work?
Malvika: Our shoes are handcrafted locally using the age-old techniques of handicraft that are very indigenous to my country. From sourcing fabric directly from weavers to sourcing tires from the local garage, our shoes are a product of contribution from every segment of crafts that surrounds us. We are nurturing the local shoemaker who prefers working in their own space rather than building a factory for our shoes. Decentralization is at the heart of our system. From artisans to weavers and shoemakers, we pay them per shoe. Our shoes are made only after the order is placed by the customer—we don’t overproduce stock in a bid to save on costs, and the impact is truly what makes our shoe special.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative and the impact it makes on your community?
Malvika: As a brand we are not big on marketing. Our entire cost of production goes to the maker and some on packaging. I guess I would say that being approached by organizations to document and promote our process has truly been a validation in terms of the good design and good quality that our product offers. The customers we get mostly stumble upon us through social media or through one of the two pop-ups we do every year. Their delight on experiencing good quality when they weren’t expecting it is a good milestone for us. We are finally launching a bespoke shoe house where anyone can come in with their shoe needs. As a shoe company, we offer solutions for people with foot issues such as bunion feet and high arch.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Malvika: Aiming to perfect our process and product as we move forward is what makes us different from other brands. We address sustainability, good design, and aesthetics, and offer solutions to people with foot issues in terms of customisation. We are also trying to bridge the gender gap by making shoes for women that look pretty but are not a pain to wear. Our set guidelines are to not have a very high arch, in any shoe we make. We, as a brand, will never do extreme heels that make you arch your feet. Eventually, we want the customer who comes to us to be assured that they are buying something that is not only good design, but also very functional. A shoe is one of the most important aspects of an efficient work-life and we plan to be a part of it.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Malvika—it’s been an honor!
Malvika Agarwal is a 26-year-old industrial designer by qualification who pursued footwear design as a minor from the US. She hails from Rajasthan, the largest and the driest state of India, and aims to address the concerns of growing poverty in her country. She believes that incorporating frugal innovations in scale economies is an answer to solving the issues of global warming while also providing employment. She believes that reverse engineering the industrial age to making good quality products by hand is the answer to less pollution and reducing poverty. She currently runs a contemporary Indian footwear brand, Chal Shoes, that aims to reduce the carbon footprint produced by a pair of shoes. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 13, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Stella Tachtara, the Head of Marketing and Communications at the International Olympic Academy. Let’s learn what’s happening there and how Stella is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Stella, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through your work at the International Olympic Academy?
Stella: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! The International Olympic Academy serves as the leading institution for Olympic Education with the aim to promote Olympism as a way of life and integrate the Olympic Values into modern societies worldwide. The IOA acts as an international forum for free expression and aims at contributing to world peace by educating people on the Olympic Ideals and the Principles of the Olympic Movement.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Stella: For the last 14 years, through various roles at the IOA, and especially as the Head of the International Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors, which has taken place for 63 consecutive years, I have managed to make my dream come true. I have contributed to bringing together every year around 200 people from all corners of the world, with different backgrounds, cultures, and religions, and to provide them with an international forum for free expression and exchange of ideas in a spirit of solidarity, friendship, mutual respect, and tolerance. Our vision is to educate them on the Olympic Ideals and the Principles of the Olympic Movement in order to promote the humanistic dimension of Olympism in society and contribute to world peace.
Spiffy: Can you elaborate on the impact of your work?
Stella: In this respect, I can proudly say that in the last 14 years, I have helped bring together over 2.500 young people from six continents and approximately 150 countries. These young people, some of whom had never traveled abroad and might never again get this chance, have gained valuable knowledge and lived a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has shaped them and influenced them to get actively involved in the spreading of education, sports, and Olympism in their respective countries.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your community?
Stella: Recently, the IOA launched a new programme where we host and train 2,000 secondary education students per year on issues of Olympic Values and the Olympic Games. The programme consists of three-day educational sports visits to Ancient Olympia and the IOA's facilities and takes place during the period between March and November of each year. Twenty groups of approximately 100 persons (i.e. two schools of 50 persons) are, each time, introduced to key issues of Olympic Education, including Sports Integrity and Positive Sporting Behavior.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Stella—it’s been an honor!
Stella Tachtara is an Education, Sports, and Culture professional, who has been working for the International Olympic Academy for the past 15 years. She is a holder of two master degrees, an MA in Cultural Policy and Management and an MSc in Sports Management. Stella has a strong background in communications and marketing, having worked for private companies as well as for not-for-profit entities in relevant posts. She has a strong experience working in a multicultural habitat, under strict deadlines, coordinating teams of volunteers, and having to deal with even the most demanding circumstances. Her current role at the IOA is Head of Marketing and Communications. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 13, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Hi! It’s me, Spiffy, the interplanetary journalist reporting from Planet Earth with the latest scoop on entrepreneurs making a difference for all of us around the world! Today’s rockstar is Kristin Boggiano, co-founder and president of TurnKeyTix!
Spiffy: Welcome Kristin. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell me what challenge TurnKeyTix is addressing?
Kristin: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. TurnKeyTix supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #3, focusing on leveraging organized sports to combat pediatric obesity, enhance mental health, and promote social, cognitive, and emotional development among youth. TurnKeyTix uses its comprehensive sports management platform to increase access to and participation in youth sports, thereby contributing to better health outcomes and overall well-being. Youth sport improves teamwork, social skills, and social responsibility. It improves educational and occupational skills (e.g., determination, perseverance, grit, resilience, and critical thinking). It is also linked to higher levels of academic achievement. Finally, it leads to a stronger long-term labor market and economy.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Kristin: In the big picture, children are our future and sports have repeatedly proven to show significant benefits to children's growth. My motivation for starting my company was to streamline and scale the operations of youth sports organizations, making them more efficient and accessible so that sports organizations can grow and serve more children. TurnKeyTix helps sports organizations focus on what they do best—help kids in sports. Through our technology-driven solutions, we are helping create a stronger, healthier future for our society.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Kristin: TurnKeyTix helps youth sports organizations scale so that they can help more children. As an example, we started working with Brooklyn USA Basketball, a non-profit that provides free and low-cost basketball clinics, camps, and other programs. Brooklyn USA Basketball has placed 936 young athletes in colleges on basketball scholarships,18 have made it to the National Basketball Association (NBA), and 7 play in the league now. These kids say that this program has changed the course of their lives. Our mission is to help companies like Brooklyn USA Basketball, and many other similar sports organizations, grow by providing them a "business in a box."
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Kristin: I was a gymnast which I attribute to my professional goal-setting, drive, perseverance, and grit. As my kids became active in sports, I saw how underserved the youth sports organizations were. The benefits of youth sports are well-documented and extend far beyond the playing field. Active children are less likely to become obese, more likely to attend college, and show greater productivity as adults. Sports participation is critical for society at large, reducing healthcare costs and strengthening the labor market. As we strive towards SDG #3, it's clear that investing in youth sports will play a pivotal role in fostering a healthier, more vibrant future for all children.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Kristin—it’s been an honor!
Kristin Boggiano is the co-founder and president of TurnKeyTix—a youth sports technology company. Before TurnKeyTix, she built CrossTower, a non-fungible token (NFT), blockchain, and digital asset technology company. Kristin also co-founded DARLA, a think tank to shape global policy regarding digital assets. She also founded and built the structured products and derivatives department at Schulte Roth, a global law firm. Kristin also founded and was the CEO of Women in Derivatives, a nonprofit with a mission to develop women leaders. She began her career as a gymnastics coach. Kristin frequently does public speaking and writes articles on youth sports, artificial intelligence, trading, and financial and regulatory topics. She is an advocate for, investor in, and mentor to entrepreneurs. She has a law degree and an MBA from Northeastern University. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 12, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Welcome back! Spiffy here, your interplanetary journalist reporting from Planet Earth with an eye on entrepreneurs working to make this world more equitable. Today I’m super excited to speak with Jessica Schreiber, founder and CEO of FABSCRAP.
Spiffy: It’s wonderful to meet you, Jessica. I’m curious about the challenges FABSCRAP is addressing. What can you tell me?
Jessica: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. FABSCRAP is helping fashion companies create less waste while designing clothing. We work to make sure excess fabric, yarn, leather, and trims are recycled or redistributed to students, artists, and crafters who can use them!!
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Jessica: Climate change really scares me! I think we are using our planet's resources too fast and I want future generations to be able to experience the same (or better!) natural world that I know and love so much.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Jessica: FABSCRAP has saved over 1.5 million pounds of fabric, leather, yarn, and trims from landfill. We are helping the fashion industry reduce its impact on the planet and making it easier for the next generation of designers and artists to use upcycled materials.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Jessica: FABSCRAP recently added the 800th fashion company to our service! This shows that the industry is looking for solutions and has an interest in doing better.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Jessica: We not only provide a recycling service and create a sustainable materials resource, but we've also grown a huge community of volunteers who help make our work possible—over 8,000 people have volunteered at FABSCRAP! We give all volunteers some free fabric as a thank-you :)
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Jessica—it’s been an honor!
Jessica Schreiber is the founder and CEO of FABSCRAP, which provides a convenient pickup and recycling of fabric scraps from fashion companies and creates opportunities for reuse. Before launching FABSCRAP, she worked in the Bureau of Recycling and Sustainability at the New York City Department of Sanitation. She has a master’s degree in climate and society from the Climate School at Columbia University and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNN, Waste360, and Apparel Magazine. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 12, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Hi friends, it’s Spiffy, back again on Planet Earth with an eye on entrepreneurs making the world a more equitable place! I have one more interview for you this week. Today I’m excited to cruise around with Jodie Blume, founder and CEO of The Co-llective Social Impact Agency (“The Co-llective”). Are you ready to be inspired?
Spiffy: Welcome Jodie. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell me what challenge The Co-llective is addressing?
Jodie: It’s great to be here, Spiffy! In my role leading a social impact agency, I focus on elevating standards in philanthropic consulting, cause marketing, and charitable brand partnerships. We create strategies to maximize positive influence around celebrities and brands, ensuring all of our client's initiatives create lasting and impactful change. The global challenges we address range from social justice, education, youth empowerment, health and disease, climate, and conservation.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Jodie: The driving force behind my work is a profound belief in contributing to a positive change. Witnessing the tangible impact on individuals and communities motivates me daily. It's the prospect of making a meaningful difference that fuels my passion and commitment. Also, my son is one of the biggest motivators in my life. Wanting to make a more fair and equitable place for him to not only live but thrive.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Jodie: Our work benefits a number of individuals, communities, nonprofit organizations, as well as businesses striving to create a positive impact. We help by providing resources, access to new opportunities, and supporting nonprofits to improve their effectiveness, visibility, and sustainability. Additionally, businesses partnering with us receive creative cause marketing campaigns to help make their brand reputation and social responsibility efforts better.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Jodie: We work with a few clients on mental health initiatives that are very important.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Jodie: Our organization prioritizes mental health initiatives for a few different high-profile clients and brands to destigmatize and normalize discussions around mental well-being. Notably, during Suicide Prevention Month, we spearheaded impactful campaigns that reached millions of people. By creating unique content that shares open conversations as well as providing resources, we aimed to raise awareness, promote compassion, and contribute to breaking down barriers associated with mental health.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Jodie—it’s been an honor!
Jodie Blum is the founder and CEO of The Co-llective Social Impact Agency (“The Co-llective”). With over 25 years of dedication, she stands as an unmatched force in strategic philanthropy and social impact marketing. She's transformed celebrity influence into lasting legacies of purpose and heart. Jodie leverages her innovative design thinking talent to create programming and campaigns that drive funding decisions and maximize awareness. She hasn't just embraced strategic philanthropy—she's redefined it. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 11, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here! I’m back with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Candice Chirwa, founder and managing director, Qrate. Let’s see what she is doing to make a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Candice, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge is Qrate addressing?
Candice: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. Qrate is my heart's response to the silence and stigma around menstruation. My personal challenge as the “Minister of Menstruation” is to break these barriers, creating a space where everyone, regardless of gender, can openly and confidently engage in conversations about menstrual health. Qrate is my way of empowering individuals with the knowledge they deserve, ensuring that no one feels isolated or uninformed in their journey.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Candice: Launching Qrate stems from my own first period experience at the age of ten. I found myself navigating a natural biological process without access to education or information. The silence and conditioning to avoid open discussions left me feeling isolated. This ignited a passion within me to ensure that no one else would have to face the confusion and stigma that I encountered. What keeps me going is witnessing the positive impact on people's lives, knowing that every conversation and workshop contributes to a more informed and empowered community. For me, being a menstrual activist is a commitment to breaking the cycle of silence and providing the education and support that individuals need from their very first period and beyond.
Spiffy: That’s inspiring! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Candice: The impact of Qrate extends beyond menstrual health education—it resonates in the lives of countless individuals. Our work primarily helps young people, providing them with the knowledge and tools to navigate menstruation confidently. Since 2019, we have reached over 10,000 young people (girls and boys included) to change the narrative surrounding periods. The ripple effect is seen in improved self-esteem, reduced stigma, and a more inclusive community that embraces the natural and diverse experiences of menstruation.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Candice: One exciting initiative is Qrate's Period Positive Tour, which allowed the Qrate team the opportunity to travel to different provinces (states) in South Africa. Through collaborations with the private sector, we not only successfully engaged with an impressive count of 5,033 young people but also forged a meaningful partnership with a leading reusable pad company. The collaboration in donating reusable pads underscored our commitment to creating a sustainable period-positive world.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Candice: My passion for menstrual health is present in different sectors of my career. Affectionately known as the “Minister of Menstruation,” I am currently pursuing my PhD in international relations with a focus on menstrual health and human rights. My podcast, "Periodically Speaking," explores a variety of menstrual health topics, and "Flow: The Book About Menstruation" shares my insights. Proudly, I serve as a board member for Pandemic Periods, a global initiative shaping the narrative on menstrual health.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Candice—it’s been an honor!
Candice Chirwa is the founder and managing director of Qrate. Known as the “Minister of Menstruation,” she is a passionate advocate, academic, author, and PhD candidate. Beyond leading Qrate, she delves into menstrual rights as an academic, hosts the podcast "Periodically Speaking," and serves on the Pandemic Periods' board, shaping a global narrative on menstrual health. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 11, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here, back with the scoop on the changemaking leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Damilola Hamid Balogun, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN). Let’s learn what’s happening at YSDN and how Damilola is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Thanks for joining me, Damilola! Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN)?
Damilola: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! As the CEO of the Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN), my team and I are dedicated to tackling the challenge of youth empowerment for sustainable development. Through capacity building, policy recommendations, and sustainable project implementation, we empower young changemakers to make tangible impacts. With over 10,000 empowered youth, a reduction of over 258.11 tCO2 emissions, and numerous strategic partnerships, our organization is driving positive change in communities worldwide.
Spiffy: That’s awesome! What motivates you to do it?
Damilola: My motivation stems from two distinct sources. Firstly, a lifelong passion for social impact ignited by my upbringing in a community marked by societal disparities. Secondly, the fusion of my legal background with unconventional paths in sustainable development enables me to address socioeconomic issues in innovative ways, fostering positive change and personal fulfillment in my career journey.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Damilola: At YSDN, we empower thousands of young individuals, reduce CO2 emissions, forge partnerships, and execute impactful sustainability projects. Our initiatives uplift marginalized communities, promote sustainable entrepreneurship, and provide access to finance while implementing renewable energy solutions. Through these efforts, we drive positive change and foster a more sustainable future for all.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your audience/community?
Damilola: The CoolCycle project, spearheaded by YSDN and Kamim Technologies, secured 50,000 USD in funding to implement groundbreaking solutions tackling climate, agriculture, and energy challenges. This initiative transforms end-of-life generators into solar-powered cooling systems, slashing carbon emissions, empowering farmers, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Through these efforts, we contribute to environmental preservation and foster economic growth.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Damilola: My words to every changemaker out there are to embrace the power within, to spark change and illuminate the path towards a better tomorrow. Every step taken, every choice made, has the potential to shape a brighter future for our world. Believe in yourself, and let your light shine bright for all to see. Together, we can move mountains and build a future filled with hope, compassion, and boundless possibilities. The journey begins with you.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Damilola—it’s been an honor!
Damilola Hamid Balogun is a visionary leader dedicated to sustainable and youth development. As CEO of the Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN), he empowers youth and collaborates with changemakers to champion bold and impactful sustainable initiatives, fostering partnerships for real-world impact projects. With a background in law and entrepreneurship, his passion and work drive innovative solutions, paving the way for a more sustainable future. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 9, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by George Romar. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Welcome back! Spiffy here, your interplanetary journalist reporting from Planet Earth with an eye on entrepreneurs working to make this world more equitable. Today I’m super excited to speak with Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu, founder of Nature Worthy.
Spiffy: It’s wonderful to meet you, Saanvi. I’m curious about the challenges Nature Worthy is addressing. What can you tell me?
Saanvi: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. Awareness about the nature around us, which should grow organically from a young age, is missing in today's world. In this age of electronics, several influences, and distractions, our lives have become mechanical and we are becoming distant from nature. As a result, we are missing out on the best things that nature offers. By increasing environmental education, Nature Worthy aims to install an organic connection between nature and everyone to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Saanvi: My personal journey began at the age of six when I started hiking, and over the years, I have hiked over 1,000 miles in different terrains and challenging climate conditions. The time spent in nature helped me learn more about myself, build my personality, and learn coping skills, drive, grit, and perseverance. Recognizing the cognitive, physical, and emotional benefits that the outdoors offers, I firmly believe that expanding outdoor access is key for everyone.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Saanvi: The work of Nature Worthy impacts children who live in areas where there is no environmental justice, children lacking the resources to have an enjoyable time outdoors, and children who don't spend time outdoors very much. By creating experiences where children are exposed to nature at a young age, nature is also aiding the children by boosting their dopamine and serotonin levels, and making them more aware of their impact on the earth.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Saanvi: Recently, we hosted a “Kids to Parks Day” event at Ray Roberts State Park, targeting kids from environmentally disadvantaged areas. It was a day filled with outdoor activities and exposed the youth to the importance of nature. Several kids' parents approached us and mentioned that they couldn't afford to send their children to summer camps with other kids, but the event was one of the most enjoyable and educational days, their children had experienced that summer.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Saanvi: Our Planet is 4.5 billion years old, and it has undergone millions of transformations and will go through many more in the coming billion years. In our life span of 70 to 80 years, how about we explore, learn seek, and experience the grandeur of the planet! By embracing the phenomenon of life and accumulating cherished memories and experiences, we can truly make the most of our time here.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Saanvi—it’s been an honor!
Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu is the founder of Nature Worthy. Saanvi is leading by example to bring awareness about the benefits of being close to nature, inspiring Gen Z. She has backpacked over 1,000 miles at more than 25 national parks in the United States, the Mount Everest base camp, and is an avid rock climber. She is a passionate conservationist, whose stories and mission have attracted global media. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 9, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Shuvro Ghoshal, founder of The Bridge. Let’s learn about what’s happening there and how Shuvro is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Shuvro, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through The Bridge?
Shuvro: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! The foundation of The Bridge was laid down back in 2017 with an aim to stay true to the name—to bridge the gap between Indian fans and Indian sports. In the last few years, The Bridge has been able to metamorphose into a one-stop media platform for Indian sports with a vision to bring every sports discipline into the limelight. Our foremost objective is to disseminate information in its purest and most engaging form. We give our readers all the sports content they are looking for, whether it is the analysis of a player's on-field performance or any relevant off-field news. We are meticulous about our sources and strive to give our readers the truth and nothing but the truth. Our aim is to be factual, precise, unbiased, and engaging.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Shuvro: At the start of our journey, one of our mission statements was to report on the lesser-known aspects of the sporting world. I realized that while the athletes were doing their part by working hard, there weren't enough publications covering them or sharing their journeys. Most publications focused on high-profile athletes and wrote about their achievements. But what about the rising stars, bringing laurels to the country? What made them not worthy enough of media coverage? With time and steadily increasing traffic, we, at The Bridge, are motivated to create a long-standing impact. Backed by content aimed at increasing awareness about sports bodies, policies, and athletes, we remain committed to that.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Shuvro: Our content is loved, appreciated, and shared by prominent sportspersons in the country, and we have successfully built a loyal readership among young Indians who worship sports. Thanks to the beautiful community of Indian sports fans across the length and breadth of the country, we have established ourselves as a formidable force in the sports media scene. The messages, comments, and emails uplift us, and saying that the community is precious to The Bridge is a massive understatement. There is no better way to convey our thankfulness—we are nothing without our followers.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Shuvro—it’s been an honor!
Shuvro Ghoshal is the founder of The Bridge, India’s first digital sports platform dedicated to Olympic Sports. A former journalist, Shuvro has spent the last ten years honing his expertise in product, strategy, marketing, content creation, and investor relations. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 8, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Hi friends, it’s Spiffy, back again on Planet Earth with an eye on entrepreneurs making the world a more equitable place! I have one more interview for you this week. Today I’m excited to cruise around with Maria Guadalupe Meza (“Lulu”), founder and CEO of Snappable. Are you ready to be inspired?
Spiffy: Hi Lulu, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge is Snappable addressing?
Lulu: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. Snappable is on a mission to help families with low incomes put food on the table. Food stamps don’t fully cover a family’s meals, leaving 41 million Americans at risk of hunger. There are millions in government funding available to bridge this gap, but these additional benefits are hard to access, and up to 80% of this funding goes unused. Driven to build a better system, I founded Snappable! We make it easy for shoppers to use these benefits and profitable for grocery stores to accept them.
Spiffy: Amazing! What motivates you to do it?
Lulu: My parents both grew up with food insecurity. This is part of my family history—when people don't have enough food and kids are left with empty bellies while parents are stuck in survival mode. After helping to launch two initiatives in Colorado in the battle against hunger, I was compelled to use technology to create a solution that works to address hunger and food access across the United States. My goal is to ensure that everyone has abundant access to nutritious, good food regardless of income.
Spiffy: That’s really inspiring! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Lulu: Snappable helps people in the United States struggling with hunger. In addition to food stamp benefits, there are millions of dollars available for folks with low incomes to purchase food, but much of this money is left on the table. These benefits often come as paper coupons that are time-consuming and awkward for grocers to process. Snappable’s technology makes it easy and profitable for grocery stores to make an impact by giving families who use food stamps greater access to nutritious food.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Lulu: Snappable recently graduated from Techstars, a global program for startups tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Techstars provided us with the resources to launch pilots in two states and got us ready to raise investment so that we can bring Snappable’s solution to the whole country. Each new grocery store that uses Snappable is one more step toward fulfilling our mission of helping families access the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Lulu: During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and 2022, emergency food benefits helped 30 million people in need and lifted nearly one million children out of poverty. Those programs ended, but there are still millions in food benefits money left on the table each year. At Snappable, we are relentless in our quest to ensure that every person and family can easily access the food benefits. We understand that this problem is enormous and we're scrappy and nimble enough to make a difference quickly.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Lulu—it’s been an honor!
Snappable’s founder and CEO, Maria Guadalupe Meza (“Lulu”) makes things happen. She is a graduate of Columbia University and a PhD dropout, who previously helped found two food access enterprises—a farm and a food hub. Lulu is a young woman of color on a mission to enable food security via financial innovation. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 8, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Stephanie Kelly, the head of Greenwheel, Redwheel’s sustainability ecosystem. Let’s learn about what’s happening there and how Stephanie is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Welcome to the blog, Stephanie! What challenge are you addressing through Greenwheel?
Stephanie: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Greenwheel is a research team focused on how to invest sustainably for the future. We look at environmental and social challenges and opportunities across the world and work with our investment teams to invest in these things. This includes technologies to fight climate change, how companies should think about human rights in their businesses, and a whole lot more sustainability-related investment ideas.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Stephanie: I kind of fell into investments after studying economics and politics at university—some of the best things in life are not planned! I've stayed in investments and particularly in sustainable investing because I really believe that it is a huge opportunity to help people have strong pensions when they retire and to ensure the world they retire into is one that is not destroyed by climate change. I feel really passionate about creating a better future and that will require determination and investment.
Spiffy: That’s so inspiring! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Stephanie: My work helps our clients directly by educating our investors on sustainability issues that can affect clients' pensions and savings in the future. I also hope my work affects the wider world by working with my amazing team to identify climate change solutions, better human rights practices, solutions for biodiversity, and ways to sustainably develop poorer countries and communities.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by Greenwheel. What impact does that make on your community?
Stephanie: We recently launched four sustainable investment strategies that I am so excited about! These are focused on investing in a clean economy, in biodiversity, in life-changing healthcare for patients, and in sustainable development in emerging markets.. We put a lot of thought and hard work into building these investment funds and I am so proud of that.
Spiffy: Congratulations! Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Stephanie: People sometimes think working in finance is all about money and power, but my experience has been that sustainable investing is mostly filled with people passionate about making the world a better place.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Stephanie—it’s been an honor!
Stephanie Kelly joined Redwheel in 2022. As head of Greenwheel, she leads the sustainability ecosystem that powers Redwheel’s Enhanced Integration, Transition, and Sustainable funds. She began her career within the investment industry in 2014, and prior to joining Redwheel, Stephanie was the Deputy Head of the abrdn Research Institute, where she led on macro ESG and political risk research. She holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and Politics and an MSc in International Relations from Trinity College Dublin. (Nominated by Archana Shah. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 7, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here! I’m back with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Latoya Allison, founder of Think Nursery. Let’s see what she is doing to make a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Welcome Latoya. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell me what challenge Think Nursery is addressing?
Latoya: Hey Spiffy, Thanks for having me! Think Nursery is a super cool, awesome, and easy-to-use online platform. Parents can search, compare, and book childcare services for their little ones with just a few clicks. But Spiffy that's not it, we're passionate about improving early years education provided to young children. We support some of the best nurseries and childcare providers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to make sure that the children they look after get the best possible care and education.
Spiffy: Wow! What motivates you to do it?
Latoya: Well Spiffy, my passion is to ensure every child gets the most out of their early years. With 18 years of experience in the world of early education, I've had the privilege of working with hundreds of children from diverse backgrounds and life situations. My motivation is the firm belief that every child deserves the best education. From birth to the age of seven, children absorb knowledge like a sponge. So it's vital to make these years count. Think Nursery is my way of ensuring that these critical years are filled with joy, learning, laughter, and the best care possible. I've seen how these formative years can shape a lifetime, and I'm committed to making it extraordinary for all the fantastic children out there.
Spiffy: That’s inspiring! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Latoya: At Think Nursery, our commitment goes beyond connecting parents with exceptional childcare services. We take pride in actively supporting childcare providers and empowering them to elevate the quality of services they offer to children and their families. Our team ensures that childcare providers receive the necessary resources and support to be the best. Through our collaborative approach, childcare providers can continually improve and, in turn, provide an enriched experience for the children and families under their care.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Latoya: Think Nursery's most recent service launched was our Customer Experience Audit (CEA). Our audit report focuses on observing and enhancing a parent's journey when choosing a nursery from the first call until the follow-up call after the nursery visit. We're committed to ensuring that every interaction is seamless and leaves a positive impact. Spiffy, we also have some fantastic initiatives on our roadmap in the near future. Personally, I'm deeply invested in developing children's fine motor skills. In an era dominated by computers, I recognize the importance of providing fun opportunities for children to strengthen their little fingers, essential to getting them ready for drawing and writing. So. watch this space!
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Latoya—it’s been an honor!
Latoya Allison is the founder of Think Nursery. She is not only a black, female founder but also a dedicated mother who is extremely driven to achieving her goals. Having gained several years of experience in her field, she created a platform to enable her to share her skills, knowledge, and expertise with a larger group of people. Latoya loves to spend time with her family and friends, eating, dancing, or watching a movie. Her overall aim is to ensure children have the best start in life and she will work towards this one step at a time. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 7, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Michael Sheldrick, the co-founder of Global Citizen and the author of the upcoming book, From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World. Let’s learn about how Michael is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Michael, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through your work?
Michael: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! My book details eight simple steps that empower individuals to make a difference, particularly in influencing policies to address major global challenges, be it navigating Artificial Intelligence for positive impact or tackling climate change. Whether you're a cultural icon like Taylor Swift, a business leader, or an everyday citizen, there's something we all can do. The current times call for entrepreneurship in policymaking and increased engagement from each of us.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Michael: My early school years were challenging; I struggled academically and in sports. When people set low expectations, we often live down to them instead of rising above. Everything changed when an inspiring teacher recognized untapped potential in me. He challenged me to become the top student, and through hard work, I achieved that goal by year-end. Though I graduated in the top one percent of my state, I attribute it more to the opportunities I received than extraordinary talent. Grateful for those opportunities, I was driven to ensure everyone worldwide has the chance to unlock their full potential. While still at University I helped co-found the advocacy organization, Global Citizen.
Spiffy: That’s awesome. Can you elaborate on what the impact of your work is?
Michael: Global Citizen's campaigns, reaching millions in over 150 countries, have sparked over 33 million citizen actions. In collaboration with remarkable organizations, these actions have facilitated the disbursement of over 40 billion US dollars to local and regional initiatives. Together, they've improved access to crucial services such as medical treatment, sanitation, education, equity, empowerment, and climate resilience, impacting the lives of over 1 billion people.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your community?
Michael: I'm thrilled about my upcoming book, a project that occupied much of my time last year. It was born out of numerous inquiries from high school students, community clubs, student activists, and businesses seeking guidance on contributing to policy change. This book provides accessible ways for everyone to contribute. Although it doesn't claim to have all the answers, it serves as a starting point for turning talk into action; ideas into impact. With a growing community supporting policy change, we have the potential to create impactful narratives that inspire broad change beyond our individual efforts. As Eleanor Roosevelt wisely advised, 'The way to begin is to begin.' So, let's get started.
Spiffy: Well quoted! Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Michael: Make a difference by donating, improving habits, and having conversations with friends and family. Individual efforts do matter. But big issues like climate change need more than personal changes in our behavior. There are many ideas to address these huge challenges, like those presented in TED Talks, but we need people outside of government playing an active role in ensuring these ideas translate into impact. To that we must engage in making policy. Fortunately, advances in communication, funding, technology, and science empowers more people to impact policy than ever before. Citizens, nonprofits, and businesses can become policy entrepreneurs, with support from philanthropy. It's time for everyone to play a role in shaping a better world.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Michael—it’s been an honor!
Michael Sheldrick is co-founder of Global Citizen and author of the upcoming book, From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World. As well as reaching millions of people in over 150 countries, Global Citizen's campaigns have helped secure more than 40 billion US dollars towards local and regional organizations providing access to lifesaving medical treatment, sanitation, education, equity and empowerment, and climate residency efforts. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 6, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Nick Rowland, the Senior Manager for Selection of Rise/Rhodes Trust. Let’s learn about what’s happening there and how Nick is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Nick, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Rise/Rhodes Trust?
Nick: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Rise looks to provide early career support to young people across the world. The program is keen to support those that show a desire to forge positive change in their communities, and helps them by providing opportunity to education, skills development, innovation funding, and an exciting global community.
Spiffy: That sounds awesome! What motivated you to do it?
Nick: My role is to seek out the best young people who apply to the program. They are diverse; they see the world in different ways, but all have a common notion to improve things. Some of them demonstrate brilliant technical understanding of a very specific need, others use their skills to highlight wide-reaching, complex issues that are not confined within borders. As a teenager, I had a transformative experience, working outside of my home country for a year. The opportunity to do so shaped my interests, thoughts, and motivations. Our teenage years are a crucial and formative age for many. In a world where the distribution of wealth and opportunity is unequal, Rise is a program that looks to work with individuals, regardless of background.
Spiffy: Can you further elaborate on how the organization is working towards a more equitable world?
Nick: Anyone can apply to Rise. We recognize that access to opportunity is unequal, and that often someone's background can be a hurdle, especially when competing against more privileged individuals. Rise has developed a selection process that seeks to take into account not just achievement, but also potential, and also the potential benefit the program can bring an individual.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your community?
Nick: Each year, Rise hosts its community of winners at a residential summit. I started my role at Rise in June, and at the end of July, one hundred young people arrived in London for a summit that was going to take place in the capital city, and also Oxford. The summit is the primary opportunity for all of the community to come together in person, and you can probably imagine how this impacted the community of winners. I wish I'd been introduced to such an international group at the same age!
Spiffy: Me too, Nick, me too! Can you share an inspiring startup whose impact your organization has helped to advance?
Nick: Applicants apply to Rise by researching, designing, and implementing a project. They do so over the course of about six months, and many start from scratch in order to make the application. Many of the winners continue with their projects after they join this community. One of the ways Rise supports its winners is to offer competitive innovation grants so that they can scale their ideas, and have greater impact.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Nick—it’s been an honor!
Nick Rowland has worked for over fifteen years in a variety of international education focused roles, focusing on research, learning, and innovation. He has worked in local government, higher education, and the non-profit sector, developing a particular interest in scholarship and fellowship support. Nick has worked on several global programmes, including the Chevening Awards, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and Rise. He's also undertaken roles for an extended period in Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Jordan, and Timor-Leste. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 6, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Jordan Foley, aka JJ, the founder and CEO of Let's Chow. Let’s learn about what’s happening at Let's Chow and how JJ is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi JJ, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Let's Chow?
JJ: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Starting a restaurant is hard work. Did you know that fail rates exceed sixty percent in the first year and only one out of every five restaurants makes it past their fifth anniversary? It can be even harder for at-risk and underrepresented populations. My company, Let’s Chow, assists culinary entrepreneurs who are veterans, military spouses, and military-connected refugees, in developing their product-market fit, sourcing, and menu testing through our food truck training program.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
JJ: I’m on a mission to revitalize America’s Main Street culinary scene. It’s my life’s work to reduce the high fail rates restaurants see in their first few years and build local culinary culture through training and education for aspiring restaurateurs and chefs. I grew up in a steel town and watched businesses, one-by-one, close their doors after the mill shutdown. These places are now just memories. The buildings remain vacant, but I’m not losing hope. I believe Main Streets like this all across America are an opportunity for aspiring chefs to launch the next great restaurant and build community.
Spiffy: What is the impact of your work?
JJ: Since starting my nonprofit, Let’s Chow, in 2020, we have grown to five food trucks nationwide, and this year we are training 18 businesses, four of which are Afghan refugees who served as interpreters for the U.S. In four years, we have helped train, startup, and increase profitability for over 45 small businesses. I also fly around the country to military bases to provide live cooking demonstrations for military families. These demonstrations are accompanied by a video of the healthy, low-cost recipe. The families sample the food and get a basket of groceries used in the recipe to take home. Over 40 percent of military families experience food insecurity, so this education initiative is helping reduce those numbers.
Spiffy: Wow, that’s awesome! Can you share a recent organization milestone or initiative, and the impact it makes on your community?
JJ: With five food trucks in Atlantic City, Baltimore, DC, Miami, and San Diego, my organization supplements food insecurity operations and provides training for our students in those areas. These trucks develop regional businesses, and many entry-level students are in the program for developing their culinary skills to one day become the businesses owners they dream about. The impact is not only through business development, but much of our operations involve meal donations. In our program, a donation of $4 provides one hot meal for a person in need and 15 training minutes for a veteran.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
JJ: I decided to start a nonprofit helping veterans and military spouses start culinary businesses after experiencing the death by suicide of a close US Navy friend who failed while trying to start up a food service company. In order to teach and train culinary businesses, I started using food trucks as a microcosm of the culinary industry. Our food truck training focuses on everything from menu sourcing, to mincing onions, to marketing in a hands-on approach. That veteran or military spouse never pays tuition and actually earns money through stipends and food sales.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, JJ—it’s been an honor!
Jordan Foley commissioned into the Navy in 2012 from the US Naval Academy and served on submarines prior to becoming a Navy JAG. During law school, Jordan experienced the death by suicide of a friend and fellow veteran who fell into debt starting his own business. In 2020, Jordan founded Let's Chow to help veterans break into the culinary industry. Jordan finished culinary school in 2021 and uses a lifelong passion of cooking and mentorship to help others achieve the American Dream. (Nominated by Alexandra McNair Quinn. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 5, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Janina Peter, the founder and CEO of Bridging Gaps. Let’s learn about what’s happening at Bridging Gaps and how Janina is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Janina, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Bridging Gaps?
Janina: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Our story starts with Malish James, a refugee in Uganda’s Bidibidi Refugee Settlement. In my day job, I work for the UN, through which I connected with Malish. He shared many stories about his life, and one particular challenge stuck with me—while refugees in the community receive food aid from international organizations, they struggle to afford other commodities, such as new clothes for their children. So in many cases, instead of eating the food, they sell it to supply other basic needs. Together with Malish, we created a solution: Many refugees have ideas for starting their own businesses. However, most of them don’t have access to funding. This is where Bridging Gaps comes in. We transform donations from the Global North to community microloans in the Global South, so refugees in Bidibidi can start their own businesses.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Janina: Every time a new business is launched thanks to our work, we empower not just one person, but also their family and community.
Spiffy: What would you say, to further elaborate, is the impact of your work?
Janina: Our work supports vulnerable communities in the Global South. For example, people living in refugee settlements or favelas. We provide entrepreneurship training and community microloans so that they can start their own businesses. Our microloans usually range from €300 to €1000. Once the recipient has saved the amount they received, they pay it forward, and the next community member can start their business. This way, the money creates a ripple effect of projects, and new financial structures.
Spiffy: I love this business model! Can you share a recent organization milestone or initiative, and the impact it makes on your community?
Janina: Our latest milestone is also one of our biggest ones yet. Bridging Gaps is partnering with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Together, we will enable 60 new refugee-led businesses in Uganda. The refugees will receive microloans, intensive entrepreneurship training, and long-term mentorship. Business ideas include solar-powered charging stations for phones, farming and selling vegetables closer to the community, sewing clothes, and more.
Spiffy: Wow! Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Janina: This year, we are launching a new initiative, The Bridging Gaps Fundraising Fellowship. It is a three-month part-time program designed to empower young leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to become effective fundraisers. Have you ever wanted to host a bake sale, organize a donation run, or create an online campaign? Follow Bridging Gaps to stay tuned and apply.
Spiffy: Good luck with the initiative, Janina, and thanks for speaking with me today—it’s been an honor!
Janina Peter is the founder of Bridging Gaps, a non-profit providing microloans for entrepreneurs from the Global South. Janina has worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN World Food Programme, and The Hunger Project, among others. She has consulted with multiple private sector organizations on building sustainability strategies. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 5, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Michael Stanley-Jones, the senior advisor of the Circular Research Foundation. Let’s learn about what’s happening at the foundation and how Michael is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Michael, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through the Circular Research Foundation?
Michael: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Plastic pollution has been a rising global concern. Plastics are the largest, most harmful, and most persistent fraction of marine litter. The Mediterranean Sea is highly vulnerable to microplastic pollution, small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life. The plastic-free Mediterranean Sea project aims to enhance the Mediterranean through measures to promote the elimination of plastics in “plastic-free beach zones,” where the sale of plastic goods is restricted and sale of clothing made from natural fiber is promoted.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Michael: Growing up near the San Francisco Bay in California, I have a lifelong love for marine life and have worked to protect seas, estuaries, and rivers from harmful pollution. My passion led me to volunteer for grassroots organizations and eventually join the United Nations, where I have worked for two decades on preventing pollution, ending poverty, and promoting environmental justice. Defending the environment keeps me close to nature and brings me in contact with inspiring people all over the world.
Spiffy: What would you say is the impact of your work?
Michael: My work builds bridges between local communities and regional and international campaigns to protect people's health and the environment. As chair of California's Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative, I helped develop the regional watershed management plan and historic pollution prevention plans for copper, nickel, and mercury contamination of the San Francisco Estuary. In Europe, I am the author of Plastic-free Mediterranean Sea and The Circular Fashion Initiative.
Spiffy: That’s awesome! Next, tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your community?
Michael: In 2023, the United Nations Environment Management Group (EMG) prepared a UN system common approach on pollution to provide a framework for collective action in support of the Implementation Plan “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet.” The common approach helps the UN align its efforts and expertise to accelerate the sustainable, inclusive, and just transition towards a plastic-pollution-free economy. I serve as a communications consultant with the EMG supporting this effort.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Michael: While working in Kenya with Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals, I joined a local group of performing artists and began reciting poems I had written about nature, plastics, and romantic love. I drew close to the world of sustainable fashion during this time, until the COVID-19 pandemic ended my short career as a performer and 'poet-laureate' of the United Nations Environment Program. “I accidentally become a plant…” one poem began. A very happy accident!
Spiffy: That’s so cool, Michael! Thanks for speaking with me today—it’s been an honor!
Michael Stanley-Jones is senior advisor to Italy‘s Circular Research Foundation, working on plastic pollution in the fashion industry. Over an 18-year career, Michael served with the UN Economic Commission for Europe and UN Environment Programme in Geneva and Nairobi. He was the inaugural Secretary of the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion. (Nominated by Alexandra McNair Quinn. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 4, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and an online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Chrissybil Boulin, the CEO of Vero Learning. Let’s learn about what’s happening at Vero Learning and how Chrissybil is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi Chrissybil, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Vero Learning?
Chrissybil: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! I started my first business, Jump Start Tutoring Center, in 2018, with just $500, no co-founder, or prior business experience. Today, we've been featured in over 50 news articles including the Forbes Under 30 list for helping thousands of students save millions on college tuition costs through our SAT test prep program. During the pandemic, we realized it wasn't enough. As economic conditions worsen and the cost of tuition continues to increase, many students are reconsidering college and are looking for alternative paths to enter the workforce. To address this, I started Vero Learning, a career guidance and job placement platform for young adults experiencing challenges transitioning from the classroom into the workforce without a degree.
Spiffy: That’s important work. What motivates you to do it?
Chrissybil: My life is a mosaic of diverse experiences—and these experiences have led me to explore my passion for entrepreneurship and carve out my own career pathway. As a Haitian-American woman raised by a single parent, I've faced the challenges of transitioning from academia to the workforce alone. In a world fixated on Ivy League credentials, I've learned that our identities and experiences define us beyond checkboxes on applications. My journey emphasizes the need to consider personal competencies and unique experiences in the hiring process, challenging the emphasis on traditional credentials. My work through Vero advocates for a hiring process that values natural competencies, skill sets, and unique experiences over a resume.
Spiffy: I love that! Can you further elaborate on the impact of your work?
Chrissybil: Sure! Vero addresses the critical issue of job vacancies and skills gaps. With 88% of corporations experiencing skills gaps, ten million current job vacancies, and 17 million high schoolers lacking career guidance in the United States, our platform partners with schools and corporations, offering skills training and compatible job opportunities. With data-driven insights, Vero enhances employability and guides informed career choices. Tailored for early career learners, our platform emphasizes self-discovery, career exploration, and pre-employment skills training. Through personalized career analysis reports, users receive actionable steps, empowering them to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Spiffy: Wow, that’s incredible. Next, tell me about a recent organization milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your community?
Chrissybil: Vero recently graduated from Techstars and has achieved significant milestones in the last three months. We launched our pre-employment intake and developed six skills-building modules, focusing on communication and self-understanding. Engaging with our platform generates personalized career reports, guiding users with tailored next steps. Successful pilots in NY and FL schools saw 80% of students feeling more workforce ready. We also announced a corporate partnership with Office Depot that aims to streamline early career hires. With outdated career education courses in practice, we offer a vital pathway to enhance students' employability, providing our services at no cost to students through school subscriptions and corporate fees.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Chrissybil: Employers prioritize transferable skills in early career hires—motivation, self-awareness, adaptability, and initiative. These skills are versatile, applicable in various situations at work and in real life, and form a crucial foundation. Future jobs may not align with current university courses but critical thinking and adaptability remain timeless and essential. Not providing skills-based training affects communities (disconnection, innovation stagnation), companies (high vacancies and churn, significant costs), and governments (poverty, rising crime rates). Adaptable individuals with essential skills are key to navigating the changing job market and ensuring a competitive edge for the future.
Spiffy: I’ll toast to that! Thanks for speaking with me today, Chrissybil—it’s been an honor!
Chrissybil Boulin is a University of Cambridge graduate and a Forbes Under 30 lister who is an advocate for economic development and youth empowerment. She founded an NGO in Haiti to support pre-existing schools, and served as a UN Global Youth Ambassador and Intel Education Ambassador to India. In 2018, she established Jump Start Tutoring Center, excelling in K-12 education and test prep, with a flagship SAT program achieving remarkable score increases, saving students millions. Honored by the City of North Miami Beach—with January 1, 2022 proclaimed as Chrissybil Boulin Day—she has recently launched a new venture, Vero Learning, a data-driven career guidance platform empowering students with skills training and job opportunities. (Nominated by Gemma Lenowitz. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 4, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Anushree Nande. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
]]>Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Welcome back! Spiffy here, your interplanetary journalist reporting from Planet Earth with an eye on entrepreneurs working to make this world more equitable. Today I’m super excited to speak with Kelsey Willock, co-founder and CEO of Aura Finance.
Spiffy: Hi Kelsey, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge is Aura Finance addressing?
Kelsey: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. Four out of five Americans suffer from financial anxiety. Robo-advisors’ one-size-fits-all, “set and forget” approach does little for financial anxiety. Aura is the world’s first wealth engagement platform where investors learn to manage financial anxiety and generate passive wealth.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Kelsey: I graduated college with USD 150,000 of student debt. I had gotten a job at Goldman Sachs, which I thought was the best place to learn about money. But what I didn’t realize was getting into the game wasn't enough because I didn’t know how to play it. It wasn’t until I met Amy, my manager-turned-financial coach, that my outlook changed. She gave me the confidence and guidance I needed to start playing. With her help, I refinanced my debt, started investing, and reconciled my relationship with money. But not everyone has an Amy. It’s no wonder 88% of people under 40 are anxious about money. Two out of five Americans can’t afford to cover an unexpected USD 400 emergency expense. I am building Aura so no one has to start their journey alone.
Spiffy: That’s inspiring! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Kelsey: 88% of people under 40 are anxious about money. Two out of five Americans can’t afford to cover an unexpected USD 400 emergency expense. It’s also a problem for their employers, as they are more likely to miss work and prone to making mistakes. This is a behavioral problem. Anxiety fuels irrational decisions which leads to poor financial outcomes, and the cycle of stress repeats. The problem only worsens for individuals from lower-income communities who don’t have access to the resources that I did. Aura is the first psychology-based financial wellness platform designed to help individuals change their relationship with money by combining behavioral coaching with wealth management for a more holistic and effective experience.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Kelsey: We work with corporate partners with learning and development (L&D) budgets. They approve Aura as an L&D expense in exchange for us hosting a free workshop. There, we convert employees into Aura users in real time—all for just USD 249 per member. Since shifting to this model in the last two months with Techstars, we’ve already hosted four workshops, including with a public company Amplitude. The reception has been phenomenal with 100% of attendees saying they would recommend the workshop to a friend, 70% saying they felt more confident investing after just 40 minutes, and 33% of attendees already subscribing live. Additional partners include Stripe, Clari, Peloton, and more.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Kelsey: Our team consists of myself, Kelsey Willock—a former Goldman Sachs vice president and financial literacy author, and my co-founder, Courtney Cardin—a lawyer and certified money coach. Our broader team consists of a chief technology officer from Coinbase, a designer from Google, and a healthcare startup product manager. Our advisory team consists of Simon Blanchard, PhD—a leading behavioral psychologist at Georgetown University, and Christine May, PhD—the Former Head of Behavioral Psychology at Noom. While our team's previous work experience makes us well-suited to build this solution, our life experiences make us deeply and personally able to understand the problem. We’re building the product we wish we had at the beginning of our journeys.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Kelsey—it’s been an honor!
Kelsey Willock is the co-founder and CEO of Aura Finance—a financial wellness platform and investment platform. She is also the author of the weekly newsletter "Not Your Boyfriend's Investment Advice." Kelsey began her career at Goldman Sachs, where she was a member of the prime brokerage business as a relationship manager for the firm’s top hedge fund clients. In addition, she was an ambassador for Launch With GS, Goldman Sachs’ USD 1 billion investment strategy grounded in the belief that diverse teams drive strong returns. Kelsey is actively involved with WISE (Women Investing for a Sustainable Economy) and Women in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), and is an executive committee member of Wake NOW (the Wake Forest Network of Women). (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 2, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Spiffy here! I’m back with the scoop on the entrepreneurial leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Michael Hanagan, associate at the Strada Education Foundation. Let’s see what he is doing to make a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Thanks for joining me, Mike! Tell me, what challenge is the Strada Education Foundation addressing?
Mike: It’s great to be here, Spiffy! Strada supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between postsecondary education and opportunity, with a focus on helping people who face the greatest challenges. We advance our mission through impact investments, grantmaking, research, and policy solutions. I am part of the strategic investments team, where we invest in companies and fund managers seeking to remove barriers to postsecondary education and workforce pathways, thus improving socioeconomic mobility for Americans.
Spiffy: What motivated you to do it?
Mike: I grew up in an environment that consistently reinforced the phenomenon that not everyone enjoys equal opportunities in life, and it's your duty to contribute to your community to the fullest extent. Because of that, ever since declaring my finance major in college, the idea of investing in companies with a double bottom line where if they do well, they also do good for the world has always been a goal of mine. Strada was and is the perfect place to do that.
Spiffy: That’s inspiring! How is your organization working towards a more equitable world?
Mike: Strada, as an organization, furthers its mission in many different ways, but from an investing perspective, we invest in companies and funds that further upward economic mobility opportunities for Americans and thus create a more equitable world. An example of this would be an investment we made last year in a company called Daivergent. Daivergent is the first fully online and reimbursable upskilling platform for the neurodiverse community.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent organizational milestone or initiative. What impact does it make on your audience or community?
Mike: An initiative I’m very proud to share is The Strada HBCU Initiative. This initiative is a USD 25 million grant designed to elevate the transformative economic, social, educational, and cultural influence of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Through this grant, Strada partners with 50 HBCUs to build upon leadership development efforts with an emphasis on work-based learning, quality coaching, and helping to make the experience affordable through scholarship.
Spiffy: Amazing! Tell me about an inspiring startup that you have helped to advance its impact.
Mike: We have an inspiring startup in the portfolio, Rize Education, that allows higher education institutions to adopt a complete major's curriculum without compromising quality or course control. Traditional major creation for colleges is expensive and complex, but Rize simplifies and accelerates the process, enabling colleges to provide more in-demand and employer-aligned majors to students. By adopting Rize majors, colleges ensure they set up their students for positive employment outcomes.
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Mike: When people think of founders and companies, they often picture names like Steve Jobs and Apple or Elon Musk and Tesla—highly successful figures and businesses. However, many aren't aware of equally successful impact-driven companies and founders. You can make a positive impact in many ways, like local volunteering, impact investing, or starting an impact-focused startup. It's about finding what suits you and working on something you're passionate about.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Mike—it’s been an honor!
Mike Hanagan is an associate in Strada Education Foundation’s strategic investment group, where he assists in investing in early-stage companies and venture capital/private equity fund managers aligned with Strada's impact pillars. Mike attended Syracuse University and, before Strada, worked in the merchant capital division of Maxim Group and the ultra-high-net-worth arm of AdvicePeriod. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 2, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Hi friends, it’s Spiffy, back again on Planet Earth with an eye on entrepreneurs making the world a more equitable place! I have one more interview for you this week. Today I’m excited to cruise around with Alexander Diaz, the head of AI for social good at Google.org. Are you ready to be inspired?
Spiffy: Hi Alex, thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge is Google.org addressing?
Alex: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges by combining funding, product donations, and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunities for everyone. I lead our team’s efforts around artificial intelligence (AI) for social good, where we focus on empowering nonprofits to develop and deploy AI solutions that enable them to better achieve their missions and ensure nonprofits and those they serve have access to the benefits of AI.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Alex: I’m the son of immigrants and grew up in a working-class community in New Jersey. I’ve had a front-row experience of struggle, often due to systems and policies not designed with my community in mind. It’s an exciting time in AI development, but we need to make sure that people, especially vulnerable communities, are seeing benefits as well. The chapters ahead are just being written—it is a blessing to work alongside other leaders to write the inclusive future we deserve.
Spiffy: That’s inspiring! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Alex: Google.org is one of the largest corporate funders of AI for social good. To date, we have contributed more than USD 200 million and over 160,000 pro-bono and volunteering hours (equivalent to 6,667 days) in support of the responsible use of AI, expanding the impact of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and helping build an ethical, safe, and robust AI ecosystem. Our grantees report being able to achieve their primary goals in almost a third of the time, at half of the cost, when we’ve funded them to apply AI to their work.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Alex: We’ve been focused on using the power of AI to accelerate progress against the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We launched a USD 25 million open call to fund projects that advanced progress towards the goals and announced 15 grantees at the UN General Assembly’s annual meeting. We also worked with the UN Statistics Division to launch the UN Data Commons for the SDGs platform—a publicly available tool that tracks metrics across the 17 SDGs and can facilitate data-driven strategies for further action.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Alex—it’s been an honor!
Alexander Diaz leads the AI for social good team at Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm. Through this role, Alex manages Google’s philanthropic efforts to empower nonprofits to develop and deploy high-impact AI applications that address critical global challenges and ensure the benefits of AI reach marginalized populations. As a Rhodes Scholar, Alex received a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Financial Economics at the University of Oxford. Alex graduated from Harvard College Phi Beta Kappa with the highest honors in psychology. Alex has been named in Forbes’ list of 30 Under 30 for Law & Policy. The son of Dominican and Cuban immigrants, Alex was raised in Union City, New Jersey. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 1, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
Hi friends, it’s Spiffy, back again on Planet Earth with an eye on entrepreneurs making the world a more equitable place! I have one more interview for you this week. Today I’m excited to cruise around with Natalia Dannenberg-Spreier, head of paralympic heritage, International Paralympic Committee. Are you ready to be inspired?
Spiffy: Welcome Natalia. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell me what challenge the International Paralympic Committee is addressing?
Natalia: It’s great to be here, Spiffy! At a time when diversity and inclusion are hot topics, the 15 percent in the world who have a disability want effective change to remove the inequality, discrimination, and inactivity they face. The International Paralympic Committee wants to change attitudes about disability, improve accessibility, and increase opportunities for people with a disability through the power of sport. By using the platform of the Paralympic Games, we are raising awareness of the barriers and discrimination people with disabilities face on a daily basis at all levels of society. Paralympic athletes can act as a catalyst to break down these barriers, so all persons with disabilities can fulfill their potential and be active and visible members of an inclusive society.
Spiffy: What motivates you to do it?
Natalia: The issue of disability has touched my life in several ways, both through my work and with me navigating the world with hearing loss and my children having physical or cognitive differences. The adaptiveness and inclusivity of the world make a huge impact on whether I, my family, or anyone else can thrive. That's why changing the way the world sees and reacts to disability is so important. We all should have the right to equal opportunities and not be exposed to damaging and stigmatizing stereotypes so that we can all participate fully in all aspects of life.
Spiffy: That’s a great motivation! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Natalia: The International Paralympic Committee aims to change the world through paralympic sports by changing attitudes about disability, increasing opportunities for people with a disability, and removing barriers for people with a disability. We want to put persons with disabilities at the heart of the diversity and inclusion agenda. We are working to implement a range of activities targeting governments, businesses, and the public to drive social inclusion for persons with disabilities. We want to break down societal and systemic barriers that are preventing persons with disabilities from fulfilling their potential and being active members of society and ensure greater awareness, visibility, and representation of persons with disabilities.
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Natalia: The Paralympic Games is often a catalyst for change and the Paris 2024 Paralympics will be no exception. Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron presented his government’s policy which prioritizes accessibility, education, and employment. The measures included fully reimbursing wheelchair purchases in 2024, reducing value-added tax (VAT) on a range of adaptive sports equipment from 20 percent to 5.5 percent, and more inclusive schooling for 430,000 students with disabilities. The French government also pledged to invest 1.5 billion euros to improve accessibility in places like small shops and restaurants, as well as improve digital accessibility of public websites. These are ways the Paralympic Games can have a tangible impact on society.
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Natalia—it’s been an honor!
Natalia Dannenberg-Spreier is an innovative and award-winning brand strategist with over 13 years of experience. Currently serving as the head of paralympic heritage at the International Paralympic Committee in Bonn, Germany, she has led teams in delivering the award-winning #WeThe15 human rights campaign and A Winning Mindset podcast. Natalia is passionate about the power of inclusion and leverages technology alongside brand purpose. With a rich background encompassing journalism, media management, and brand strategy, Natalia Dannenberg-Spreier continues to make impactful contributions to the world of sports and media. (First published on the Ladderworks website on March 1, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.
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