Episoder
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How does financial inclusion transform lives? And what is the role of listening and agility in the success of inclusive financial products and services?
Meet Social Impact Pioneer – Atul Tandon. Atul is the visionary CEO of Opportunity International. Opportunity International is a pioneer in developing microfinance products that empower the underprivileged. They are proof of the significant impact of sustainable banking on global poverty alleviation.
Atul’s journey from his humble beginnings in India to becoming a global leader in microfinance via MBA and CitiBank financier propels him to lean in, use his financial skills and help others. Listen in to learn about Atul’s journey and how his conviction to deeply listen to and understand the people he serves allows Opportunity International to pivot and progress their financial products – so that they really do improve lives. We'll discuss the organisation's latest innovations, such as digital tools for farmers and educational initiatives that bypass traditional barriers, offering new paradigms for social improvement.
In 2023, under Atul's leadership, Opportunity International and its partners disbursed over $1.85 billion (released in loans), impacting 50 million lives across 31 countries. These funds have catalysed growth for smallholder farms and informal businesses, helping families educate their children and improve their living standards. The organisation's approach combines financial assistance with educational programs, further exemplifying its holistic strategy to combat poverty.
During this conversation Atul shares just some of what he has learnt as a leader for social impact – from motivating teams for impact over income to starting with the end in mind and knowing when to leave. This podcast conversation is a trove of useful and actionable insights.
Links:
• Bloomberg – The AI Revolution Comes for Farmers Growing a Third of Our Food - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-14/ai-is-helping-the-world-s-poorest-farmers-improve-yields
• Devex - https://www.devex.com
• Opportunity International; Atul Tandon - https://opportunity.org/who-we-are/people/atul-tandon
• Opportunity International, Kenya school study: Three-year quasi-experimental study finds children gain as much as half a year equivalent of additional schooling | Opportunity International Edufinance - https://edufinance.org/publications/research-and-learning/endline-findings-kenya/
• Opportunity International | CoLab - https://opportunity.org/colab/
• Our World in Data (Aug 2023); Extreme poverty: How far have we come, and how far do we still have to go? - https://ourworldindata.org/extreme-poverty-in-brief
• Our World in Data (2023); Poverty Data Explorer - Our World in Data - https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/poverty-explorer
• US News and World Report (Sept 2024); In a World Facing Climate and Equity Crises, Impact Investing Is Gaining Momentum - https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2024-09-10/in-a-world-facing-climate-and-equity-crises-impact-investing-is-gaining-momentum
And if you liked this, take a listen to:
Gender-Smart Climate Finance with Sana Kapadia - https://businessfightspoverty.org/gender-smart-climate-finance-with-sana-kapadia/ -
What is the business case for corporate volunteering and employees sharing their expertise for social good? And how can corporate philanthropy make a social impact? Social Impact Pioneer, Anthony Sanchez, Vice President and Global Head of Community Impact at Moody's, shares his wisdom.
Anthony's career spans over two decades, during which he moved from corporate communications into corporate social responsibility (CSR). Finding his passion for delivering social impact through business actions, Anthony is today an award winning, champion of corporate social responsibility, philanthropy and a leader in employee engagement and employee volunteering.
Leading teams first at American Express and now at Moody's, Anthony has been instrumental in developing global philanthropy initiatives and enriching employee engagement through volunteering, pro bono programs and embedding it into core business.
During this podcast, Anthony shares what corporate philanthropy looks like in 2024, and how employee volunteering has evolved from painting fences to an important tool in colleague engagement, learning and development and community understanding.
Links:
Moody’s Community Impact - https://communityimpact.moodys.io/
Moody’s Employee Engagement Programs - https://communityimpact.moodys.io/employee-engagement
Women’s World Banking - https://www.womensworldbanking.org/
WEConnect International - https://weconnectinternational.org/
And if you like this, do take a look at the latest resources from the Business Fights Poverty Global Goals Summit: https://businessfightspoverty.org/global-goals-summits
And do take a listen to:
Ethical Supply Chain Management with Clare Fitton: https://businessfightspoverty.org/ethical-supply-chain-management-with-clare-fitton/ -
Manglende episoder?
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What does gender-smart climate finance mean in practice and how can gender lens investing make any kind of difference during the green transition?
Sana Kapadia, Chief Catalyst at Heading for Change, is a key figure in unlocking capital at the intersection of climate and gender finance. With a diverse background in impact investing, venture capital, and gender finance, Sana is a trailblazer in leveraging capital for systemic change. She’s dedicated to addressing the intersection of climate finance and gender equity, highlighting how these two crucial issues can drive meaningful, inclusive change. Listen in as Sana lays out why taking a gender lens to investing is essential if we are to ensure a just transition to a green economy.
Sana explains: “Climate finance isn't just an opportunity—it's a necessity.”
Having started her career as a financial analyst focusing on real estate, in 2010 Sana pivoted into impact investing – focusing on gender finance. Sana talks about why this transition has unlocked opportunities for her and how we can take action to enable women to be fully integrated into the climate response. During this podcast conversation, Sana shares real-world examples and given her base in the UAE – her insights into the region’s developments. She emphasises the growing investment opportunities at the climate-gender nexus, urging immediate action to scale inclusive climate finance.
Links: Heading for Change: https://www.headingforchange.org
Heading for Change on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heading-for-change/?viewAsMember=true
Heading for Change newsletter: https://www.headingforchange.org/newsletter
Heading for Change investment portfolio : https://www.headingforchange.org/investments
Jacqualine Novogratz – The Blue Sweater: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/594025/the-blue-sweater-by-jacqueline-novogratz/
2x Global,knowledge hub: https://www.2xglobal.org/knowledge-hub
2x Inclusive gender and climate finance: https://www.2xglobal.org/knowledge-hub-blog/inclusive-gender-and-climate-finance
2x Ignite, Accelerating the next generation of women-led, gender-smart fund managers: https://www.2xignite.org
IFC She Wins Arabia: https://www.ifc.org/en/stories/2022/creating-opportunities-for-women-led-startups
Masdar Wiser : https://masdar.ae/en/strategic-global-initiatives/wiser
Suzanne Biegel: https://www.headingforchange.org/suzannes-legacy
ICFA – accelerator
Amazon, Reckitt, Visa Foundation facility: Calalyzing Gender Equity in Climate Finance: https://www.usaid.gov/gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment/climate-gender-equity-fund-cgef
SheChanges Climate: https://www.shechangesclimate.org
Business Fights Poverty, Global Goals Summit 2024: https://businessfightspoverty.org/global-goals-summits (apply your re-usable promo code for your free online tickets: BFPGGS24
And if you like this conversation, take a listen to:
Investors and Female Entrepreneurs, with Sanjukta and Heather
https://businessfightspoverty.org/investors-and-female-entrepreneurs/ -
How can innovative finance and philanthropy to help solve the world’s biggest problems? What are the innovations in finance that can better tackle poverty, address climate change and create equity? And how can philanthropy go beyond a simple donation to charity?
Meet Alix Lebec, the visionary founder and CEO of LEBEC, a women-owned and led firm that specialises in innovative finance and philanthropy. Since its founding in 2020, LEBEC has supported visionary founders, funders, and investors to maximise value creation and scale solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.
With over 20 years of experience in sustainable finance and philanthropy, Alix’s career has been marked by influential roles in shaping organisations dedicated to social impact and advancement. Her journey began at the World Bank in Paris and Southeast Asia, followed by the Clinton Global Initiative. Her impactful work continued at Water.org, where she mobilised $260 million in capital and built winning teams, playing a crucial role in the organisation’s early global expansion and success.
In 2014, Alix launched WaterEquity alongside an entrepreneurial leadership team and Co-founders Gary White and Matt Damon. As a founding member, she developed an innovative organisational and capital blueprint—mobilising $200 million+ in investment capital and philanthropy, alongside developing and launching blended finance fund structures. Her leadership, strategy, and expertise helped transform the organisation from an $11 million pilot fund to a successful global impact investment manager dedicated to investing in water, women, and sanitation in emerging markets.
In this conversation, Alix offers her insights on leading a forward-thinking organisation, the potential of financial tools to drive meaningful change, and the future of financial innovation. She emphasises the importance of leveraging global capital markets for good, asserting, “We believe it’s critical to think bigger and reimagine how global capital markets can be a force for good. The opportunities to donate, invest, and conduct business sustainably are immense, and it’s time to harness them for systems change.”
Tune in to hear Alix Lebec share her expertise on the transformative power of innovative finance and philanthropy in fostering a more equitable and sustainable world. Don’t miss this compelling discussion on how strategic investments and funding can catalyse global change.
Links:
Alix Lebec: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alix-lebec-1821a71/
Lebec: https://lebec.co
WaterEquity.org
Debt for nature swaps – national debt burden relief if committed to nature:
https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/05/03/CF-Belize-swapping-debt-for-nature
Business funds from the core balance sheet: https://www.globalcompactusa.org/news/starbucks-ecolab-gap-inc-reckitt-and-dupont-join-with-u-s-government-to-invest-nearly-140-million-in-water-access-fund
Sun Culture: https://sunculture.io
Standard Chartered Innovations in Sustainability: Integrating nature into financial decision making: https://www.sc.com/en/campaigns/innovation-in-sustainability/
And if you liked this, join us at the Business Fights Poverty, Global Goals Summit 2024. Register here: https://businessfightspoverty.org/global-goals-summits (apply this promo code to unlock your free online tickets: BFPGGS24) -
Social Impact Pioneer, Bill Omondi is on a mission to build a generation of young Africans with great leadership and communication skills. As the CEO and Founder of the Debate Circle in Kenya, Bill is working to empower young people – so that they can lean in and articulate their response to the global challenges – from poverty to climate change. Creating the change and actions that they need.
Bill is also an inaugural part of the core Business Fights Poverty team – as our Community Engagement Lead, Kenya.
Listen in to hear Bill’s passion for empowering the next generation through educative and transformative initiatives. In the 3 – 4 years since the inception of the Debate Circle – Bill has taken the organisation from a seed of an idea to reaching, engaging and empowering thousands of young people annually.
Bill is unlocking opportunities for young people to be heard, to help ensure they are understood and able to engage others in what they have to say.
Tune in as we uncover the layers of Bill’s impactful work, explore the challenges and triumphs of leading a social enterprise, and discuss future initiatives aimed at broadening the reach and depth of the Debate Circle. Whether you're a social impact enthusiast, educator, or someone passionate about youth empowerment, this episode promises rich insights and inspiration from one of the leading voices in the field of education and community development.
Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to see more updates and connect with Bill directly.
Links:
Debate Circle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedebatecircle/?locale=hr_HR
Bill Omondi on Linked In: https://ke.linkedin.com/in/bill-omondi-8a238994
To learn more about the work Business Fights Poverty has been doing on partnering and collaborations – click here: https://businessfightspoverty.org/resources/?_search_resources=partnership
And if you liked this podcast do take a listen to:
Tackling Poverty and Unemployment Through Youth Entrepreneurship, with Anita and Rose: https://businessfightspoverty.org/tackling-poverty-and-unemployment-through-youth-entrepreneurship-with-anita-and-rose/ -
Improving our health starts a long time before we get sick. Social Impact Pioneer Dr. Jan Carney has dedicated her career to public health - tackling the biggest morbidity and mobility issues society faces on a scale that makes a big difference to all our well-being.
Listen in to learn how to make positive social impacts at scale as Jan shares tried and tested community and society scale wellbeing behaviour change.
Jan, a prominent figure in public health, serves as the Associate Dean for Public Health and Health Policy and Professor of Medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. With a comprehensive academic background that includes a Bachelor of Biology/French/Premedical Studies from Middlebury College, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and a Master of Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health, Dr. Carney has dedicated her career to improving public health through education, research, and policy.
Public health, as Jan explains, differs significantly from mainstream medicine. It is not just about treating individuals one at a time but involves a holistic approach to improve health at the community and population levels. Her approach involves understanding and implementing the social determinants of health, such as nutrition, housing, and education, which play a crucial role in maintaining public health.
During her tenure as Commissioner of Health in Vermont, Jan spearheaded several initiatives that dramatically improved public health outcomes, including increased access to healthcare, reduced infant mortality, and decreased tobacco use among teens. These achievements were made possible through collaborations with a diverse range of professionals across healthcare and social services.
Jan’s current focus is on educating the next generation of public health leaders, emphasising the importance of community partnerships and policy advocacy. She remains actively involved with various national organisations, advocating for increased public health funding and integrating public health perspectives into broader healthcare and policy discussions.
In an era marked by challenges such as misinformation and the need for greater health literacy, Jan’s work exemplifies the critical role of public health professionals in fostering a healthier society through education, prevention, and strategic collaborations.
Links:
The University of Vermont Master of Public Health program: https://www.uvm.edu/publichealth/education/programs/master-of-public-health/
Carney, J.K. (2021): A History of Public Health: From Past to Present, Book available: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_History_of_Public_Health_From_Past_to/d6qgEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0
Carney, J.K. (2015): Controversies in Public Health and Health Policy, Book available: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Controversies_in_Public_Health_and_Healt/OXmGCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0
If you liked this podcast, do join us at the Global Goals Summit 2024: https://businessfightspoverty.org/global-goals-summits (Apply this code for your free online pass: BFPGGS24 ) -
Women’s mental health and work. Social Impact Pioneers Sue Tym and Jo Martin examine how to best support women in the garment sector. Sue is the Senior Manager for the Social Impact Portfolio in Primark's ethical team, whilst Jo has over 30 years’ experience in mental health trainer and practitioner.
Sue and Jo have been leading a series of programmes where women help other women boost their well-being, and tackle stress, which is in turn boosting business performance. Join them to explore practical ways to enhance your mental health and that of others you are working with wherever you are in the world.
During this podcast expect to hear how Jo and Sue’s respective careers have been driven by their interests and personal convictions.
Sue explains: "When I was a dreamy, 18-year-old... I had a bit of a crisis of conviction and thought why am I studying fashion?... So my very clever tutor suggested that I work on a collection for easy dressing for those with dexterity issues."
Alongside the challenges of unlocking support for others who have experienced deep trauma. When describing her experiences creating nurturing environments for people who have been in war zones, Jo says: “[When] working in conflict and post-conflict situations there are no therapists or medication, instead helping women to provide for their families while at the same time supporting each other can be a big part of their recovery.”
Together they have brought this experience to support women in the garment sector and share the results this is achieving. So whether you're a professional seeking to make a meaningful impact or a company aiming to enhance your corporate social responsibility, this podcast offers valuable lessons and inspiration.
Links:
Primark Cares: https://www.primark.com/en-gb/r/women/primark-cares
Primark, My Space: https://corporate.primark.com/en-us/a/primark-cares/people/my-space-creating-space-for-mental-health-in-factories
Primark: Moner Kotha project: https://www.abf.co.uk/responsibility/responsibility-in-action/2023/primark--moner-kotha-project
WHO: Mental health: https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health
Legislation on workplace stress
https://kluwerlawonline.com/journalarticle/International+Journal+of+Comparative+Labour+Law+and+Industrial+Relations/38.1/IJCL2022003
ILO/WHO joint policy brief, Mental Health Work: https://www.ilo.org/topics/safety-and-health-work/mental-health-work
WHO (2022), Mental Health at Work: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work
And if you liked this, do take a listen to:
The Role of Businesses in Building and Breaking Peace with Molly Melin: https://businessfightspoverty.org/the-role-of-businesses-in-building-and-breaking-peace-with-molly-melin/
How Can Business Help Peace, with Tim Fort: https://businessfightspoverty.org/how-can-business-help-peace-with-tim-fort/ -
What are Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and why can they be transformative for communities, particularly for women? Social Impact Pioneers Kalkidan (Kal) Lakew and Emily Janoch from the international NGO, CARE, explore how VSLAs facilitate financial inclusion, foster social empowerment and encourage community solidarity.
Kal is the Program Coordinator for CARE's Women (in VSLAs) Respond initiative. Whilst Emily Janoch is the Associate Vice President for Thought Leadership and Design at CARE.
During this conversation, they not only deep dive into the benefits and outcomes of VSLAs but also look critically at the role of international development programme design, iterative improvements and the benefits of responsive community led feedback.
Kal explains: “By listening and learning from women and girls in Village Savings and Loan Associations and understanding the impact of different crises and shocks – we can help to refine how the VSLAs work and determine what to prioritise.”
Whilst Emily shares, “I am focused on finding ways to leverage evidence and learning to improve impact, build dignity, and eradicate poverty.”
What are Village Savings and Loan Associations - VSLAs?
VSLAs serve as a grassroots financial model where members—predominantly women—save together and access small loans. Originating in Niger in 1991, these associations have become a cornerstone of development programs, addressing food security, nutrition, and education. They are crucial in regions where access to formal financial services is scarce, enabling members to manage their funds and make collective decisions.
Kal and Emily are finding that VSLAs go beyond mere financial transactions. They empower women by breaking social and economic barriers, enhance community negotiating power, and address critical social issues like education and early marriage. Through collective action, VSLAs enable women to increase their confidence and achieve remarkable community contributions, from starting businesses to advocating for educational facilities.
How effective feedback improves outcomes
Today’s discussion will also touch on the importance of adapting development initiatives to the specific contexts and needs of communities. Kal and Emily explore effective strategies for ensuring that development interventions are responsive, sustainable, and scalable. They share insights on engaging with communities as equal partners, emphasising the necessity of listening and learning from those we aim to support.
Listen in to find out more.
Links:
* CARE: http://www.care.org/
* CARE’s VSLA programme: https://www.care.org/our-work/education-and-work/microsavings/
* CARE’s Women Respond initiative: https://www.care.org/our-work/disaster-response/emergencies/covid-19/women-respond-leadership-covid-19-response/
* CARE’s data sharing platforms with the communities, https://careinternational.podbean.com/e/the-data-belongs-to-them/
* CARE’s farmer livelihood work. https://www.care.org/our-work/food-and-nutrition/agriculture/farmer-field-business-school/
And if you liked that take a listen to:
* Investors and Female Entrepreneurs, with Sanjukta and Heather: https://businessfightspoverty.org/investors-and-female-entrepreneurs/
And
* Lifting Participation: Female Entrepreneurs Tackle Climate Change – with Bill Winters and Audrey S-Darko:
https://businessfightspoverty.org/lifting-participation-female-entrepreneurs-tackle-climate-change/ -
Social Impact Pioneer Elizabeth Wells talks about women entrepreneurs and digital inclusion.
Elizabeth is currently the Head of Entrepreneurship at the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. The Foundation is on a mission to eliminate barriers to entrepreneurship for women, helping to enable global economic gender justice. Elizabeth’s work within the organisation is focused on unlocking the power of digital for women’s entrepreneurship.
With 10 years of experience working on women’s economic empowerment, economic development, and governance programmes, Elizabeth shares why digital exclusion is particularly pronounced for women – from access to mobile handsets, digital connectivity, low digital literacy and the high associated costs. Elizabeth reveals the potential of integrating digital tools in business operations for women. Whether it’s mobile money and online transaction systems, that helps to provide financial autonomy; through to book-keeping and client management that enhances business efficiency.
Elizabeth is passionate about working in partnership with private and public sector organisations and has delivered this in some 12 different countries. Her experience includes working with partners like Qualcomm, DHL Express, FCDO and USAID. Together we talk about some of the partnering opportunities that can better serve female entrepreneurs.
Elizabeth says – “There is a lot of excitement around AI. Digital inclusion is critical to business success and, if women are digitally excluded - whether it’s because of poor connectivity or infrastructure, high cost of data or lack of mobile phone ownership or access – women will never achieve their potential in business.”
Please find here the links to the reports:
• GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2023: https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/programme/connected-women/the-mobile-gender-gap-report-2023/
• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Research Reports: https://cherieblairfoundation.org/what-we-do/research/2023-audit/
• Bridging the Divide: Women, Tech and Business Success: https://cherieblairfoundation.org/what-we-do/research/covid19-research/
• Cherie Blair Foundation website: https://cherieblairfoundation.org/
• Cherie Blair Programmes: https://cherieblairfoundation.org/what-we-do/programmes/
• Cherie Blair HerVenture: https://cherieblairfoundation.org/what-we-do/programmes/herventure/
• Cherie Blair Mentoring: https://cherieblairfoundation.org/what-we-do/programmes/mentoring/ -
Social Impact Pioneer Molly Melin deep dives into the role of organisations, particularly businesses in building and breaking peace.The UN estimated in early 2023 that six out of seven people worldwide are plagued by feelings of insecurity. The world is facing the highest number of violent conflicts since the Second World War, whilst 2 billion people — a quarter of humanity — live in places affected by such conflict. And the world certainly hasn’t become more peaceful since 2023!Molly is the Professor & Chair of the Department of Political Science at Loyola University Chicago. Her research and teaching focus is international relations and foreign policy decision-making, with emphasis on international conflict and conflict management. Molly’s current research focuses on third party interventions in ongoing international conflicts, the role of the private sector in conflict prevention, and UN peacekeeping. Together we will talk about her book, The Building and Breaking of Peace: Corporate Activities in Civil War Prevention and Resolution, which examines corporations’ conflict roles in building and preventing peace using original data and in-depth case analyses of corporate actions and outcomes in Colombia, Northern Ireland, and Tunisia.Listen in to learn how organisations can leverage their influence to foster peace, providing practical steps to reducing conflict and building peaceful relationships. Molly explains in no uncertain terms that businesses are well positioned to be a force for good that helps create peace. If you want a peaceful world, listen in. This podcast is for you. Links:UN January 2023, With Highest Number of Violent Conflicts Since Second World War, United Nations Must Rethink Efforts to Achieve, Sustain Peace, Speakers Tell Security Council, https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15184.doc.htmMolly Melin (2021), The Building and Breaking of Peace; Corporate Activities in Civil War Prevention and Resolution, https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-building-and-breaking-of-peace-9780197579367?cc=gb&lang=en&The MacBride Principles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBride_PrinciplesWEF and The Graduate Institute (2020), MOBILIZING THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION , https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Mobilizing_the_Private_Sector_Report_2020.pdfCNN (2022), McDonald’s CEO sounds the alarm over crime in Chicago, https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/15/business/mcdonalds-ceo-chicago-crime/index.htmlMolly's OpEd - On the reaction to the war in Ukraine:https://warontherocks.com/2022/04/ceos-beware-feel-good-isolation-of-russia-might-make-things-worse/ Molly's research lab:https://www.luc.edu/cria/labs/ Academic research on war through the bargaining lens:https://web.stanford.edu/group/fearon-research/cgi-bin/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Rationalist-Explanations-for-War.pdf Blattman C. Why We Fight: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/636263/why-we-fight-by-christopher-blattman/ And if you liked this, do take a listen to:How Can Business Help Peace, with Tim Fort: https://businessfightspoverty.org/how-can-business-help-peace-with-tim-fort/And have a look at: Business Fights Poverty: Human Rights and Governance » Conflict and Peace: https://businessfightspoverty.org/category/human-rights-and-governance/peace/
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Today on our podcast "Social Impact Pioneers," we are joined by two trailblazers in the fight against global poverty and unemployment through youth entrepreneurship: Anita Tiessen, CEO of Youth Business International (YBI) from the UK, and Rose Namutebi, a social worker and entrepreneur who serves as Cordaid Uganda’s Gender Specialist and Project Coordinator for their High Flyers project.
Anita Tiessen has carved a notable career in international development and human rights. Prior to her role at Youth Business International, the only organisation dedicated to youth entrepreneurship on a global scale, she held leadership positions at the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, UNICEF UK, and Amnesty International. Anita brings a wealth of experience in empowering young individuals to start and grow their businesses, particularly in underserved communities.
Rose Namutebi joins us from Uganda, bringing a rich background in local governance and human rights. With over two decades of experience with Cordaid, she has been instrumental in advancing youth entrepreneurship, livelihood and food security, and inclusive programming for women, people with disabilities, and refugees in some of the world’s most fragile settings.
In today’s episode, Anita and Rose delve into how youth entrepreneurship serves as a crucial lever for social change, economic growth, and community empowerment. They highlight the profound impact that nurturing entrepreneurial spirit has on mitigating youth unemployment, which has been exacerbated by the global pandemic with a loss of 34 million youth jobs.
Our discussion also covers the specific challenges and opportunities in making entrepreneurship accessible and inclusive. Listeners will gain insights into the innovative strategies implemented by Youth Business International (YBI) and Cordaid to foster a supportive environment for young entrepreneurs, integrating business development with social objectives.
Join us as we explore the transformative power of youth entrepreneurship in creating a more inclusive and prosperous global economy. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business leader, this episode is set to provide valuable perspectives on leveraging business for lasting social impact.
Links:
YBI website: https://youthbusiness.org/
YBI Global Youth Entrepreneurship Summit webpage: https://genforchange.youthbusiness.org/summit/
YBI Bootcamp webpage: https://genforchange.youthbusiness.org/bootcamp/
Cordaid website: https://www.cordaid.org/en/countries/uganda/
And if you like this, do listen to:
Lifting Participation: Female Entrepreneurs Tackle Climate Change – with Bill Winters and Audrey S-Darko: https://businessfightspoverty.org/lifting-participation-female-entrepreneurs-tackle-climate-change/ -
Delve into the intersection of technology, finance, and social good. Social Impact Pioneer Briana Marbury, the CEO and President of the Interledger Foundation talks about her work shaping the future of digital financial inclusion.
The Interledger Foundation is the philanthropic FinTech committed to advancing financial inclusion through innovative technology. The foundation promotes the Interledger Protocol, which simplifies and accelerates global payments, akin to sending an email. This initiative is especially crucial for underrepresented and underserved communities, enhancing their access to digital financial services and supporting their integration into the tech ecosystem. Through grants, community building, and advocacy, they are paving the way for a more inclusive financial future where transactions are seamless and universally accessible.
Listen in to hear Briana sharing her insights on the unique challenges of digital financial inclusion and her vision for a world where digital financial services are as straightforward as sending a text message.
So, whether you're involved in finance, technology, or just passionate about social impact, join us as we explore how digital innovation can transform lives and foster a more inclusive global economy. Stay tuned as we dive deep into the conversation with Briana Marbury.
Links:
Interledger Foundation: https://interledger.org
Interledger, Inspire future leaders: https://interledger.org/education
M Pesa: https://www.m-pesa.africa
Interledger Protocol: https://interledger.org/interledger
CDG, People's Clearinghouse, Mexico : https://lacamara.mx
Banco Central do Brazil, Pix system in Brazil: https://www.bcb.gov.br/en/financialstability/pix_en
Interledger Summit : https://interledger.org/summit
And if you liked this podcast do take a listen to:
Managing Gender Inequalities in Supply Chains with Sam Ludlow Taylor: https://businessfightspoverty.org/managing-gender-inequalities-in-supply-chains-with-sam-ludlow-taylor/ -
How do we better support women working in global value chains? Social Impact Pioneer, Clare Fitton of Sedex joins us to talk gender data, ethical supply chain management and how it can enhance business performance whilst improving lives.
Global value chains depend on hundreds of millions of workers to produce the goods we use every day – from our food, to our clothes, to our personal care products and cars. Women represent a significant proportion of workers. And yet in many countries, the rights, roles and support for women are different to men. From land rights, to financial access, to education. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)’s Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme set a challenge in 2018 – to improve women's economic opportunities through business interventions in supply chains. One of the first things they did was focus on improving the collection of data about women workers, working closely with partners Sedex, ETI and BSR. Because what gets measured, gets managed.
Clare Fitton trained in Human Rights Law, specialising in Business and Human Rights and Gender Equality. She has over 15 years’ experience working with companies, trade unions, NGOs, investors and government bodies on the practical implementation and effectiveness of human rights due diligence practices. Clare is now the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) Evolution and Impact Lead within Sedex. Clare has a particular focus on social impact measurement and improving women workers’ access to their rights. Sedex has 80,000 members all of whom are now potentially benefitting from gender disaggregated data.
Together we explore the strides being made in ethical auditing, data-driven improvements and emerging gender disaggregating audit methodology. We talk about how gender indicators such as higher numbers of women in supervisory roles correlates with a reduction in the likelihood of other risks. We discuss the broader implications of new due diligence and value chain regulations and how companies can navigate these changes through more effective use of data. Stay tuned as we uncover the tangible benefits of gender-inclusive practices in supply chains and the critical role of continuous improvement in ethical auditing.
Join us as we dive into a conversation that’s all about making a difference, one data point at a time.
Further Business Fights Poverty and the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) Resources can be found here: https://businessfightspoverty.org/gender-and-business
Links:
1. Sedex Gender Data Insights report: https://www.sedex.com/app/uploads/2022/12/Sedex-Gender-equality-through-data-FINAL-PDF.pdf
2. Integration of gender data indicators into Sedex tools, building on WOW’s work: https://www.sedex.com/blog/driving-progress-on-gender-equality-through-better-gender-data/
3. Sedex Gender in Agriculture report: https://www.sedex.com/app/uploads/2023/05/Sedex-Gender-in-agriculture-report.pdf
4. Regular gender-based webinars through Sedex Community Engagement Programme: https://www.sedex.com/solutions/community/
5. BSR Gender Data and Impact Tool: https://www.bsr.org/reports/BSR_Gender_Data_and_Impact_Tool_Executive_Summary.pdf
6. ETI Gender Data Indicators Guidance: Level 1: https://www.ethicaltrade.org/sites/default/files/shared_resources/ETI_GenderDataGuidance_L1.pdf
7. ETI Gender Data Indicators Guidance: Levels 2 & 3: https://www.ethicaltrade.org/sites/default/files/shared_resources/ETI_GenderDataGuidance_L2-L3_1.pdf -
Managing gender inequalities in supply chains is good for people and good for business. Meet Social Impact Pioneer - Sam Ludlow-Taylor, the Senior Manager for Human Rights Programmes at the John Lewis Partnership, which includes the supermarket - Waitrose. Sam is on a mission to tackle gender inequity from the bottom up and top down. With a rich background in commercial roles transitioning into ethical trade and responsible sourcing, Sam has experience ranging from business headquarters to factory floors across the food and clothing sectors.
Sam delves into why addressing gender inequality isn't just ethically imperative but also crucial for business health and sustainability. Through her partnership with the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)’s Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme, she highlights the practical steps and success stories that illustrate the power of focusing on gender issues within supply chains.
She argues that gender inequality harms business efficiency and growth, stating, “50% of the population are women... if you tackle gender equality, the whole economy is bolstered.” This episode explores how initiatives aimed at women's economic empowerment in agriculture—where women comprise 40-60% of the labour force in developing countries—can lead to increased farm yields and overall business benefits.
Sam emphasises the importance of partnerships for fostering positive change and creating sustainable business models that support women, especially in contexts vulnerable to climate change impacts. She also shares how the John Lewis Partnership’s commitment to purpose and democratic business practices underpins their efforts towards a more equitable and productive corporate environment.
Listen in to gain insights into the intersection of gender, business, and ethical supply chain management. Understand how targeted efforts to empower women not only lead to fairer working conditions, but also enhance operational efficiencies and societal benefits.
Further Business Fights Poverty and the Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) Resources can be found here: https://businessfightspoverty.org/gender-and-business
Links:
Waitrose Foundation: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/content/sustainability/responsible-sourcing/waitrose-foundation
John Lewis Partnerships, Creating Better Jobs: https://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/csr/creating-better-jobs.html
Farm Africa: https://www.farmafrica.org
UK Government, FCDO (2022): From risks to rewards: overcoming the impacts of climate change on women in agricultural supply chains:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/from-risks-to-rewards-overcoming-the-impacts-of-climate-change-on-women-in-agricultural-supply-chains/from-risks-to-rewards-overcoming-the-impacts-of-climate-change-on-women-in-agricultural-supply-chains -
Investing in women farmers - why do we need to and are we doing enough? Social Impact Pioneer Leonor (Leo) Gutiérrez Fernández, the visionary Director of the Women in Agriculture Initiative (WAI) at Root Capital, joins us to talk: impact investing, agriculture and why we aren’t helping anyone by leaving women behind.
With a background in psychology and a master's in social development, Leo has dedicated her life to fostering gender equity, impact investing, and global development, making significant strides in the agricultural sector.
At Root Capital—a nonprofit that invests in small and growing agricultural enterprises to transform rural communities—Leo leads the organisation’s strategy to advance gender equity in the impact investing space. To date Root Capital has distributed $1.96 billion to over 843 enterprises, impacting millions of lives.
During this conversation, hear about Leo’s personal journey from psychology student to international development leader. She explores why gender-inclusive businesses are: More stable and profitable; less likely to experience significant revenue dips; less likely to default; and more likely to secure new sources of financing.
Together we delve into the power of female farmers, how to unlock their strength and why we overlook them to our detriment.
And if you too want to get involved, do join our written discussion on 23rd May 2024, as we explore: How we can ensure communications are human-centred, empathetic and engaging?: https://forum.businessfightspoverty.org/t/how-can-we-ensure-communications-are-human-centred-empathetic-and-engaging/4651
Links:
Root Capital: https://rootcapital.org/
Leonor (Leo) Gutiérrez Fernández: https://rootcapital.org/thought-leader-leonor-leo-gutierrez-fernandez/
Root Capital’s Women’s Council: https://rootcapital.org/meet-the-womens-council/
Root Capital’s Inclusion pays report: https://rootcapital.org/inclusion-pays/
Root Capital’s A Journey Into the Heart of Kenya’s Macadamia-Processing Region: https://rootcapital.org/a-journey-into-the-heart-of-kenyas-macadamia-processing-region/
Root Capital’s SOPPEXCCA: Empowering Women Coffee Farmers in Nicaragua: https://rootcapital.org/meet-our-clients/stories/soppexcca-empowering-women-coffee-farmers-in-nicaragua/
Root Capital's Impact Dashboard: https://rootcapital.org/our-impact/#impact-dashboard -
Climate change is a global health issue. Social Impact Pioneer, Desta Lakew joins us to share her insights on why Africa’s youthful population is a sick crisis waiting to explode if we don’t start thinking about health care rather than sick care. And how climate change is already deteriorating health in the areas she’s working on.
Desta is a powerhouse in forging global partnerships for Africa, playing a pivotal role in securing strategic alliances for Amref Health Africa. Since joining the Amref executive team in 2014, Desta has been at the forefront of thought leadership and external engagements, working tirelessly with global partners and Amref's senior leadership to drive transformative health initiatives across the continent.
Amref Health Africa is the largest health development non-governmental international organisation based in Africa. With over 2000 people working with them and operations in more than 8 countries within the continent. Amref is on a mission to catalyse and drive community-led and people centred health systems while addressing social determinants of health.
Desta’s instrumental role in launching the first biennial Africa Health Agenda International Conference in 2014 marked a significant milestone in facilitating a global south dialogue and knowledge exchange on Universal Health Coverage in Africa and Asia. Desta holds a Masters of Public Health from the State University of New York and serves on the regional advisory board for Acumen East Africa and the Thematic Working Group on Private Sector of Health Systems Global. Her commitment to health equity and her strategic vision for a healthier Africa make her a true pioneer in the field.
Join us as Desta Lakew shares her journey from Ethiopia to New York and back to Africa, her motivations, and her ongoing work to address the critical intersection of health and climate change, aiming to strengthen health systems and improve lives across the continent. Stay tuned as we explore the challenges, the victories, and the future of health in Africa with one of its most passionate advocates.
Links:
AMREF: https://amref.org
AMREF’s thoughts on Health and Climate Change: https://newsroom.amref.org/news/2024/04/amref-puts-a-spotlight-on-widening-climate-change-induced-health-inequalities-in-africa/
Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC2025): https://ahaic.org
Desta’s Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destalakew/
And if you liked this, take a listen to:
Combining Personal and Business Purpose with Hamzah Sarwar: https://businessfightspoverty.org/combining-personal-and-business-purpose-with-hamzah-sarwar/ -
Deep dive into the world of domestic work and what it means to empower domestic workers. Whether that’s cleaning, caring or generally working within the home or directly for one person or family, you will have been engaged in domestic work or know someone who is.
The ILO estimates that 75.6 million people are engaged in domestic work around the world, and for women especially it can be an important source of income. But domestic work can be casual, without the support mechanisms many have come to rely on in decent work settings – from holiday and sick pay to safe working environment and safe working hours.
Social Impact Pioneer Professor Jenny M. Hoobler has dedicated her academic life to unveiling the critical role of domestic work and workers in today's workforce and across all our societies.
Jenny is now the Professor of Human Resource Management and the Academic Director of Leadership for Social Impact Knowledge Center at NOVA School of Business and Economics in Portugal. Her CV and experience include completing her PhD in the USA, and time as a Professor at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She has consulted for companies such as UPS and USG Corporation and is an associate editor of the Journal of Applied Psychology.
Jenny's insights into the employer-employee relationship within domestic work reveal a spectrum of experiences, from being the essential glue keeping everything going to exploitation. This episode aims to spark a conversation on the importance of formalising these relationships, ensuring fair wages, and recognising the vital role of domestic workers in supporting the so-called "100-hour couples" of today's workforce. This conversation is not just about acknowledging the challenges but also about championing change and recognising the profound impact of domestic work on our society.
Links:
https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/domestic-workers/lang--en/index.htm
Intl Labor Org on domestic worker numbers, etc.
ILO, Work on diverted mothering: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/domestic-workers/lang--en/index.htm
Jenny's paper on domestic workers being intersectional: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23322373.2015.1126499?casa_token=kEUWAUR9C48AAAAA%3Acp9NIOkDaQp9LWa-MCljSHPypinUXU8vDrXV09ANIxWe5yCDnek_1W9Jp_hICYI0uMsKhsV7LsFkvlk
IDWFED - International Domestic Workers Federation: idwfed.org
Living wage calculator for South Africa: https://living-wage.co.za/
Jenny Hoobler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-hoobler-8780754/
Nova SBE Leadership for Impact Knowledge Center: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/nova-sbe-leadership-for-impact-knowledge-center/
And if you liked this do try:
Revolutionising Maternal Health Supply Chains: Insights from MSD for Mothers: https://businessfightspoverty.org/revolutionising-maternal-health-supply-chains-insights-from-msd-for-mothers/ -
How has the business agenda on equity evolved over the past 20 years? Meet Social Impact Pioneer and Business Fights Poverty Institute Founding Fellow – Jane Nelson.
Jane is the Founding Director of the Corporate Responsibility Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School and worked with the late Professor John Ruggie who developed the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business on Human Rights. She was a director and then senior advisor at The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) from 1993 to 2013, and has been a senior associate with the Institute for Sustainability Leadership at Cambridge University and an adviser and track leader at the Clinton Global Initiative. In 2001, she worked with the United Nations Global Compact in the office of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, preparing his report for the General Assembly on cooperation between the UN and the private sector. She is currently a co-chair of the Business Commission to Tackle Inequality (BCTI).
Jane talks candidly about her incredible career to date and the shifting dynamics within corporate strategies towards integrating equity more fundamentally into business practices that have run in parallel. Jane has been at the table during many of the world’s pivotal conversations on societal impact in the past 30 years. She shares her insider highlights with us during this podcast conversation.
Together with Business Fights Poverty Co-Founder and CEO, Zahid Torres-Rahman - they explore the evolution of the business and equity agenda. Jane looks back at the big trends over the past two decades and sheds light on how we navigate today’s complex challenges and transformative opportunities. Listen in to access deep insights and a dose of inspiration to guide you on your own journey, as this conversation underscores the increasing recognition of businesses’ role in fostering a more equitable economy.
Links:
Business Commission to Tackle Inequality: Tackling Inequality: An Agenda for Business Action: https://tacklinginequality.org/files/flagship.pdf
Business Fights Poverty: Generative AI and Social Impact - Role of Business: https://businessfightspoverty.org/report/generative-ai-and-social-impact-role-of-business/
Corporate Responsibility Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/mrcbg/programs/cri
and
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/jane-nelson
Living Wage Foundation: https://www.livingwage.org.uk
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): https://www.wbcsd.org
And if you like this, do take a listen to:
Combining Personal and Business Purpose with Hamzah Sarwar: https://businessfightspoverty.org/combining-personal-and-business-purpose-with-hamzah-sarwar/ -
Are you poor? Am I poor? And what will it take to stop poverty? Social Impact Pioneer Dr Martin Burt doesn’t think we should just be measuring poverty, or in turn wealth, by the amount of money we have alone. Martin believes that we can all be poor by some measures and that none of us are necessarily poor by all the measures.
That is because Martin has been studying, working and leading businesses, civil society and governments to on his mission to tackle poverty. During this podcast you will hear what Martin has learnt on his journey; he shares the tools and skills he has developed in tackling poverty; and challenges us all to end poverty.
Dr Martin Burt is the founder and CEO of Fundación Paraguaya, a social enterprise he set up in 1985 to tackle poverty head-on. Together they have researched poverty in depth and developed the Poverty Stoplight – which Martin will go into detail for us during the conversation.
Fundación Paraguaya was named Latin America’s most impactful and innovative development organisation by the Inter-American Development Bank in 2018. El Pais recently named Dr. Burt as one of the “21 Latin Americans who are changing the world.” Whilst the Poverty Stoplight (which is a key programme Martin is spearheading) is featured in the Solutions Insights Lab “What’s Working Solutions”.
If that wasn’t enough – Martin holds a PhD from Tulane University in Development Economics and International Development, he is a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Research Associate at University of California, Irvine.
In public service, Martin was elected Mayor of the capital city of Paraguay in the 1990s, he has served as Chief of Staff to the President of Paraguay, between 2012 to 2013 and was appointed Vice Minister of Commerce. Martin was also twice elected as the president of the Paraguayan-American Chamber of Commerce; and has written books on economics, development, municipal government, poetry, and education. Check out - “Who Owns Poverty?”
Links:
Poverty Stop Light - https://www.povertystoplight.org
Who Owns Poverty? - https://redpress.co.uk/products/who-owns-poverty
Martin's Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinburt/
And if you liked this do try: Reframing Poverty with Eric Meade: https://businessfightspoverty.org/eric-meade/ -
What happens when social impact and entrepreneurship skills are combined? The Social Impact Pioneer Dr Orsolya Ihasz.Orsolya or Orsi to her friends, works at the intersection between deep academia, social innovation, entrepreneurship, and public health – she is a champion of the social enterprise.From youth peace activist to today – where Orsi is currently the Director of the Cranfield Venture Programme and before this she spent 12 years in entrepreneurship education at the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School – championing and supporting people to succeed in developing innovative ideas and succeeding in enterprise. She has a PhD in Social Innovation & Complex Information Systems, and has worked with the Department for International Development, the EU DG Youth, to promote youth-participation within policy. She is an external advisor to the World Health Organisation - working on the scaling of digitally enabled health interventions for tackling non-communicable diseases. In her spare time, Orsi is co-founder of Colab-8, a venture consultancy aimed at delivering social innovation across sectors; collaborating with RH-Consult in Geneva; and the Curiosity Incubator - Accelerator for Good at the University of Cambridge; and she’s a Fellow at the Foundation for Science and Technology.During this podcast conversation, we talk about innovation, entrepreneurship, solving big questions, and why health innovation needs to start in our communities.Orsi has been studying, teaching, advising people on entrepreneurial mindset and skill sets needed for successful social enterprises. A give away – Orsi is convinced that social enterprises are a key mechanism to tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues.During our conversation we talk about asking difficult questions and opening doors in order to answer them; why the solution to many health challenges is community-based; and how social enterprises will be the solution to overzealous capitalism.Links:Be Healthy, Be Mobilehttps://www.who.int/initiatives/behealthy/R-Health Consult https://www.r-healthconsult.comFoundation of Science and Technology https://www.foundation.org.uk/Curiosity Incubator | Accelerator for Good https://www.linkedin.com/company/curiosity-incubator/about/Colab-8 https://colab-8.com/Ideas to Innovation (i2i) https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/events/i2iAnd if you like this, take a listen to:Lifting Participation: Female Entrepreneurs Tackle Climate Change – with Bill Winters and Audrey S-Darko: https://businessfightspoverty.org/lifting-participation-female-entrepreneurs-tackle-climate-change/
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