Line of Sight Podcast

Ethics, Economics, and the Power of Local Action with Dr. André Habisch

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Join this conversation with Dr. André Habisch, chair of the Bayer Cares Foundation and a leading voice at the intersection of ethics, economics, and social innovation, as he reflects on how moral philosophy and economic systems are deeply intertwined. Drawing on decades of experience across academia and policy, Habisch explores the principle of subsidiarity—solving problems at the most local level possible while enabling broader coordination when needed. From postwar Germany’s reconstruction to today’s challenges in environmental stewardship and shared resources, he illustrates how decentralized, trust-based systems can foster resilience and innovation. He also offers a thoughtful lens on leadership, distinguishing between acting from conviction and acting with responsibility. It’s a grounded, insightful discussion on building systems that better serve people and the planet.

Innovating to Protect Vulnerable Newborns with Bempu’s Ratul Narain

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 22:41:37 +0000

In this episode of Founder of Impact, Ratul Narain shares the journey behind Bempu, the India-based social enterprise he founded to help protect vulnerable newborns through simple, life-saving technologies. He reflects on building Bempu from an engineering-driven idea into a growing company, navigating moments of deep uncertainty, and staying resilient through setbacks, including COVID, layoffs, and the challenges of scaling in public health systems. Along the way, Ratul offers a thoughtful look at leadership, community, and the steady persistence required to solve hard problems. It is an honest and hopeful conversation about innovation, purpose, and what it takes to give more babies a healthier start in life.

Kusi Hornberger on reimagining the Missing Middle with Impact-First Investing

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Line of Sight, Partner and Global Knowledge Lead of Dalberg Advisors, Kusi Hornberger, shares how his path into impact investing evolved into a deeper conviction: that capital can be a force for social and economic change. Now based in Washington, DC, a city that sits at the heart of global policy and finance, Kusi brings a unique perspective on how public systems and private capital intersect, shaping markets whether we support them or challenge them. We explore the “missing middle,” the overlooked small and growing enterprises with the potential to drive outsized impact, and how sustainable impact structures can bridge critical financing gaps. It’s a thoughtful conversation on reimagining capital so that smaller organizations are empowered to create change at the same scale as much larger institutions.

Centering Dignity and Economic Power with Inkomoko’s Sara Leedom

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:34:57 +0000

Sara Leedom — Co-founder & COO of Inkomoko Centering Dignity and Economic Power with Inkomoko’s Sara Leedom In this episode of Founder of Impact, the spotlight turns to Inkomoko with cofounder and COO Sara Leedom, who shares how the organization is transforming the economic future of refugees and micro-entrepreneurs across East Africa. We explore the origins of Inkomoko’s model, the realities facing displaced entrepreneurs, and the organization’s commitment to centering dignity in every aspect of its work. It is a powerful reminder that when refugees are given the tools to lead their own growth, they do far more than survive; they thrive, innovate, and strengthen entire local economies.

Turning Coffee into Opportunity for Displaced Communities with Doug Hewitt

lineofsight@scu.edu (Doug Hewitt, Karen Runde) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:46:41 +0000

In this episode, Doug Hewitt, CEO of 1951 Coffee Company, shares the powerful mission behind his nonprofit social enterprise — using the coffee industry as a platform to create jobs, dignity, and hope for displaced people from around the world. He tells the story that sparked 1951 Coffee, sheds light on the global scale of forced displacement, and explores the guiding philosophy behind his work: stay rooted in purpose, but flexible in the path. It's a conversation about compassion, innovation, and building a more inclusive future — one cup at a time.

Leading with Purpose and Authentic Presence with Julie Schaefer

lineofsight@scu.edu (Don Heider PhD, Brigit Helms PhD) — Fri, 3 Oct 2025 19:01:33 +0000

Julie Schaefer, founder and CEO of Winning Presence, has spent over two decades helping leaders and organizations unlock performance through communication. In this episode, she shares her signature approach, “strategy through storytelling,” and explains why purpose-based leadership is more than a mission statement—it’s a compass for decision-making, culture, and crisis response. Drawing on her corporate experience and work with executives worldwide, Julie offers insights on building authenticity, engaging employees, and turning values into actions. Tune in to learn how leaders can develop a “winning presence” that inspires trust, drives results, and leaves a lasting impact.

From Waste to Opportunity with Madrin Maina of Sistema.bio

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we explore the power of transforming organic waste into renewable energy with Madrin Maina, the Africa Director of Sistema.bio, a social enterprise that is creating opportunities through its patented biodigester technology. Madrin shares her journey as an entrepreneur — what inspired her path, the challenges she’s faced, and how her leadership is helping families and farmers save money, reclaim time, and improve their quality of life. Along the way, we explore the ripple effects of clean energy: healthier communities, stronger local economies, and a more sustainable planet. Sistema.bio is part of the portfolio of social enterprises supported through the Miller Center–Chevron Climate Resilience Initiative, which strives to help reduce poverty, drive economic and social opportunities, and develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region.

Building a Global Brand Rooted in Filipino Heritage with Nathalie Llorente-Lim

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 22:51:45 +0000

In this episode, we sit down with Nathalie to explore her journey as a social entrepreneur blending culture, community, and commerce. Nathalie shares how LIKHA began, the lessons she’s learned leading a mission-driven business, and the power of storytelling and craftsmanship in driving impact. From the early challenges to building a global brand rooted in Filipino heritage, this conversation offers an honest, inspiring look at what it means to build with purpose.

Turning Rain Into Safe Water for Schools with Danny Wright

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 3 Jun 2025 16:31:24 +0000

Welcome to "Founders of Impact," our Line of Sight spin-off series that delves into the remarkable journeys of founders who are redefining success by combining business innovation with a commitment to positive societal change. In each episode, host Karen Runde, Miller Center's Senior Director of Academics & Entrepreneur Network, engages in candid and insightful conversations with visionaries who have dared to challenge the status quo. Discover the origins of their enterprise, strategies, challenges, and triumphs that shape the landscape of social entrepreneurship.

Mapping Hope: David Yarnold on GIS, Global Conservation, and the Power of Story

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 19 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000

How can maps help solve the world’s toughest challenges? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Yarnold shares stories from his new book, The Geography of Hope, revealing how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) fuel collaboration and optimism worldwide. From women de-miners in Sri Lanka building livelihoods and status, to African conservationists balancing development and biodiversity, to city planners in Prague tackling urban sustainability, Yarnold shows how data and visual storytelling create common ground across cultures. He also reflects on career shifts, the power of showing vs. telling, and why every organization needs better storytellers. A compelling look at where technology, social justice, and hope intersect.

From Vision to Venture: Mina Shahid’s Path to Inclusive Finance

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 5 May 2025 17:08:45 +0000

In this episode, we feature Mina Shahid, CEO and co-founder of Numida, a leading digital microfinance institution (MFI) in East Africa. Mina shares his personal journey, from his early experiences that shaped his passion for financial inclusion to the founding of Numida. Born out of a mission to empower micro- and small businesses (MSBs), Numida leverages proprietary technology and innovative credit processes to deliver convenient, unsecured working capital to entrepreneurs often left out of traditional financial systems. Tune in to hear how Mina’s vision and leadership are driving real impact across the region—improving livelihoods while building a thriving, scalable business.

Transforming a Passion for Sewing into Job Creation in Northern Uganda with Susan Namirimu

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 7 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Susan Namirimu shares how her passion for sewing became a catalyst for economic empowerment in Northern Uganda. Originally from Kampala, Susan moved to Gulu for university, where she saw firsthand the lack of job opportunities for young people. Determined to make a difference, she founded Mtindo, a training academy that equips vulnerable women—many of them young mothers—with fashion entrepreneurship skills. Beyond sewing, Mtindo provides life skills training, fostering confidence and self-advocacy. Graduates either secure jobs within Mtindo or launch their own tailoring businesses, building a future of financial independence. Tune in to hear how Susan is transforming lives, one stitch at a time.

From Communist Romania to cutting-edge innovation: Andrei Iancu’s entrepreneurial journey

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 18:44:26 +0000

Andrei Iancu — Founder & CEO of Halo Industries Growing up in Communist Romania and earning a bachelor’s in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering at Iowa State University, Andrei Iancu had no concept of entrepreneurship. That all changed at Stanford, where he earned a PhD in mechanical engineering and became inspired to start a company and make a meaningful impact on the world. Drawing on his work in a Stanford research lab, he founded Halo Industries, which creates novel laser-based systems for materials fabrication to help manufacturers drastically reduce waste, improve quality, and enable next-generation technologies. And if that’s not enough, his next big thing may be addressing gaps in childcare and early childhood education.

Building a Healthier Central America Through Community-centered Safe Water Solutions with Wes Meier

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000

With a degree in mechanical engineering, Wes joined the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, seeking to learn Spanish and make a difference. He shares his journey from a Midwestern farming family to cofounding Cova, a social enterprise providing safe water solutions in Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. Named for the covalent bond between hydrogen and oxygen that creates water and the bond they foster with rural communities, Cova evolved from a product company to one offering water treatment as a service. Wes also discusses leadership, balancing work and family, exploring carbon offsets, and expanding into new countries to grow impact and manage risks in the face of political instability.

From Google's Early Days to Partnering with Mark Cuban to Reshape Entertainment with Falon Fatemi

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 21:24:30 +0000

At just 19, Falon Fatemi became one of Google’s youngest employees, joining shortly after the company went public. She recalls a time when wearing a Google tee in London prompted the question, “What’s Google?” A decade later, she founded Node, the first horizontal AI-as-a-service platform driving predictable business outcomes, which was later acquired by SugarCRM. Today, she’s cofounder of Fireside, alongside Mark Cuban, a venture named by Fast Company as one of the “next big things in media, entertainment, and social technology” for its innovative interactive tech on smart TVs. In this episode, Falon shares her entrepreneurial journey and offers valuable advice for aspiring founders.

Partnering with Smallholder Farmers to Bring Products to Market with Florence Mogere

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000

With a career in corporate finance, Florence originally founded Nyota as a way to continue employing her nannies once her children started school. The company partners with smallholder farmers in rural Kenya to flash-freeze local produce and create specialty sauces, tackling food waste and boosting farmers’ livelihoods. Nyota soon began employing more women in the community and moved production from Flo’s kitchen into a commercial facility. In this episode, discover Florence’s inspiring journey, including how she has evolved her previous no-nonsense, corporate leadership style to embrace patience, empathy, and camaraderie. Nyota’s nutritious foods are sold in supermarkets across Kenya, with expansion plans for New York City.

Advancing Nonpartisan Research on Innovation, the Environment, and the Economy in California with Noel Perry

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:50:00 +0000

Founded in 2003, Next 10 works at the intersection of California’s economy, environment, and quality of life, providing expert research and data to inform the public and policymakers. Noel explores the hidden energy costs of driverless cars, the development of offshore wind farms, and how to navigate California’s complex ballot propositions. Discover insights from Next 10’s annual California Green Innovation Index, which tracks environmental and economic trends, benchmarking California against other U.S. states and major global economies. This conversation offers valuable lessons not just for Californians, but for anyone interested in learning from the state’s successes and challenges.

Bringing Solar MP3s with Quality Content to Underserved Schools in Sub-Saharan Africa and Beyond with Kristine Pearson

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 17:11:27 +0000

For many vulnerable communities, particularly women and children, in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, access to school and the news can be difficult. Hear how Lifeline Energy is bringing news and educational curriculum to rural communities with solar and wind-up radios and MP3 players, often providing the only reliable source of outside information to their clients. Kristine shares her story of winning the 2005 Tech Award (co-sponsored by the Tech Museum of Innovation and Miller Center). The $50,000 prize was pivotal in helping her raise additional capital because donors like to be first to go second.

Promoting Agency for Young Women Entrepreneurs in Myanmar and Beyond With Matt Wallace

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 1 Oct 2024 02:25:57 +0000

After college, Matt Wallace sought life beyond the Illinois cornfields where he grew up. He moved with his wife to Myanmar to teach English, where he was struck by the influx of young women migrating into cities to send money back to their families. This inspired him to co-found ONOW, which provides business training, financial skills, coaching, and digital tools to Myanmar’s young entrepreneurs, especially migrant women. Discover Matt’s journey with ONOW — how the pandemic actually helped the company scale, the impact of Myanmar’s military coup, and how ONOW is integrating AI into its support tools to simplify financial reporting for its customers.

Cultivating Innovation, Opportunity, and Community in San Jose With Matt Mahan

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 03:31:50 +0000

Mayor Matt Mahan shares his vision for San Jose, tackling some of the most pressing issues the city faces today — from the housing crisis and public safety to innovation and community-building. Raised in a small farming town by a school teacher and a postal carrier, Matt commuted up to four hours a day to attend a college prep high school in San Jose. A Teach for America educator and founder and CEO of a tech startup to engage voters, he was elected mayor of the United States’ 13th largest city in 2022. Whether you're a resident or interested in urban leadership, this episode offers insights into San Jose’s future.

Igniting the Potential of African Mothers to Balance Their Baby’s Health and their Family’s Economic Wellbeing with Sahar Jamal

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Sahar Jamal, the founder of Maziwa, discusses the inspirations behind creating the Maziwa "Wema Breast Pump," her experience with Miller Center's accelerator program, and her upbringing.

Applied Wisdom for Nonprofits with Jim Morgan

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 23:49:49 +0000

From Summer Camp to Tech-Giant CEO to Nonprofit Advisor When Jim Morgan took the reins at Applied Materials, the semiconductor equipment company was on the verge of bankruptcy. During his three-decade tenure, he led its transformation into a multi-billion dollar corporation. Jim has also served as a technology advisor to three US presidents, been recognized for his global humanitarian work, and authored several books on leadership. And it all began at summer camp. Join us as Jim shares his journey and his latest book, Applied Wisdom for the Nonprofit Sector.

Redefining Financial Access for Indonesian Workers with Martyna Malinowska

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 9 Jul 2024 17:22:36 +0000

Martyna Malinowska, co-founder of GajiGesa, shares her journey from Poland to Indonesia, driven by a passion for financial inclusion. She was first inspired by Muhammad Yunus' concept of doing well by doing good. Working for a fintech startup in Indonesia, Martyna came to understand that most Indonesian employees run out of money between paychecks. This experience led to the creation of GajiGesa, a platform that provides on-demand access to earned wages as a safe alternative to high-interest, predatory loans and improves the financial resilience of workers.

A Moonshot Focused on the World’s Electric Grid with Page Crahan

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 20:20:21 +0000

Page Crahan is general manager of Tapestry, a moonshot effort under Alphabet focused on the electric grid. Today, information about the grid is fragmented across numerous organizations, making planning and management difficult. Tapestry’s mission is to illuminate the electric grid. By providing visibility to all those who work with it, Tapestry aims to make the grid greener, fairer, and more reliable. Page shares some exciting developments on the horizon and how she brings her personal creativity to work.

From Rabbits to Solar Products in Rural Kenya With David Wanjau

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 22:23:11 +0000

David Wanjau, founder and CEO of Deevabits Green Energy, planned to be a research scientist before being encouraged by a fellow scientist to help “change the world.” Working for an NGO on food security issues and rabbit farming, he quickly realized that the farmers he worked with did not have electricity. Our host, Karen Runde, met up with David in Nairobi to learn more about his journey with Deevabits to provide clean, reliable solar solutions to rural Kenyan communities.

Innovating Healthcare Solutions for People Who Need Them Most With Daphne Ngunjiri

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 13 May 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Founded in 2012, Access Afya provides high-quality, localized healthcare specifically designed to meet the needs of underserved neighborhoods in Kenya. Join our interview with CEO Daphne Ngunjiri as she traces Access Afya’s journey to serve over 10,000 people per month through community micro-clinics and a suite of digital health apps and her personal journey and growth as a leader. The Economist recently highlighted its implementation of an AI-powered virtual healthcare platform to provide immediate and personalized responses to patients, health workers, and clinicians.

Homeboy Industries with Father Greg Boyle

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 22:58:28 +0000

Father Greg Boyle and Homeboy Industries Provide Hope and Healing. When Father Gregory Boyle became the pastor of Dolores Mission Church, the community had the highest concentration of gang activity in Los Angeles. In 1988, Father Greg founded Homeboy Industries to improve the lives of former gang members in East Los Angeles. Since then, it has evolved into the largest gang intervention, rehab, and re-entry program in the world. In this episode, Brigit and Don talk with Father Greg about Homeboy Industries, the Global Homeboy Network, and the importance of offering kinship and support to those who have been left behind without hope.

From Bombs to Bracelets — Disrupting Violence in El Salvador With Ariela Suster

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 1 Apr 2024 20:44:47 +0000

Growing up in the midst of the Salvadoran Civil War, Ariela Suster lived through car bombs in her neighborhood, shootings in her home, and the harrowing kidnapping of her brother. Early in her career, Ariela worked in high fashion in New York City, before founding Sequence Collection, an urban lifestyle brand that employs young men and women at risk of gang recruitment, to change the sequence of events that have led to violence and destruction in her country. Ariela shares her journey of building a social enterprise and connecting with her mentor, fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg.

Galen Welsch - JIBU

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 5 Mar 2024 19:28:40 +0000

While working in Morocco with the Peace Corps, Galen Welsh observed the disconnect between what communities need and what donors want to fund. With investment from his dad, Galen piloted his original Jibu model in Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. All three failed, but Galen learned quickly and adapted. From those early failures to a harrowing experience defending his brand, Galen recounts his journey to launch 160 franchises with 10,000 retail points in 8 African countries and provide opportunities for African entrepreneurs.

Creating Value From Waste with Sistema.Bio With Madrin Maina and Alex Eaton

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 22:48:31 +0000

In this episode, Brigit and Don talk with Madrin Maina and Alex Eaton about working with smallholder farmers around the world to address the challenges of poverty, food security, and climate change. Alex is the cofounder and CEO, and Madrin is the East Africa director of Sistema.bio, a social enterprise that provides access to innovative biodigester technology, training, and financing to enable farmers to convert waste into clean, renewable energy and organic fertilizer. Founded in 2010 in Mexico, hear how they've expanded into Africa and India, the challenges and opportunities of crossing borders, and their visions for supporting millions of farmers and meaningfully contributing to reductions in greenhouse gases.

Charlot Magayi - Mukuru Clean Stoves

lineofsight@scu.edu (Karen Runde) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 19:05:27 +0000

Welcome to "Founders of Impact," our Line of Sight spin-off series that delves into the remarkable journeys of founders who are redefining success by combining business innovation with a commitment to positive societal change. In each episode, host Karen Runde, Miller Center's Director of Alumni Programs, engages in candid and insightful conversations with visionaries who have dared to challenge the status quo. Discover the origins of their enterprise, strategies, challenges, and triumphs that shape the landscape of social entrepreneurship. "Founders of Impact" – Where purpose-driven innovation takes center stage. Subscribe and join the conversation today.

A Look Behind the Catalyst Fund With Malika Anand

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:40:02 +0000

Brigit and Don welcome Malika Anand to discuss the mission behind Catalyst Fund, the transition in its business model and its impact thus far, her role as Head of Impact, core values that guide the Catalyst Fund in their transition to VC, key barriers to having the greatest impact, and how the Catalyst Fund incorporates ESG frameworks into its work.

Environmental, Social, and Governance With Alison Taylor

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Fri, 12 May 2023 19:45:03 +0000

Alison Taylor joins us as we break down the essence and implications of ESG from a critical lens through dialogue regarding common misunderstandings about ESG, the impact of the Larry Fink letters, polarization in business culture, and how her upcoming book addresses the dilemma of being an ethical business in a turbulent world.

Unique Approaches to Trust-based philanthropy with Allie Ottoboni

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 19:38:31 +0000

In today’s episode, Brigit and Don seek out the expertise of Allie Ottoboni as they dive into trust-based philanthropy and its unique approach, eBay Foundation’s strategic planning focus on equitable entrepreneurship and what this entails, her career journey that led to earning the Woman of Influence award from the Silicon Valley Business Journal, and her outlook on the future of philanthropy.

Child's Rights Activist and Climate Campaigner Faatiha Aayat

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Brigit and Don embrace the youthful, yet tenured perspective of the 10-year old Child's Rights Activist and Climate Campaigner, Faatiha Aayat, as they discuss Faatiha’s first experiences working for climate change, why she values this cause so deeply, the connection between climate change and ethics, the target audience for her speeches, how others can support the mitigation of climate change, and her hopes for the future of the climate issue.

Exploring the foundation of Miller Center with Jim Koch and Eric Carlson

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 19:15:58 +0000

Brigit and Don connect with Jim Koch and Eric Carlson to discuss the unique value proposition of Miller Center's Accelerator, formerly the Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI), the motivation to launch the accelerator, Eric’s decision to get involved and his passion for this work, why the accelerator program fits so well within Santa Clara University, its impact, and why mentorship is essential for the social entrepreneurship program.

Creating a More Just, Ethical, and Sustainable world with Gloria Duffy

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 20:02:30 +0000

In this episode, Brigit and Don call on Gloria Duffy as they think through pre-eminent challenges to creating a more just, ethical, and sustainable world, the importance of balanced public information and dialogue about challenging societal issues, the Commonwealth Club’s approach towards addressing equity, justice, ethics, and sustainability, the homelessness crisis and its implications on San Francisco, the common thread between organizations Gloria has advocated for, and how social entrepreneurs are nurtured.

Data-Driven with Kristi Bowers

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 18:00:40 +0000

In this episode, Brigit and Don chat with Kristi Bowers as they explore the mission, ingenuity, and journey of her data-driven agriculture company, Grape.ag; the implications of climate change on farmers across the globe, how Grape.ag ensures its ethicality and ESG duty as a startup, the value of working cross-culturally, ways that companies can leverage the Markkula Center and Miller Center to support their mission, and what success looks like for her company.

Keys to Leadership with Lisa Kloppenberg

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 3 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000

In today’s episode, Brigit and Don request Lisa Kloppenberg to discuss her book, The Best Beloved Thing Is Justice: The Life of Dorothy Wright Nelson, hone in on the significance of drawing leadership from mentors, highlight her proudest accomplishments as SCU’s acting President, provide advice that she may have for aspiring leaders on how to deal with adversity, and reveal her next ventures as she completes her time as the acting President.

Resilience with Shá Duncan Smith

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 5 Sep 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Sha Duncan Smith joins Brigit and Don as they discuss what drew her to the role as the VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at SCU, what it takes to be an anti-racist institution, how to build empathy and craft a culture of listening, differences she’s noticed between social norms in Silicon Valley v.s. the MidWest, taking accountability on properly recruiting diverse talent, and how she stays resilient in her work in light of obstacles.

Supporting Early Stage Female Founders with Allison Kopf

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 19:00:00 +0000

The Investing Landscape in Africa for Women with Dalia Cohen

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Brigit and Don invite Dalia Cohen to indulge in the complexities of her upcoming fund, the investing landscape in Africa for women, exploring ESG companies and what this investment sector entails, the colonization of funding, social and societal impact of mobile money in Africa, and growing up in Zimbabwe.

The Complexity and Urgency of COP26 with Joyita Mukherjee

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 16 May 2022 17:48:12 +0000

In today’s discussion, Brigit and Don welcome Joyita Mukherjee to decipher the complexity and urgency of COP26, the imbalance of geographical carbon emissions, industrial animal husbandry practices and the environment, the discouraging nature of climate change and ways to cope, mitigation and adaptation, and social entrepreneurship’s role in combating climate change.

There's Nothing Micro about a Billion Women with Mary Ellen Iskenderian

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 03:57:05 +0000

Brigit and Don welcome Mary Ellen Iskenderian to tackle the core themes within her upcoming book, There Is Nothing Micro About a Billion Women, such as the field of financial inclusion, the complexity of an untapped market, clearing the roadblocks and making a business case for financial inclusion, gaining support for this business case at scale, the ethical responsibility of policymakers to address financial inclusion, and the implications of data privacy and predatory lending practices in making this change.

Funding Disparities and Inclusivity with Sharon Vosmek

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 7 Feb 2022 19:01:04 +0000

In this episode, Brigit and Don welcome Sharon Vosmek to explore the ongoing issue of funding for diverse female founders, the entry point for changing the system that enables funding disparities, why inclusive teams perform better, eliminating “unconscious bias” from the investment process, adapting to language barriers in global opportunities, and how her career path led to where she is today.

Women in Leadership with Mohini Malhotra

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 19:38:15 +0000

Mohini Malhotra sits down with Brigit and Don to delve into her focus on women’s economic empowerment, the correlation between leadership and international development, implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into her leadership course, her interest in working with female artists, and the advice she would give to her younger self and students at Georgetown.

60 Decibels with Lindsay Smalling

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 6 Dec 2021 18:35:21 +0000

Lindsay Smalling joins Brigit and Don to discuss the meaning behind the name “60 Decibels” and its mission, making sense of qualitative research data, Lindsay’s passion and motivation, 60 Decibels’ significant impact working with NGOs and social enterprises, ethical issues that arise in this field, and her outlook for this work in the future.

LEAD with Ronnie Lott and Will Smith

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 21:41:05 +0000

Brigit and Don welcome Ronnie Lott and Will Smith as they explore their work with LEAD (a social enterprise focused on Leadership, Education, Athletics, and Development), what they hope to accomplish, and plans to expand LEAD into the US to further its vision and impact. They also discuss the beginning of Ronnie and Will’s friendship, the dichotomy of pursuing an ethical initiative and abstaining from falling into the white savior trope, and Ronnie’s experience with NFL leaders and how these qualities are invaluable for leaders everywhere.

Radical Generosity with Vicki Saunders

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 4 Oct 2021 18:42:49 +0000

Vicki Saunders is an entrepreneur, award-winning mentor, advisor to the next generation of change-makers and leading advocate for entrepreneurship as a way of creating positive transformation in the world. Vicki is Founder of #radical generosity and SheEO, a global community of radically generous women supporting women-led Ventures working on the World’s To-Do List. Vicki has co-founded and run ventures in Europe, Toronto and Silicon Valley and taken a company public on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Vicki was received numerous awards for her work at SheEO including; UBS Global Visionary in 2020, YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 2020, Business Leader of the Year 2019 by the Toronto Regional Board of Trade, 2018 Startup Canada Entrepreneurship Promotion Award and was selected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 2001. In this episode, Brigit and Don invite Vicki Saunders as they immerse themselves into her world of creating positive transformation through entrepreneurship, being the Founder of SheEO, the media’s unrealistic glorification of venture capitalist funding, what differentiates SheEO from mainstream approaches, the meaning of radical generosity and its importance, and her vision for a better financial system that serves humanity.

Accessing the Potential of Social Enterprises with Dr. Edward Mungai

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 9 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Dr Edward Mungai is a global thought leader in sustainability. An author, researcher, advisor, entrepreneur, and authority on corporate responsibility and sustainable development, he is acclaimed for championing environmental excellence, sustainable consumerism and production, and the triple bottom line. Currently, Edward is CEO of Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) Group, a transformation agency working at the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He is co-founder of KCIC Consulting, a consultancy, and think – tank-helping clients to integrate sustainability into their businesses also founder of Inspire leadership that helps people unlock their potential. He has authored several books, the latest being Impact Investing in Africa: A guide to Sustainability for Investors, Institutions, and Entrepreneurs. He teaches Corporate Sustainability and innovation to executives at Strathmore Business School and sits on several boards. A health and fitness enthusiast, he has participated in numerous global marathons such as Boston, Chicago, New York, and Berlin marathons but also bagged over 21 medals so far including the Abbot Marathon Majors. Edward holds a PhD in Sustainability from Strathmore University Business School; MBA from Scandinavian International Management Institute (SIMI) in Copenhagen, Denmark and undergraduate degree in business management from Moi University, Kenya Dr. Edward Mungai joins Brigit and Don to discuss his experience in accessing the potential of social enterprises to solve challenges across Africa, the challenges that social entrepreneurs are facing and possible solutions, COVID 19’s impact on the social enterprise sector in Kenya, key lessons he’s learned during his time as the CEO of the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) Group for the last 9 years, and the mismatch between the supply and demand of capital.

BRAC's Mission and Approach to Global Expansion with Donella Rapier

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Donella Rapier is the President and CEO of BRAC USA, the North American affiliate of BRAC, one of the largest humanitarian and development organizations in the world. Founded in Bangladesh, BRAC now touches the lives of more than 100 million people throughout Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia. Donella brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in finance, fundraising, and strengthening and scaling nonprofit organizations. Before joining BRAC USA, Donella served as the Chief Development and Administrative Officer at Accion, a pioneer and global leader in microfinance and financial inclusion. Prior to that, she was the Chief Financial Officer at Partners in Health, a global healthcare organization working in remote places where healthcare alternatives are limited or otherwise nonexistent, such as Haiti, Rwanda, and Malawi. Earlier in her career, Donella spent more than a decade in senior leadership roles at Harvard University, including Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development and Chief Financial Officer for Harvard Business School. Donella received her MBA from Harvard Business School and began her career at Price Waterhouse. In this episode, Brigit and Don welcome Donella Rapier, President and CEO of BRAC USA, to highlight BRAC’s impact on Bangladesh, Sub Saharan Africa, and South Asia, what attracted Donella to BRAC USA, their mission and approach to global expansion, innovations pioneered by the organization, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed’s everlasting mark on BRAC, and the outlook for their future.

Solidarity Journalism with Anita Varma

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:55:51 +0000

Anita Varma, PhD leads the Solidarity Journalism Initiative at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, where she is the assistant director of Journalism & Media Ethics as well as Social Sector Ethics. Her research, teaching, and public engagement all focus on how marginalized communities are represented in public discourse, and how these representations can improve. Varma serves on the board of the Society of Professional Journalists (Northern California Chapter) and she is the research chair of the Media Ethics Division for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. She believes storytelling can help change the world. In this installment, Brigit and Don welcome Anita Varma, the assistant director of Journalism & Media Ethics and Social Sector Ethics, to explore the essence of solidarity journalism, the dichotomy of journalistic neutrality and acknowledging social justice, the difference between empathy and solidarity in reporting, what solidarity reporting for India’s surge in Covid-19 cases would look like, how both journalists and audiences have been exhausted by the incessant trauma displayed in the news, and the implications of vicarious traumatization.

Gender Lens Investing with Lisa Willems

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 1 Jun 2021 01:00:00 +0000

Lisa Willems joined AlphaMundi Group in 2013 and is currently a Managing Director at the impact investment firm. She established AlphaMundi Foundation in 2016, a nonprofit sister organization to the group that supports social entrepreneurs with technical assistance, business first gender-smart interventions, and impact measurement. Beyond her investing experience, she spent four years working as a management consultant in New York, predominantly at Oliver Wyman. Lisa has traveled extensively and worked with social entrepreneurs in Ghana, Honduras, Tanzania, and the Dominican Republic. With a BAs in Economics and Public Policy from Duke University and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, Lisa is an adjunct professor at American University, where she teaches a graduate course on impact investing. Brigit and Don sit down with Lisa Willems to discuss the ethicality and profitability of gender lens investing (GLI), AlphaMundi’s mission to address the need for female founders and comparable funding for their ventures, business first gender-smart interventions, the biggest challenges of GLI, key success factors, identifying the signs of growth in companies for investments, Silicon Valley’s influence on international venture capital markets, and advice for other investors who are looking to get started with GLI.

The Significance of Social Justice with Joanna Thompson

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 17 May 2021 15:57:58 +0000

Joanna Thompson was born in Alexandria, Virginia and raised in Rockville, Maryland - always staying true to her East Coast roots. She is a criminologist, receiving her B.A. in Criminology & Investigations from West Virginia University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Criminology, Law, and Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Before joining us here at SCU, Joanna lived in Chicago for 8 years where she taught criminology courses at UIC for 6 years and worked at Center on Halsted--an LGBTQ community center--for 1 year. Her mixed-race (half-Black/half-Latina) and queer identities make her passionate about intersectionality and social justice. As Director of the Office for Multicultural Learning, Joanna is excited to help educate and transform the SCU community when it comes to multicultural and multiracial issues. Brigit and Don invite Joanna Thompson to indulge in the significance of social justice, spearheading diversity equity and inclusion work, her role at Santa Clara University as the Director of the Office of Multicultural Learning, actively striving to address urgent social issues on campus and nationwide, teaching empathy, the multi-faceted implications of the capitol riots, and having the temerity to live in all of your identities.

The New Builders with Elizabeth MacBride

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 3 May 2021 19:28:18 +0000

Elizabeth MacBride is an award-winning journalist and an entrepreneur with deep expertise in finance, technology and international business. She has talked her way into Gaza for a story, reported on business in refugee camps and written stories about entrepreneurs everywhere from Northern Idaho to Helena, Arkansas, to Cambodia. She is the co-author of The New Builders and founder of Times of Entrepreneurship, a weekly web publication covering entrepreneurs beyond Silicon Valley, launched in Feb. 2020, with support from the Kauffman Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.

Elizabeth has written or edited for Quartz, Forbes Magazine, Atlantic.com, Stanford GSB, CNBC, HBR.com, BBC Capital, Advertising Age, Newsweek and many others. Her stories have been viewed by millions of people worldwide and translated into languages including Arabic, Turkish and Armenian. Her recent work includes a viral story: “Why Venture Capital Doesn’t Build What We Really Need,” for MIT Tech Review; an award-winning feature on the lack of diversity among investment advisors for Investment News, the most efficient form of aid for Syrian refugees for Quartz, and a feature for CNBC on one of the few successful economic development projects in Bethlehem, led by Greek businessman, Samer Khoury.

Elizabeth's work for corporate and startup clients includes thought leadership with Andy Rachleff, co-founder of Benchmark Capital and Wealthfront, as well as a number of internationally known Stanford professors in management and finance, including Huggy Rao and Benham Tabrizi. She edited two books on investing for Charley Ellis, founder of Greenwich Associates, and the author of the classic Winning the Loser's Game.

Building a Better World with Janine Firpo

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 6 Apr 2021 14:15:55 +0000

About Janine:

Janine Firpo is an author and speaker who spent more than 20 years in executive roles at Hewlett-Packard, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and more. She is a values-aligned investor in companies that make the world a better place and is passionate about teaching women to learn how to invest their own money. Embodying these principles, Janine is releasing her first book, Activate Your Money - Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World in April of 2021. The company Janine founded, SEMBA, will create a community for those looking to take control of their investments and bring them in line with what matters most to them.

She is one of the lead investors in the Next Wave Impact Fund, an impact angel fund designed to help more women become angel investors. Janine also sits on the board of Zebras Unite, an organization developing the capital structures, community, and culture that non-unicorn start-up businesses need to thrive.

A graduate from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) with a BA in Biology, she earned her Masters Degree in Zoology and Computer Science from the University of Florida.

Addressing Homelessness in California with Elizabeth Collet Funk

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 9 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Elizabeth serves as the Senior General Partner at Dev Equity, a venture capital fund investing in B-Corps in low income housing, urban revitalization, and sustainable agriculture in Latin America (Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru). She works closely with her portfolio companies to take their businesses to the next level while also making positive social changes in their countries. Elizabeth started her career in rapidly growing, innovative technology companies. She served as a Product Manager for Microsoft Word when Windows was first launched and participated in forming the original Microsoft Office product. After graduating as a Baker Scholar from Harvard Business School, she joined Yahoo! as one of the earliest employees-- quickly rising through the ranks to lead the business side of several divisions including Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Search, Yahoo! Auctions, Yahoo! Classifieds, Yahoo! Greetings and other properties. Most importantly, she was a founder of Yahoo! Shopping and became a leader in developing and shaping Yahoo’s e-commerce strategy. Since that time, Elizabeth has dedicated the past 15 years to impact investing and corporate social responsibility-- demonstrating that strong financial performance and positive social change are inherently connected. During the Covid-19 pandemic she created a new social enterprise, DignityMoves, with the purpose of creating innovative and scalable solutions for homelessness in California. Her first DignityMoves housing site has been funded by the State of California’s Project Homekey program and additional sites are in the works for Santa Barbara, San Francisco and elsewhere across California.

The Rise of Synthetic Drugs with Mary and Ed Ternan (Song4Charlie)

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 9 Feb 2021 03:00:00 +0000

In an effort to raise awareness about the rise of synthetic drugs such as fentanyl that unfortunately ended the life of their youngest child, Charlie Ternan, Mary and Ed Ternan join Brigit and Don to discuss the urgency of this problem that is infiltrating the lives of young men and women. Throughout the episode they elaborate on what happened to Charlie, the magnitude of which synthetic drugs are harming the youth, why synthetic drugs are on the rise, the dangerous chemical properties of fentanyl, decoupling the fentanyl problem from the opioid crisis, the tendency for college students to self medicate with pills, and their strategy to educate the youth about the dangers of synthetic drugs.

Innovation in Africa with Anzetse Were

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 22:43:02 +0000

Anzetse Were is a development economist with over ten years of experience working in Africa on Economic Research, Analysis and Strategy Development with a focus on Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Private Sector Development, Financial Sector Development, and Trade and Investment. She has a Masters in Economics from the University of Sydney (Australia) and a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University (USA). Over her career, Anzetse has worked with African governments, private sector, development finance institutions, non-profit organizations, as well as academia and think tanks. She is currently an Economist at FSD Kenya. In this episode, Brigit and Don welcome Anzetse Were to highlight how innovation within Africa can address social injustices, M-Pesa as an active element of shifting financial norms in Africa, promoting competition in an environment full of monopolies, using the technological ecosystem to create a sense of ownership in which Africa is playing a role in its innovation, fostering innovation in the private sector, prominent ethical issues within the work that she does, and the implications of COVID 19 to Africa’s economy and society that delve deeper than businesses closing: the bigger picture.

The Impact of the Better Than Cash Alliance with Dr. Ruth Goodwin-Groen

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 03:00:00 +0000

Brigit and Don welcome Dr. Ruth Goodwin Groen to discuss the impact of the Better Than Cash Alliance, addressing the challenges of cultivating responsible digital payment methods, G20’s Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, how Dr. Ruth Goodwin-Groen began advocating for women’s financial equality, how digitization can relieve systemic corruption, Covid-19’s heightened impact on women, and the ethical issues and implications of the lack of international access to identification. Dr. Ruth Goodwin-Groen is the Managing Director of the United Nations based Better Than Cash Alliance, leading its efforts to accelerate the global shift from cash to digital payments by governments, companies and international organizations. This continues her work on poverty reduction as it helps to increase transparency, efficiency and provide a pathway to financial inclusion, driving inclusive growth. She represents Better Than Cash Alliance at the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, is a member of the World Economic Forum Financial Inclusion Steering Committee and a member of the Reference Group of the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development. Previously, Dr. Goodwin-Groen was the Australian Co-Chair of the G20’s Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion and the Financial Services for the Poor Adviser at the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). She has also advised organizations in the field of financial inclusion including the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, the World Bank Group, the Soros Foundation, the UK Department for International Development, the FinMark Trust (South Africa), the German Technical Cooperation, Women’s World Banking, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as Cambridge University in over 15 different countries. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Bath, UK, an M.B.A. (Distinction) from Harvard Business School, USA and; a B.Sc. Hons. (1st) from the University of Western Australia.

Inclusive Innovation with Maggie Dugan

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Maggie Dugan is an international business and innovation facilitator. With over fifteen years of experience in broadcasting as a journalist, a marketer and a manager, Maggie has an incredible grasp on the industry and innovation in corporate settings at large. She was Director of Marketing, Advertising and Promotion for WAAF-FM, President of the American Comedy Network, and Vice President of its parent company, NewCity Communications.

Maggie has been a leader/presenter at creativity conferences worldwide, including the South African Creativity Conference, Creativity Istanbul, and the Intercultural Creativity conference in Brighton, UK. She has been a facilitator at the CREA European Creativity Conference, in Italy every year since its inception in 2003. Maggie is a faculty member, and frequent conference favorite at the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI). She served on the Board of Trustees of the Creative Education Foundation from 1998 until 2003, and was Vice-President of this Board in 2002-2003. She was awarded the organization's Distinguished Leader Award in 1999.

Maggie is a graduate of Brown University with an A.B. in History and an A.B. in Semiotics. She is based in Barcelona and keeps an office in Paris.

WaveAI with Dr. Maya Ackerman

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Professor and entrepreneur Dr. Maya Ackerman is an award-winning Artificial Intelligence expert, named “Woman of influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Ackerman is an Assistant Professor at the Computer Science and Engineering department at Santa Clara University, and CEO/Co-founder of WaveAI, today’s most advanced musical AI startup. Interviews with Dr. Ackerman appear on NBC News, New Scientist, Grammy.com, and international television stations across the globe. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Ackerman has been an invited speaker at the United Nations, Google, IBM Research, and Stanford University, amongst other prestigious venues. Her research has earned awards from the Association for Computational Creativity, US Office of Naval Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and many more. Ackerman has published forty peer-reviewed research publications, and has been on the program and reviewing committees of twenty different AI journals and conferences. She earned her PhD from the University of Waterloo, held postdoctoral fellowships at Caltech and UC San Diego and is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Computational Creativity. In this episode, Brigit and Don invite Dr. Maya Ackerman to discuss her inspiration to start WaveAI and its creative applications, the societal fear of using AI as an aid for artistry, and her experience as an entrepreneur bridging the gap between the music industry and STEM. Also discussed are the challenge for women and minority entrepreneurs to obtain funding from investors, gender disparities in the workforce, and the necessary steps to combat implicit bias.

Vinnee Tong

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 2 Nov 2020 21:54:34 +0000

Vinnee Tong is the managing editor of news at KQED. She was the founding editor of The Bay, a storytelling news podcast from KQED. Previously, she was a producer on the Bay Curious podcast. Before KQED, Vinnee was a print reporter at the Associated Press and newspapers where she covered local news from City Hall as well as business news from New York, like the financial meltdown of 2008. She has won awards for her reporting including an RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award, as well as awards from the New York Press Club and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. In this installment, Brigit and Don speak with Vinnee about her move from print journalism to audio and podcasting, the complexity of systems journalism, her struggles as a woman of color in journalism, serving the KQED audience, being reflective of the Bay Area community, journalist coverage on equity and income inequality, the potential for youth to pursue journalism, and her role models in the industry.

Women Innovators & Leaders Development Network with Fiona Macaulay

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 6 Oct 2020 01:00:00 +0000

Fiona Macaulay is a serial social entrepreneur that is committed to helping individuals achieve their potential. Through multiple leadership roles such as a keynote speaker for global conferences, a professor at Georgetown University for the McDonough School of Business, an avid leadership writer, and the founder of the Women Innovators & Leaders Development network (WILD), Fiona has actively worked to support women in their pursuit of professionally flourishing professional (fulfillment or achievement). In this discussion, Brigit and Don discuss the impact of the WILD network on up and coming leaders, gender equality in the workplace, the benefits of leadership coaching, the rising trend for stakeholders to seek businesses that prioritize ethics, and corporate culture.

Introducing Brigit Helms, PhD. Miller Center's New Executive Director and new co-host of Line of Sight.

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 23:07:07 +0000

Thane and Don introduce Miller Center's new Executive Director, Brigit Helms. With over 30 years of experience in global development and economic inclusion Brigit brings insight on the big trends in social entrepreneurship, ethical issues in impact investing, the significance of mobile money, cultivating sustainability, and using social entrepreneurship to fight pandemics.

Social Responsibility with Victor Som

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:57:19 +0000

Victor Som is the founder and CEO of SCM – The Break Station and has traveled to over 52 countries advocating for sustainability and social responsibility. Thane and Don sit down with Victor to discuss consumer responsibility, conflict minerals, Victor’s personal transformation journey, and how companies can operate with greater social responsibility.

Impacts of Mining with Jean Nyembo

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:57:09 +0000

Jean Nyembo is a Jesuit priest and the head of CARF (Arrupe Center for research and training), in Lubumbashi, DR Congo. CARF promotes sustainable development through research and education. In this conversation, Thane and Don explore the issue of mining for minerals used in electronics, which often deplete the natural environment and involve unethical labor practices. Jean discusses how the mining ecosystem impacts the community, how his vocation as a priest influences his work and how corporations can make their supply chains more ethical.

Ethics of New Technology with Dan'l Lewin

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 06:00:03 +0000

Dan’l Lewin is the CEO of the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. He has 30-plus years of leadership experience in Silicon Valley with Microsoft, NeXT, Apple, Go Corporation, and Sony. Don and Thane discuss the ethics of new technologies, the Computer History Museum’s role in Silicon Valley, which innovations will make the biggest social impact, and how leaders can evaluate new technologies.

Exploring Gender Equity with Katica Roy

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 2 Jun 2020 17:20:12 +0000

Katica Roy is a gender economist and the CEO and founder of Denver-based Pipeline, an award-winning SaaS company that leverages artificial intelligence to identify and drive economic gains through gender equity. Katica is driven by a passion to eradicate economic inequality and champions the rights of refugees, women, and children. Thane and Don talk with Katica about how to achieve gender equity, how performance reviews can help close the gender pay gap, female representation on boards, and how empowering women strengthens economic opportunity for everyone.

Accelerating Conservation with Alex Dehgan

lineofsight@scu.edu (alex dehgan, don heider, thane kreiner) — Tue, 19 May 2020 04:00:08 +0000

Alex Dehgan is the CEO of Conservation X Labs, an innovation and technology startup focused on ending human-induced extinction. Alex recently served as the Chief Scientist at the U.S. Agency for International Development and helped launch the Global Development Lab there. In this wide-ranging conversation, Alex, Thane, and Don discuss how to prevent future pandemics, Alex’s recent book “The Snow Leopard Project: And Other Adventures in Warzone Conservation,” the media’s role in conservation, the power of citizen science, and numerous examples of how Conservation X is accelerating conservation.

Becoming a Global Ambassador with Sammi Bennett

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 5 May 2020 04:00:07 +0000

Sammi Bennett is a 2019 Santa Clara graduate '19 and recently completed a Fulbright Fellowship in Bangalore, India with Pollinate Group. Thane and Don chat with Sammi about female entrepreneurship, clean energy, vocational discernment, local and global citizenship, and stories of creativity and resilience from around the world.

Transformative Tech for Good

lineofsight@scu.edu (don heider, Betsy Beaumon, thane kreiner) — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 03:00:30 +0000

Betsy Beaumon is the CEO of Benetech, a nonprofit that empowers communities with software for good. In this episode, Betsy talks with Don and Thane about transformative technologies, the ethics of data, misconceptions around new technologies, and how technology is impacting vulnerable communities.

Eradicating Modern Slavery with Sarah Carpenter

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 03:00:33 +0000

Supply chain human rights expert Sarah Carpenter joins Thane and Don to share her experience on how to eradicate modern slavery, improve worker safety, and use innovative technology to make supply chains more ethical. Sarah has architected Assent Compliance's human trafficking and slavery solution, and consults with Fortune 500 companies on human rights due diligence.

Enterprising Sisters in Africa with Sister Juunza

lineofsight@scu.edu (sister juunza, thane kreiner, don heider) — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 04:22:18 +0000

Sister Juunza of the Religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Zambia brings shares her perspective on how principles of social entrepreneurship can improve life for Zambians. Thane, Don and Sister Juunza discuss the farming and education initiatives of her sisters, the prospects for young people in Zambia, and her vision for the next 10 years for her school.

Managing Dominant Visionaries with Rob Shelton

lineofsight@scu.edu (rob shelton, don heider, thane kreiner) — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:27:58 +0000

Rob Shelton is co-author of the recent book “The Brilliant Jerk Conundrum: Thriving with and Governing a Dominant Visionary.” In this episode, Thane and Don sit down with Rob to discuss how to spot and manage dominant visionaries, and how innovation and ethics can co-exist within organizations.

Solar Minigrids with Erika Francks

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 03:46:05 +0000

Erika was a Global Social Benefit Fellow in 2016 with ONergy Solar in Kolkata, India. She graduated from Santa Clara in 2017 as Valedictorian of her class and joined Accenture as a management consulting analyst focused on marketing and data analytics. She then went on a Fulbright to the country of Lesotho where she conducted research on productive uses of energy for OnePower, a solar minigrid company.

Civility and Compassion with Dr. Thomas Plante

lineofsight@scu.edu (Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship) — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 03:30:22 +0000

Dr. Thomas Plante is a leading expert on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Plante is a prolific author, Augustin Cardinal Bea, S.J. University Professor at Santa Clara, a practicing psychologist, and serves as the Civility Chair of the American Psychological Association. In this conversation with Thane and Don, Dr. Plante dives into the realities of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, including how institutions are putting best practices into place to keep kids safe. Dr. Plante also shares tips on how we can create a more civil, compassionate and humane society.

Inspiring Girls to Lead with Diana Kapp

lineofsight@scu.edu (Don Heider PhD, Thane Kreiner PhD, Diana Kapp) — Mon, 2 Dec 2019 20:21:50 +0000

A week before Diana Kapp’s new book, “Girls Who Rule the World” was launched, Forbes’ list of 100 Most Innovative Leaders was published with only one woman on it. The blowback helped bring attention to Diana’s purpose: to inspire a generation of girls to grow up expecting to be CEO. Don Heider and Thane Kreiner, in conversation with Diana, dig into the obstacles facing today’s girls (tomorrow’s leaders), and how attributes like moxy, resourcefulness and sheer determination will line the path to leadership.
Her book is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powells, and Indie Bound.

Welcome to Line of Sight

lineofsight@scu.edu (Thane Kreiner PhD, Don Heider PhD) — Mon, 2 Dec 2019 20:20:25 +0000

Meet hosts Thane Kreiner and Don Heider as they introduce their new podcast, in which they’ll lead provocative conversations with their guests at the intersection of today’s bleeding edge technologies and the timeless values of discernment and moral reasoning – asking questions that reveal the seldom-considered side of innovation.