Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

Enver Solomon, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, on universal values and engaging with policymakers, the media, and the public

The Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, Enver Solomon, joins us to discuss the refugee crisis and shed light on the work of the Refugee Council and the context in which they operate.

Every day, refugees are risking their lives by coming on boats from Continental Europe to the UK, and we see a political response of building walls and enforceability.

We explore the realities on the ground and the electoral challenges faced by policymakers, within a backdrop of heightened economic insecurity which often drives xenophobia.

Enver Solomon provides specific tips on how to be an effective advocate for refugees and universal values, and explains why engaging with policymakers and the public is essential for an effective communications strategy.

The Refugee Council was founded in 1951, following the creation of the UN Refugee Convention. They exist to support and empower people who have fled conflict, violence and persecution in order to rebuild their lives in the UK. They work with more than 13,000 women, men and children each year.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Vicky Fox, CEO of the UK Supreme Court, provides a fascinating glimpse into the Court’s work in community outreach, education, diversity and accessibility

The UK Supreme Court’s CEO, Vicky Fox, sheds light into her fascinating work and a range of initiatives focused on community outreach, education, and driving forward more diversity, accessibility and transparency.

Many people do not know the UK Supreme Court has a CEO and, indeed, many other countries' top courts also have CEOs. The Court does much international work and Vicky has met her counterparts in the USA, Canada, France, and Germany.

Vicky is in charge of all the non-judicial functions of the Court, including the running of an effective and efficient court, taking into account the lifecycle of a case – from the minute it enters their doors to the minute it leaves.

The Court runs a range of programmes to engage with communities. One such programme is called ‘Ask a Justice’ where a justice shows up in a classroom virtually and answers questions from students for an hour, leading to thoughtful, challenging, provocative interactions.

We also learn of their drive to encourage more diversity in the legal profession. The Court’s initiatives address the entire career pipeline, from schools and universities to very senior, experienced judges.  They work in partnership with many organisations, including a charity called ‘Bridging the Bar’, focusing on helping underrepresented groups into the legal profession.

Listen to this episode for some great insight and inspiration!

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

World Food Programme’s Martin Frick on the global food crisis, climate change and empowering people to drive forward positive change

Martin Frick is the Director of the World Food Programme’s Global Office in Berlin. We look at the global food crisis, how it relates to climate change and biodiversity, and explore how to move social drivers to empower people to make a positive difference.

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation with 24,000 colleagues all over the world, particularly in the toughest regions of the planet – working with almost 1,000 NGOs and active in places where often times no other agencies are on the ground.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Martin Allen Morales, CEO of the Institute of Imagination, on transforming our education system

The CEO of the Institute of Imagination, Martin Allen Morales, joins us to discuss creativity and imagination.

Imagination is a critical life skill and in this episode we explore how to unlock imagination in our children, encourage teachers to embrace this topic, and inform policy-makers so we transform an education system that often stifles imagination.

The Institute of Imagination is a pioneering education charity, working with parents, teachers, youth and community leaders, and academics, designing and delivering creative workshops across the arts, sciences and digital technologies (STEAM) for children aged 5-11 years old.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Bhawani Singh Shekhawat of the Akshaya Patra Foundation on tackling classroom hunger

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one of the world’s largest and perhaps most celebrated school meals programmes, currently serving 2.5 million children every day, in India and the UK, having served nearly 4 billion meals.

Bhawani Singh Shekhawat sits on the Board of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, advocates for cross-sector collaboration and provides insight into his personal journey, transitioning from corporate success to non-profit social impact.

This episode focuses on nutrition and education, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 4 respectively, and the conversation provides an inspirational example of transformative change at scale.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Rachel Sandby-Thomas on skills and social mobility

Rachel Sandby-Thomas sits on the UK Labour Party’s Council of Skills Advisors and is the Registrar of the University of Warwick. This episode focuses on skills and social mobility and explores resilience, soft skills, the impact of AI, the power of mentorship, and more.

Rachel has had a long career in the UK Civil Service, the last 8 years of which were as a Director General in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills where she covered legal, corporate services and policy (skills, regulation, large and small businesses, local growth). She joined the UK Civil Service as a lawyer from Linklaters.

Skills are essential to productivity and growth, and this episode is for everyone who wishes to understand the broader context and specific opportunities.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Liesel Pritzker Simmons (Co-Founder) and Corina Gardner (CEO) of the IDP Foundation, on building a sustainable education ecosystem

Liesel Pritzker Simmons brings us into the origins of the IDP Foundation, which she co-founded with her mother, Irene Pritzker.

The foundation’s mission: To participate in building a sustainable education ecosystem that embraces a mixed economy of provision, and caters for all children through access to finance for low-fee private schools, quality interventions and advocacy in Africa and beyond.

Corina Gardner joined the IDP Foundation as its CEO in 2020 and she starts by providing a broader context on the state of global education (SDG4) and how they’re driving systemic change.

The IDP Foundation is an active funder and champion for the complementary role that the non-state education sector plays in supporting national education systems.  

Governments are responsible for providing quality free education for all children, however in many developing countries this is not happening, despite often meeting, or exceeding, recommended UNESCO benchmarks on budget allocation.

As a funding partner and champion of the affordable non-state education sector (ANS), the IDP Foundation believes that low-fee private schools play a crucial role in increasing access to education and improving learning outcomes in low and lower-middle income countries.

They call for the global recognition, integration and support of this sector as part of a centrally-governed mixed economy of provision that embraces all hands on deck to build resilience into national education systems.

This episode will inform and inspire you, from education and policy to philanthropy and innovative finance, there is something for everyone.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

George Richards, Director of Community Jameel, on J-PAL and advancing science and learning for communities to thrive

Community Jameel’s Director, George Richards, talks about their support of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and numerous other initiatives supporting bright talent beyond the lab and across the globe.

In 2019, the Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to J-PAL’s co-founders, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, and long-time J-PAL affiliate Michael Kremer, for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.  Community Jameel has supported and partnered with J-PAL since 2005.

George explains how Community Jameel supports scientists, humanitarians, technologists and creatives to understand and address pressing human challenges. An inspiring conversation shedding light on the power of philanthropy.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Katy Talikowska, CEO of the Valuable 500, on ending disability exclusion

The CEO of the Valuable 500, Katy Talikowska, advocates for synchronised collective action; using the power of business to drive lasting change for the 1.3 billion people around the world who are living with a disability.

The Valuable 500 is a collective of 500 businesses, representing 22 million employees,  chaired by Paul Polman, who are innovating for disability inclusion.

Through synchronised collective action, they are tackling three systems barriers:

(1) Lack of representation

(2) Lack of disability reporting

(3) Lack of disability in leadership

 

On 3^rd December 2025, in Tokyo, they will host the Valuable 500 Accountability Summit, where they’ll convene their 500 companies to report on their progress against the above three synchronised collective actions.

At the Valuable 500, they won’t stop until everyone is seen and valued equally.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, Chancellor of Reach University, on their innovative apprenticeship route to becoming a teacher

The Chancellor of Reach University, Mallory Dwinal-Palisch, joins us to discuss teacher shortages in the USA and their innovative apprenticeship route helping those from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds join the teaching profession. 

Reach University’s approach addresses and tackles the hurdles that often stand in the way of people’s dreams of studying to become a teacher. From a lack of childcare and high costs, to geographic distances and poor alignment between subjects studied and local school districts’ needs.

Mallory dedicates her life's work to building equity-focused educational models.  She is a Rhodes Scholar; holds a BA in Economics from Northwestern University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a PhD from Oxford University.

Whether you are passionate about education, care deeply about social mobility, or are curious to understand how economics can be leveraged to drive social impact, this episode is for you.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Paige Murphy, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation, on improving lives through sports and innovative partnerships

The Head of the Wimbledon Foundation, Paige Murphy, talks with Alberto Lidji, former CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, about the charitable work of the Wimbledon Foundation, their key partnerships and the invaluable role of sports in providing essential skills for education and employment.

The Wimbledon Foundation is the official charity of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and the Championships. Their mission is to champion opportunity for all, and they aim to leverage the resources of the Club and the Championships to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

As the Wimbledon Foundation approaches its 10^th Anniversary, we learn about their trajectory; their COVID response work; and their current support of 100 local charities in the London boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth, key partnerships with WaterAid and the British Red Cross, and their support of ‘Set for Success’ – an initiative delivered by the Youth Sport Trust that is also supported by Barclays – the official banking partner of the Championships.

Interestingly, the Wimbledon Foundation does not focus on tennis. Rather, their goals are to strengthen the local community, promote active and healthy lives, inspire the next generation of young people, and respond at times of need. They support their partners in diverse ways and are always thinking creatively about how to make a difference.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Rupert Abbott, Executive Director of GiveOut, on LGBTI advocacy through a human rights lens

GiveOut’s Executive Director, Rupert Abbott, joins us to discuss the LGBTI movement through a human rights lens, and GiveOut’s work enabling the LGBTI community and its allies to give in one place to support this cause.

We also explore GiveOut’s drive to increase philanthropic funding and the increasing importance of corporate support.

GiveOut is an international LGBTQI community foundation working closely with many grassroots organisations.

Rupert Abbott qualified as a lawyer at the global firm Baker & McKenzie and was awarded a high commendation by the Law Society for his pro bono human rights work. He studied law at the University of Sussex and holds a BA and MA in modern history from the University of Oxford.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Paul Ronalds, CEO of Save the Children Global Ventures, on impact investing and unlocking capital

The CEO of Save the Children Global Ventures, Paul Ronalds, joins us to talk about the impact investing side of Save the Children – unlocking capital and backing truly interesting initiatives around health, education, child protection and climate.

Save the Children Global Ventures complements traditional grant-making and philanthropy with an increased use of innovative financing instruments, including loans, guarantees and blended finance funds.  They work with a wide range of start-ups and investors, and are establishing a family of impact funds to crowd-in private sector investment to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Paul has served as a senior advisor to two Australian Prime Ministers; was Deputy CEO of World Vision Australia and, for the last nine years, served as CEO of Save the Children Australia.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Krish Kandiah, Founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, on welcoming refugees with open arms

The founder and director of the Sanctuary Foundation, Krish Kandiah, talks about the importance of welcoming refugees into our communities. He describes the work of the Sanctuary Foundation and shares his own personal experience of opening his home and welcoming refugees to live with his family.

Despite what the negative headlines might suggest, the British public has demonstrated great warmth and generosity, opening their homes to complete strangers who seek refuge from war and conflict in Ukraine and elsewhere.

The pendulum of public attitudes is moving in the right direction and there’s much we can do to build on this momentum. Just days after marking World Refugee Day on 20^th June 2023, this episode will inform, inspire, and prompt you to do more.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Emma Cherniavsky, UK CEO of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on World Refugee Day and Changing the Narrative of how Refugees and Displaced Persons are Perceived

Ahead of World Refugee Day on 20^th June 2023, Emma Cherniavsky, UK CEO of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) joins us to discuss the refugee and displaced persons crisis.

Emma explains that World Refugee Day is a time to celebrate what refugees have brought to our countries, societies and communities. It’s a time to celebrate the courage,  resilience, and extraordinary contributions of refugees and displaced persons.

This episode provides context of the refugee and displaced persons crisis across the globe and highlights the importance of changing the negative narratives often projected in the media.

We shed light on the work of the UNHCR, both on the front lines and in host countries -- ranging from emergency, humanitarian aid to long-term initiatives focused on education, employability, and inclusion.

Our conversation also explores the wide range of partnerships with NGOs, government and other sectors in support of UNHCR’s work, and we pay specific attention to the increasing importance and relevance of the private sector in helping drive this work forward.

We conclude on a positive note, shedding light on the immense levels of public generosity and provide a range of ways in which folks can get involved.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Hilary Cottam, Professor at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at UCL (University College London) and author of Radical Help, on social design and rethinking our vertical post-war systems

Hilary Cottam joins us to explore the field of social design and rethinking our vertical, post-war systems so as to ensure that we are not simply putting 1950s systems online, but rather are actually embracing a digital mindset with collaboration and sharing that are front and centre, being mindful that today’s challenges are vast and urgent and we need to think about them differently and rethink how we design new social systems that are fit for purpose.

So, whether you’re a policy maker, a corporate strategist or want to glean what the future of our society could look like, today’s episode is for you.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

 

Sophie Otiende, CEO of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, on creating a survivor-led environment

The CEO of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, Sophie Otiende, advocates for a survivor-led environment, enabling those with lived experience to have space, use their voice and become leaders in tackling modern slavery.

Sophie was trafficked as a child and is herself a survivor-leader; she knows what it feels like to be in a policy discussion where she’s the only person in the room who’s actually experienced human trafficking and to realise that the others in that room are observers of this problem.

At the Fund, they have developed a unique toolkit to help organisations understand themselves better and develop a roadmap enabling them to bring survivors into decision-making leadership positions. You can’t just tell people that something is wrong. You need to provide them with tools and roadmaps that lead to the meaningful inclusion of those who have lived experience.

There are many facets to this, from being mindful of the language that is used so that it’s accessible to everyone –  not just policymakers or academics – to appreciating the power dynamics between funders and beneficiaries. Oftentimes, beneficiaries feel a sense of indignity and struggle to find their voice and make their views known.

In the past, most of the leaders tackling modern slavery have not had lived experience, which means most policies and programmes were defined by people who observe the problem but haven’t actually experienced it.  Lived experience provides a unique vantage point that leads to different priorities and a unique understanding.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Priya Naik, Founder & CEO of Samhita, on sustainable livelihoods in India

Samhita’s Founder and CEO, Priya Naik, talks with us about sustainable livelihoods in India, social inclusiveness, gender, returnable grants and much more.

Their initial funders include the Omidyar Network and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; their partners include the likes of Unilever, Google and Kimberly-Clark.

Samhita embraces an ecosystem mindset, and they work closely not just with individual organisations but also with a range of collectives and collaboratives who engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Nitzan Pelman, CEO and Founder of Climb Hire, on the value of networks and leveraging social capital

Nitzan Pelman, CEO and Founder of Climb Hire, joins us to talk about the value of networks and leveraging social capital. So often, those who come from the most marginalised backgrounds don’t have the connections and don’t benefit from the social introductions that can prove invaluable in the labour market and in developing a successful career.

In this episode, we explore the innovative programmes run by Climb Hire, the social capital mindset they’re embracing, their innovative funding model and the value of their alumni network.

Nitzan Pelman founded Climb Hire in 2019 as a way to generate upward mobility for people earning below livable wage. Climb Hire’s programme model is based on Nitzan’s first-hand research as an Entrepreneur in Residence at LinkedIn, where she studied the powerful role that social networks can play in securing living wage jobs.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Gemma Mortensen, Founder and Co-Creator of New Constellations, on imagining and creating better, more beautiful futures

New Constellations’ Founder and Co-Creator, Gemma Mortensen, joins us to advocate the value of big ideas, unconventional thinking, convening diverse stakeholders and imagining better futures.

New Constellations was created to hold and grow new, experimental spaces for people to examine the moment of upheaval we are living through, and to imagine and begin shaping the better futures that can emerge from it; futures in which humanity and the planet flourish together.

If you appreciate the power of creative thinking that is not constrained by preconceptions or overly concerned with convention, this episode is for you.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) UK Executive Director, Laura Kyrke-Smith, on supporting refugees in the UK

Laura Kyrke-Smith is the IRC’s Executive Director in the UK and she joins us to discuss their work in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK who come from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iraq, Sudan and beyond.

This episode follows the earlier interview with David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC, which aired in April 2021 and provided a global outlook of the IRC’s work.

The IRC in the UK provides support through various activities, including orientation for newcomers, employment counselling, peer mentorship and leadership training.

They have five key outcome areas including health; education; economic wellbeing and empowerment; safety (including child and women’s protection); and power (helping their clients be part of the decision-making on matters that impact their lives).

This episode is for anyone who is interested in the humanitarian space and who would like to learn of key initiatives that are helping refugees achieve a better life.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

John May, Chief Executive of Cats Protection, on the Power of Volunteering

Join us as we sit down with John May, Chief Executive of Cats Protection, one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the UK.

Our conversation focuses on the power of volunteering and its evolution in today's world. Whether you're a people person or prefer the company of animals, whether you have a lot of time or just a little, there's likely a volunteering role out there for you.

Drawing on his extensive experience as the former Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, John shares his insights into how volunteering can transform lives and improve our world.

Don't miss this inspiring episode where we learn about the incredible work of Cats Protection and how anyone can make a difference through volunteering.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Gary Haugen, CEO & Founder of International Justice Mission (IJM), on Protecting People Living in Poverty from Violence

Gary Haugen is the CEO & Founder of International Justice Mission (IJM), a global human rights organization that works to protect the poor from violence.

The context here is not one of war, conflict or mass atrocities but, rather, the everyday violence present in many low-income and marginalized communities around the globe, such as gender violence, forced labor, human trafficking, sexual violence, police abuse and land theft.

The issue is multifaceted, and so is our conversation. Are the proper laws in place to protect a country’s citizens? Is there political will to protect those who are most marginalized? Are laws being enforced? Are social norms exacerbating the problem?

IJM was founded 26 years ago and today has around 1,500 staff based in 30 offices across the globe. IJM works with national governments and local stakeholders. Their teams are local and include lawyers, criminal investigators, trauma social workers and local advocates.

This episode looks at poverty from an angle of violence prevention. The conversation will inform you and provide insight on IJM’s drive to transform local justice systems to protect those living in poverty.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, Mary Ellen Iskenderian, on women’s financial inclusion

Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women's World Banking joins us to discuss the importance of women's financial inclusion.

We look at the topic of women’s financial inclusion from various angles, including digital literacy, social norms and impact investing, and we also look at some of the research that tells us that this is not just a moral imperative but also an objective that makes commercial sense.

Women’s World Banking is a 44-year old global non-profit organisation and they currently work with 65 partners in 36 countries. Their partners include a range of organisations, such as mainstream banks, FinTechs, mobile money provides and non-bank financial institutions that recognise the commercial potential of serving low-income women in a responsible and sustainable way.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Chairman of the JDRF T1D Fund, Sean Doherty, on driving cures for type 1 diabetes through venture philanthropy

Sean Doherty is the Chairman of the JDRF T1D Fund — a venture philanthropy fund aimed at creating a market in type 1 diabetes (T1D)  by using capital and expertise to convince venture capital, biotech and pharma to make the investments needed to cure T1D.

In 2015, there was virtually no private investment in T1D; there was a gap between scientific advancements and the delivery of solutions to the people who need them.

Today, the JDRF T1D Fund is one of the largest disease-focused venture philanthropy funds in the world, with $175m in assets and their philanthropic dollars are spurring private investment to ultimately secure the billions needed to generate cures.

This episode showcases venture philanthropy and impact investment; it provides an overview of the funding and technologies being focused to tackle type 1 diabetes; and provides much insight on how philanthropy can catalyse private investment.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Director at the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Bayes Business School, Alex Skailes, on mergers within the charity space

Alex Skailes heads the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Bayes Business School (formerly known as Cass) and, on this episode, we explore the nature and drivers of mergers within the charity and non-profit world; we dive into the opportunities, challenges, incentives and research.

Whether you’re based at a non-profit organisation, a for-profit commercial venture or both (or neither!), this episode will inform you and equip you as you ponder mergers.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Executive Director of data.org, Danil Mikhailov, on building the field of data for social impact

Danil Mikhailov is the Executive Director of data.org — a nonprofit organization that is a platform for partnerships and is helping to build the field of data for social impact. They work with organizations from all over the world to increase the use of data in order to improve the lives of millions of people.

At data.org they embrace a socio-tech perspective and appreciate that it’s not just about the tech... it’s also about the humans… those who collect the data, those who use the data, those from whom the data is collected.

We look at the work of data.org, explore how data can be leveraged by small and large organizations alike and consider the implications of artificial intelligence, such as the recently-launched ChatGPT AI tool.

If you’d like to understand how to leverage data for social impact and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) this episode is perfect for you!

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of the Innovation Accelerator of the UN World Food Programme, on embracing innovation and technology to solve the world’s biggest social impact challenges

Bernhard is the Head of the UN World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator, which he created in 2015. 

We explore the work of the Innovation Accelerator and the World Food Programme (WFP) more broadly. The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 20,000 staff worldwide, working in more than 120 countries — saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

The Innovation Accelerator sources, nurtures and scales start-ups and nonprofits working to achieve Zero Hunger, and has run 18 accelerator programmes for external partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Humanitarian Grand Challenge, and other UN Agencies, with more planned.

This is a great episode for anyone who has an entrepreneurial spirit and is eager to tackle social impact challenges by leveraging innovation and technology.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Rocket Learning: Unlocking the Potential of Early Childhood Education with Digital Solutions

Co-founder of Rocket Learning, Namya Mahajan, joins us to share an extraordinary journey and remarkable work.

Rocket Learning is a non-profit organization on a mission to revolutionise early childhood education (ECE) and early childhood development (ECD) in India by working closely with governments, parents and caregivers to create strong digital content that helps children develop during their early years.

In this episode, we explore Rocket Learning's remarkable journey, from their idea to the impact they have today. Namya Mahajan's personal and professional journey is compelling: growing up in India, gaining both an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics and an MBA from Harvard University, followed by a return to India to work at McKinsey & Co and then venturing into the social impact space, first at the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) and then co-founding Rocket Learning.

With a mission to help children aged 3 to 8 years, Rocket Learning creates strong digital content for parents and caregivers to engage in useful and playful learning experiences with their children. 

Leveraging WhatsApp as their communication platform, they currently serve one million children in seven states in India, but despite this they still sometimes refer to themselves as a "pilot at scale" due to the immense need for their services in the country. 

In this episode, we explore their successful market entry, digital content creation, and scaling strategies, as well as their remarkable journey from idea to impact.

They have successfully secured funding and support from a range of organizations, including the Central Square Foundation, ACT Grants, the Veddis Foundation, the Harvard University Impact Fellowship Fund, MIT Solve, World Economic Forum, Google.org, Microsoft, Amazon, and Capgemini, among others.

Join us for an inspiring conversation on the power of digital solutions for early childhood education and development, with Rocket Learning.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Founder & CEO of Maanch, Darshita Gillies, on mobilising capital towards sustainability

Darshita Gillies is Founder and CEO of Maanch, an impact management platform. They inform asset managers, corporations, philanthropists and funders on impact tracking and impact management within an ESG and sustainability context.

Maanch is a B Corp that is leveraging technology for good and embracing an innovative approach. The focus in this episode is on mobilising capital towards sustainability and the conversation is of interest to a wide audience.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.