Architect Bjarke Ingels, fashion entrepreneur Aurora James, tech entrepreneur Kathryn Finney, and philanthropist Scott Harrison discuss their strategies for tackling society's toughest challenges, including addressing systemic racism, sustainable architecture, and clean water access. Each leader emphasizes the importance of a daring mindset and embracing problems, regardless of size or complexity. Small actions, allyship, and overcoming adversity are also highlighted as key themes.
Addressing systemic challenges requires a daring mindset and a willingness to embrace problems of any size or complexity.
Harnessing privilege and influence can lead to major corporations committing significant funds to support black entrepreneurs.
Deep dives
Find Your Why
Bjarki Ingalls, a Danish architect, discovered his why by utilizing his design expertise to address climate change. By partnering with a shipping company to convert their fleet and container ports into renewable energy sources, Bjarki is not only turning the company carbon neutral but also accelerating the energy transition on a global scale.
Identify Your Allies
Aurora James, founder of Brother Vellies and 15% Pledge, emphasizes the importance of allies in tackling daunting challenges. By using her privilege and influence in the fashion industry, she has created a pipeline of income for artisans and promoted black-owned businesses. Through her allyship, major corporations are now committing billions of dollars to black entrepreneurs.
Compound Your Contributions
Catherine Finney, founder of Genius Guild, believes in the power of small, consistent contributions to produce outsized results. By investing in black entrepreneurs and creating value in communities, she is demonstrating that allyship and impactful business can go hand in hand, with over $10 billion allocated to black entrepreneurs through her initiative.
Be Bigger Than the Problem
Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity Water, showcases the need to be persistent and willing to face challenges head-on. Despite encountering roadblocks in creating water sensors, he didn't give up. Through allyship with Google and innovative problem-solving, he generated the largest data set on rural water supply, providing access to clean water for millions in need.
The boldest of entrepreneurs take on the impossible. Recorded live at the Masters of Scale Summit, four scale leaders in Bjarke Ingels, Aurora James, Kathryn Finney, and Scott Harrison offer their strategies and ideas around taking on society’s most complex and tough challenges. In this episode, you’ll hear how each entrepreneur embraces a unique challenge from addressing systemic racism, designing sustainable architecture, to bringing clean and safe water across the globe. To take on the impossible, and build a better future, each of these leaders offers that the road to scale begins with a daring mindset and a willingness to embrace problems — no matter their size or complexity.