Disruptors for GOOD | Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises

In Episode 22 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, the Executive Chairman of the PVBLIC Foundation, P3 SmartCity Partners, and the Blockchain Commission for Sustainable Development on the future of smart cities.Sergio has an amazing background and his journey around the world has brought him unparalleled knowledge in the space of smart cities. His titles are many and all play a major role in the future of cities and its quest for sustainability and equality amongst populations. Sergio is the Executive Chairman of the PVBLIC Foundation, Chairman of P3 SmartCity Partners, Co-founder of the Blockchain Commission for Sustainable Development, advisory board member of The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and also on the Big Data Advisory Board at Rutgers University.Within all his endeavors, Sergio leads the global development & policy work behind structuring Public Private Partnerships around smart infrastructure & policy framework with local, state and federal governments.In his philanthropic endeavors, as Chairman of PVBLIC Foundation he leads the foundations engagement with Governments from the White House to the United Nations & multinationals; public & private. Having developed partnerships, that today hosts; the Latino Impact Summit, SDG Media Zone & Media for Social Impact Summit & Blockchain for Impact; all in support & collaboration with various UN agencies. The collective platforms all focus on raising awareness and encourage action for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.Sergio has been celebrated locally & internationally for the work of his various business for over a decade. In 2012, Dell Inc. named Sergio one of its #Inspired 100 leading global influencers. In 2015 Meet LATAM recognized Sergio as Entrepreneurial Latin Global Leader & Influencer. In 2016 the Humanitarian Innovation Forum honored Sergio at the UN with the Global Social Impact Award. In November, Crain’s honored Sergio as a Visionaries’ finalist to the Hispanic Executive & Entrepreneur Award & he was most recently named top 3 most influential people, by the United Nations Social 500 list & in 2018 was celebrated as the Real Leaders magazine's Top 100 Global Visionary LeadersCheck out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

Maya Ajmera has had an incredible life so far. She is currently the President and CEO of Society for Science & the Public (SSP) and Publisher of its award-winning magazine Science News. Founded in 1921, SSP works to promote the understanding and appreciation of science, and the vital role it plays in human advancement. It is best known for its world-class science competitions including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, International Science and Engineering Fair, and Broadcom MASTERS.In 2013-2014, Maya served as the inaugural Social Entrepreneur in Residence for Duke University and Visiting Professor for the Practice of Public Policy at The Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke. From 2011-2014, Maya was a Visiting Scholar and Professorial Lecturer at The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at The Johns Hopkins University. While at SAIS she wrote a foreign policy book on the global plight of children and youth entitled Invisible Children: Reimagining International Development at the Grassroots (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016).  She continues to serve as an adjunct on the faculty of the International Development Program and teaches the course "Social Innovations in International Development for Children and Youth."In 1993, Maya founded The Global Fund for Children (GFC), a non-profit organization that invests in innovative, community-based organizations working with some of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth. Under Maya's 18 years of leadership, GFC grew from a seedling vision into one of the largest networks of grassroots organizations working on behalf of vulnerable children. To date, GFC has awarded nearly $40 million to over 600 grassroots organizations in 80 countries, touching the lives of nearly 10 million children.Maya is also an award-winning children’s book author of over 20 titles, including Every Breath We Take, Children from Australia to Zimbabwe, Faith, and To Be a Kid, with nearly 5 million readers worldwide.Maya holds an AB from Bryn Mawr College and a MPP from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband David H. Hollander Jr., a partner at Adduci, Mastriani & Schaumberg, and their daughter.Maya is Co-Chair of the board of Echoing Green, a trustee of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and a board member of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). She serves on numerous advisory boards, including the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) at Duke University, Washington Area Women’s Foundation, American India Foundation, The Golden Baobab Prize, and many others. In 2008, she served as a member of the Innovation and Civil Society subgroup of the Obama presidential transition’s Technology, Innovation and Government Reform Policy Working Group.Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 20 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Jessica Blotter, the Co-founder and CEO of Kind Traveler on creating the first ‘Give + Get’ hotel booking platform that allows travelers to give back with every stay.Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Jessica Blotter is CEO, Co-Founder, and Editor-in-Chief of Kind Traveler, a journalist, speaker, and advocate for the greater good. The moment she discovered that the love of travel can't be separated from the state of the world on a trip to Belize in 2012, her journey to create Kind Traveler began. Blotter led research and development of the Kind Traveler brand and business model, and now leads the team in offering a meaningful way for purpose-driven travelers to benefit both local and global communities. Travelers 'give' to a local or global charity; as reward for their donation, they 'get' an exclusive rate to book directly with the world’s best hotels and unique properties. 100% of the donations raised on the Kind Traveler platform are given to charity.Her career began as an earth science and math teacher with UCSD's Pruess School, a unique charter school for low income students who strive to become the first in their families to graduate from college, educating 130 students each day. She then spent 10 years as an Associate Publisher and Advertising Director with popular print & digital fashion and lifestyle magazine start-ups including 944 Magazine and Foam Magazine in San Diego and Los Angeles. Her entrepreneurial journey began as the five-year Principal of LA-based brand consultancy, Publicly Loved, where her clients included luxury real estate moguls like CIM Group and Marriott Hotels.With a heart for travel, sustainability, social impact, and animal welfare, she has contributed as a journalist to Fast Company, CBS Los Angeles, Hospitality Design, One Green Planet, Green Lodging News, CEO.com, Spa Finder, Examiner, Destination Luxury, Darling Magazine, and the BLLA (Boutique Lodging & Lifestyle Association).As a speaker, she’s presented on the stages of TEDx and regular contributes as a panelist with various professional hospitality associations and events including the Travel & Adventure Show, Lodging Magazine’s Green Lodging Conference, the Enlightened Entrepreneur Summit, and the Boutique Lodging Association’s annual leadership summit. Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 19 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Jesse Gould, Founder of Heroic Hearts Project on how ayahuasca therapy is transforming the lives of veterans with PTSD and why its important to overcome the stigma of psychedelics.The Heroic Hearts Project (HHP) is a registered 501(c)(3) non profit that connects military veterans struggling with mental trauma to ayahuasca therapy retreats. These veterans typically have tried all the available resources offered by the Department of Veteran Affairs with limited success leaving them with very few options.The organization opens the doors to other viable options. HHP also provides support and professional counseling to these veterans throughout the process. Their mission is to provide hope and healing to military veterans that have been left hopeless by the current Veteran Affairs system. They seek to spread awareness in the veteran community of powerful plant based therapies like ayahuasca and end the excessive dependence on powerful medications to treat mental traumas.Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 18 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Seungah Jeong, CEO of MPOWERD and John Salzinger, Co-founder of MPOWERD on creating affordable and accessible clean energy for all humanity.It is estimated that three billion people around the world don’t have access to adequate electricity! Seeing this as an amazing opportunity, in 2012, MPOWERD created the innovative Luci light. The light became the first inflatable solar light with the goal of making an affordable clean energy product that people could use in any situation. Billions of people around the world use toxic and expensive kerosene lamps for light. MPOWERD created the Luci to not only be portable, but also clean and safe.Seungah Jeong(CEO) has spent her career shaping global companies and accelerating growth through dynamic market strategies. With two decades of CPG experience at the helm of multi-million dollar businesses and start-ups alike, Seungah builds disruptive, category-leading brands through innovation and strong team leadership.John Salzinger(Co-founder) is native New Yorker and born entrepreneur, John co-founded MPOWERD with the idea that innovative companies have a responsibility to lead – not only in the marketplace, but as a real force for good. He launched and managed several global media, tech and finance companies before starting MPOWERD, where he’s been a guiding force behind pretty much every aspect of the company’s strategy.Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 17 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Jessica Santana, the Co-founder and CEO of America On Tech on how she is using her journey in technology to bring low income students the skills needed to change their future.Jessica is a graduate of Syracuse University with degrees in Accounting and Information Technology. In 2014, she co-founded New York on Tech(now America on Tech), an organization that creates pathways for students into degrees and careers in tech.Her work has been featured in media outlets such as Forbes, CNN and Huffington Post and have forged partnerships that reach students in all five boroughs of NYC. Jessica has spoken to over 50 different audiences including TechCrunch, Google for Entrepreneurs, the White House, and been named a Forbes 30 Under 30, Wells Fargo Millennial Activist, Ashoka / American Express Emerging Innovator, and a World Economic Forum Global Shaper.Prior to NYOT, Jessica worked as a technology consultant for global brands that include Accenture and Deloitte. She also completed the JPMorganChase Global Enterprise Technology Leadership program and was recognized as a Deloitte Future Leaders Apprentice and a Morgan Stanley Emerging Leader.Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

Adam Kunes, founder of Have Fun Do Good, found his inspiration in volunteerism through his participation in the Semester at Sea program, a 100-day undergraduate cruise around the world. This experience opened Adam’s eyes to the world and shaped his views on what it means to truly give to others. His participation in many service-oriented trips both during Semester at Sea and at home inspired the concept for HFDG. Adam hopes his efforts will allow others to realize the opportunities to volunteer are endless and that service can be fun.Have Fun Do Good (HFDG) is a for-purpose travel and event company sharing the power of volunteerism through immersive and one of a kind volunteer opportunities.  They offer immersive service experiences through Travel excursions and Corporate events. Whether you’re traveling or staying closer to home, HFDG provides everything volunteers need to get involved: planning, access to worthwhile charities and causes, accommodations and, of course, fun.Through travel and immersion, you are challenged to to step out of your comfort zone to learn, grow and try new things. Have Fun Do Good participants are exposed to new people, experiences and locations during organized volunteer projects throughout the country. This type of exposure is a crucial factor in developing volunteers, civic leaders and change-makers.Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 15 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Mark Horoszowski, the Co-founder of MovingWorlds on using your skills and expertise to address the global talent gap.Mark is co-founder and CEO of MovingWorlds.org, a global platform that helps people volunteer their expertise with social impact organizations around the world, on their own or through corporate-sponsored programs. Since its launch in 2011, MovingWorlds.org has unleashed over 7 million dollars worth of professional skills across 60 countries. Mark has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, Stanford Social Innovation Review and many more as the co-founder of the “Experteering” movement.MovingWorlds is a social impact organization addressing the global talent gap. The online platform and community connects people who want to travel and volunteer their expertise directly with social impact organizations around the world. You can lend your talents in basically every different sector. From accounting, to web design, from social media marketing, to business and sales strategy, to IT training, to video editing, to SEO specialists – MovingWorlds offers amazing opportunity at startups and organizations all over the world to lend your talents.Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 14 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Jenny Xia Spradling, the Co-founder and Co-CEO of FreeWill, an online will creation platform aiming to channel $1 Trillion towards charity over the next 10 years!FreeWill is a social good enterprise that's generated more than $650 million in committed funds for non-profit organizations around the country. Partnering with organizations like the American Red Cross, United Way, Save the Children, Human Rights Watch, and Defenders of Wildlife, FreeWill is currently facilitating about $3M pledged to charity every single day! They did this by building an intuitive and warm estate planning platform that encourages charitable giving during the process. Serving the 70% of Americans without an up to date will, it takes 20 minutes or less, is completely free, and generates legally valid wills in all fifty states. FreeWill is aiming to channel $1 Trillion towards charity over the next 10 years.Jenny is a veteran of McKinsey and Bain Capital, where she helped to launch the firm’s first impact investment fund. She is the cofounder of Paribus (acquired by Capital One). She holds a degree in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University and also holds a MBA from Stanford University.Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 13 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Hamilton Perkins, the founder and President of Hamilton Perkins Collection, a certified B Corporation, offering designer travel bags at an affordable price, while holding the highest standards of sustainability and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.In 2014, Hamilton Perkins founded the Hamilton Perkins Collection producing unique and award winning bags and accessories from recycled plastic water bottles, pineapple leaf fiber, and billboard vinyl. The result is that no two bags are ever the same.Hamilton was the winner of the Virginia Velocity Tour hosted by the Governor of Virginia, and the recipient of a HUD Community Development Block Grant. The non-profit B Lab honored Hamilton Perkins Collection as a "Best for the World Overall" B Corporation in 2017.  Hamilton Perkins Collection has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Money Magazine, The Washington Post, and named to our Social Entrepreneurs To Watch For In 2017. The brand is currently sold in nearly 100 leading department stores and specialty stores in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Prior to starting Hamilton Perkins Collection, Hamilton was an Investment Advisor at Merrill Lynch and, earlier, worked as an Analyst at Bank of America. He has also served in a leadership capacity with various non-profit organizations and has been recognized for his volunteer work and service hours assisting low-income populations.He is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a degree in Business Administration and he earned his M.B.A. from William and Mary.Check out:ImpactInvestor.io - Discover impact investors from around the world.Podcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with CanvaBuild amazing web platforms with Webflow ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.