Igniting Change

Welcome to our conversation with Amina Hersi, Head of Gender Rights and Justice at Oxfam International, as we explore the landscape of the feminist movement in digital spaces. As we celebrate International Women's Day, Amina sheds light on the tightening grip on digital and civic freedoms that activists are experiencing. Join us to learn about the intersection of human rights and digital rights and the vital role solidarity plays in keeping the flames of motivation and change burning. 

Could the future of tech look brighter, more diverse, and more impactful with women at the helm? Our special guest, Nicole Levitz, Senior Director of Digital Health Interventions and Insights at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, joins the Igniting Change podcast to talk with Puff all about the transformative power of women in the technology sector. As we are celebrating International Women's Day this week, Nicole shares her unexpected venture into digital health technology and advocates for a future where diversity is the norm, not the exception.

Have you ever wondered how a story can ignite a revolution? Brittany Dernberger, Senior Care Manager at CARE, joins us to chat challenging the status quo and advocating for gender equality through the power of data and storytelling. As we celebrate International Women's Day, she brings to light the gender gap in tech, urging more women to step forward and diversify a field typically seen as monolithic.

This week Puff catches up with Michelle Williams, IT Director Boundless, as she shares her journey from a call center to IT leadership. Discover how mentorship and community service sculpted her path, and the crucial role networking played in her career. Join us as we examine the game-changing impact of AI and smart technologies in healthcare, showcasing examples from telehealth to communication aids that enhance care quality and efficiency. Tune in to gain insights into the future of healthcare, powered by AI, through the experiences of those leading the charge.

From theatre stages to the strategic implementation of philanthropy data, Max Dakin, UNICEF USA's Deputy Director of Philanthropy Data Strategy, helps us kick off Igniting Change Season 5 with a conversation that intertwines data with compassion. Max discusses his transformative journey, shedding light on how UNICEF USA harnesses the power of data to lead impactful fundraising campaigns for children worldwide. His story is a fantastic representation of the marriage between passion and analytics, reminding us that numbers, when used thoughtfully, can become a driving force for global change.

In a world of plenty, where enough food is produced to feed everyone on the planet, hunger should be a thing of the past. However, conflict, climate change, disasters, and inequality means that one in ten people globally are still going to bed hungry and famine looms for millions. In our latest Igniting Change episode, we sit down with Bernhard Kowatsch from the World Food Programme to discuss their tireless work to feed millions of the world’s hungriest people.

Access to healthcare is a basic human right. According to the World Health Organization, up to 3.5 billion people, almost half the world’s population, lack access to the health services they need.

Something needs to change.

Welcome Dr Isabelle Widmer into the conversation. She joins this week’s episode to discuss how Virtual Doctors are saving lives in Africa by harnessing technology to bridge the healthcare gap in underserved communities. From the nitty-gritty of telemedicine to their cutting-edge solutions for remote medical support, Isabelle details past challenges to present victories and exciting plans for expansion.

The conversation covers AI reshaping the healthcare game, to the soothing dulcet tones that were 90’s dialup and everything in-between - this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

Meet Christina Barstow, the dynamic Director of Strategic Partnerships at Helvetas, an International Nonprofit Organization. Christina, an engineer by training, shares her fascinating professional trajectory that took her from the classrooms of the University of Colorado to rural communities across East Africa, where she has been at the helm of impactful projects in the water sector. 

In this conversation, we navigate the world of 'tech for good', a sphere that Christina and her team at Helvetas have been exploiting to alleviate poverty and advance human rights in more than 30 countries. This conversation will shift your perspective on the role of technology in international development. Tune in for an eye-opening interview packed with insights, innovation, and inspiration.

Have you ever thought about the immense influence technology wields in shaping our societies? Get ready to have your curiosity satisfied in a big way…

Join us as we dive deep into the fascinating world of digital transformation with our guest, Dr. Melanie Garson, the Cyber Policy and Acting Director of Geopolitics at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. We explore how technology is a game-changer in various sectors. From its role in search and rescue missions to predicting climate disasters and even creating support networks for victims of domestic abuse, be prepared to be inspired by the incredible ways tech can transform lives, and trust us, you won't want to miss this incredibly insightful conversation with Dr. Garson!

Get ready to find out how our next guest, Matt Holbrook, the Director of Operations at Global Growers Network is igniting some serious change in the world. 

We dive into the inspirational work that Matt and his team are doing to uplift immigrants and refugees in Atlanta by providing access to community gardens for folks to enjoy on a personal level, and even larger plots for those who dream of launching their small businesses. 

But Matt's journey doesn't stop at Global Growers. Find out how he used his tech know-how to make a difference by reexamining cases of wrongful conviction at the Georgia Innocence Project. Matt's story isn't just inspiring; it's a testament to what technology and community can achieve. 

On this week’s episode, we dive into the world of social entrepreneurship with our inspiring guest, Dan Lammot, CEO at threshold.world.

From California surfer to tech-savvy social entrepreneur in Puerto Rico, Dan's journey has been an interesting one and is as exciting as his mission to revolutionise the nonprofit sector with cloud-based solutions. Tune in to discover how b.world—the world’s first impact storytelling platform—is breaking barriers by enabling smaller organisations to access top-tier technological solutions without the colossal financial and time burdens of implementation.

Did you know using a simple emoji can help unlock the door to more impactful fundraising? This week Attiya Hirji, Digital Fundraising Specialist at Oxfam International, joins us to pull back the curtain on the world of tech-empowered non-profit fundraising. 

Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Attiya shares her journey from her early fundraising efforts, to now playing a key role in addressing global issues such as poverty, climate change, and gender inequality. Throughout the conversation, she underscores the importance of fundraising and communication as the backbone of any effective organisation and takes us through how evolving technology is changing the game.

In recent years, technology has proven what an incredibly powerful tool it can be for mental health advocacy and support. Join us for a fascinating dive into the innovative mind of Ariana Vargas, an accomplished documentary filmmaker and the founder of Stigma, a game-changing app that champions mental health through the art of storytelling. Ariana’s journey is a testament to her courage and resolve, transitioning from a pre-med student to a tech startup founder, fueled by personal experiences with mental health and a passion to eradicate the stigmas associated with it.

Imagine having the power to redefine the conversation on sexual and reproductive health, reaching millions around the world. In this episode, we’re joined by Lester Coutinho, Director of Innovation and Insights at DKT International, a trailblazer in this field for over 25 years. Find out how DKT International has revolutionised access to contraceptives, clinics, counselling, and follow-up care. Join our conversation as we explore how these innovations empower individuals, providing them with choice and autonomy on a global scale.

Ever wonder how Greenpeace harnesses the power of big data to deliver on its radical mission? Catch our conversation with Doug Krehbel, Director of Data and Business Intelligence at Greenpeace USA, to get his insightful answer to that burning question. With a background in software development and data strategy, he reveals how his team uses data to transform strategies for environmental advocacy and fundraising.

Curious about tech’s transformative role in the nonprofit sector? This week, we chat with Jamil Khan, Digital Engagement Leader at Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. From its origins, sparked by 4-year-old Alex Scott’s heartfelt lemonade stands, to its present-day impact, raising $250M+ for pediatric cancer research and family support. Tune in for an inspiring journey of resilience, innovation, and impact.

Thrilled to have Bill Miller, CEO of the Keane University Foundation, join us this week. We delve into the evolution of philanthropy in the digital era - where data analytics and AI aren’t just buzzwords, but catalysts for massive change.

Seema Iyer, Senior Director of The Hive at USA for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, joins us to discuss her circuitous career path, and how she went from studying human migration patterns in the former Soviet Union during the '90s to running the data science and innovation lab for UNHCR.

 In an Igniting Change first, we have Vicky Godfrey back in the hot seat to give us an update on the challenges and successes of launching an app now that DNApal has launched in the iOS store!

Alex Sindorf, Food Assistance Programs Manager at Indy Hunger Network, joins us to discuss their movement to end food insecurity for anyone who is hungry.