Stanford Social Innovation Review Podcast

In the opening keynote of SSIR’s 2015 Data on Purpose conference, Nancy Lublin shares how she mobilized DoSomething.org around data. She discusses the mistakes she has made, the lessons she has learned, and how she believes that data can be a powerful force for social good. Lublin served as DoSomething.org’s CEO from 2003 to 2015. She is the founder of Crisis Text Line, where she currently serves as CEO, and the creator of Dress for Success. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/using_data_to_create_social_change

Leveraging social media allows non-profits to reach a wide range of key stakeholders as well as promote awareness. At Social Media on Purpose 2014, Caroline Barlerin, Head of Twitter for Good, outlines what non-profits can do to maximize their effectiveness on Twitter. Barlerin is joined by HandUp director of business development Sammie Rayner, and the two discuss how non-profits can support their key initiatives by engaging audiences and disseminating content. At Twitter, Caroline Barlerin works with community outreach and corporate philanthropy, heading up Twitter for Good. In conversation with HandUp’s Sammie Rayner, Barlerin walks the Social Media on Purpose 2014 audience through how non-profits can focus on establishing brand, key partnerships, engaging content, amplification, and measurement. By focusing on these five areas, Barlerlin explains how by covering the basics and utilizing innovative ideas, non-profits can maximize the effectiveness of social media campaigns. Rayner shares how HandUp uses eve

After he witnessed the War on Terror, Jake was overcome with the initiative. He wanted to combat what he saw as the largest source of terrorism, insurgency, and global instability: extreme poverty. While deployed in Iraq as an Infantry and Special Operations Platoon Commander in the Marine Corps, Jake Harriman was troubled by the inability of many civilians to direct their lives, due to extremely oppressive governments. To address this, Jake returned to business school and took on the challenge to alleviate extreme poverty. From this effort, Nuru was launched in 2008, aiming to implement an innovative sustainable and scalable model for ending extreme poverty. This model’s most unique attribute is in addressing the “who” instead of the “what” - rather than pouring economic aid into a targeted nation, Jake’s vision is to find and train leaders who will be able to make community decisions and problem solve as the district evolves. With a dedication to empowering people, Jake Harriman and Nuru hope to eradicate e

For nearly 60 years, donors have been partaking in a less-than-fantastic donation system. Traditionally, donors will give money to an international organization that manages money, which delivers economic relief to developing nations. However, this takes the relationship out of donating - donors can’t explicitly tell where their money is going or what their money is doing. For this reason, Paul Niehaus founded Give Directly - a nonprofit on a mission to simplify the donation process. At the core of Give Directly’s beliefs is that of the poor having an “enviable track record” of using capital to improve their lives. Paul describes studies in this podcast that have proved the poor are able to use donations extremely effectively - whether it be increasing nutrition, decreasing child labor, increasing education, or improving other sectors of life. Therefore, Give Directly offers a simpler, more personal route of donation - connecting donor to recipient. In this podcast, Paul discusses how technology, a commitment

In this podcast, Professor Sutton overviews his findings in studying methods for successfully scaling excellence. To sum up these conclusions, Robert Sutton describes a few main lessons. Among these, Professor Sutton further details importance of focusing on the mindset one is trying to scale, the significance of self-driven culture in scaling, the consequence of making teams too large in the process of scaling, and the need to dispel all the identifiably unwanted parts of an organization prior to scaling. Through his enthusiasm and real-world examples, Professor Sutton explains the importance of taking a logical and thought out approach to scaling, with the caveat that undergoing such a process could be immensely good or incredibly destructive. Robert Sutton is Professor of Management Science and Engineering and a Professor of Organizational Behavior (by courtesy) at Stanford. Sutton has been teaching classes on the psychology of business and management at Stanford since 1983. He is co-founder of the Center

ENOVA was recently recognized as the winner of Tech Awards 2013 in the Education category for its incredible social impact. In this interview with Co-Founder Jorge Camil Starr, we learn more about ENOVA’s journey as a nonprofit venture. Through this podcast, Jorge describes ENOVA’s beginnings and the success this social enterprise has had in closing education gaps of low-income Mexican communities. He discusses his logistical methods for measuring impact, his goals for the scaling and achievement of the nonprofit, and challenges ENOVA has faced in accomplishing its mission. Jorge also speaks about his personal experience as an entrepreneur, including lessons he has learned and advice he has for aspiring entrepreneurs. Jorge Camil Starr is in charge of the development of domestic and international strategic alliances in the public, private and civil society sectors. For 11 years Jorge worked extensively in developing Mexico’s technology sector, having founded PLC Networks an innovative BPL (Broadband Over Powe

Nazava Water Filters was recently recognized as the winner of Tech Awards 2013 in the Health category for its innovative solution to lack of clean water accessibility in Indonesia. In this interview with co-founder Lieselotte Heederik, we learn more about Nazava’s success in combating the issues associated with limited access to clean water. Heederik talks about how Nazava’s filters are not only addressing the obvious health risks associated with unpurified water, but also making clean water more affordable, as well as reducing the toxic emissions from boiling water. The conversation covers Nazava’s logistical methods for measuring impact, her goals for the scaling and success of the company, and challenges Nazava has faced in its journey. Heederik also speaks about her personal experience as an entrepreneur, including lessons she has learned and advice she has for aspiring entrepreneurs. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/a_clear_view_of_social_improvement_nazava_water_filters

Potential Energy was recently recognized as the winner of Tech Awards 2013 in the Economic Empowerment category for innovatively tackling a combination of social issues. In this interview with executive director Michelle Kreger, we learn more about Potential Energy’s journey as a nonprofit venture. Through this podcast, Michelle describes the lives of many inhabitants of IDP or Refugee Camps through the lens of cooking-related chores. Not only do these residents suffer the effects of toxic emissions from fire-related activities in their homes, but they often are burdened with physical and sexual violence associated with collecting firewood (women especially). Michelle discusses how her venture’s product – an energy and cost efficient cook stove – minimizes these issues. She also speaks to her goals for the scaling and impact of her nonprofit in the future, and the evolution of Potential Energy’s mission and focus. Finally, Michelle talks about her personal experience as an entrepreneur, including lessons she

TOHL was recently recognized as the winner of Tech Awards 2013 in the Young Innovators category for its overwhelming social good in combating emergency situations and basic need inaccessibility. In this interview with Co-Founder and CEO Benjamin Cohen, we learn more about TOHL’s journey as a nonprofit venture. Through this podcast, Benjamin describes TOHL’s rise to be a global industry leader in water logistics and infrastructure, and how it has been changing lives in the process. He discusses his logistical methods for measuring impact, his goals for the scaling and achievement of the organization, and challenges TOHL has faced in accomplishing its mission. Benjamin also speaks about his personal experience as an entrepreneur, including lessons he has learned and advice he has for aspiring entrepreneurs. Under the leadership of Benjamin Cohen, TOHL has progressed from an idea to a company with scalable products and services contracted by large organizations worldwide. Ben has received various awards and fell

Robert Swan, an inspirational speaker who founded 2041 and the first man to walk to both global poles, addresses his audience about the relationship between passion and reaching goals. With humor and words of experience, he relays his feelings about the importance of positivity and commitment in pursuing a target. Robert Swan discusses his journey, how it influenced him to dedicate himself to saving the environment, and how he plans to do this by engaging a young audience. Through this podcast, Robert encourages readers to get the word out about the awesome things they are doing, because nothing inspires individuals more than passion and a positive mindset. He also inspires readers to chase their goals now, and that the boldness required to do that will inspire genius, power, and magic. Robert Swan is a polar explorer, environmentalist and the first man ever to walk unsupported to both the North and South Poles. He is an exceptionally gifted communicator and is regarded as one of the world’s top motivational

This podcast, given by Chris Librie - the Senior Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at HP, describes the corporation’s commitment to social responsibility. Since its inception, Hewlett-Packard has embraced the goals of both innovating great new technologies, and applying those technologies in ways that improve the lives and livelihoods of the larger world. In order to do this, HP has developed a holistic approach to social problem solving. This method looks at three main components of sustainability: human impact, environmental impact, and economic impact. After analyzing these sectors of influence, HP aims to address all three legs with its solutions. Throughout the podcast, Chris Librie gives examples of the impact HP has had on the global social sector - from combating HIV/AIDS in Africa, to targeting more efficient methods of meeting exponentially rising data demands. Chris portrays his excitement for the future of social innovation and inspires listeners to be a part of the larger social movement

Social enterprise is scaling up through innovative digital design of everything from robots to LEDs. The result has been a positive impact on clean water, sanitation, climate change and energy consumption. In this audio lecture, Carl Bass, President and CEO of Autodesk, discusses at Social Innovation Summit 2013 the application of design to solve social problems. Bass describes how the availability of infinite computing capacity combined with people’s willingness to share their knowledge of how to make things advances social entrepreneurship for everyone’s betterment. Inexpensive access to information and tools empowers more people to innovate through the principles of design that Bass explains. In this Social Innovation Conversations, Stanford University podcast, Bass shares examples of creative small businesses that advance social enterprise through innovation. Carl Bass is president, chief executive officer and interim chief financial officer of Autodesk, a leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainme

The overuse of fossil fuels is leading to increased CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere, trapping more and more heat and warming the Earth. As a result, we’re seeing more dramatic weather patterns across the globe and the need for climate regulation is being discussed around the globe. Climate policy wonks fall in two camps: the proponents of a complicated cap-and-trade system that sets a firm limit on emissions and the supporters of a carbon tax that sets a fixed price on carbon. California, the ninth largest economy in the world, recently launched a new carbon cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Mary Nichols, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board, is responsible for leading this program, which could ultimately provide a model to support other regional or national efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. At the Stanford Center for Social Innovation’s 2013 Conradin Von Gugelberg Memorial Lecture, Nichols discusses the new cap-and-trade system and the current thin

Traditional tools for evaluation and measurement fail to take into account the complexity of an interconnected and digitized world. Emerging techniques, such as developmental evaluation, improve on traditional linear, cause-and-effect models, while shared measurement increases the capacity of cross-sector collaboration. In this panel discussion, experts offer a case study-rich overview of three emerging tools: developmental evaluation, shared measurement, and big data. Kathy Brennan describes how developmental evaluation adopts a systems-learning approach absent from formative and summative designs, making it more favorable to evaluating complex, non-linear, and dynamic social realities. Patricia Bowie discusses the importance of shared measurement as a catalyst for collective learning. Researcher Lucy Bernholz warns that data collection offers as much peril as potential, and implores the nonprofit sector to think critically about how digital data is driving actions and whose voices it excludes. Presented in

Three evolving approaches to evaluation in social enterprise could change its use in a significant way. In this audio lecture, Hallie Preskill, FSG managing director, opens the 2013 Next Generation Evaluation conference with examples of how leading social sector organizations are thinking about and implementing evaluation. Preskill discusses three new approaches to evaluation: developmental evaluation, shared measurement, and big data, providing context from multiple perspectives. She describes six characteristics that exemplify how social organizations are thinking about evaluation in relation to the new trends. In this podcast, Preskill explains how evaluation practice needs to evolve along with other developments in process and infrastructure to keep up with the needs of social enterprise. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/optimized_social_responsibility_through_evaluation

Both funders and nonprofits are placing a premium on the promise of measurement and evaluation to accelerate social change. But tools like shared measurement, big data, and developmental evaluation are only powerful if they’re applied correctly. In this panel discussion, experts address how the social sector must ask the right questions when developing metrics. Alicia Grunow discusses the Carnegie Foundation’s use of improvement science to make strides in education. Hewlett Foundation representative Fay Twersky implores nonprofits to systematically solicit feedback from intended beneficiaries. Policy researcher Liesbeth Schorr underscores how the search for “certainty” stifles innovation. Presented in partnership with FSG, this panel discussion was part of the Next Generation Evaluation conference. FSG is a nonprofit consulting firm specializing in strategy, evaluation, and research. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/implications_for_the_social_sector

Embracing complexity is essential in social enterprise evaluation. In this audio lecture, Brenda Zimmerman, Associate Professor of Policy at York University’s Schulich School of Business, suggests approaches for addressing complexity in evaluation systems. In the closing keynote at the 2013 Next Generation Evaluation Conference, Zimmerman explores ways to embrace complexity in social sector evaluation practice. She describes how social innovation can be fostered by applying cognitive diversity to solve structural and causative complexity problems. To remain relevant, evaluation systems must reflect the complex systems they evaluate. Zimmerman discusses sophisticated nuanced comparisons, and the role of coherence versus consistency in social enterprise evaluation. She illustrates how being strategic in complex systems is significant to social enterprise. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/embracing_complexity_in_social_enterprise_evaluation

By a simple twist of fate, Jacob Leif found himself in post-apartheid South Africa, staring at a big paradoxical break in philanthropy - success was measured in numbers instead of long-term impact. While working at a local school, he found time, money, and aid were plentiful, along with supplies of books, computers, and daily lunches for the school children. However, once the nonprofit organization supporting the school left after the funding cycle finished, the school returned right back to where it started. Lief decided to found Ubuntu Education Fund, an organization that supports children in Port Elizabeth, South Africa through an integrated system of medical, health, educational and social services. In this episode of The Social Disruptors, Ned Breslin and Jacob Lief discuss the struggles of funding for long-term sustainable impact within the current philanthropic system of 12-month grant cycles and the power of saying “no” when funding requirements do not meet the outcomes. https://ssir.org/podcasts/en

“The number one rule: Don’t collaborate unless you have to.” Willa Seldon, a consultant at Bridgespan, got some laughs at the 2013 Nonprofit Management Institute, but gives some pointers on successful collaboration and how to productively evaluate common goals. To support her viewpoints, she engages Stephanie Couch and Carolyn Nelson, two experienced collaborators who provide insights on their own collaborative work with communities. Nelson and Couch explain how the personal connections that community members offer lead to great outcomes. The panel highlights how creating a shared culture can bypass disagreements and cultural differences to generate results. Willa Seldon has extensive experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. After seven years of being a director at AirTouch Communications, a multi-billion dollar wireless communications company, Seldon co-founded Milepost, a venture capital firm investing in women entrepreneurs. Seldon has since held top positions in the nonprofit sector as Exec

Social media can allow an organization’s supporters to use their personal influence to promote a cause. In this audio lecture from the 2013 Nonprofit Management Institute, Julie Dixon discusses different types of cause supporters—from passive online ones to offline activists—and how organizations can engage them. She argues that many potential supporters, believing that organizations want only monetary donations, may be discouraged from supporting a cause, even though they can support it in another way: through influence. Dixon cites the popularity of websites like Yelp to show that people are more likely to trust their peers’ testimony than an organization’s and that organizations should encourage their supporters to engage meaningfully on social media to spread their causes. By empowering supporters through the knowledge that they can have a real impact, organizations can tap into the often-ignored power of influence. Julie Dixon is the Deputy Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Com