How FinTech & Data Science Increase Opportunities For Women – Shamina Singh, Mastercard Center For Inclusive Growth

“There are networks that power the modern economy. They can be financial networks…social networks, energy networks, transportation networks…You have to be connected up into these networks in order to realize your full potential.”  Shamina Singh But 1.7 billion people are not connected to these networks, and most of them are women, according to Shamina Singh,… Continue reading How FinTech & Data Science Increase Opportunities For Women – Shamina Singh, Mastercard Center For Inclusive Growth

Diversity Tactics Drive Microsoft Innovation – Mary Snap, Microsoft Philanthropies CEO

“It would be a mistake to think that computer scientists only need to know how to code, because…ethics and privacy issues are so important. (Therefore) understanding a little bit about history and humanity will be really important as we move into these new technologies” such as artificial intelligence. Mary Snapp We walk into meetings or… Continue reading Diversity Tactics Drive Microsoft Innovation – Mary Snap, Microsoft Philanthropies CEO

‘Sustainable Stylist’ – Laura Jones, The Frontlash Magazine on Sustainable Fashion

“(T)here’s an enormous opportunity to talk about sustainability and environmentalism in a way that captures the imagination of an everyday consumer or an everyday fashion lover and find a way to make it exciting and interesting and accessible.“ Laura Jones Celebrity stylist Laura Jones found herself overwhelmed when she realized the field she had dedicated… Continue reading ‘Sustainable Stylist’ – Laura Jones, The Frontlash Magazine on Sustainable Fashion

Holiday, School Shopping? Sustainable Fashion – Annie Gullingsrud, Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute

Annie Gullingsrud

Buying Clothing With an Eco-Consciousness “85% of disposable apparel ends up in a landfill,” Annie Gullingsrud, Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute Think of all the stuff that you’re buying for back-to-school this time of year…or new fashions for the fall season… What if you bought even 10 percent of it with sustainable clothing? Is it… Continue reading Holiday, School Shopping? Sustainable Fashion – Annie Gullingsrud, Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute

Comedy & Innovation! Courtney Bickert, Comedienne & Social Innovator, Formerly at UN Foundation

“Comedy loosens the brain. It generates creativity. There’s something physiologically that happens in our brains. We stop thinking linearly and start thinking non-linearly when we hear jokes, when we try to tell jokes.” Courtney Bickert And now for something different….To solve today’s most intractable problems – from climate change to inequality to combating terrorism and… Continue reading Comedy & Innovation! Courtney Bickert, Comedienne & Social Innovator, Formerly at UN Foundation

“Healthy” Cleaning Products – Kay Gebhardt, Seventh Generation

“Science can do amazing things and answer questions for us,” she told me, “but then we can use that knowledge to do this in a responsible way or in an irresponsible way….Science is good to have. Then, what are you going to use it for and how do you do it responsibly?” Kay Gebhardt What… Continue reading “Healthy” Cleaning Products – Kay Gebhardt, Seventh Generation

Adapting to Climate Change – Beth Gibbons, Adaptation Professionals

“We now have an appetite for intervention. There’s a willingness because we are all at a point where the impacts are being felt so broadly…The urgency is being met with a will to act.” Beth Gibbons Local leaders are managing the very real devastation to their communities and economies caused by extreme weather events, while… Continue reading Adapting to Climate Change – Beth Gibbons, Adaptation Professionals

The Press, Climate & Diversity – Wanda Lloyd, Author, ‘Coming Full Circle: From Jim Crow to Journalism,’ Former News Executive

“There are environmental issues that are very important to people on a local level…(but they are) being covered (by the local news media) based on everyday issues in local communities… because it affects tourism, it affects the economy, it affects a lot of things, not to mention the places that we live…(and) because it affects… Continue reading The Press, Climate & Diversity – Wanda Lloyd, Author, ‘Coming Full Circle: From Jim Crow to Journalism,’ Former News Executive

Start-up Resources – Julie Lenzer, UMD Entrepreneur Program

“It’s easier to change the world with money…Ideas are out there…the trick is in the execution. It’s not always the best technology that works…Be persistent.” Julie Lenzer Having a great idea for a new technology or new business model that you think can change the world is terrific. But it will only make that change… Continue reading Start-up Resources – Julie Lenzer, UMD Entrepreneur Program

Managing Creativity – Deborah Rutter, President, John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts

“You have to give up a little bit of control in that (creative) process….it is an iterative process and allowing people to be as creative and crazy as you possibly could imagine and then noticing when there was really a fantastic moment that we all had to say, ‘Ah-ha! that’s it, let’s go there.’” Deborah… Continue reading Managing Creativity – Deborah Rutter, President, John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts