Line of Sight Podcast

Celeste Vogel, CEO and cofounder of eWAKA Mobility, joins us for a conversation recorded live at eWAKA's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Celeste shares the story behind eWAKA, a company at the intersection of transportation and logistics that deploys electric cargo bicycles and motorcycles across East Africa while connecting drivers to financing, delivery jobs, and a full maintenance ecosystem. The conversation traces eWAKA's origins to an unexpected challenge from Celeste's youngest son Noah, who pushed his mother to stop watching problems from a distance and start doing something about them. From working under a tree and operating out of a single shipping container to running a full assembly warehouse, Celeste reflects on what it takes to build a company from scratch in a new country, lead with clarity during rapid growth, and stay grounded through the inevitable hard seasons. It is a warm, energizing conversation about purpose, reinvention, and courage.

Join this conversation with Dr. André Habisch, chair of the Bayer Cares Foundation and a leading voice at the intersection of ethics, economics, and social innovation, as he reflects on how moral philosophy and economic systems are deeply intertwined. Drawing on decades of experience across academia and policy, Habisch explores the principle of subsidiarity—solving problems at the most local level possible while enabling broader coordination when needed. From postwar Germany’s reconstruction to today’s challenges in environmental stewardship and shared resources, he illustrates how decentralized, trust-based systems can foster resilience and innovation. He also offers a thoughtful lens on leadership, distinguishing between acting from conviction and acting with responsibility. It’s a grounded, insightful discussion on building systems that better serve people and the planet.

In this episode of Founder of Impact, Ratul Narain shares the journey behind Bempu, the India-based social enterprise he founded to help protect vulnerable newborns through simple, life-saving technologies. He reflects on building Bempu from an engineering-driven idea into a growing company, navigating moments of deep uncertainty, and staying resilient through setbacks, including COVID, layoffs, and the challenges of scaling in public health systems. Along the way, Ratul offers a thoughtful look at leadership, community, and the steady persistence required to solve hard problems. It is an honest and hopeful conversation about innovation, purpose, and what it takes to give more babies a healthier start in life.

In this episode of Line of Sight, Partner and Global Knowledge Lead of Dalberg Advisors, Kusi Hornberger, shares how his path into impact investing evolved into a deeper conviction: that capital can be a force for social and economic change. Now based in Washington, DC, a city that sits at the heart of global policy and finance, Kusi brings a unique perspective on how public systems and private capital intersect, shaping markets whether we support them or challenge them. We explore the “missing middle,” the overlooked small and growing enterprises with the potential to drive outsized impact, and how sustainable impact structures can bridge critical financing gaps. It’s a thoughtful conversation on reimagining capital so that smaller organizations are empowered to create change at the same scale as much larger institutions.

Sara Leedom — Co-founder & COO of Inkomoko Centering Dignity and Economic Power with Inkomoko’s Sara Leedom In this episode of Founder of Impact, the spotlight turns to Inkomoko with cofounder and COO Sara Leedom, who shares how the organization is transforming the economic future of refugees and micro-entrepreneurs across East Africa. We explore the origins of Inkomoko’s model, the realities facing displaced entrepreneurs, and the organization’s commitment to centering dignity in every aspect of its work. It is a powerful reminder that when refugees are given the tools to lead their own growth, they do far more than survive; they thrive, innovate, and strengthen entire local economies.

In this episode, Doug Hewitt, CEO of 1951 Coffee Company, shares the powerful mission behind his nonprofit social enterprise — using the coffee industry as a platform to create jobs, dignity, and hope for displaced people from around the world. He tells the story that sparked 1951 Coffee, sheds light on the global scale of forced displacement, and explores the guiding philosophy behind his work: stay rooted in purpose, but flexible in the path. It's a conversation about compassion, innovation, and building a more inclusive future — one cup at a time.

Julie Schaefer, founder and CEO of Winning Presence, has spent over two decades helping leaders and organizations unlock performance through communication. In this episode, she shares her signature approach, “strategy through storytelling,” and explains why purpose-based leadership is more than a mission statement—it’s a compass for decision-making, culture, and crisis response. Drawing on her corporate experience and work with executives worldwide, Julie offers insights on building authenticity, engaging employees, and turning values into actions. Tune in to learn how leaders can develop a “winning presence” that inspires trust, drives results, and leaves a lasting impact.

In this episode, we explore the power of transforming organic waste into renewable energy with Madrin Maina, the Africa Director of Sistema.bio, a social enterprise that is creating opportunities through its patented biodigester technology. Madrin shares her journey as an entrepreneur — what inspired her path, the challenges she’s faced, and how her leadership is helping families and farmers save money, reclaim time, and improve their quality of life. Along the way, we explore the ripple effects of clean energy: healthier communities, stronger local economies, and a more sustainable planet. Sistema.bio is part of the portfolio of social enterprises supported through the Miller Center–Chevron Climate Resilience Initiative, which strives to help reduce poverty, drive economic and social opportunities, and develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region.

In this episode, we sit down with Nathalie to explore her journey as a social entrepreneur blending culture, community, and commerce. Nathalie shares how LIKHA began, the lessons she’s learned leading a mission-driven business, and the power of storytelling and craftsmanship in driving impact. From the early challenges to building a global brand rooted in Filipino heritage, this conversation offers an honest, inspiring look at what it means to build with purpose.

Welcome to "Founders of Impact," our Line of Sight spin-off series that delves into the remarkable journeys of founders who are redefining success by combining business innovation with a commitment to positive societal change. In each episode, host Karen Runde, Miller Center's Senior Director of Academics & Entrepreneur Network, engages in candid and insightful conversations with visionaries who have dared to challenge the status quo. Discover the origins of their enterprise, strategies, challenges, and triumphs that shape the landscape of social entrepreneurship. 

How can maps help solve the world’s toughest challenges? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Yarnold shares stories from his new book, The Geography of Hope, revealing how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) fuel collaboration and optimism worldwide. From women de-miners in Sri Lanka building livelihoods and status, to African conservationists balancing development and biodiversity, to city planners in Prague tackling urban sustainability, Yarnold shows how data and visual storytelling create common ground across cultures. He also reflects on career shifts, the power of showing vs. telling, and why every organization needs better storytellers. A compelling look at where technology, social justice, and hope intersect.

In this episode, we feature Mina Shahid, CEO and co-founder of Numida, a leading digital microfinance institution (MFI) in East Africa. Mina shares his personal journey, from his early experiences that shaped his passion for financial inclusion to the founding of Numida. Born out of a mission to empower micro- and small businesses (MSBs), Numida leverages proprietary technology and innovative credit processes to deliver convenient, unsecured working capital to entrepreneurs often left out of traditional financial systems. Tune in to hear how Mina’s vision and leadership are driving real impact across the region—improving livelihoods while building a thriving, scalable business.

In this episode, Susan Namirimu shares how her passion for sewing became a catalyst for economic empowerment in Northern Uganda. Originally from Kampala, Susan moved to Gulu for university, where she saw firsthand the lack of job opportunities for young people. Determined to make a difference, she founded Mtindo, a training academy that equips vulnerable women—many of them young mothers—with fashion entrepreneurship skills. Beyond sewing, Mtindo provides life skills training, fostering confidence and self-advocacy. Graduates either secure jobs within Mtindo or launch their own tailoring businesses, building a future of financial independence. Tune in to hear how Susan is transforming lives, one stitch at a time. 

Andrei Iancu — Founder & CEO of Halo Industries Growing up in Communist Romania and earning a bachelor’s in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering at Iowa State University, Andrei Iancu had no concept of entrepreneurship. That all changed at Stanford, where he earned a PhD in mechanical engineering and became inspired to start a company and make a meaningful impact on the world. Drawing on his work in a Stanford research lab, he founded Halo Industries, which creates novel laser-based systems for materials fabrication to help manufacturers drastically reduce waste, improve quality, and enable next-generation technologies. And if that’s not enough, his next big thing may be addressing gaps in childcare and early childhood education.

With a degree in mechanical engineering, Wes joined the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, seeking to learn Spanish and make a difference. He shares his journey from a Midwestern farming family to cofounding Cova, a social enterprise providing safe water solutions in Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. Named for the covalent bond between hydrogen and oxygen that creates water and the bond they foster with rural communities, Cova evolved from a product company to one offering water treatment as a service. Wes also discusses leadership, balancing work and family, exploring carbon offsets, and expanding into new countries to grow impact and manage risks in the face of political instability.

At just 19, Falon Fatemi became one of Google’s youngest employees, joining shortly after the company went public. She recalls a time when wearing a Google tee in London prompted the question, “What’s Google?” A decade later, she founded Node, the first horizontal AI-as-a-service platform driving predictable business outcomes, which was later acquired by SugarCRM. Today, she’s cofounder of Fireside, alongside Mark Cuban, a venture named by Fast Company as one of the “next big things in media, entertainment, and social technology” for its innovative interactive tech on smart TVs. In this episode, Falon shares her entrepreneurial journey and offers valuable advice for aspiring founders.

With a career in corporate finance, Florence originally founded Nyota as a way to continue employing her nannies once her children started school. The company partners with smallholder farmers in rural Kenya to flash-freeze local produce and create specialty sauces, tackling food waste and boosting farmers’ livelihoods. Nyota soon began employing more women in the community and moved production from Flo’s kitchen into a commercial facility. In this episode, discover Florence’s inspiring journey, including how she has evolved her previous no-nonsense, corporate leadership style to embrace patience, empathy, and camaraderie. Nyota’s nutritious foods are sold in supermarkets across Kenya, with expansion plans for New York City.

Founded in 2003, Next 10 works at the intersection of California’s economy, environment, and quality of life, providing expert research and data to inform the public and policymakers. Noel explores the hidden energy costs of driverless cars, the development of offshore wind farms, and how to navigate California’s complex ballot propositions. Discover insights from Next 10’s annual California Green Innovation Index, which tracks environmental and economic trends, benchmarking California against other U.S. states and major global economies. This conversation offers valuable lessons not just for Californians, but for anyone interested in learning from the state’s successes and challenges.

For many vulnerable communities, particularly women and children, in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, access to school and the news can be difficult. Hear how Lifeline Energy is bringing news and educational curriculum to rural communities with solar and wind-up radios and MP3 players, often providing the only reliable source of outside information to their clients. Kristine shares her story of winning the 2005 Tech Award (co-sponsored by the Tech Museum of Innovation and Miller Center). The $50,000 prize was pivotal in helping her raise additional capital because donors like to be first to go second.

After college, Matt Wallace sought life beyond the Illinois cornfields where he grew up. He moved with his wife to Myanmar to teach English, where he was struck by the influx of young women migrating into cities to send money back to their families. This inspired him to co-found ONOW, which provides business training, financial skills, coaching, and digital tools to Myanmar’s young entrepreneurs, especially migrant women. Discover Matt’s journey with ONOW — how the pandemic actually helped the company scale, the impact of Myanmar’s military coup, and how ONOW is integrating AI into its support tools to simplify financial reporting for its customers.

Mayor Matt Mahan shares his vision for San Jose, tackling some of the most pressing issues the city faces today — from the housing crisis and public safety to innovation and community-building. Raised in a small farming town by a school teacher and a postal carrier, Matt commuted up to four hours a day to attend a college prep high school in San Jose. A Teach for America educator and founder and CEO of a tech startup to engage voters, he was elected mayor of the United States’ 13th largest city in 2022. Whether you're a resident or interested in urban leadership, this episode offers insights into San Jose’s future.

Sahar Jamal, the founder of Maziwa, discusses the inspirations behind creating the Maziwa "Wema Breast Pump," her experience with Miller Center's accelerator program, and her upbringing.

From Summer Camp to Tech-Giant CEO to Nonprofit Advisor When Jim Morgan took the reins at Applied Materials, the semiconductor equipment company was on the verge of bankruptcy. During his three-decade tenure, he led its transformation into a multi-billion dollar corporation. Jim has also served as a technology advisor to three US presidents, been recognized for his global humanitarian work, and authored several books on leadership. And it all began at summer camp. Join us as Jim shares his journey and his latest book, Applied Wisdom for the Nonprofit Sector.

Martyna Malinowska, co-founder of GajiGesa, shares her journey from Poland to Indonesia, driven by a passion for financial inclusion. She was first inspired by Muhammad Yunus' concept of doing well by doing good. Working for a fintech startup in Indonesia, Martyna came to understand that most Indonesian employees run out of money between paychecks. This experience led to the creation of GajiGesa, a platform that provides on-demand access to earned wages as a safe alternative to high-interest, predatory loans and improves the financial resilience of workers.

Page Crahan is general manager of Tapestry, a moonshot effort under Alphabet focused on the electric grid. Today, information about the grid is fragmented across numerous organizations, making planning and management difficult. Tapestry’s mission is to illuminate the electric grid. By providing visibility to all those who work with it, Tapestry aims to make the grid greener, fairer, and more reliable. Page shares some exciting developments on the horizon and how she brings her personal creativity to work.

David Wanjau, founder and CEO of Deevabits Green Energy, planned to be a research scientist before being encouraged by a fellow scientist to help “change the world.” Working for an NGO on food security issues and rabbit farming, he quickly realized that the farmers he worked with did not have electricity. Our host, Karen Runde, met up with David in Nairobi to learn more about his journey with Deevabits to provide clean, reliable solar solutions to rural Kenyan communities.

Founded in 2012, Access Afya provides high-quality, localized healthcare specifically designed to meet the needs of underserved neighborhoods in Kenya. Join our interview with CEO Daphne Ngunjiri as she traces Access Afya’s journey to serve over 10,000 people per month through community micro-clinics and a suite of digital health apps and her personal journey and growth as a leader. The Economist recently highlighted its implementation of an AI-powered virtual healthcare platform to provide immediate and personalized responses to patients, health workers, and clinicians.

Father Greg Boyle and Homeboy Industries Provide Hope and Healing. When Father Gregory Boyle became the pastor of Dolores Mission Church, the community had the highest concentration of gang activity in Los Angeles. In 1988, Father Greg founded Homeboy Industries to improve the lives of former gang members in East Los Angeles. Since then, it has evolved into the largest gang intervention, rehab, and re-entry program in the world. In this episode, Brigit and Don talk with Father Greg about Homeboy Industries, the Global Homeboy Network, and the importance of offering kinship and support to those who have been left behind without hope.

Growing up in the midst of the Salvadoran Civil War, Ariela Suster lived through car bombs in her neighborhood, shootings in her home, and the harrowing kidnapping of her brother. Early in her career, Ariela worked in high fashion in New York City, before founding Sequence Collection, an urban lifestyle brand that employs young men and women at risk of gang recruitment, to change the sequence of events that have led to violence and destruction in her country. Ariela shares her journey of building a social enterprise and connecting with her mentor, fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg.

While working in Morocco with the Peace Corps, Galen Welsh observed the disconnect between what communities need and what donors want to fund. With investment from his dad, Galen piloted his original Jibu model in Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. All three failed, but Galen learned quickly and adapted. From those early failures to a harrowing experience defending his brand, Galen recounts his journey to launch 160 franchises with 10,000 retail points in 8 African countries and provide opportunities for African entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Brigit and Don talk with Madrin Maina and Alex Eaton about working with smallholder farmers around the world to address the challenges of poverty, food security, and climate change. Alex is the cofounder and CEO, and Madrin is the East Africa director of Sistema.bio, a social enterprise that provides access to innovative biodigester technology, training, and financing to enable farmers to convert waste into clean, renewable energy and organic fertilizer. Founded in 2010 in Mexico, hear how they've expanded into Africa and India, the challenges and opportunities of crossing borders, and their visions for supporting millions of farmers and meaningfully contributing to reductions in greenhouse gases.

Welcome to "Founders of Impact," our Line of Sight spin-off series that delves into the remarkable journeys of founders who are redefining success by combining business innovation with a commitment to positive societal change. In each episode, host Karen Runde, Miller Center's Director of Alumni Programs, engages in candid and insightful conversations with visionaries who have dared to challenge the status quo. Discover the origins of their enterprise, strategies, challenges, and triumphs that shape the landscape of social entrepreneurship. "Founders of Impact" – Where purpose-driven innovation takes center stage. Subscribe and join the conversation today.

Brigit and Don welcome Malika Anand to discuss the mission behind Catalyst Fund, the transition in its business model and its impact thus far, her role as Head of Impact, core values that guide the Catalyst Fund in their transition to VC, key barriers to having the greatest impact, and how the Catalyst Fund incorporates ESG frameworks into its work.

Alison Taylor joins us as we break down the essence and implications of ESG from a critical lens through dialogue regarding common misunderstandings about ESG, the impact of the Larry Fink letters, polarization in business culture, and how her upcoming book addresses the dilemma of being an ethical business in a turbulent world.

In today’s episode, Brigit and Don seek out the expertise of Allie Ottoboni as they dive into trust-based philanthropy and its unique approach, eBay Foundation’s strategic planning focus on equitable entrepreneurship and what this entails, her career journey that led to earning the Woman of Influence award from the Silicon Valley Business Journal, and her outlook on the future of philanthropy.

Brigit and Don embrace the youthful, yet tenured perspective of the 10-year old Child's Rights Activist and Climate Campaigner, Faatiha Aayat, as they discuss Faatiha’s first experiences working for climate change, why she values this cause so deeply, the connection between climate change and ethics, the target audience for her speeches, how others can support the mitigation of climate change, and her hopes for the future of the climate issue.

Brigit and Don connect with Jim Koch and Eric Carlson to discuss the unique value proposition of Miller Center's Accelerator, formerly the Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI), the motivation to launch the accelerator, Eric’s decision to get involved and his passion for this work, why the accelerator program fits so well within Santa Clara University, its impact, and why mentorship is essential for the social entrepreneurship program.

In this episode, Brigit and Don call on Gloria Duffy as they think through pre-eminent challenges to creating a more just, ethical, and sustainable world, the importance of balanced public information and dialogue about challenging societal issues, the Commonwealth Club’s approach towards addressing equity, justice, ethics, and sustainability, the homelessness crisis and its implications on San Francisco, the common thread between organizations Gloria has advocated for, and how social entrepreneurs are nurtured.

In this episode, Brigit and Don chat with Kristi Bowers as they explore the mission, ingenuity, and journey of her data-driven agriculture company, Grape.ag; the implications of climate change on farmers across the globe, how Grape.ag ensures its ethicality and ESG duty as a startup, the value of working cross-culturally, ways that companies can leverage the Markkula Center and Miller Center to support their mission, and what success looks like for her company.

In today’s episode, Brigit and Don request Lisa Kloppenberg to discuss her book, The Best Beloved Thing Is Justice: The Life of Dorothy Wright Nelson, hone in on the significance of drawing leadership from mentors, highlight her proudest accomplishments as SCU’s acting President, provide advice that she may have for aspiring leaders on how to deal with adversity, and reveal her next ventures as she completes her time as the acting President.

Sha Duncan Smith joins Brigit and Don as they discuss what drew her to the role as the VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at SCU, what it takes to be an anti-racist institution, how to build empathy and craft a culture of listening, differences she’s noticed between social norms in Silicon Valley v.s. the MidWest, taking accountability on properly recruiting diverse talent, and how she stays resilient in her work in light of obstacles.

Allison Kopf sits down with Brigit and Don as they talk through some of the challenges of building corporate culture remotely, overcoming these challenges at scale, ethical issues A.I. faces in the agricultural space, Allison’s perspective on being acquired, the implications of integrating culture v.s. building culture, and how XFactor Ventures is supporting early stage female founders.

Brigit and Don invite Dalia Cohen to indulge in the complexities of her upcoming fund, the investing landscape in Africa for women, exploring ESG companies and what this investment sector entails, the colonization of funding, social and societal impact of mobile money in Africa, and growing up in Zimbabwe.

In today’s discussion, Brigit and Don welcome Joyita Mukherjee to decipher the complexity and urgency of COP26, the imbalance of geographical carbon emissions, industrial animal husbandry practices and the environment, the discouraging nature of climate change and ways to cope, mitigation and adaptation, and social entrepreneurship’s role in combating climate change.

Brigit and Don welcome Mary Ellen Iskenderian to tackle the core themes within her upcoming book, There Is Nothing Micro About a Billion Women, such as the field of financial inclusion, the complexity of an untapped market, clearing the roadblocks and making a business case for financial inclusion, gaining support for this business case at scale, the ethical responsibility of policymakers to address financial inclusion, and the implications of data privacy and predatory lending practices in making this change.

In this episode, Brigit and Don welcome Sharon Vosmek to explore the ongoing issue of funding for diverse female founders, the entry point for changing the system that enables funding disparities, why inclusive teams perform better, eliminating “unconscious bias” from the investment process, adapting to language barriers in global opportunities, and how her career path led to where she is today.

Mohini Malhotra sits down with Brigit and Don to delve into her focus on women’s economic empowerment, the correlation between leadership and international development, implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into her leadership course, her interest in working with female artists, and the advice she would give to her younger self and students at Georgetown.

Lindsay Smalling joins Brigit and Don to discuss the meaning behind the name “60 Decibels” and its mission, making sense of qualitative research data, Lindsay’s passion and motivation, 60 Decibels’ significant impact working with NGOs and social enterprises, ethical issues that arise in this field, and her outlook for this work in the future.

Brigit and Don welcome Ronnie Lott and Will Smith as they explore their work with LEAD (a social enterprise focused on Leadership, Education, Athletics, and Development), what they hope to accomplish, and plans to expand LEAD into the US to further its vision and impact. They also discuss the beginning of Ronnie and Will’s friendship, the dichotomy of pursuing an ethical initiative and abstaining from falling into the white savior trope, and Ronnie’s experience with NFL leaders and how these qualities are invaluable for leaders everywhere.

Vicki Saunders is an entrepreneur, award-winning mentor, advisor to the next generation of change-makers and leading advocate for entrepreneurship as a way of creating positive transformation in the world. Vicki is Founder of #radical generosity and SheEO, a global community of radically generous women supporting women-led Ventures working on the World’s To-Do List. Vicki has co-founded and run ventures in Europe, Toronto and Silicon Valley and taken a company public on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Vicki was received numerous awards for her work at SheEO including; UBS Global Visionary in 2020, YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 2020, Business Leader of the Year 2019 by the Toronto Regional Board of Trade, 2018 Startup Canada Entrepreneurship Promotion Award and was selected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 2001. In this episode, Brigit and Don invite Vicki Saunders as they immerse themselves into her world of creating positive transformation through entrepreneurship, being the Founder of SheEO, the media’s unrealistic glorification of venture capitalist funding, what differentiates SheEO from mainstream approaches, the meaning of radical generosity and its importance, and her vision for a better financial system that serves humanity.