In this episode, Jessica Anderen, CEO of the IKEA Foundation, provides an in-depth look at the Foundation's commitment to addressing the most pressing global challenges, particularly poverty and climate change.

She reflects on her journey within the IKEA ecosystem, from her extensive background in the corporate world to her current leadership role at the Foundation, highlighting the continuity in values that has driven her work over the years.

The IKEA Foundation, established by IKEA's founder Ingvar Kamprad 15 years ago, has evolved from a small organization into a significant philanthropic entity, now distributing around 400 million euros annually.

The Foundation focuses on sustainable livelihoods and environmental protection, recognizing the intrinsic link between climate change and poverty. The organization’s mission is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its strategy is built on a foundation of strong values and a commitment to creating lasting systemic change.

Jessica emphasizes the importance of being on the ground and listening to the people directly affected by these global challenges. Her global experience, having lived and worked in various regions such as China, Bangladesh, and India, has given her unique insights into the local impacts of climate change and poverty.

This perspective informs the Foundation's approach, which prioritizes partnerships with local organizations that are deeply embedded in their communities and capable of driving sustainable change.

A key aspect of the IKEA Foundation’s work is in the energy sector, particularly in accelerating the shift to renewable energy. Jessica shares an inspiring example from their partnership with the SELCO Foundation in India, which aims to provide sustainable solar energy solutions to healthcare facilities, significantly improving access to care for millions of people. This project illustrates the Foundation's broader strategy of supporting initiatives that offer practical, scalable solutions to global challenges.

Jessica also discusses the Foundation's approach to developing its new strategic cycle, which will take them to 2030, a pivotal year for the SDGs. The strategy is being co-created with partners across different regions, ensuring that it is responsive to the needs on the ground and capable of delivering meaningful impact. Jessica stresses the importance of accountability, both within the Foundation and among its partners, and the need for clear, pragmatic communication to drive action.

Her leadership is characterized by a blend of urgency and optimism, informed by her corporate background, which she leverages to bring a results-oriented mindset to the philanthropic sector. She advocates for simplicity and inclusivity in language and approach, ensuring that their work is accessible and actionable for everyone involved.

Jessica believes that by staying true to their values, continuously learning, and fostering intense collaboration across sectors, the IKEA Foundation can create meaningful, lasting change that benefits people and the planet for generations to come.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Dedo n Ba, Director of Strategy of the Segal Family Foundation, Discusses Strategic Philanthropy, African Social Entrepreneurs, and Building Collaborative Ecosystems.

This episode offers a rich exploration of the strategic considerations and practical efforts involved in driving philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights the importance of collaboration, the evolving nature of board governance, and the critical role of local knowledge in shaping effective interventions.

Whether you're a seasoned philanthropist or new to the sector, this conversation provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of supporting African-led change.

In this insightful episode of the Do One Better Podcast, we host Dedo n Ba, the Director of Strategy at the Segal Family Foundation, and explore the Foundation's innovative approaches to philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

With a focus on building collaborative ecosystems and empowering African social entrepreneurs, Dedo provides a comprehensive overview of how the Segal Family Foundation operates across 20 countries, fostering connections and driving impactful change.

Dedo begins by introducing the Segal Family Foundation's mission, which stems from founder Barry Segal's desire to address the capital imbalance faced by African social entrepreneurs. The Foundation's work is rooted in a blended financing model, combining grants, debt, and capacity-building efforts to support a diverse portfolio of leaders and organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and technology.

The Foundation’s philosophy is to partner early with organizations, helping them grow into investable entities capable of attracting further funding and achieving significant community impact.

A key highlight of the discussion revolves around the Foundation's commitment to creating collaborative ecosystems, a process that requires deliberate effort and resources.

Dedo emphasizes the importance of having boards that are inclusive of individuals with lived experience, a shift he notes is gaining traction within the philanthropic sector. This approach not only enhances the relevance of decision-making processes but also drives more effective and culturally informed interventions.

Throughout the episode, Dedo touches on the importance of sharing intelligence and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including funders, social entrepreneurs, and local communities. He notes that while collaboration is often underfunded, it is crucial for scaling impact and addressing complex social challenges.

The Segal Family Foundation's role as a community builder has evolved over time, with an increasing focus on supporting networks and coalitions that can respond swiftly and effectively to emerging needs.

As the conversation progresses, Dedo reflects on the broader landscape of philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the context of the upcoming targets for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030.

He is optimistic about the growing involvement of African-led organizations and the emergence of new themes such as climate action and inclusion. However, he also acknowledges the challenges that remain, particularly the need to increase the percentage of global giving directed towards leaders with proximate experience.

The episode concludes with Dedo sharing his personal journey from the private sector to philanthropy, driven by a desire to solve problems and create meaningful change. He underscores the importance of strategic philanthropy that is both agile and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

For listeners, the key takeaway is clear: there is still much work to be done to bridge the gap in funding and support for African social entrepreneurs, and the philanthropic sector must continue to evolve to meet these challenges.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji engages in a compelling conversation with Geoff Ibbotson, the Executive Director of the Global Surgery Foundation.

Geoff shares his journey and the critical work his organization is doing to improve surgical care systems worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings.

This episode sheds light on the importance of comprehensive surgical systems in achieving global health goals and reducing poverty. As Geoff notes: "A strong surgical care system strengthens the entire health system and is one of the best investments for global health."

Key Topics Covered:

• Introduction to the Global Surgery Foundation: Geoff explains the origins and mission of the Global Surgery Foundation, highlighting its role in supporting and advancing surgical care systems globally.
• Comprehensive Surgical Systems: A deep dive into the various components of a functional surgical care system, including diagnostics, anesthesia, nursing, and rehabilitation.
• Impact on Global Health: How strengthening surgical care systems can significantly improve health outcomes and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The Surg Fund and Surg Hub: An overview of the Surg Fund, aimed at pooling resources for impactful surgical projects, and the Surg Hub, a digital platform for disseminating surgical knowledge and training.
• Challenges and Success Stories: Geoff shares real-life examples of the challenges faced in low-resource settings and the successes achieved through improved surgical care.

Notable Partners and Supporters:

• UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)
• Rali Mampeule
• Smile Train
• Harvard University Medical School
• Johnson & Johnson Foundation
• Takeda Pharmaceuticals
• Siemens Healthineers
• Canton of Geneva

Call to Action:

Listeners are encouraged to explore the Surg Hub for free, high-quality training and resources on surgical care. Additionally, the Global Surgery Foundation welcomes partnerships and support to further its mission of strengthening surgical systems worldwide.

Conclusion:

Geoff Ibbotson emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding and collaboration to build robust surgical care systems. He highlights the critical role these systems play in overall health system strengthening and achieving universal health coverage.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

We hear from the Gates Foundation’s Dr Asyia Kazmi on what the state of global education looks like, the work they’re doing in tackling literacy and numeracy challenges, and why achieving our education targets for Sustainable Development Goal 4 is a solvable problem.

If you are born in a high-income country, 9 out of 10 children can read by the age of 10. If you are born in a low-income country, 9 out of 10 children cannot. This is a shocking statistic and an equity issue.

Learn about the Gates Foundations’ work with global organisations, such as the World Bank and UNICEF, how they interact with national governments, what philanthropists should keep in mind when aiming to fund education and much more.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

Shaady Salehi joins us from San Francisco to discuss the work of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project and pretty much cover every angle around trust-based philanthropy.

We hear of trust-based philanthropy’s origins, how the pandemic and racial reckoning helped thrust trust-based philanthropy into the spotlight, and we look at the different interpretations and misinterpretations of what trust-based philanthropy is all about.

The journey has seen a move from transactional philanthropy to a more relational, partnership-oriented approach. Will this trend continue or will we revert back to the old ways?  This episode will answer many of your questions and prompt many new ones.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

In September 2022, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng was awarded the inaugural Africa Education Medal, awarded by T4 Education to “an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership, and advocacy in the field of education”.

Hear the truly remarkable personal and professional story of Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng -- overcoming great adversity in poverty and South Africa’s apartheid, and reaching the pinncale of academia and becoming Vice Chancellor of the top university in Africa.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

Nick Hanauer is one of the world’s most provocative thinkers about our society’s growing inequality, the dire consequences that increasing inequality creates for our democracies, and how to fix the system.

An engaging conversation on income inequality that is full of economic and political arguments on the merits of increasing wages and ensuring income inequality doesn’t lead to widespread social unrest.

Nick is a billionaire philanthropist who recognises the severity of the income inequality problem and philanthropy’s relatively small size in relation to the sums involved.

On this episode you’ll learn how Nick is tackling the issue of income inequality and how philanthropists can genuinely make a difference on this front. As a point of interest, Nick is also the podcast host of Pitchfork Economics, which is worth checking out.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

If you are keen on exploring the collaborative space within philanthropy and the broader sustainability agenda, this episode is for you. 

We explore collaborative networks, new voices from next generation philanthropists, identifying local leaders, building trust and the importance of listening.

Synergos was founded in 1986 by Peggy Dulany and has staff and representatives in Africa, Asia, the Arab World, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

In 2001, Peggy Dulany co-founded Synergos’ Global Philanthropists Circle with her father, David Rockefeller, to support philanthropic families.

Synergos identifies and incubates collaborations that shift power and resources to proximate leaders, enabling the solutions to our greatest human challenges to reach scale.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

Charitable status within the independent / private school sector in Britain is one of the most emotionally-charged and contentious topics. Some private schools operate as registered charities while others do not.

Alberto Lidji moderates a robust and civilised debate with Julie Robinson, CEO of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), and Francis Green, Professor of Work and Education Economics at the Institute of Education, University College London's (UCL) Faculty of Education and Society.

Julie Robinson and Francis Green hold opposing views and yet manage to identify some common ground and fruitful area for future education policy exploration.

This episode will inform you about one of the most debated topics in education reform in Britain today. It may strengthen your existing views, or tempt you to view counter arguments more favourably, or even make you appreciate this topic is not as clear cut as you may have thought.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

A wide-ranging conversation on the topic of domestic abuse. Hetti sheds light on sobering statistics, attitudes and behaviours and describes the challenges presented by COVID lockdowns and how new technologies are impacting the field.

In England and Wales, around 2 women a week are killed by a current or former partner, and 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime.

The problem goes beyond domestic violence. As Hetti points out, coercive control is the dark side of domestic abuse and often leads to the worst outcomes.

Refuge is an organisation helping those who experience domestic abuse. They run the National Domestic Abuse Helpline and also have deployed a Tech Abuse Team, who support women who are experiencing online abuse and other tech-related abuse.

Innovations in technology present serious challenges – innovations leading to the miniaturisation of surveillance technology, for instance, or software that can compromise WiFi connectivity and remotely lock doors and override temperature control and other features in one’s own home.

This episode explores domestic abuse from various angles and provides invaluable information on the state of affairs and opportunities for improvement.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

The Veddis Foundation is based in India and is both a grant-maker and an operating foundation. They make unrestricted, multi-year grants and approach programs with a view to pilot, scale, institutionalise and exit.  They’re keen on investing at the intersection of policy, technology and impact.

We explore their approach to trust-based philanthropy and learn how they go about building trust among all stakeholders. We get an insider’s look at how they operate and what success looks like at the Veddis Foundation.

Before venturing into the world of impact and philanthropy, Murugan spent 20 years working at Cisco in India, and he takes the opportunity to shed light on corporate philanthropy in India and identifies gaps that present opportunities for improvement.

Murugan notes that “the future is looking bright for India” and we get a glimpse of why the philanthropy sector in India is so vibrant, exciting and full of opportunity right now.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

This episode provides insight into a dynamic corporate foundation and sheds light on the growth of philanthropy in Australia.

Macquarie Group is a diversified financial srvices organisation with 18,000 employees; working in 33 markets around the world. Interestingly, the foundation was established at the same time and alongside the company itself.

Employee engagement is a key aspect of their philanthropic work. Their matched giving program is generous (matching each employee’s giving up to AUD $50,000 annually) and they also encourage engagement through volunteering, mentoring and sharing of expertise.

Last financial year, the foundation and its employees contributed AUD $44 million to community organisations. We explore their strategic grant-making program, which is focused on economic and social mobility, and which ranges from education and employment of young people in Australia, to higher education access and career attainment in the United States. Their philanthropic work feels different in different regions, and we also hear of their new impact investing work.

Lisa is also co-chair of Philanthropy Australia and she sheds light on the state of affairs and future outlook for philanthropy in that country.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

Per joins us back on the show after last having been with us on 6th September 2020. We continue where we left off and start by looking at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), which the IKEA Foundation set up with the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund.

GEAPP is working in partnership with countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean to operationalise renewable energy transitions and expansions, which will reduce greenhouse gases, extend clean power to underserved people, and enable green jobs.  As Per notes, we need to embrace radical collaboration – it’s the way to get to Net Zero.

We also look at the IKEA Foundation’s approach to measurement, learning and evaluation; the importance of using evidence to guide grant-making, and the importance of funding research to build such bodies of evidence when they don’t exist.  Evidence is key for achieving systems change, and philanthropy needs to take risks, innovate and collaborate.

The conversation also looks at the work the IKEA Foundation has traditionally been doing with refugees in the Global South and, more recently, how IKEA’s commercial operations are supporting refugees from Ukraine in the Global North. Per details the close collaboration between IKEA’s philanthropic and commercial sides.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

Cameron McCollum, Director of the Sudreau Global Justice Institute at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, on justice system reform in Africa. 

In this episode we delve into improving access to justice and building capacity within justice systems in Africa. We discuss the problem of case backlog and how ADR (alternative dispute resolution) can help improve justice outcomes.

We also discuss the Africa Chief Justices’ Summit on ADR recently held in Kampala, Uganda, where 16 chief justices participated to explore re-engineering the administration of justice on the African continent.

This episode will inform you and provide you with invaluable insight on improving justice systems in Africa and beyond.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Shannon Elizabeth is an actor who is passionate about animal conservation. She has starred in over 50 films and television shows, including American Pie, Scary Movie, Love Actually and That 70’s Show.  Simon Borchert has a strong family history of animal conservation in South Africa. Together, this dynamic husband and wife duo are protecting rhinos and strengthening the field of conservation through the work of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation.

We learn about the foundation’s operations, programs, advocacy with legislators and we gain insight into leveraging the celebrity platform to drive forward positive change and get the message across.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

Unhealthy environments have been linked to a range of significant health risks to children, including premature birth, stillbirth, increased lifelong risk for brain and behavioural problems, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancers, dysfunction of hormonal and reproductive systems, and more.

Globally, more than 1 in 4 childhood deaths under 5 years of age are attributable to unhealthy environments—a statistic that will continue to rise as climate change magnifies the world’s most important environmental risk factors.

While environmental health risk factors are clearly leading causes of child illness and death in Asia, country-specific, systematic data needed to develop approaches to improving children’s health and reducing, minimising, and preventing environmental risk factors is often lacking. 

We learn how Children’s Environmental Health Indicators (CEHI) can fill the data and knowledge gap in children’s environmental health; enabling tracking, assessment and reporting on the status and impacts of climate and the environment on children’s health as well as the evaluation of environmental interventions and policies.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

If you ever wondered how to create a truly diverse talent pool and intentionally attract the next generation of leaders from countries not usually represented in senior management teams, this episode will inform you and show you how some of the world’s leading organisations are embracing this challenge.

Atlas Corps was founded in 2006. They are a non-profit, a social enterprise and a registered 501(c)(3) in the United States.

Their Fellowship program identifies strong talent and human capital potential from the Global South and they act as a matchmaker by placing Atlas Corps Fellows with leading organisations such as SAP, Save the Children and the Hilton Foundation.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

Great advances in medical treatments enable most people with HIV to live lives with life expectancy comparable to the general population. Unfortunately, stigma and negative social norms persist and must be tackled.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation is a global grant-making foundation focused on ending the AIDS epidemic. They’re based in London and New York, they fund services on the ground and organisations that are working in the field in up to 50 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia; they are also active in the UK and US.  They are the fifth largest AIDS foundation in the world and were founded in 1992.

Anne shares her very touching personal story that brought her to the field of HIV/AIDS; she speaks with passion about the innovative ways they’re leveraging new technologies to reach those most marginalised individuals and communities; and she gives us a glimpse of what it’s like to work with Elton John to improve lives and change mindsets.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

In light of so many indicators pointing in the wrong direction, what can we do with the resources and powers at our disposal to tackle the food crisis and drive forward improved nutrition? 

This conversation provides clear suggestions and insight for philanthropists, business leaders and policymakers alike -- the case for improved nutrition has never been stronger.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 200 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

In this episode we bring you a heart-warming interview with Zane Wilemon – an ordained priest from Texas who embraced social entrepreneurship in Kenya and improved the lives of children and women through philanthropy and commerce.

We hear how Zane’s philanthropic work led to the creation of Ubuntu Life, a successful social enterprise that is backed by social investors and whose products made it into Whole Foods and were recognised by Oprah Winfrey on her 2020 ‘Favorite Things List'.

Proceeds from the social enterprise go to the Ubuntu Life Foundation, whose work in Kenya supports children with special needs in education and health.

This episode highlights how anyone, anywhere, can make a positive difference to improve our world.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Please visit our website at Lidji.org for information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

 

In this episode we focus on the power of regenerative agriculture and why you, as a consumer, can literally eat your way to a better world.

We speak with Angus McIntosh, who is better known in South Africa as 'Farmer Angus'. He grew up on a cattle ranch in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Studied Management Accounting at Stellenbosch University before stockbroking for Goldman Sachs in London. Declined the offer of promotion, left his job and moved to South Africa. Built a clay home with inspiration from various people on the way leading to him to eventually become a biodynamic student, grass farmer and carbon sequestrator.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. We invite you to follow us and leave us a review to help others find this show.

 

On this episode, we are talking with Shane Ryan, Global Executive Director of the Avast Foundation.  Many of you who use a computer day in and day out will recognise the Avast brand — they are one of the world’s leading antivirus software providers.

We are going to be talking with Shane about equity and inclusion within the digital space, and to kick things off, here’s a sobering statistic: 

According to the United Nations, nearly 3 billion people, or 37% of the global population, have never been online despite a rise in Internet use during the pandemic. And, here’s another statistic: 96% of those nearly 3 billion people who have never been online, live in the developing world.

Today’s conversation is well-rounded and spans equity and inclusion within the digital space, trust-based philanthropy, inclusive co-design and much more. 

Shane himself has overcome much adversity during his childhood, having been in care and coming from humble beginnings in West London; and subsequently succeeding in a career that saw him become Deputy Director of the National Lottery Community Fund, in the UK and, today, Global Executive Director of the Avast Foundation.

His experience in equity, inclusion, grant-making and philanthropy provide him with a unique vantage point from which to shed light on the importance of equitable and inclusive digital futures, trust-based philanthropy and inclusive co-design.  Inclusive co-design being a thread that is constant throughout Shane’s career — he has always been passionate about ensuring everyone has a voice.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org

 

The Beacon Collaborative exists to encourage more private assets to be used for public good.  It is a focal point where philanthropists can come together, share ideas and learn from each other – and where organisations can collaborate to support them on their donor journeys.

We explore the barriers and opportunities in giving philanthropically; the intergenerational dynamics within families; the regulatory environment; the value of relationships between donors and charities and ways in which government can foster more philanthropy.

This episode looks at philanthropy from a UK context but will inform and inspire an international audience. 

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org

 

Prior to founding Co-Impact in 2017, Olivia served as Founding Director of the Giving Pledge, an effort launched by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Co-Impact, brings together partners from around the world to drive forward just and inclusive systems change. They’re operating in 13 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Funding comes from philanthropists, institutions, corporates and social change leaders; and their program partners are locally-rooted organisations that are working to transform government and market systems to be more effective and more equitable. 

They are focused on education, health and economic opportunity; and they have recently launched a new Gender Fund, which advances gender equality and is focused on women’s leadership in law and economics.  The Gender Fund has a 10-year horizon and aims to invest $1 billion, of which they have already raised a third. 

This episode provides a candid look at one of the most innovative and substantive collaboratives in the world of philanthropy. It will inform and inspire you.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org

 

The CEO of the British Exploring Society, Honor Wilson-Fletcher, on inequality of access to the great outdoors and transforming lives.  Significant parts of the population do not feel welcomed, and don’t have access nor experience of what it’s like to be in the outdoors.

The British Exploring Society is a youth development charity that’s been around almost 100 years, founded on the belief that challenging experiences can transform lives, empowering and equipping young people with the courage, skills, resilience and determination to make the most of their future.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

In this episode, we learn about Porticus’ global operations and explore the importance of participation, building networks, developing programs from the ground up and driving systems change.

Since 1995, Porticus has coordinated the philanthropic endeavours of the Brenninkmeijer family, continuing a tradition of social engagement stretching back as far as 1841. 

Porticus works in 65 countries and has offices around the world. They have 1,500 partners with whom they aim to improve the world. 

Despite their size and reach, they’ve kept a low profile and traditionally the family said they wanted to focus on their partners, rather than have the spotlight on themselves — let our partners shine.

Now Porticus is changing to a more transparent approach. As Melanie notes, when you’re focusing on systems change, you need to get involved in advocacy, you need to be able to influence policy, so there are good reasons for taking a more public and transparent role. It also helps to get new partners and co-funders involved.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, please visit our website at Lidji.org

 

 

The Valuable 500 is using the power of business to drive lasting change for the 1.3 billion people around the world who are living with a disability.  

They are a collective of 500 businesses and CEOs, chaired by Paul Polman (former CEO of Unilever), who are innovating for disability inclusion, and who include some of the most recognised firms and brands around the world: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Deloitte and Barclays, to name a few.

These 500 companies represent 22 million employees around the world, in 64 sectors, with $8 trillion in revenue power. Caroline is unequivocal that this is an initiative that comes from the heart; if we can make business good, we can change the world.

We also learn about Caroline’s personal challenges and disability: being legally blind (having been diagnosed with ocular albinism, a genetic condition that severely impairs vision), having to remortgage her house in order to get the Valuable 500 off the ground and going to great lengths to get Paul Polman on board.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Please visit our website at Lidji.org for information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review since it helps others find this show.

 

Learn how the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation is making an impact; helping non-profit organisations by advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

Claudia Juech is Vice President of Data and Society at the Patrick. J. McGovern Foundation and was Managing Director for Strategic Insights at the Rockefeller Foundation.

Her career has been all about using data for decision making – first in the financial sector in Germany and more recently at the Rockefeller Foundation, where she and her team used foresight approaches and innovation methodologies to identify the most promising ideas that could be shaped into the next $100M initiative. 

This episode will stimulate your thinking and provide you with tangible examples of how data can be leveraged to drive forward social good.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, please visit our website at Lidji.org

 

 

James Chen has dedicated the last 20 years to addressing the issue of poor vision. He founded Clearly, a global campaign to educate the public and world leaders and raise the profile of the issue — championing innovation and spreading best practices that help make sight tests and affordable glasses available to all, as well as connecting people committed to tackling this issue so we can all be a catalyst for change. 

As part of this work, James convinced 52 countries at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to pledge affordable eye care for all, created the first UN working group on poor vision and completed research which found glasses had the largest productivity increase of any other health intervention. 

He is creating a tipping point in how poor vision is viewed on the global health agenda, culminating in the unanimous UN ‘Vision for All by 2030’ resolution in the summer of 2021.

In this episode, James also explains his passion for moonshot philanthropy and why it’s important to think big, take calculated risks and, in his words, privatise failure and socialise success, whereby philanthropists absorb the costs when things don’t quite work out and they share with the wider world when interventions succeed.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Please visit our website at Lidji.org for information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Please leave us a rating and a review to help others find this show.

 

Grantmaking is imperfect and full of opportunities for improvement. We explore a range of topics, including (1) trust-based philanthropy; (2) power imbalances; (3) participatory grantmaking; and (4) striving to make grantmaking more accessible, equitable and empathetic.

Tom and Gemma are authors of the book ‘Modern Grantmaking’, which provides useful tips for professionals in this field and instils a belief that better is possible.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org

 

Let's transform India into a poverty-free country within our lifetime. A fascinating conversation full of ambition to improve the lives of millions of people.   The/Nudge Institute is an action institute that works with governments, markets, and civil society to build resilient livelihoods for all.   Over 364 million Indians live below the poverty line. At The/Nudge Institute, they believe that it is within our collective means to ensure that every Indian lives a life with dignity out of poverty. They work to create livelihood opportunities at scale, and in doing so, build resilience in society to withstand economic shocks.   The/Nudge Institute has strong foundation partners, including the Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Skoll Foundation and Tata Trusts. Corporate partners include Unilever, Cisco, Morgan Stanley, LinkedIn Social Impact and KPMG.   Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Please leave us a rating and a review since it helps others find this show. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org  

Michael Traill is Chair of Australia’s largest foundation, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, and co-founder of For Purpose Investment Partners. Michael also co-founded Macquarie Group’s private equity arm, was Chief Executive of Social Ventures Australia and holds a Harvard MBA.

This episode provides key insight and detail for anyone who wishes to leverage private capital for social good. We explore a range of topics including:

(1) An overview of philanthropy in Australia today. (2) Going beyond grant-making and ensuring endowments are invested for impact. (3) Do investment professionals genuinely value impact investing? (4) How does a non-profit, impact investment manager actually work? (5) How do you go about deal flow origination, and what does a deal look like? (6) How do you go to market with an impact investment proposition? (7) How will the impact investing market evolve in the coming years? (8) Do most impact investment opportunities arise from private equity houses, philanthropic foundations, high net worth individuals, or elsewhere?

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Please leave us a rating and a review since it helps others find this show. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought-leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org

 

We explore the world of charities and delve into key questions, such as: 

(1) What’s the state of affairs with charities today?  (2) Why are so many charities struggling for funding when many foundations and major donors saw their endowments, net worth and equity portfolios grow so much in 2021?  (3) What’s the public perception of charities and is it well-founded?  (4) Are there too many charities and do they overlap with each other?  (5) Are there parallels to be drawn between the private sector and non-profit sector?  (6) Is it right for charity CEOs and their boards to focus on growth? 

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought-leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org -- Please leave us a rating and a review since it helps others find this show. Thank you!

 

A candid conversation where opportunities are fleshed out; where tensions between mission and sustainability are identified; and where a belief in doing better is underscored.

Should you use plastic packaging instead of glass? How do you tackle the tension between having organic protein food products that help children grow and the high carbon output that accompanies such protein?

We also explore the broader business landscape; delve into the merits of becoming B Corp certified; and consider the legislative agenda, such as the drive for the Better Business Act in the UK, which aims to ensure every company in the UK aligns their interests with those of wider society and the environment.

Ella’s Kitchen leads the way in organic baby food in the UK, is B Corp certified, operates in 35 markets and is mission-driven to improve children’s lives through developing healthy relationships with food.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org  Please follow the show if you’re not doing so already and leave us a rating and a review — thank you!

 

 

Deval Sanghavi, Co-Founder of Dasra, joins Alberto Lidji to discuss strategic philanthropy in India. Dasra began as a venture philanthropy fund to invest in early stage non-profit organizations in India.

After listening to this episode you will have better insight into the philanthropic landscape in India; understand how grant-making foundations are including the voices of NGOs into their grant-making decisions and how NGO leaders are being supported.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

 

John Craven, former Director of the UK’s Social Mobility Commission and current Executive Officer of System 2 – a registered charity in Australia – explores social mobility from numerous angles, including education, employability, social networks and intergenerational dynamics.

Among the various insights discussed, we explore how the school readiness gaps successfully tackled during children’s early years can widen again in primary and secondary education.

We also look at social mobility from a corporate angle and explore what companies can do in their recruitment and internal audits to ensure excellence not just in recruitment but also throughout career progression.

This is a highly informative episode for anyone who cares about social mobility.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

 

Let’s transform education systems by reigniting intrinsic motivation! The Chair and CEO of STiR Education, Jo Owen and Girish Menon, explain why motivation is key to success.

STiR Education operates in India and Uganda, they’ve recently started a program in Indonesia and are currently in discussions with the education ministry in Ethiopia.  Brazil is being explored.

They’ve been funded by some of the world’s leading foundations, including MacArthur Foundation, IKEA Foundation, Dubai Cares, ELMA Foundation and UBS Optimus.

We hear how intrinsic motivation needs to run across entire education systems and without it even the most targeted education interventions are at increased risk of failure. 

Jo Owen and Girish Menon provide excellent insight and vivid examples to inform, inspire and help you make a bigger impact.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship visit our website at Lidji.org

 

Transforming lives by setting up kids’ operating rooms and training paediatric surgeons in low and middle income countries. Garreth Wood, Chair of KidsOR, talks about need, solutions + economic impact.

KidsOR is operating in 20 countries; they’re focused on building centres of excellence for children's surgery; dramatically increasing capacity and access for safe surgery; and they’re doing it in government hospitals, creating safe spaces and the right tools. They are training a local healthcare workforce so they can care for their own nation’s children.

Beyond the moral imperative to support children, there’s a strong economic argument as well: Countries face a staggering difference in economic benefit between a child who spends their entire life living with a disability versus a child who’s able to contribute fully to the country as they grow up. 

In this conversation we explore a range of relevant issues, from the need to train paediatric surgeons, biomedical engineers and the local healthcare workforce, to scaling up internationally and collaborating with governments and ministries of health.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship visit our website at Lidji.org

 

Jay Weatherill, CEO of Thrive by Five and former Premier of South Australia, discusses Early Childhood Development within an Australian context and introduces an exciting new parenting app.

Thrive by Five is an initiative of the Minderoo Foundation — a philanthropic outfit founded by Nicola and Andrew Forrest that has grown to AU$2.5 billion and is today one of the largest foundations in Australia and the region.

We explore the Early Childhood Development landscape; the work of Thrive by Five and the Minderoo Foundation; and their new parenting app.

As a former Premier of South Australia, we hear how James is able to draw on his experience and expertise to create a social movement and change political realities in the drive to put Early Childhood Development front and centre on the agenda.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship please visit our website at Lidji.org

 

 

What if we loved politicians? Lisa Witter, CEO of the Apolitical Foundation, joins us to explore investing in new types of political leaders who will help us achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

A great conversation on empowering democracy for the 21st Century; supporting and training policymakers and political leaders; closing the gap between evidence and informed political action; and encouraging citizens to participate throughout the political process.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, just visit our website at Lidji.org

 

 

Fran Perrin, Chair of 360Giving, calls for more data transparency in philanthropy and explains how grant-makers, charities and beneficiaries can benefit from sharing data.

360Giving is about making better grant decisions by having more information, and fitting funding to where it’s most needed and has the most impact. They are a charity helping organisations publish open, standardised grants data, and empowering people to use it to improve charitable giving.

Through data sharing they also help lower the barriers to entry for small charities that are fundraising, so they know where to apply and, in the process, stop wasting time applying for money that’s never going to be given.

In this episode we go beyond data transparency and also explore how COVID has shifted philanthropic thinking; the need for increased focus on diversity, equity and inclusion; power imbalances; and the increased prominence of trust-based philanthropy.  

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship please visit our website at Lidji.org

 

 

Dr Randa Grob-Zakhary, Founder and CEO of Education.org, is unequivocal about the need to reduce the gap between the existing body of evidence in education and the small amount of that evidence that’s actually being used by policymakers. 

Education.org is a young foundation making big, positive waves within the world of education. Early stage investors and partners supporting it include the Oak Foundation, Dubai Cares, Porticus, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Echidna Giving.

Randa brings innovative thinking to the table and, as she points out, “it’s very hard being a start-up in the education sector because the sector is so oriented towards the status quo”. 

Prior to founding Education.org, Randa held various roles, including CEO of the LEGO Foundation; Board Member with the Global Partnership for Education; and Global Head of Education at Porticus. She holds an M.D. and PhD in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University.  

Thank you for downloading this episode. For information on more than 150 episodes with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship just visit Lidji.org

 

 

Let’s talk collaborative philanthropy! We are joined by Anna Hakobyan (Chief Impact Officer at CIFF — the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation), Deepali Khanna (Managing Director for Asia at the Rockefeller Foundation) and Anurag Banerjee (Co-Founder & CEO of Quilt.AI) for a candid and thought-provoking conversation.

This is an in-depth episode with views from three influential and consequential thought-leaders in philanthropy and social good, who bring a breadth of experience and expertise ranging from grant-making and impact measurement to data-sharing and artificial intelligence for good.  

Collaboration in the world of philanthropy is not only increasing in prominence but is also becoming ever more sophisticated and innovative.  

We take a look at collaboration across numerous dimensions, including funder to funder; funder and grantees; grantee to grantee; Global South to Global South; private and non-profit sectors; and large/experienced organisations to small/inexperienced ones.

We also discuss how impact measurement, evaluation findings and evidence reviews should be viewed as a public good; fully transparent and shared widely; within an environment of trust that creates safe spaces for candid exchanges on what works and what does not.

And, we explore the importance of going beyond traditional knowledge-sharing by targeting the right audiences with key insights at just the right time when they’re in the decision-making process.  This is an episode that will inform you and equip you to achieve more social good. 

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on more than 150 episodes featuring remarkable thought-leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship please visit our website at Lidji.org

 

Celebrating our 150th Episode! Tania Bryer of CNBC fame interviews Alberto Lidji to explore insights from The Do One Better Podcast’s 150 episodes. A candid look at podcasting, philanthropy and more.

Alberto Lidji launched The Do One Better Podcast in early 2019, shortly after stepping down as Global CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation. 

He has also been a Senior Advisor to the Goldie Hawn Foundation and Director of Development at the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation.

The purpose of The Do One Better Podcast is to inspire a global audience to be more philanthropic, to act more sustainably and to embrace social entrepreneurship.

Guests over the past three years have included Paul Polman, Siya Kolisi, David Lynch, Julia Gillard, David Miliband, Cherie Blair and Ricardo Lagos.

On this episode we explore:

(1) What it was like in the early days of the podcast.

(2) Advice for up-and-coming podcasters and those who want to create a podcast.

(3) The move from private sector into philanthropy.

(4) What to think about if you’re looking to get into philanthropy.

(5) Lessons and surprises from 150 episodes.

(6) Most moving philanthropic initiative?

(7) What are some of the key trends in philanthropy and broader sustainability agenda?

Thank you for downloading this 150th episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on many other interviews with remarkable thought leaders, visit our website at Lidji.org

 

A must-listen episode that will inform and inspire. Learn how Pinterest is leveraging its scale and reach of 444 million global, monthly active users to change narratives and drive forward social change around emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Pinterest is one of the most inspirational destinations online and, indeed, their mission is to help people discover the things they love, and inspire them to go do those things in their daily lives. 

However, there’s an appreciation that life isn’t always so inspiring, and things on the internet aren’t either. Real-life feelings and experiences can carry over to our lives online. 

Pinterest is focused on emotional wellbeing and they’re leveraging their product, scale and philanthropic network to make a difference to millions of people across the globe.

Thank you for downloading this episode of The Do One Better Podcast. For information on nearly 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org

 

 

A must-listen episode for anyone who is interested in integrating ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) into their investments and taking an active, strategic approach to ensuring investee and portfolio companies drive forward the Global Sustainability Agenda.

Yellowwoods is an investment firm and business-builder. They are driven by purpose and we explore how they’re leveraging a range of tools, including procurement, supply chains, youth and inclusive employment initiatives, and regenerative agriculture to drive impact across entire industries.

All of Yellowwoods’ businesses were born in South Africa and many are now global multinationals and household names.

This episode inspires, informs and serves as a call to action for investors and grant-makers alike to leverage commercial models and multi-sectoral partnerships for good. 

Thank you for downloading this episode. For information on nearly 150 other podcast interviews, we invite you to visit our website at Lidji.org

 

The CEO of the Children’s Society, Mark Russell, talks about the new children’s support hub they’re launching in London, UK in July 2024, their 140-year history, ambitions for the future and creating an evidence base to roll out a nation-wide network of support hubs.

We celebrate the £1M grant from BBC Children in Need just announced on 15th May to support the Children’s Society’s work tackling mental health. We also look at key issues affecting children, such as online grooming, poverty, exploitation, county lines, mental health, domestic abuse and more.

The Children’s Society also drives forward advocacy campaigns, formulates policy positions and aims to achieve systemic change. They have around 800 staff, 6,000 volunteers and 140,000 supporters who are part of their movement.

This episode is for everyone who’s interested in children’s wellbeing and embracing innovative thinking to drive forward positive impact.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

We explore the importance of making the latest evidence on children's rights and wellbeing accessible to a broad audience, strengthening and framing key arguments by using the most engaging language and communicating with policymakers and politicians so they make informed budgetary and voting decisions.

The Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures works with diverse partners, including the OECD, Unicef and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and engages with policymakers and politicians internationally.

They aim to ensure children facing adversity have what they need to reach their full potential, and much of their focus is on children who come into contact with the justice system.

Despite the fact that the wellbeing of children is an important indicator of the future stability of society and prosperity of the economy, there is still far to go to ensure children’s rights are realised.

Thank you for downloading this episode. For information on nearly 150 other interviews with remarkable thought leaders visit Lidji.org

 

It’s been said that philanthropy is under attack. In this episode we explore key arguments in favour and against philanthropy and highlight opportunities for the road ahead. 

No matter your views on philanthropy, you will find this episode informative and thought-provoking. 

Beth worked as a fundraiser and charity manager for a decade before co-founding the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent in 2008.

She researched and wrote the annual Coutts Million Pound Donor Report from 2008-2017, co-authored Richer Lives: why rich people give (2013), The Logic of Charity: Great Expectations in Hard Times (2015) and co-edited The Philanthropy Reader (2016). 

Her last book The New Fundraisers: who organises generosity in contemporary society? won the AFP Skystone Research Partners book prize for 2018, and her new book, published in Autumn 2021, ‘In Defence of Philanthropy’, is a timely response to growing critiques of private giving.

Thank you for downloading this episode. For information on nearly 150 episodes with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship, visit our website at Lidji.org

 

This episode provides clear insight into how the EdelGive Foundation developed, structured and executed a highly collaborative fund to support 100 NGOs in India, securing funding from the likes of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and the Chandra Foundation. 

The EdelGive Foundation is a grant-making organization, helping build and expand philanthropy in India by funding and supporting the growth of small to mid-sized grassroots NGOs committed to empowering vulnerable children, women, and communities. 

This approach has enabled the foundation to be a go-to partner of choice for Indian and foreign funders wanting to engage with the Indian development ecosystem.

The Grassroots, Resilience, Ownership and Wellness (GROW) Fund is aimed at building the capabilities, resilience and future readiness of grassroots organisations.

The GROW Fund aims to strengthen 100 high impact grassroots organisations over 24 months, through capacity building and support of key organisational functions.

Thank you for downloading this episode. For information on nearly 150 interviews with remarkable thought leaders in philanthropy. sustainability and social entrepreneurship, please visit our website at Lidji.org