Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

The CEO of Kokoro, Jules Chappell, talks about their strategic work connecting, scaling and championing support of mental health.

By 2035, they want to see global momentum behind a shared understanding of what a mentally healthy world looks like. Leaders will have the evidence for how positive mental health contributes to our individual, collective and planetary health, and will be taking action against agreed targets and milestones.

This episode is for anyone who’s keen on learning more about mental health, discovering a network of funders in this area, and understanding some of the key ways to get involved and make a difference.

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. 

Chiwetel Ejiofor is an Oscar-nominated actor and engaged philanthropist, collaborating closely with the Geanco Foundation as they drive forward education, health and gender equity in Nigeria.

Chiwetel shares his journey into philanthropy, influenced by his family's medical background and his own passion for education and healthcare.

He discusses his collaboration with Afam Onyema, CEO of the Geanco Foundation, and how this partnership has led to significant advancements in education and medical care in Nigeria, particularly through the development of the Brightland Academy in Enugu.

The episode delves into Chiwetel's personal involvement in various projects, his approach to using his platform for amplifying important causes, and the transformative impact of these initiatives over the last decade.

Chiwetel's reflections offer insights into the power of philanthropy in fostering change and building a better future, particularly in challenging environments like Nigeria.

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. 

Sharath Jeevan OBE, author of the upcoming book 'Inflection' joins us to discuss how to navigate inflection moments in leadership.

Sharath, an expert in intrinsic motivation, delved deep into the concept of 'inflection points' in leadership. These moments, as he described, are not just challenging times but are critical opportunities for leaders to reassess their direction, understand the potential of their teams, and redefine their goals. The essence of his message was clear: leadership is not a static journey but a dynamic process of continuously identifying and overcoming new challenges, or as he put it, "climbing new mountains."

One of the most striking aspects of the discussion was Sharath's emphasis on the importance of direction and team potential. He urged leaders to continuously engage in a process of self-inquiry, asking themselves about their next objectives and preparing their teams for these evolving challenges. This approach underscores the need for a clear vision and a strong, adaptable team capable of navigating through change.

Resilience and motivation, themes central to Sharath’s previous works, were again highlighted as vital for pursuing new organizational goals. He painted a vivid picture of inflection moments as intense and dramatic yet crucial for long-term success. These are the moments, he argued, that if correctly harnessed, can future-proof an organization's success.

The conversation also underscored the challenges in reconciling different timeframes within leadership. He spoke about the need to balance short-term goals with long-term visions, advocating for a direction that resonates uniquely and authentically with each organization. This balancing act is essential for maintaining a course that is both realistic and aspirational.

Perhaps most enlightening was Sharath’s sharing of his personal journey. From his initial years in the corporate world to establishing STIR Education, and now focusing on aiding leaders, his path reflects a deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of leadership. His transition from being in the ring to helping others box better symbolizes a profound shift in perspective – from direct action to empowering others.

Looking ahead, Sharath expressed his ambition to explore societal inflection points, particularly the generational challenges in leadership. His upcoming works promise to delve into how different generations can navigate these societal shifts together, thus contributing to a broader understanding of leadership in a changing world.

Sharath painted a comprehensive picture of leadership in times of change. His discussion offered invaluable lessons on the importance of recognizing and acting on inflection points, the need for resilient and motivated teams, and the continuous evolution in leadership strategies. As Sharath ptoignantly noted, not all leadership time is created equal, and the true mark of effective leadership lies in identifying and capitalizing on these pivotal moments for enduring success and impact.

Prof Steve Evans of the Sustainability and Conservation Research Hub at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge delves into the multifaceted approach of the Hub, which transcends traditional academic boundaries to address critical environmental challenges.

At the heart of the Hub's philosophy is the concept of a 'living lab' — a dynamic space where students, academics, alumni and various stakeholders converge to brainstorm, innovate, and implement sustainable solutions. This approach fosters a culture of practical learning and real-world application.

The hub emphasizes collaboration and shared purpose, inviting members from diverse disciplines to contribute their unique skills and perspectives towards a common goal of making the world a better place.

The Hub also places significant emphasis on mentoring and interaction across generations and disciplines. This approach not only facilitates knowledge exchange but also nurtures a community where innovative ideas can flourish. 

Looking towards the future, Prof Evans envisions Wolfson College as the world's first regenerative college. This ambitious goal extends beyond sustainability; it's about actively repairing and rejuvenating the environment. The Hub aims to redefine the concept of regenerative practices in business and everyday life. 

Engagement with the broader business community is another cornerstone of the Hub's strategy. The Hub encourages partnerships with sustainability-focused start-ups and other enterprises, demonstrating its openness and accessibility. This outreach is crucial for expanding the Hub's impact and integrating practical business insights into its sustainability endeavours.

Prof Evans' insights unveil a forward-thinking approach to tackling environmental challenges. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging innovative thinking, and aiming for regenerative solutions, the Hub is not just educating the next generation of leaders and thinkers but is actively shaping a more sustainable and conscious world.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Enlightening conversation with Daniela Barone Soares, the visionary CEO of Snowball Impact Investment. Discover how Snowball is reshaping the landscape of finance to foster prosperity for people and the planet.

• Redefining Investment: Learn how every investment impacts the world, and why recognizing this is crucial for sustainable finance.

Final Thought: Embrace the power of your investments for change. Discover how impactful investing can be the key to a sustainable future.

Don't Miss This Episode: Tune in to gain valuable insights into the dynamic world of impact investing and how it's shaping our future.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the world of sustainability and carbon footprint management with Elisa Moscolin, the Executive Vice President of Sustainability at Sage and the Sage Foundation.

Elisa brings to the table a wealth of knowledge on aiding small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in navigating the complexities of carbon footprint accounting and sustainability practices. She emphasizes the integral role of SMBs in achieving global net zero targets and the disproportionate challenges they face in starting their sustainability journeys.

Elisa outlines Sage's dual-pronged approach to sustainability: internally striving for net zero and externally empowering SMBs to follow suit. She highlights Sage's commitment to science-based targets, aiming for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2040.

A key focus of the discussion is the innovative carbon accounting software solution, Sage Earth, which simplifies carbon footprint measurement for SMBs. This solution integrates with financial systems, offering an automated, user-friendly platform that encourages businesses to take actionable steps towards reducing their emissions.

The conversation also explores broader trends affecting SMBs, like increased regulation and the need for supportive policies. Elisa emphasizes the importance of creating an ecosystem to aid SMBs, involving banks and policymakers.

She shares her personal journey into sustainability, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of business and environmental stewardship, offering valuable insights into the challenges and solutions for SMBs in the race to net zero.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

The CEO of Village Enterprise, Dianne Calvi, joins us to discuss their focus on ending extreme poverty in rural Africa  through entrepreneurship, innovation, and collective action. 

We flesh out anecdotes and delve into the statistically rigorous insights from the randomized control trials (RCTs) they’ve run to assess impact on improving lives.

We also look at the development impact bond (DIB) they’ve done with the likes of USAid and FCDO; and hear about their upcoming work with the Rwandan Government to end extreme poverty in that country by 2030.

Village Enterprise have trained more than 274,000 entrepreneurs that have started more than 80,000 businesses. This has lifted close to 1.7 million people out of extreme poverty.

This episode is for anyone who cares about ending extreme poverty (UN Sustainable Development Goal 1) and embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and the power of innovation.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Conciliation Resources' Executive Director, Jonathan Cohen, provides a candid look at the world of peacebuilding. We explore the ways peacebuilding happens, the investments required, and the different types of organisations that are involved -- from analysis, to on-the-ground mediation, diplomacy and more.

Conciliation Resources works with people impacted by war and violence, bringing diverse voices together to make change that lasts. They connect the views of people on the ground with political processes, and share experience and expertise so others can find creative responses to conflict.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

JP Morgan Private Bank’s Oliver Gregson provides an insightful look at leveraging resources for social good. The conversation is wide-ranging and delves into clients’ changing approach to doing good, the bank’s work, and  Oliver’s personal narrative that includes social good, the environment and finance.

Sustainability, climate and the environment are personal passions for Oliver. Since his days at the University of Nottingham where Oliver graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Biology, he has held a variety of roles over a 23-year career in Financial Services.

Oliver is a member of the UK Philanthropy Governance Committee of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Foundation, focusing on Small Business and ESG. Working with partners, he also co-leads the sustainability vision for the International Private Bank and established the Global Private Bank’s Sustainable Investment Summit.

Oliver is currently a member of the NSPCC’s Child Safety Online Taskforce, was previously a Non-Executive Director at Finance Earth, and previously a Trustee for Blue Ventures Marine Conservation. He was also a Council Member until 2020 of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, focusing on the need to accelerate global progress towards a sustainable future.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.