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

David Reiling, CEO of Sunrise Banks, shares his entrepreneurial journey of building a mission-driven financial institution where doing good and doing well go hand in hand.

From serving immigrant communities in Minnesota to shaping global conversations on financial inclusion and financial literacy, David explains how values-based banking empowers individuals, supports local economies and drives innovation.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

Jonathan Simmons, CEO of New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), joins to share a refreshing perspective on philanthropy—why it should be fun, how to grow the giving market, and what it takes to make charitable impact both strategic and joyful.

We explore:

The origins of NPC and how it helps philanthropists make smarter decisions

Why giving should be viewed not only as serious and rigorous but also enjoyable

How to encourage individuals and organizations—whether wealthy or everyday donors—to engage in philanthropy

The role of giving circles and pooled funds in driving collective impact

Cultural and psychological barriers that hold people back from giving, and how to overcome them

The need for stronger collaboration between charities, social enterprises and impact investors

What government and policy can do to make philanthropy easier and more effective

From misconceptions around “bad charities” to the addictive joy of seeing your money do good, this episode is packed with insights, practical ideas and optimism. Whether you’re a seasoned philanthropist, someone just starting to give or simply curious about how generosity shapes society, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

What does it take to help thousands of women secure employment each year? Anna Hemings, Chief Executive of Smart Works, joins to share how this UK charity provides unemployed women with the coaching, clothing and confidence needed to transform their career prospects.

We explore:

How Smart Works supports 10,000 women annually with interview preparation, career coaching and professional outfits

Insights from the Smart Works Unemployment Index, an annual report examining the barriers women face when seeking work

The biggest challenges women face in today’s labor market, from AI screening to childcare costs and workplace inequality

What employers and policymakers can do to remove barriers and create fairer opportunities

Smart Works’ growth strategy and why volunteer power and fashion industry partnerships are central to its impact

This episode shines a light on practical solutions that empower women, strengthen communities and benefit the wider economy.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

In this episode of The Do One Better Podcast, host Alberto Lidji sits down with David Risher, CEO of Lyft, to explore what it means to lead with purpose in one of the world’s most competitive industries.

David shares his journey from Amazon executive to nonprofit founder (Worldreader) and now CEO of Lyft, where he champions a vision of “serving and connecting.” He discusses his hands-on leadership style—including driving as a Lyft driver himself—and how listening directly to riders and drivers has shaped new innovations such as Women+ Connect, Price Lock, and on-time pickup guarantees.

We also dive into Lyft Up, the company’s initiative providing free or discounted rides to job seekers, patients, and low-income communities, and we hear about David’s philanthropic work with Worldreader and Half My DAF, which is mobilizing millions in donor-advised funds for good causes.

From navigating trade-offs between profit and purpose, to expanding Lyft’s footprint into Europe, David offers candid insights into building a values-driven company while scaling impact at massive reach.

Whether you’re in the corporate world, nonprofit space, or seeking inspiration for how business can be a force for good, this conversation is full of fresh ideas, heartfelt stories, and practical lessons.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help others discover these inspiring conversations.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

How do you prepare leaders to solve Brazil’s toughest challenges? Denis Mizne, CEO of the Lemann Foundation, shares how they’re eradicating illiteracy, boosting education, and developing changemakers who bridge political divides and drive real impact.

How can a country unlock its full potential by investing in both education and leadership? In this episode, Denis Mizne reveals how one of Brazil’s largest philanthropic organizations is working to eradicate illiteracy, improve middle school outcomes, and prepare future leaders to tackle complex social challenges.

We explore the Lemann Leadership Network—bringing together talented Brazilians from across the political spectrum—and learn how its fellows are making an impact in government, NGOs, academia, and business. Denis shares insights on creating constructive dialogue in polarized times, preventing brain drain, and measuring leadership impact in a meaningful way.

If you’re passionate about leadership development, education reform, social entrepreneurship, or Brazil’s future, this conversation offers actionable lessons and inspiring real-world examples from one of Latin America’s most influential foundations.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

In this thought-provoking episode, Jeff Bradach, co-founder of Bridgespan and its former Managing Partner of 21 years, reflects on the evolving landscape of philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, and civil society at large—just as Bridgespan marks its 25th anniversary.

Jeff shares deep insights into the tectonic shifts underway in 2025, from the unprecedented accumulation of private wealth to the shifting relationship between philanthropy, government, and civil society. He raises essential questions: Why isn’t philanthropic giving keeping pace with wealth? Is it a motivation issue, a “plumbing” problem, or something deeper?

We explore:

The legacy and impact of Bridgespan’s first 25 years

Collaborative philanthropy and trust-based giving

The growing global push for community-driven change and localization

How philanthropists can move from caution to action—learning by doing

The delicate balance between rigor and trust in effective giving

Challenges in donor expectations and the misunderstood "joy" of giving

Why co-creation and humility—not silver bullets—are key to transformative change

Jeff also touches on the importance of grace in leadership during a time of deep uncertainty for the social sector, and how listening, learning, and shared ownership may hold more power than isolated strategy.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

Eleanor Harrison, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, explores how ethical trade can reshape global supply chains and build climate resilience.

In this episode, she explains what it really means when a product carries the Fairtrade mark — from minimum pricing protections to the Fairtrade Premium — and how this impacts over 2 million farmers and workers worldwide.

She also discusses the challenges of maintaining equitable trade amid geopolitical instability and climate change, and shares how Fairtrade is pushing for sector-wide reform, especially in commodities like tea, coffee, and cocoa.

Learn how consumer choice, corporate collaboration, and bold data strategies can collectively drive meaningful change.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

Saurabh Taneja, CEO of the Akanksha Foundation, shares how his team is transforming education in India through deep community engagement, purpose-driven teaching, and innovative public-private partnerships.

In this episode, we explore:

Why access isn’t the biggest issue in India’s education system—but learning outcomes are

How Akanksha schools blend social work, pedagogy, and emotional support to reshape student trajectories

The role of India’s CSR law in driving philanthropic investment in education

What alumni are doing to give back, and why many return to teach

This is a powerful look at how schools can become joyful, rigorous, and transformative spaces—especially for children from underserved communities.

Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

In this compelling conversation, Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, offers an unflinching examination of the state of children's rights in a world increasingly defined by conflict, climate disruption, and political fragmentation. She reflects on the historic roots of Save the Children, founded in the aftermath of World War I with a radical vision that children, regardless of nationality or political context, are entitled to rights, dignity, and protection. This foundational principle, she explains, remains strikingly relevant today.

Ashing underscores the organization's expansive reach—operating in approximately 100 countries and having supported over 110 million children in 2024 alone. But alongside the impressive scale of operations, she offers a sobering account of the challenges children face. One in six children globally now lives in conflict zones. The number of children out of school—85 million—is at its highest level ever recorded. She discusses the reversal of hard-won gains in child health, protection, and education, driven by a perfect storm of climate emergencies, armed conflicts, and a backlash against international norms, including child and women's rights.

At the heart of Ashing’s message is the belief in children’s agency. Through deeply personal anecdotes drawn from her field visits—from a 14-year-old girl raising her siblings in northern Mozambique to a boy in Pakistan rebuilding his life after catastrophic floods—she illustrates the extraordinary resilience and vision that young people bring to the most adverse circumstances. Their desire for education is not abstract; it is a lifeline, a claim to future possibility. And it is in emergencies where education is most threatened—and most needed—that Save the Children concentrates much of its current work.

Ashing emphasizes that education in emergencies is not a peripheral concern but a life-saving intervention. With donor priorities shifting and official development assistance shrinking, this work is at risk. Yet, Save the Children’s evidence-based approaches—refined over decades and adapted across diverse contexts—demonstrate what can be achieved when commitment and local engagement meet strategic investment. These “common approaches,” as she describes them, are publicly available and designed to maximize learning across the broader humanitarian sector.

In addition to its humanitarian interventions, the organization is also engaged in long-term systems change—advising ministries, shaping policy, and addressing root causes of issues such as child marriage, which affects 12 million girls annually. Ashing reiterates that addressing child protection holistically requires legislative reform, social norm change, and, critically, economic empowerment—especially through keeping girls in school.

Ashing calls on world leaders to re-center children in global priorities and urges those working in the sector to do so in genuine partnership with youth. Nothing, she insists, should be done about children without them. In the face of daunting statistics and policy setbacks, she points to a truth that holds steady: we know what works. 

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, provides a clear and thoughtful examination of homelessness in England and the work being done to respond to it. St Mungo’s, established in 1969, supports around 25,000 people each year through outreach, housing, and recovery services. Haddad explains that homelessness is not simply about lacking shelter, but often about a deeper set of issues that require long-term solutions. The organization’s mission reflects this broader understanding, aiming not just to house people, but to help them rebuild their lives.

She clarifies the distinction between rough sleeping and other forms of homelessness. Rough sleeping refers to people sleeping on the streets, while many more live in temporary arrangements such as cars, hostels, or friends’ homes. Although rough sleeping is more visible, it represents only part of the wider issue. According to Haddad, rough sleeping in England has increased significantly in recent years, driven by a shortage of affordable housing, reduced access to support services, and a fragmented policy landscape.

Most of St Mungo’s staff work directly with clients. Outreach teams operate at night or in the early morning, locating and engaging with individuals sleeping rough. These teams aim to build trust, assess needs, and help people move off the streets and into more stable environments. The process is often slow and dependent on available accommodation, individual readiness to engage, and local capacity. When space allows, people may be taken to assessment centers where more structured support begins.

The conversation also highlights the role of public services and partnerships. St Mungo’s collaborates closely with mental health providers, addiction services, the NHS, local councils, and other charities. Haddad emphasizes that homelessness cannot be solved by any one organization. Rather, it requires cooperation across many sectors, each contributing their expertise.

The episode also touches on the limits of the current system. One example is the requirement that someone must be seen sleeping rough in order to qualify for certain services, a policy that particularly disadvantages women and others who avoid visible street sleeping for safety reasons. Haddad describes this as a clear gap that needs to be addressed.

From a policy perspective, St Mungo’s uses its frontline experience to advocate for changes at a national level. Haddad points to specific challenges such as the way housing benefits interact with employment, often discouraging people from working more hours due to a sudden drop in support. She also notes the need to adjust housing benefit levels so they reflect actual rental costs, and to prevent people from being discharged into homelessness from prisons, hospitals, or the immigration system.

The discussion concludes with a focus on outcomes. While some clients do return to homelessness after a period of stability, many others succeed in moving on and rebuilding their lives. Some even return to St Mungo’s as staff or volunteers. Haddad notes that this kind of personal transformation often stems from small but meaningful interventions at critical moments. She encourages the public not to look away from homelessness, and reminds listeners that treating people with dignity and recognizing their humanity is a simple but important step.

Homelessness, she argues, is not inevitable. It is the result of choices that can be changed. Everyone deserves a safe place to live, and solutions are within reach.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.