Silicon Valley Impact

On this week's episode of Silicon Valley Impact we speak with Wendy Shew, Founder and Executive Director of Building Education, who is on a mission to build safe schools in developing countries to end the cycle of extreme poverty. Also with us is Santosh Pandey, an award winning entrepreneur from Nepal, who is talking with us about his journey and supporting Building Education in his region.

When an earthquake hit Nepal on April 25, 2015, and damaged 9,000 schools, Wendy traveled to Nepal to support in earthquake disaster relief. From there, she founded Building Education, a nonprofit organization that serves to build safe schools in developing countries to end the cycle of extreme poverty.

Building Education’s motto is 1,000 schools and 1,000,000 lives. In collaboration with local governments, schools and partner organizations we aim to transform rural villages into prosperous, dignified communities. We believe in a world where every child has an equal opportunity to education.

Wendy was born and raised in San Francisco, California as a first generation with immigrant parents from China. At an early age, she experienced tragedy which has become her catalyst for 25 years in social impact work. She has studied aviation, learned to fly single engine prop planes, and worked in the international aviation business as a jet engine specialist. After volunteering in October 2014 at a girl’s orphanage in India, she quit her job 4 months later, sold all her things, and left the country to travel the world all across Asia, Europe, and Africa for six years.

Wendy is also titleholder of Miss Nepal Global Citizen 2021, Top 100 Visionaries in Education 2021, Top Women of Influence 2023, Silicon Valley’s Power List in Philanthropy 2023, and Woman of the Year 2024.

Santosh, is an award-winning entrepreneur, political strategist, and educator. He co-founded Offering Happiness, Nepal's largest experiential gifting e-commerce platform, and Oho Cake, the fastest-growing cake brand in Nepal. As a visiting lecturer at Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University, he teaches social media and digital marketing.

Santosh's entrepreneurial journey has earned him recognition as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree in Retail and eCommerce, the Global Student Entrepreneur Award for Nepal in 2018, and the Best Startup Kathmandu award at Seedstars Kathmandu in 2019. His story is also featured in the National Geographic documentary "Own the Room."

As a changemaker, Santosh co-founded Change Bhaktapur at the age of 16 and served as Program Director for We Inspire Nepal and Project Coordinator for the US Embassy Youth Council Nepal. Since 2016, he has worked on political campaigns in Nepal as a strategist and social media specialist. He is currently pursuing political leadership and governance studies at the Konrad Adenauer School for Young Politicians and is a graduate of the Apolitical Foundation Accelerator Program, where he develops political incubation courses through the Nepal Center for Political Leadership, and much more!

This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!

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"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”

On this weeks episode of Silicon Valley Impact we speak with Haya AlMana, Head of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Zain Kuwait, and Lama Aloraiman founder and CEO of BluDot. Listen in as we explore international corporate accelerator, oversea startup delegations, and international venture. 

Haya AlMana is currently heading Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Zain in Kuwait. During her 17-year tenure at Zain, she has built a strong presence for the Zain brand through programs and initiatives that support the Zain strategy in sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. Her previous experience at Khazaen Venture Capital has also given her a 20-year experience and a foundation for building the Innovation Unit, focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation. She founded the award-winning "Zain Great Idea" (ZGI) tech startup accelerator in 2010 and continues to spearhead the program.  Proudly witnessing ZGI accelerated founders raise over $100 Million over the past 5 years. She is also currently heading Zain's Innovation Campus "ZINC" that entails entrepreneurship, intrepreneurship, tech startup programs, startup acceleration, creativity, innovation and more. Through the all-new "Innovation" Nation initiative, AlMana heads several programs that foster innovation, digital upskilling, and leverage an ecosystem of partnerships with active players in the community. She has coached thousands of youth, entrepreneurs and corporates around the region in communication, branding, strategy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. She has attained her executive certification in “Driving Innovation and New Ventures” from Stanford University GSB.

Lama Aloraiman was named one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 for Science and Technology, an Emerging Space Leader and an Astronaut Candidate. She serves as Vice-Chair of the International Astronautical Federation’s ACCESS Committee for the Middle East and Central Asia and is the founder and CEO of BluDot. Lama has been featured in Vogue, Smithsonian, and TED for her notable work in the global space industry

This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!

Follow us,  and listen to all our episodes on:

🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/68L4RPfMizjxnKBsmcFb1J

🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silicon-valley-impact/id1776876823

"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”

On this week's episode of Silicon Valley Impact, we’re back on the topic of partnerships with my subject matter co-host, Delya Jensen. Delya is the CEO and co-founder of Partner Utopia. With over 15 years of experience in the tech industry, her expertise spans software, hardware, cloud, and SaaS, having built partnerships from scratch for industry giants like SanDisk, Snowflake, and NetApp. She is a powerhouse subject matter expert on partnerships.

Joining us is Franz Schrepf, Head of Strategic Partnerships at OpusClip, the #1 AI video editing tool used by over 6 million creators and businesses around the world. Before OpusClip, he was the 16th employee at Hopin and StreamYard, a virtual events and live streaming company that Sifted called "Europe's fastest-growing startup of all time." His new book, The Book on Partnerships: How Startups Work With Partners to Sell More, Add Features, and Get Acquired, is a foundational guide full of stories and insights from over 50 industry experts, explaining the power of partnerships in clear, straightforward terms.

Also on the show is Sydney Levin, Head of Partnerships at micro1, an AI recruiter for hiring top global talent. Micro1's AI engine enables users to source, vet, and hire talent all in one place or hire pre-vetted engineers, designers, AI trainers, and more from their global talent pool. Micro1 has raised $6.6 million at an $80 million valuation and generates $7 million in annual revenue. Their mission is to make every recruiter on the planet 100x more effective, helping global talent find the perfect role faster.

Catch all this and more on Silicon Valley Impact, KPCR 92.9 FM in Los Gatos and 101.9 FM in Santa Cruz, Tuesdays at 3 p.m.!

If you're not in the South Bay or Santa Cruz, you can listen online at: https://kpcr.org.

Follow us and catch all our episodes on: 

🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/68L4RPfMizjxnKBsmcFb1J

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.

On this week’s episode of Silicon Valley Impact, we speak with Margaret Jackson, CEO/President of Small Business Concierge Communications & Digital Media Corporation and a prominent Bay Area radio personality. Listen in as we explore how Margaret rebuilt her career after a business failure and came back stronger than ever. Discover how she leverages communication to effectively position herself in the market and empowers women to amplify their influence in business.

Margaret Jackson is a respected Bay Area leader, small business radio personality, magazine publisher, and former director of the Alameda County Small Business Development Center. She is Silicon Valley's top small business radio personality, broadcasting on AM 1220 KDOW Business & Finance radio, reaching over 7.75 million listeners across the Bay Area's nine counties and now available on iHeart Radio. AM 1220 KDOW Business & Finance radio operates in the fourth-largest radio market in the country. In 2011, she became the first Black woman to broadcast as a weekday personality on the network.

Margaret is the CEO/President of Small Business Concierge Communications & Digital Media Corporation, with more than 36 years of experience as a business professional. A sought-after public figure and speaker in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, she also publishes the Small Business Concierge Digital Magazine (with a global reach). Jackson brings over 28 years of experience in audio/video television production as a program producer, senior producer, and director, and has received two prestigious international media awards: the Silver Davey Award and the Communicator Award of Distinction.

Catch this and much more on Silicon Valley Impact, airing on KPCR 92.9 FM in Los Gatos and 101.9 FM in Santa Cruz every Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Not in the South Bay or Santa Cruz? You can listen online at https://kpcr.org.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.

This week on Silicon Valley Impact, we’re on-locatoin at the Sidebar Summit in Santa Monica during LA Tech Week.

Our thanks to Vishal Verma, General Partner at Edgewood Ventures, for hosting this dynamic event, which unites innovators from tech, venture capital, academia, and government to foster learning, collaboration, and networking. From startups to industry leaders, the summit draws a diverse crowd dedicated to community and technological advancement.

Joining us are:

• Chris Pimentel, Mayor Pro Tem of El Segundo: A former Marine Corps officer and risk management executive focused on preserving El Segundo's vibrant community.

This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact.

"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”

Join host Brian Sparks on a captivating episode of Silicon Valley Impact as he takes you on a journey to the GFX Summit in Roseville, part of the greater Sacramento area. This unique episode brings together a group of innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors who are shaping the future of the local business ecosystem. Discover how Sacramento is poised to become a hub for food tech, ag tech, and med tech, driven by a culture of collaboration and community.

Meet Mark Haney, one of the founders of the Growth Factory, as he discusses the vision of building the most connected community in the world for local entrepreneurs. Listen in as Nikki Sims shares insights into bridging the gap between industry and innovation, and Rick Spencer highlights the region's potential for venture capital growth.

Dive into thought-provoking discussions with guest speakers like SC Moatti, who explores the transformative power of AI in creating more personalized and meaningful technological experiences. Rachel Stern from GovTech Ventures shares her passion for improving government services through technology, while Rachna Dyal discusses the impact of AI on healthcare outcomes and the importance of win-win negotiations.

Don't miss this eye-opening episode that showcases the dynamic and innovative spirit of the Sacramento region, highlighting the exciting opportunities and potential for growth in various sectors. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about the future of technology, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.

On this weeks episode of Silicon Valley Impact we focus on the insights of Corporate Partnerships. In the studio is Asher Mathew, CEO of Partnership Leaders, the leading private network for partnerships, alliances, channel, business development and ecosystem professionals and executives.  Also with us is Matt Harrell, Chief Partner Officer at Dataminr where he’s responsible for the overall partner strategy and all indirect revenue from strategic partner routes to market Finally, we have Delya Jansen, a returning guest with a visionary partnership strategist, and the CEO and co-founder of Partner Utopia.  

Asher's background spans across sales, marketing, customer success and partnerships where he has directed strategy and led teams for companies ranging from smb and mid-market to enterprise. Prior to founding Partnership Leaders, Asher held leadership positions at Demandbase (via acquisition of DemandMatrix), LeanData (Raised Series C), Avalara (IPO) and Nodus Technologies (Acquired by EVO Payments). Today, Asher and his team are relentlessly focused on one mission, elevating partnerships worldwide.

Matt brings over 25 years of experience in the cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure markets with expertise in building high-performing direct and indirect go-to-market teams. Prior to Dataminr, Matt was responsible for global channels and alliances at Cloudflare, where he was part of the executive leadership team that grew revenue from pre-IPO to $1.3B. Before that, Matt held leadership positions at Google Cloud, Symantec, Inktomi and Advent Software.

Finally, with over 15 years of experience in the tech industry, Delya has made a name for herself by transforming companies with zero partnership strategy into revenue powerhouses, consistently driving 25%+ of revenue from partners in record time. Her expertise spans software, hardware, cloud, and SaaS, having built partnerships from scratch for industry giants like SanDisk, Snowflake, and NetApp. Recognizing a critical gap in the partnerships platform space, Delya pioneered the world's first SaaS product focused on partnership strategy. Delya's mission is to revolutionize how companies make partnering decisions, empowering partnership managers with a game-changing platform that simplifies the complex world of tech partnerships. Her unique approach and dedication to improving the partnership landscape have positioned her as a thought leader and innovator in the field.

This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!

"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”

On this week’s episode of Silicon Valley Impact we speak with Jason Miles of Amenti Capital Partners, a venture capitalist who is focused on the emerging “Connected Mobility” space. Also joining us is Gasper Chiaramonte, CEO of Novella AI, and a Hollywood editor with over 15 years experience, who worked on shows such as “American Idol,” and countless Netflix projects. 

Jason, has over 25 years of global experience with $8 billion in transaction execution across investment banking, venture investing, strategic corporate development and entrepreneurship. Prior to founding Amenti Capital, Jason led global financial technology venture capital investments and innovation focused strategic partnerships at Volvo Group. Prior to that, he was Head of Strategy at Progress Investment Management Company, where he created new private equity and hedge fund products. He was also Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions at Bank of America, where he led corporate development transactions. Earlier in his career, Mr. Miles was Senior Associate and founding member of Viant Capital, Associate and founding member of the Private Equity Placements Group at Banc of America Securities, and an Investment Banking Analyst in the Private Capital Markets Group at Robertson Stephens.

Gasper is the CEO and founder of Novella-AI, a pioneering cloud-based video editing platform transforming content creation and collaboration. With over 15 years of experience as a Hollywood-level editor, he has been instrumental in shaping influential television shows such as American Idol, The Masked Singer, Chelsea Lately, The Late Late Show, and the Emmy Award-winning series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. Witnessing firsthand the challenges within traditional video editing workflows, Gasper founded Novella-AI to create a seamless, collaborative platform that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to empower creators worldwide. His passion for storytelling and technology drives him to revolutionize the way creators work together, fostering a new era of collaboration that transcends geographical limitations and streamlines the creative process.

This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!

"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”

On this weeks episode of Silicon Valley Impact we speak with Keshia Theobald-van Gent, Vice President of Investment Management at BDev Ventures. BDev Ventures is a Venture Capital Fund that focuses on fast-growing, post-revenue B2B software companies in the US and LATAM, from Seed to Series. Also in the studio is Megan Thorp, General Partner of Ignite Fund of Funds. Ignite's Fund-of-Funds portfolio has broad scope exposure to deep tech AI, targeting venture capital funds that invest in transformative technologies across the AI Infrastructure stack.

Keshia leads the investor and operations teams at BDev Ventures. She previously served as the Sr. Director of US Programs at German Accelerator where she led teams in NYC and Silicon Valley to help high-potential European startups enter the US. In additions, she wasvthe Director of Strategic Partnerships at GSVlabs, where she connected the world’s largest companies to the global startup community, accelerated new products, and generated real ROI through digital innovation.

Megan has over 10 years of experience in marketing, sales, and back office operations within the Financial Services industry, primarily focused on growth strategies for 9-figure asset managers and wealth advisors. Leveraging her MBA from Johns Hopkins University, where she currently sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board for Carey Business School. Before joining IngiteGTM she spent four years building a Healthtech startup as the Chief Operating Officer. 

Join us as we discuss the pathway to becoming a VC, and startup insights.

This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact, KPCR 92.9FM in Los Gatos; and 101.9FM in Santa Cruz Tuesdays at 3pm!

This show is for entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts, and Silicon Valley Impacts guest’s are strictly their own. These views are not intended to 

"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.”

On this week’s episode of Silicon Valley Impact, we have four remarkable women discussing Femtech, startups, leadership, and forging strategic alliances. Joining us in the studio are Marian Bekkar, Nola Masterson, Ariel Watson, and Shagun Maheshwari.

Nola is the lead investor of the Portfolia Femtech Fund and a seasoned board member for both public and private companies, as well as nonprofits. With over 25 years of experience, she has served on audit, compensation, and nominating/governance committees, playing a pivotal role in guiding companies through IPOs and startup growth. As Co-chair Emeritus of the Women Corporate Directors Northern California Chapter, Nola has global experience as an investor, entrepreneur, and executive in sales and marketing for scientific products, ranging from diagnostics to genetic analysis tools. Known for her ability to simplify complex scientific concepts for investors and analysts, she brings deep insights into synthetic biology and human nature, paired with a strong sense of market trends and social needs.

Shagun is the Founder and CEO of Papaya, a company dedicated to women's health and sustainability. A mechanical engineer from Duke University, Shagun has a passion for solving complex problems. Before launching Papaya, she worked at Applied Materials in semiconductor manufacturing, Mojo Vision in AR contact lens development, and a stealth-mode biotech startup focused on wearable biomarker monitoring. With a hands-on approach to engineering, Shagun excels in interdisciplinary projects and loves working in the lab to bring innovative solutions to life.

Ariel is the Founder & CEO at Red Tent PMDD, and a passionate advocate for mental health, deeply aware of how each interaction with an app can have an immediate impact on a user’s well-being. She believes in creating products that not only meet business objectives but are also ethical, responsible, and designed with empathy. Ariel strives to balance functionality, profitability, and user experience while ensuring that her work contributes positively to mental health and overall user wellness.

This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.