Tech Matters

In wrapping up Season Two, Jim extends his heartfelt gratitude to our devoted listeners and the extraordinary tech nonprofit leaders who've shared their impactful stories. Furthermore, this season wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our major donors, including the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Okta for Good, the Skoll Foundation, and Splunk.

Jim leaves us with a call to action: technologists and social sector workers alike are invited to pivot their skills towards meaningful impact.

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn!

For our final episode of season 2, this time it's Jim who sits on the other end. Our special guest host is his longtime mentee — and CEO of Nexleaf Analytics — Nithya Ramanathan.   

What led to the decision to prioritize social impact over the stereotypical Silicon Valley (attempt at) wealth for its own sake? Guided by Nithya's insightful questioning, Jim's narrative takes us through the early experiences that shaped his sense of empathy without ever losing his innate curiosity for science and technology. As they discuss the evolution of social entrepreneurship, the significance of data sovereignty, Jim and Nithya explore the foundational layers of tech that are needed for the future of systems change.

This episode is a call for all tech professionals and leaders to harness their skills in service of the world's most pressing challenges. Join us as we close Season Two with a conversation that's as much about looking forward as it is about looking back.

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn! 

Open Supply Hub is more than just a database; it's a movement towards a more ethical and sustainable future. By crowdsourcing data and providing a unique identifier for facilities, they've created a system that benefits everyone from brands to auditors and even the workers themselves.

Today's conversation covers the inception of Open Supply Hub and its evolution. Executive Director Natalie Grillon recounts her time in Uganda, working with an agricultural development company as part of a global fellowship with Acumen. This experience, coupled with her exposure to the aftermath of the heart-breaking Rana Plaza collapse, fueled her determination to make a change. She realized the powerlessness of consumers and farmers alike within the opaque supply chain and set out to empower them with the data they deserved.

Open Supply Hub is at the forefront of a revolution; its impact ranges from remedying worker's rights violations to facilitating collaborations that lead to better standards and reduced emissions. 

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn! 

Dive into the heart of social tech innovation with Heejae Lim, the trailblazing founder and CEO of TalkingPoints. Heejae recounts the inception of her groundbreaking app, which stands out as a rare success story in a sea of well-intentioned but often ineffective educational apps. TalkingPoints isn't just another tool in the edtech arsenal; it's a game-changer, using AI to bridge language gaps, fostering meaningful connections between teachers and non-English-speaking parents, and ultimately improving educational outcomes for students—particularly those from underserved communities.

This episode is an inspiration for anyone looking to leverage technology for impact, offering a masterclass in designing with purpose, scaling with intention, and measuring real-world effects. Whether you're an aspiring social entrepreneur or a seasoned tech enthusiast, Heejae's story is a testament to the transformative potential of tech when aligned with a deep understanding of community needs.

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn! 

"What could the nonprofit sector do if every nonprofit had Google's engineering team?" (J. P.)

In this thought-provoking episode, we sat down with Jake Porway, the visionary co-founder of DataKind, to explore the transformative potential of harnessing data science for the nonprofit sector. Jake takes us through the journey of the organization from its early days of hackathons to its evolution into a beacon for long-term, impact-oriented projects.

Today, DataKind is made of many chapters worldwide, as data scientists and social workers meet to face challenges in their home countries. But we asked Jake about high-level issues as well — aspects he has put much thought into: Do nonprofits need their own data science teams? If not, what is the right model to leverage data science skills when the alternative is an incredibly high-paying job in the for-profit sector? Are organizations like DataKind suitable for generating products that scale or does their true value lie in creating a platform for much needed (and underfunded) Research and Development in the service of social impact? 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is working in tech, and is looking for a way to put their skills towards something more than ad campaign optimization.

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn! 

"It takes a network to fight a network" (D. S.)

In the labyrinth of global corruption and organized crime, a beacon of truth shines through the data-driven work of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). This episode takes a deep dive with co-founder Drew Sullivan as he shares the story behind the most comprehensive database on international corruption. 

By aggregating billions of data points, from public records to leaked documents, OCCRP empowers journalists worldwide to uncover the intricate networks of criminal activity. But the journey wasn't simple. Drew recounts the organic evolution into a robust, open-source platform that serves as an indispensable resource for investigative journalism.

The conversation also explores the critical role of a tech-savvy vision within nonprofits, the necessity of a mission-driven CTO, and the importance of building an ecosystem rather than an empire. As OCCRP continues to lay the groundwork for a more transparent world, their work stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology when aligned with unwavering dedication to the public interest.

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn! 

“Seeing is no longer believing. You need to fortify the truth.” (Y.A.T.)

Generative AI, deepfakes… we’ve known the risks for a while, but the dangers feel ever closer given the amazing advancements of orgs like OpenAI. Meanwhile, human rights activists have faced these risks for years (think of doctored videos, misleading evidence, or the total absence of context). 

Witness was ahead of its time by giving people tools to document human rights violations (departing from conventional notions of “acquiring data”) and prioritizing authenticity, personal security, and safety, particularly through its focus on human rights use cases. This issue of authenticity is a major one: Despite the ongoing challenge of combating weaponized misinformation and disinformation, organizations like Witness have been navigating all the complexities of trust - trusting the source, but also trusting those who are making the tools to document the truth, especially across cultural and social barriers. 

Yvette is an advisor/consultant/board member, and previously Executive Director of Witness, with decades of experience leading org design and ecosystem thinking at the intersection of human rights, video, and technology. Tune in to hear about how she has been addressing the issue of trust and authenticity in media! 

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn! 

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn! 

Throughout Owen's journey, one central question has been: How do you navigate market failure, especially when the stakes are sky-high? The typical choice between government intervention vs. private investment vs. third sector solutions often can't cut it. Owen and innovators like him don't have all the answers, but are able operate at the highest institutional level, crafting and implementing new models that go beyond a single ideology in order to tackle some of the most formidable global economic challenges.

With a distinguished career as a civil servant in the UK Treasury, the UK Department of International Development, private secretary to the Prime Minister, and Vice President of the Center for Global Development, Owen Barder has worn many hats. As if that's not impressive enough, he's also the CEO of Precision Development, a nonprofit on a mission to bring tailored data and services to smallholder farmers in developing countries, fostering economically and ecologically sustainable practices.

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Wicked problems require more than one line of thought. Was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at [email protected] and follow us on LinkedIn!

As we learned from Nithya Ramanathan in Season 1, data = money = power. To understand what this means for our future, and what we can actually do about it, we're coming back strong with a whole new lineup of interviews in Season 2. You'll hear from Jake Porway, co-founder of Datakind, Yvette Alberdingk Thijm of Witness, Owen Barder of Precision Development, and many more about the importance of human-centered design, field-based learning, and the needs, challenges, and power of data for good. Tune into the biweekly Tech Matters podcast by following and subscribing on your favorite platform!