TFC Social Ventures Summit
February 18, 2023
Schedule | Speakers | Tickets
The Great Room: 9:00AM – 10:15AM
Before Sait Mboob began working for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an economist, he was a graduate student at Vanderbilt, studying to earn his Master’s degree in economic development. While at Vanderbilt, his research focused on economic and monetary integration in Africa, foreshadowing the international scope his career would soon have. Since joining USAID in 2012, Mr. Mboob has managed portfolios and programs which support economic development across the globe, with tours in Southeast Asia, Washington, D.C., and Senegal.
Room 209: 9:00AM – 10:15AM
In this discussion, panelists Niharika Hanglem and David Holmes will each bring unique perspectives in discussing how we can innovate within education to address systemic inequalities. David, a former K-12 educator who has held the role of school leader, founder, and teacher, will draw on a wealth of hands-on experiences working in and around the education system in Texas, while Niharika will provide a global perspective in this conversation. Throughout her career, Niharika has used her expertise in data and innovation for a wide range of projects, including conducting impact assessments for 150+ schools in her home country of India, designing + launching an experiential learning program for Illinois Tech, and launching a first-of-its-kind school choice initiative.
Room 211: 9:00AM – 10:15AM
For over 60 years, Vanderbilt Credit Union has become a trusted financial institution to the Vanderbilt Community. However, the financial needs of the Vanderbilt Community are different now than what they were in 1959. This session explores how Vanderbilt Credit Union utilizes innovation to serve its members while keeping pace within an evolving financial industry.
Room 125: 10:30AM – 11:30AM
“Intro to Social Innovation” focuses on the importance of understanding the root cause of social issues, and provides participants with an opportunity to discuss and reflect on why they care about specific issues.
This is the first session of the Build Your Social Innovation Toolbox series designed by the Wond’ry for Vanderbilt undergraduates.
Room 209: 11:45AM – 12:45PM
Vanderbilt alumni Cali Livingstone (MBA ‘20) and Emily Sheldon (MPH ‘16) will discuss innovation in HealthTech during this panel, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted opportunities for innovation in the sector. Emily, the co-founder and CEO of the African Health Innovation Centre, a Ghana-based NGO dedicated to the utilization of innovation and entrepreneurship to improve health outcomes, will draw on her experiences focused on the African continent. Cali, who likewise has years of experience working abroad (in China, Kenya, and Nepal), can additionally speak to healthcare innovation within the disability sector from her vantage point as the Director of Customer Operations at LUCI, the first-ever smart power wheelchair platform that reimagines mobility for people in wheelchairs.
Room 209: 11:45AM – 12:45PM
Amidst rapid change, upheaval, and disruption it is more critical than ever that we build our own foundations as leaders and harness the mindsets and tools of transformative resilience to learn, grow, and innovate in ways that will contribute to impactful change. In this talk Ama Marston will explore what transformative resilience means, the research behind it, and how it contributes to social impact business. And, in doing she will share her own journey as a social innovator and impactful examples of others.
Room 125: 11:45AM – 12:45PM
“Intro to Systems Thinking” delves into the complexities of societal problems, and provides participants with an opportunity to explore the differences in lived experiences. The session also covers how to map out a system and understand its components.
This is the second session of the Build Your Social Innovation Toolbox series designed by the Wond’ry for Vanderbilt undergraduates.
Room 209: 1:45pM – 2:45PM
Panelists Bob Corney and Hattie Duplechain will discuss how innovative business models can engender future sustainable development. Bob Corney is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Clearloop, an organization spurring renewable energy generation in the US electricity grid by working with brands big and small that want to offset their carbon footprint. Drawing on his experience spanning politics, public service, and public affairs with the White House, Tennessee State Capitol, and in corporate C-suites, Bob has used his ability to spot – and execute on – opportunities for innovation and sustainable development to address our energy and climate crisis. Hattie, who is both a social entrepreneurship lecturer and the Director of Learning Experience & Impact Measurement at an incubator for early-state science startups, wields her professional experience in the education and social impact sectors, building the infrastructure that develops the entrepreneurial skillsets of students, scientists, and startup founders.
Room 211: 1:45pM – 2:45PM
Come hear a first-hand account of innovation from an entrepreneur who started her company at Vanderbilt, grew it in East Africa, and sold it to a public company in the US. From building an ecosystem while developing the product itself to translating between the worlds of a marginalized customer base and emerging tech VCs, frontline innovation can be exhilarating, messy, and an opportunity to create positive impact in the world. Innovation done well brings together and strengthens communities, even in unlikely ways.
Room 125: 1:45AM – 2:45PM
“Intro to Power Dynamics” highlights the importance of identifying key stakeholders when addressing social issues, and teaches participants how to leverage these relationships to drive change.
This is the third session of the Build Your Social Innovation Toolbox series designed by the Wond’ry for Vanderbilt undergraduates.
Room 209: 3:00PM – 4:00PM
This panel will feature discussion surrounding social ventures as a relief tool in conflict zones, with a particular focus on addressing gender-based violence. To this conversation, Megi will bring her interest and expertise in human rights, gender equality, domestic violence, and good governance, drawing on her background as a civil society activist, researcher, and gender equality expert in her home country of Albania, her former role with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, and her current role as a researcher at MDRC focused on youth, criminal justice, and employment. Tracy DeTomasi shares Megi’s interest and experience with gender-based violence, spending the last two decades working on global projects relating to domestic violence laws, trauma-informed care, and the use of tech-based tools designed to support gender safety.
Room 211: 3:00PM – 4:00PM
In short, Shoshi will discuss the definition of innovation according to dictionaries vs. from an entrepreneur’s perspective, as well as what impact is and why we need it in order to create lasting businesses. Hence, the importance of impact innovation.
Room 125: 3:00PM – 4:00PM
“Social Innovation Canvas Model” wraps up the day by discussing professional pathways in the social innovation field, and provides participants with a roadmap to move forward with the skills and network they have acquired throughout their life.
This is the fourth and final session of the Build Your Social Innovation Toolbox series designed by the Wond’ry for Vanderbilt undergraduates.
