The Careers They Didn’t Tell You About 💡
Welcome to The Careers They Didn’t Tell You About podcast brought to you by Second Day! My name is Mariam Matin, and every other week, I’ll be sitting down with people who are building careers working on our community’s biggest challenges. From battling the climate crisis to designing innovative solutions for affordable housing, we are so excited to get these conversations going!
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Welcome to The Careers They Didn’t Tell You About Podcast brought to you by Second Day! If you’re a college student, consider these networking conversations to be similar to informational interviews!
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This was a special one for us! Mariam sat down with two Second Day alums about their journey from Impact Fellowship to full working professionals in nonprofit consulting. Second Day matched them both to Bell Creek Consulting, a boutique nonprofit consulting firm that supports leaders in government, nonprofits, foundations, and social-purpose private enterprises to achieve and sustain new levels of performance and effectiveness for the public good. They shared their experiences stepping into a completely new field while still a college senior in the middle of COVID, the projects they've been able to work on since joining, and Lupe shares why she chose to go back to school for a year before jumping back into consulting. This is a great episode for someone interested in understanding the world of social impact consulting, particularly through the lens of two people who are early (but deep) in it. Part 2 of this conversation covers application tips and can be found on The Social Impact Consulting Career Guide!
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This week Mariam sits down with Weston Weber, a second-year graduate student pursuing a degree in Global Policy Studies at the LBJ School, to discuss breaking into international government jobs and leveraging the support of his peers, as well as the decision to go to grad school and dealing with imposter syndrome. Prior to joining the LBJ community, Weston received his B.A. in International Relations and Global Studies, specializing in Russia and Eastern Europe and international security. His interests include climate security, sustainability, and their potential intersection on space management and sustainability.
Currently, Weston is a Brumley graduate fellow at the Strauss Center for International Security and Law in their Space Security, Safety, and Sustainability Program.
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In this week's episode, Mariam sits down with Andrea Osorio, a nonprofit program manager, grantmaker, and avid storyteller in philanthropy. Andrea delves into how she believes philanthropy can be reimagined to create systems that actively collaborate with the communities it aims to support, as well as her experience advocating for herself and her value in the workplace.
Andrea is a California native now based in Washington D.C. who anchors deeply in an ecosystem approach to finding solutions to economic, social, and environmental justice issues that have caused harm in communities across the globe. She is a staunch advocate for a social impact sector that understands equitable pay and mental health as fundamental in equipping passionate individuals to work towards systems change for the long haul.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Kaitlin Koga (she/her) to talk about her work at The Bail Project, issues related to the criminal justice system and mass incarceration in the United States, and how her childhood led her to pursue this path. Kaitlin strongly believes in the idea of putting yourself out there as her beginnings started from simple conversations with people and making them curious about what she was doing. What kind of role did business school or graduate school play in her life? How did she use the knowledge learnt in school to directly serve low-income youth and incarcerated individuals, as well as other impact-focused consulting projects? All the answers can be found in this episode.
Kaitlin Koga (she/her/hers) is the Chief of Staff of the Bail Project where she coordinates the strategic, human capital and scaling priorities of the organization. Kaitlin brings a decade of experience working on social justice issues, including over seven years of direct service work with low-income youth and incarcerated individuals, as well as managing over a dozen impact-focused consulting projects with nonprofits and government organizations in the US and abroad. Prior to TBP, Kaitlin led strategy at a prison education non-profit, served as a college counselor in Boston Public Schools, developed criminal justice reform policy at the White House and worked as an associate consultant at a non-profit human capital management firm. Kaitlin has a B.A. in History and Literature from Harvard College and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. She is currently a Board Member of United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth-led network in the country.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Timothy Dean (he/him) to talk about being an advocate for Black people and his career as a social activist, community organizer and teacher. Growing up as a Black person in New York, TJ was exposed to protests and police brutality at an early age. This sparked his interest in protest work in college and as his career took off, he became more involved in community organizing work, as well as campaigns to end police brutality and to free political prisoners. TJ also talks about the difference between the idea of burnout versus fulfillment and how creating a welcoming work culture that emphasizes different social and political realities is important in attracting young talent to the nonprofit world.
Timothy “TJ” Dean is an educator, organizer, abolitionist and budding graphic design artist based in Philadelphia. He is an Afrofuturist, which simply put, means he acts on the belief that Black people can and should create their own futures. In line with that belief he owns a brand called Dope Afrofuturist to promote visions of a Black future. He recently completed work on the Care, Not Control campaign to end youth incarceration in Pennsylvania and served as the Senior Manager of Youth Programs at the Village of Arts & Humanities. He has an abundance of experience working with young people from his years as a teacher and as a Dream Director. TJ has a heart for justice which propelled him into a lot of community organizing work, as well as campaigns to end police brutality and to free political prisoners like Mumia Abu Jamal. When he isn’t working to politically educate and empower youth around the city of Philadelphia, he is at home with his wife Lakeisha, raising three of their own free Black children.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Stanford Thompson (he/him) to talk about his career as a professional musician and the founder of Play On Philly (POP), a nonprofit organization that provides underserved children in Philadelphia a transformative music education experience. Stanford shares stories about how being a classical musician helped him realize the importance of music education from a young age and led him to start POP.
Stanford Thompson is a musician and educator who serves as the Founder and Executive Director of Play On Philly and Founding Board Chairman of El Sistema USA and the National Instrumentalist Mentoring and Advancement Network. Recognized as a TED Fellow, Stanford believes that music is a powerful tool for positive personal and community change. Stanford serves on the faculty of the Global Leaders Program and regularly presents for major arts and business conferences, institutions, and stakeholders about leadership, entrepreneurship and social justice. As a principal of Goldsmith Strategies, he has guided the strategic development of dozens of organizations across the United States while collaborating with local and national initiatives to develop new strategies and programs that provide equitable access to the arts. As a professional trumpeter, Stanford has performed as a soloist and member with major orchestras around the world and continues to perform throughout the Philadelphia region. Stanford is a native of Atlanta, GA, a graduate of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program and holds degrees from The Curtis Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory’s Sistema Fellows Program.
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In this episode, Mariam Matin sits down with Afnajjer Hernandez (he/him) about working in impact investing and sustainability. From working in R&D to investing in clean tech, Af has seen the many sides of how traditional 'for-profit' structures can be leveraged for making the world a better place. He is also the co-founder of VCFamilia, the largest Latinx Venture Capital organization with a goal to normalize Latinx culture in venture capital. This episode is an exploration of identity in the workplace and how (and when) to leverage impact investing for social change.
Af Hernandez is a Principal at NextEra Energy Investments focused on cleantech, IoT, industrial sustainability, and fintech. As mentioned above, he is also the Co-Founder of VCFamilia, the largest Latinx Venture Capital (VC) organization with a goal to normalize the Latinx culture in venture capital. Previous to NextEra, Af was a Senior Associate at the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF). His responsibilities include sector research, pipeline development and tracking, and investment due diligence support.
Before EIF, Af was a Senior Strategic Planner at the newly formed Lockheed Martin (LM) Energy. At LM Energy, Af oversaw the research and development investment portfolio and was key in developing the long-term strategy. He worked alongside senior executives on business development, mergers and acquisitions, technology investments, and international market entry strategies. Af received a BSc in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and holds an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
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As we close out 2022, Mariam and Mai sit down to reflect on how Second Day thrived, struggled, and grew this year. We talk about memorable podcast conversations and how the people surrounding Second Day have made it into the incredible community that it is. Finally, Mariam shares a sneak peek into what is coming up in 2023! On behalf of the entire team, thank you for supporting this podcast and all that Second Day does to launch the most diverse and innovative generation of social sector leaders in American history.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Kavell Brown (he/him) to talk about his work with corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the role of CSR departments within companies and corporations. He also touches on his work at LinkedIn and gives advice on how people can enter the space and look for entry-level opportunities.
Growing up in the projects of New York City raised by his single mother alongside his twin brother, Kavell is no stranger to hardships that come with humble beginnings. With the triumphant parenting of his Mother and the support of his mentors, Kavell was able to graduate from Syracuse University with a B.S in Information Management & Technology. During his tenure at Syracuse University, he had the honor and privilege to intern with JPMorgan Chase, HBO, a non-profit called On Point for College, run a hip-hop dance troupe, and inspire the next generation through his involvement.
After graduation, Kavell started his career at HBO as the Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility where he assisted his executive and team on HBO’s pro-social initiatives, employee engagement, and philanthropic endeavors. After two years, he transitioned to ViacomCBS as a senior coordinator of Community Investment and Corporate Social Responsibility. At ViacomCBS, Kavell oversaw the company's corporate philanthropic giving spearheaded company-wide youth engagement initiatives, and helped to develop prosocial cause marketing campaigns with his team.
Currently, he serves as a partnerships manager on the Social Impact Team at LinkedIn, where he oversees nonprofit partnerships across North America. Kavell also serves as a mentor for Student Sponsorship Partners, a One Young World Ambassador, and is an active member and volunteer at his local church. His vision and heart’s desire for the future is to dedicate his career to solving social issues and problems using his analytical, technological, and leadership expertise. He believes that the world is too quick to forget those who have been deemed the lower class, the disenfranchised, or the marginalized. He has learned that it's not how much you can take but rather how much you can give.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Kirby Page (she/hers) about how she became a 26-year-old Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Her journey in social impact leadership started in middle school, and she traces how working multiple jobs in college became a superpower when she entered the working world. Finally, she shares her perspective on how to balance commitment to social change while maintaining strong boundaries.
Meet Kirby Page, the DEI dynamo passionate about creating inclusive and equitable Spaces. With a background in advocacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion, Kirby has dedicated her career advocating for underrepresented communities. As the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Kirby is spearheading the development of a new DEI program, complete with learning sessions and online resources. She also serves as the Head of Events, for Studio ATAO, an award-winning, 501(c)3 nonprofit defining more equitable standards for the food, beverage, and hospitality industry.
Kirby’s previous roles include Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager at Partners in Health and DEI Consultant with Universities Allied for Essential Medicines. She also volunteered for years with Habitat for Humanity, serving as an Advocacy Committee Member. When she’s not championing equity, Kirby enjoys planning her next adventure to visit friends and make new connections. You can also find her whipping up an elaborate Friday dinner to enjoy on her balcony.
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In this episode, Mariam has a conversation with Orlisha Fox (she/hers) about professional fundraising and careers in development. With over thirteen years of experience in nonprofit and government agencies, Orlisha talks about how she got started and her “why” to doing social impact work. She also speaks about the difference between doing development work at larger organizations versus smaller ones and the critical role that the next generation of social sector leaders play.
Orlisha Fox is the Development Director for Political Research Associates, a social justice research and strategy center devoted to supporting organizations, civic leaders, journalists, and social sectors that are building a more just and inclusive democratic society. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive with her Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Government and Policy, and two certifications in both Non-Profit Management and Professional Fundraising. Orlisha has extensive experience developing donor and partner relations programs, campaign management, strategic development initiatives for sustainable funding and retention analysis. Orlisha recently served as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the AFP Maryland Chapter from 2019-2021. She is an advocate for D & I research, practice and implementation with a passion for equity and social justice.
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Torey Brown is a Community Organizer at The Black Sheep Agency, a brand strategy and creative agency in Houston, TX that specializes in social impact and works with nonprofits, civic entities, and for-profits with an impact-driven focus. With clients like the Harris County Clerk’s Office to the White House, their mission is centered around activating people around things that matter.
Torey was put into her role as Community Organizer based on this mission. It’s rare for a marketing agency to have a resident organizer, and Torey’s special interests in bringing a sense of community together, regardless of values or interests, brought to light the opportunity for this differentiator. Navigating a self-reflective journey in her personal life and in the workplace as a young, Black woman in a predominately white industry, she had a non-traditional path of interning at nonprofits, dropping out of college, and working her way up to her current role at the agency.
Check out Second Day’s Community Organizing Career Guide to learn how to find these roles and be a competitive candidate for them.
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Over the last decade, Kenny Andejeski has applied himself to foster community economic development, stakeholder ecosystems, narrative change, and experiential opportunity, through community building in physical and digital spaces. What does this mean exactly? He’s embraced his curiosity and commitment to understanding what unites and divides us as people, and turned that into his own venture in which he acts as Community Builder, Experience Designer, Facilitator & Social Impact Strategist. This episode is a fascinating discussion on how employers intentionally invest in communities (authentically and performatively), and how to take the plunge into starting your own business!
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Juan Cardoza-Oquendo is the Director of Policy and Elections at Houston in Action. Before his current role, he worked as a Policy and Community Engagement Coordinator with Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. He holds a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School at UT Austin and a B.A. in Anthropology and Human Geography from the University of Georgia. Juan's policy and advocacy experience includes founding the Dallas office of the Workers Defense Project and Faith in Texas, an organization that organizes faith communities in North Texas. In this episode, Juan and Mariam discuss what it means to be an effective community organizer, the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of different change-making sectors like nonprofits and government, as well as practical career-building advice, and much much more.
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In this episode, Elena talks about how MAF’s programs are unique because they center a strengths-based approach that strives to find the good already happening in a community and amplify it. She brings up crucial topics such as the distinction between cultural competency and cultural humility, as well as the importance of recognizing who the true experts are in a given social situation.
Prior to MAF, Elena served as Director of Learning and Partnerships at Prospera, a nonprofit partnering with women to build cooperatively owned businesses. She has served as Co-Chair of the Lending Circles Partner Advisory Council and as a Board Member of Prospera. She graduated from Colorado College with a degree in International Political Economy and has an MBA from UC Berkeley.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Desiree Stolar (she/her) to talk about her work at Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), a national nonprofit and network whose mission is to help and support talented underrepresented minorities’ path to senior leadership. As a Black woman and strong advocate for her community, Desirée wanted to facilitate change not just on the surface but from within organizations, from hiring to leadership. She believes that diversity is not about filling seats and talks about how doing research on who is hiring you is just as important as choosing the company. Please tune in to learn about the rise of CDO positions, talent retention and how to navigate the job search process.
Desirée Stolar (MBA 2015) is currently the managing director of alumni engagement and strategy at MLT, the nation's premier career advancement nonprofit for more than 9000 Black, Latinx, and Native American professionals. She designed and launched MLT's Senior Executive Leader Fellowship for senior leaders pursuing greater impact for their time, energy, and capital. Before MLT, Desirée co-founded, ran, and sold a Shark Tank-winning business that she started at business school, and she advised media and tech firms on brand strategy and market research programs. Desirée is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Harvard Business School. She serves on the advisory boards of a VC-backed e-commerce firm as well as early education, economic development, and tech equity organizations. She and her family reside in Arlington, VA.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Adwoa Agyepong (she/her) and Alejandro Ruizesparza (they/them), active organizers, activists and abolitionists in Chicago Activism comes in different forms and requires lots of tools, however, being able to set boundaries between work and personal life is critical to maintaining a healthy and long standing career as an activist doing important work. Adwoa comments on her work at Forward Together, a multi-racial, multi-issue organization whose mission is to transform culture and policy to work for all families; while Alejandro shares their work at Lucy Parsons Labs, a charitable collaboration between data scientists, transparency activists, artists, & technologists.
Adwoa Agyepong is a Ghanaian-American abolitionist living in Chicago. She works for Forward Together, where she supports the Cultural Strategy program as a Network Organizer focused on radical political education. A former student-organizer, Adwoa’s goal is to support the work of all marginalized peoples in both her personal and work life. She primarily organizes with Chicago AfroSocialists and Socialists of Color, and is a member of the Chicago based Cancel ShotSpotter Coalition. In her free-time, Adwoa obsesses over astrology and has vegan cook clubs with friends.
Alejandro Ruizesparza is a Mexican American abolitionist and anarchist born and raised in Chicago's South Side. They are currently a co-director in operations for Lucy Parsons Labs, a digital rights non-profit focused on challenging carceral power, carceral tech, surveillance and the harms they cause, especially for people of color and other historically marginalized communities, through education, investigation, and litigation. Alejandro, along with Adwoa, also is a member of the local and national #StopShotSpotter coalition. In their free time, Alejandro DJs and produces "spooky electronic music," binge watches horror movies, and reads way too many comic books for their own good. Alejandro uses they/them pronouns.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Amber Córdoba (she/her) to talk about the power of CDFIs in supporting underserved small business communities. If you are interested in the power of entrepreneurship and mentorship as an engine for a more equitable society, this episode is for you.
Amber Cordoba is a Certified Nonprofit Processional (CNP) and the Director of Business Education and Consulting Services for Prestamos CDFI, a division of Chicanos por la Causa. Since 2015, Amber has worked to disrupt the system that overlooks and underserved minority and women-owned businesses through the development of specialized educational and tactical business training, programs that deliver 1:1 business assistance, and pushing the envelope on access to capital. In 2020/2021 she led the Prestamos Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) initiatives that resulted in supporting over 400,000 small businesses nationwide. In late 2021 she also launched an SBA Women’s Business Center in Phoenix, AZ and a US Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Center in Las Vegas, NV.
Prior to her work with Prestamos, Amber was involved in the child welfare system as a Foster Parent and Parent Aid, co-founded and operated an award winning Merchant Services ISO, managed a CPA Firm, ran her own bookkeeping business, and has 12 years experience as Treasurer for various political campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. She is an avid entrepreneur and dedicates herself to improving systems to help them become more inclusive and effective for everyone.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Diana Thu-Thao Rhodes (she/hers) to talk about her work for the past 10 years at Advocates for Youth and her lifelong passion for supporting young people to better advocate for themselves and their communities, particularly in the world of politics and policy. Mariam and Diana spent this episode unpacking her journey through youth advocacy, and marveling at the unique power and potency that is Gen Z.
Diana Thu-Thao Rhodes is the Vice President of Policy, Partnerships, & Organizing at Advocates for Youth, a national reproductive and sexual health/rights organization that centers the needs and voices of young people, while building young people's power to make change in their own campuses and communities. She oversees the organization’s policy advocacy strategies and youth organizing campaigns on a wide range of reproductive and sexual health/rights/justice issues that affect young people. She is a member of Advocates’ Management Team, while leading strategic partnerships and movement-building efforts.
Diana has been working in social justice movements for over 15 years – with both grassroots and grasstops stakeholders – primarily around issues that affect women, young people, communities of color, and the LGTBQ community. She holds an M.A. from George Washington University in Public Policy with a concentration in Gender Studies, as well as a B.A. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Sociology and Gender Studies.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Ariel Davis (she/hers) to talk about her work supporting organizations that uplift cultural expression across diverse communities at The Arts Administrators of Color Network and how she found her path in the impact space. From playing the French horn to working in hospitality and restaurants, to now traveling across the country to talk to arts administrators, listen to our conversation to get inspired to do more for your community in the first conversation of 2023.
Ariel is the co-founder of The Arts Administrators of Color Network, a non-profit organization she helped establish in 2016, where she stewarded programs that provide professional development and networking opportunities for arts leaders throughout the United States. She currently serves as co-chair of the board for the organization, and led the board of directors through its strategic planning process in 2021. Previously, she served as Senior Manager of Impact Communications at The Save the Music Foundation, where she supported the organization in producing content that showcased the impact of the organization’s 25 year body of work. Ariel also supported the establishment of The Lewis Prize for Music, an organization that provides financial support for after school and out of school music organizations across the country, where she led their communications efforts. She also served as Program Manager for the Social Impact department at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she helped manage large scale projects and events geared towards amplifying the work of artists throughout the performing arts sector on local and national levels.
Ariel’s passion for cultural expression began onstage, as a French Horn player. She has had the opportunity to perform with ensembles across the world, from the Grammy’s stage with Lizzo, to an international festival in Guadeloupe celebrating the work of composer Chevalier de Saint George. She takes as many opportunities to visit her hometown of Detroit, Michigan as she can, and is a graduate of Howard University, where she obtained her degree in Music Business.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with the co-founder of Second Day, Phil Dearing. They talk about his new book, “Why Change Dies: Unleashing Your Potential for Social Impact.” Both founders engage in a conversation about power structures across the common domains of social change and Phil shared his inspiration on writing his book. To learn more about the book and further content, check out Phil’s website at https://www.whychangedies.com/.
Philip Dearing is an author, social entrepreneur, and consultant focused on unlocking the potential of others. He is the co-founder of Second Day, a nonprofit determined to dismantle inequitable talent pipelines into social impact. Prior to working full-time at Second Day, he worked as a Consultant at Bridgespan, where he supported the work of some of the largest foundations, nonprofits, and impact investors in the country. He also served as the Chief of Staff at College Bound Dorchester, where his work focused on reducing violence in the Boston area. Philip lives in Boston with his wife, Anne, their son, Theo, and their dog, Bella.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Keenan Harrell (he/him) to talk about his career in community engagement at the NFL, COVID-19 response for North Carolina and making a big impact in big tech. He shares tips on how to make your own luck and shoot your shot when imagining what your social impact career could look like. Tune in on the conversations about how his lived experience has shaped the way he improves access to resources, information, and opportunities for his community.
Keenan is the Program Manager of Community Impact at Okta, an identity and access management company based in San Francisco, CA. He's responsible for driving Okta for Good's (Okta’s social impact arm) community impact strategy and leveraging Okta's resources to empower + strengthen the capacity of its global network of nonprofit partners. Keenan holds an M.A. in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a B.A. in Exercise & Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He serves on the board of the Baltimore Area Sports Health Initiative, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In his free time, he enjoys public speaking, meditating, reading, journaling, working out and being outdoors.
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This week, Mariam and Trishla talk about the truths and myths of 'going corporate', the growing popularity of MPH/MBA dual degree programs, and her career in mental health innovation. This is a helpful episode for those who want to learn more about the type of training you can gain from a traditional, large corporation job and graduate school that translate to social impact careers. She also provides exciting updates on trends in the mental health innovation industry! Part 2 of this interview goes into more tactical tips for pivoting from the corporate industry to mission-driven spaces, grad school applications, and specific resources to find health innovation jobs!
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This week, Mariam sits down with Elizabeth Park, long-time partner and supporter of Second Day, to discuss the complexities and power of philanthropy, fundraising, and unpacking the “money is power” dynamic in the nonprofit world. Elizabeth Park is the Donor Engagement Associate at Brooklyn Community Foundation, the first and only public foundation dedicated to Brooklyn's vibrant nonprofit community. Through their strategic grantmaking, the Foundation is prioritizing community-led, grassroots organizations often overlooked by larger philanthropic institutions. Elizabeth joined the team in April 2021 and provides core support to the Foundation's Development team, with a focus on guiding giving with a racial justice lens and growing an engaged network of partners and supporters.
Elizabeth previously worked as the Executive & Development Coordinator on the Strategic Partnerships team at Mission Capital, a capacity-building nonprofit working to advance equity and opportunity in Central Texas.
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This week Mariam sits down with Aayaan Jamwal to explore questions of collective healing and the power of community infrastructure to hold space for the inevitability of harm. Aayaan shares how they make room for finding purpose by recognizing in themself the presence of a unique combination of perception and gift, and asks who truly benefits from the “economy of unworthiness” by which we are so intimately affected.
Aayaan is an entrepreneur, liberatory facilitator, spiritual abolitionist, and cultural transformation guide. They have worked in cross-cultural social, racial, gender and climate justice spaces with Black and Brown youth, feminist organizers and multiply impacted communities for nearly a decade. All of this work has led Aayaan to become a transformational life coach for empaths who are ready to shed their inner critic and start feeling truly valued and powerful. Aayaan is the founder and creative director of their coaching social venture Unearth Freedom, and a CFE fellow currently training with the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Brittnie Knight (they/them) to talk about the underbelly of philanthropic foundations, burnout in social impact, and the power dynamics of trust-based funding. Brittnie doesn’t shy away from the existential in this interview and asks, should these foundations even exist? How does one navigate a flawed system of inherently linked capital and oppression, with justice as their guiding principle?
Brittnie is a communications & engagement professional with 10 years of experience developing impactful, community-driven content, messaging, and programs for social impact and mission-driven organizations. Currently, Brittnie serves as the Communications Director for the Leeway Foundation, supporting women, trans*, and gender-nonconforming artists creating art for social change. Brittnie holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Communication Arts from Gannon University in Erie, PA. Brittnie's previous experience includes the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Indego Bike Share of Greater Philadelphia, and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
Brittnie believes in the power of art and the people, always.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Cristina Lara-Agudelo (she/her) to talk about her work as the Manager of Funder Learning & Investments at Common Future and what made her shift away from the traditional career narrative. Prior to Common Future, Cristina was the Program Manager for the Economic Inequality Initiative at Uncharted where she designed and executed a 6 month accelerator program for entrepreneurs working to close the wealth gaps in the United States. Join us as Cristina gives advice on how to live thoughtfully at the intersection of nonprofit and impact, and why learning by doing and listening to your community are essential aspects of being a successful funder and making real profit and impact. Cristina’s inspiration comes from people who come alive in anything that they do, and we’re excited to share her wisdom with you.
Cristina Lara-Agudelo (she/her) is the Manager of Funder Learning & Investments at Common Future. She is passionate about ensuring that the economy serves all people equally. Cristina also co-led Uncharted’s hyperlocal collective impact and community engagement projects working with Denver food access leaders. Cristina began her career in social impact with an AmeriCorps service year teaching seventh grade math in Wilmington, DE. Cristina holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a concentration in Business Economics & Public Policy and Operations, Informations, & Decision Systems. In her spare time, you can find her latin dancing, climbing, hiking, camping, paddleboarding and cooking new recipes!
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Brittany Brady (she/hers) to talk about how to be a “learning” leader and the importance of defining success on your own terms. Brittany shares many stories about how she handles situations at her own workplace, National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE), to create an open and welcoming space for her colleagues, as well as how healthy engagement helped her become the leader that she is today. More often than not, leaders don’t know everything about all the issues that’s prevalent in their organization, and that’s okay. Instead of upholding standards that are no longer suitable, leaders should focus on fostering the company culture and embracing the diversity of mind, approach, and creativity of their diverse staff.
Brittany is the CEO of NAPE, the nation’s leading professional alliance committed to building the capacity of educators to increase student access, educational equity and workforce diversity. Throughout her career, Brittany has been a passionate advocate for equitable access to education and quality teacher training and support. Brittany was formerly the chief development officer for Lumin Education. Previously, she was the director of Advancement at Education Opens Doors and the executive director of the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program. Brittany serves as a board member of Our D.R.E.A.M. Foundation and program director for the THR!VE Intern and Leadership Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Emily Mochizuki Lutyens (she/hers) to talk about the role of ego in social change, and how following leadership she respected and trusted guided much of her professional life for the better.
Emily grew up in London, Tokyo, and New Delhi and is passionate about making the world a more equitable and inclusive place. Emily has driven social change in education, health care, responsible tourism and agriculture, spanning for-profit, social enterprise and non-profit organizations in Mexico, Uganda, South Africa, the U.K. and the U.S..
Currently, Emily is VP of Portfolio Strategy at Common Future, where she leads a team building Common Future’s impact portfolio focused on the incubation and co-creation of field defining initiatives that close the racial wealth gap in the U.S.
Previously, Emily was Managing Director at Uncharted, where she was responsible for the day-to-day of the organization, leading and managing the team, and ensuring Uncharted delivered on its strategic goals. Before joining Uncharted, Emily was the Co-Founder and CEO of LegWorks, a for-profit social enterprise with a mission to enable amputees globally to walk with confidence. Prior to LegWorks, Emily was the founding Country Director of Educate!, an education non-profit developing young leaders and entrepreneurs in East Africa.
Emily studied International Relations at Brown University and has an MBA from the University of California Berkeley where she was a Haas Merit scholar. Emily once drove from Uganda to South Africa, and you can generally find her eating chocolate, or just eating.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Jaclyn Levy (she/hers) to talk about her work at AMR Action tackling the unexpected global challenges that COVID-19 brought upon the whole world and why we need to continue investing in the R&D of lifesaving drugs. She also explores the themes of VC funds for social impact and social good in the context of the healthcare industry and different career paths that youth can look into.
Jaclyn Levy is the Director, U.S. Policy at AMR Action Fund, the world’s largest public-private partnership investing in the development of new antimicrobial therapeutics. As Director of the U.S. Policy, she works closely with the Fund’s leadership team and various external stakeholders to support policy solutions and market reforms related to R&D incentives, antimicrobial stewardship, and access.
Prior to working at AMR Action Fund, Jaclyn was a 2020 Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow and Director of Public Policy at the Infectious Diseases Society of America. She has also worked as a biosecurity analyst for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, scientific editor, and consultant. She has extensive experience in federal and global policy and advocacy work and has authored numerous publications on pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, molecular diagnostics, and biomedical R&D. Jaclyn is a seasoned communicator and strategist with over a decade of experience in federal and global policy and advocacy work.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Katie Carter (she/her) to talk about her work within social change organizations and philanthropy, specifically with the LGBTQ+ community, and how she developed multifaceted nonprofit leadership skills. Katie touches on her passion for advocacy for the queer community and gives advice for young people to address the lack of direct pathways into philanthropy. Tune in to our conversation and hear how Katie navigated her career in the impact and social change space.
Katie Carter has been working for social justice as a nonprofit professional for the past 15 years, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+, gender, and racial justice. Originally from the Midwest, she moved to Portland, Oregon in 2008 to contribute her passion for social change with her skills in organizational development, fundraising, communications, and strategy.
In 2019, she relocated to Seattle to become the CEO of Pride Foundation after being on staff for 5 years. In her role as CEO, Katie supports the foundation’s efforts by building community and institutional partnerships, developing creative communications strategies, and mobilizing resources to affect change in the Northwest. Prior to her current role, Katie was the Director of Strategic Priorities and before that the Regional Philanthropy Officer in Oregon. Katie believes deeply in community involvement and the importance of volunteering. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington. She also was a co-founder of a restorative justice group that facilitates a gender and sexuality seminar for people who are incarcerated.
Katie earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy of Science from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Philosophy from DePaul University. In addition to her professional and volunteer commitments, Katie is an avid reader of feminist and political writing, philosophy, poetry, and memoir, and has had a lifelong interest in science and the natural world, particularly animal cognition and behavior. She also enjoys crafting, watercolor, writing, everything having to do with cats, and all bodies of water, especially the Oregon coast.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Maxwell Akuamoah-Boateng (he/him) about his career as an education management professional and his experience collaborating with various stakeholders in developing the next generation of leaders. Maxwell also touches on topics such as the tension in social impact between doing systems-level work and more immediate direct services, and how his lived experience has shaped the way he improves access to resources, information, and opportunities for his community.
Max serves as the Director of Operations in the Office of Children and Families in Philadelphia overseeing the planning, alignment, and integration of services systemwide across all schools. He began his career as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and went on to hold various roles in the District. Max contributed to the development of the framework for launching and managing the first 60 Community Schools in HISD with the mission of Every Community Every School, a comprehensive initiative to connect students to non-academic supports needed to improve their well-being and academic achievement. He holds the belief that by cross-sector partners collectively providing our children and their families with effective barrier-reducing services in tandem with strong academic experiences, we can truly meet the needs of the whole-child and graduate students who are college and career-ready.
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In this episode, Mariam sits down with Alex Edwards (he/him) to talk about his career in the think tank and public policy sector. Alex shares how working in a restaurant kitchen was a microcosm of the inequities of our society, and how that experience set him on an unconventional path into social impact. Mariam and Alex talk about everything from the nonprofit industrial complex to the impact of Trump’s election on the social sector to why authenticity in the workplace matters.
Alex Edwards is the Director of Communications at The Century Foundation, a leading progressive think tank focused on pursuing equity in both domestic and US foreign policy. He leads Century’s work to shape public opinion and elevate the organization’s ideas in the media and among policymakers — including the work of Next100, a startup think tank that Century launched in 2019 with the explicit goal of making the think tank and policy sector more inclusive. Previously, Alex worked at BerlinRosen, a political communications firm, as well as human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights First, along with President Obama’s re-election campaign.