The Toilets No One Used: How cultural sensitivity can impact success on the ground
“Director Seal engea irka?” Where is the Director’s stamp, Julee asked, holding the stamp pad in her hand. “Theriyadu,” I don't know, I replied. After two months in Tamil Nadu, I had picked up enough of the Tamil dialect to make small conversation. I was the only...
Collaborative Action For Social Impact
As the sun set over the Pacific Ocean, I witnessed one of the main ecological attractions in Ixtapa, Mexico-- the release of baby sea turtles into the ocean. This experience is imprinted on the females, of whom less than 5% reach adulthood, who return to the very...
Green Standards Gives New Social Value to Old Office Assets
Furniture without cash value quickly goes from company asset to company liability. Green Standards is trying to change the way corporations perceive office assets, and the Toronto-based firm is developing a unique business model in the process—one that’s socially...
Changing the Face of Philanthropy: In Convo with Gena Rotstein
Dexterity Ventures Inc. (DVI) creates technology solutions and tools to help organizations incorporate giving and social good into their products or online presence. It also powers Canada’s first philanthropic brokerage firm, the Place2Give Foundation and...
Meaningful Internships for Toronto’s Millennials
When we think of young people, a few words come to mind. Idealistic and naïve? Perhaps, but also driven and purposeful. Increasingly, says Amanda Minuk, what many want from work is “the purpose and a paycheque.” As a graduate of the MBA program at University of...
Jacqueline Novogratz: Investing for impact, empowering for change
It is a warm evening, early in the summer, and the Shopify offices are packed for the Toronto+Acumen event. Clean and modern, their aesthetic is matched by the young professionals who have flocked here, dressed to impress. While we sit, pecking at the bison meat...
Options For Homes: Tackling the Housing Problem
Toronto, Canada has a growing populous rich in culture and opportunity. Much like any other city, people from all walks of life seek accommodations within its many diverse neighbourhoods. But as the downtown core and surrounding municipalities expand in size - and...
Send in the Clowns: Using humour to tackle pain
The evening I watched a performance by Edu-Clowns for the first time, I was in a foul mood. I had spent the day summarizing a rather tragic story of a Tuberculosis patient afflicted with an extensively drug resistant strain of the disease. I had been working for an...
7 Steps To Choosing Your ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ (and we’re not talking re-modeling)
‘Kitchen Cabinets’ - everyone has them - or can have them. I am not talking about the physical shelving structures to store dishes or food. I am referring to a circle of your closest personal and professional advisors. They can yield tremendous influence in our...
In the Business of Change written by SEE Change publisher & editor Elisa Birnbaum highlights social entrepreneurs around the world. Get your print or audiobook where you normally buy or download books Learn More
Our recent 3-part podcast series is sponsored by Junxion Strategy
