Lead The Change

Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail on Indigenous Entrepreneurship - Building Sustainable Housing Through Cultural Values

In this episode, Bard MBA candidate Milana Pakes interviews Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail about creating sustainable earth-block housing for the Shanju Lakota tribe. Tamara shares her entrepreneurial journey from jewelry artist to sustainable housing advocate, discussing how she bridges traditional Lakota values with modern sustainability practices. She explains her vision for self-sufficient homesteads powered by renewable energy that enable economic independence while honoring cultural heritage. Tamara emphasizes reclaiming language, land, and food sovereignty while maintaining deep connections to the earth, noting that “giving back to the earth is also protecting the earth and keeping things in balance.”

Dale Ewing & John Friedman on Office Furniture Sustainability - Building a Circular Economy

 

In this episode, Bard MBA in Sustainability student Deanna Diaz interviews Dale Ewing, Founder & CEO of Installnet, and John Friedman, sustainability expert and author, about transforming the office furniture industry. They discuss how 9 million tons of furniture end up in landfills annually and share Installnet's Ecoserv program for sustainable decommissioning. The conversation explores the limitations of current environmental impact models, the need for better metrics, and the business case for sustainability despite political headwinds. Dale and John emphasize that furniture reuse creates both environmental benefits and social impact through community donations, highlighting that "what gets measured inaccurately gets mismanaged.”

Lenore Kantor on Authentic Alchemy - From Corporate Crisis to Personal Transformation

In this episode, Bard MBA student Anastasia 'Stacy' Gramotneva interviews Lenore Kantor, founder of Growth Warrior, about her journey from corporate marketing executive to transformational coach and author. Lenore shares her personal 'tower moment' that led to an existential crisis after 20 years in the financial technology sector, and how it sparked her mission to help others find alignment between their personal values and professional lives. She discusses her eight-step 'Authentic Alchemy Path' framework that combines business strategy, coaching methodologies, and holistic practices like Feng Shui and energy medicine. Lenore offers insights on recognizing misalignment, creating intentional space for change, and transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs, while emphasizing that 'we have more choice than we realize once we become aware of the ways we may inadvertently be blocking ourselves.

Donald Pollard Jr. & Ngozi Okaro on Fashion's Future: Balancing Innovation, Sustainability, and Ethics

In this episode, MBA Sustainability candidate Toni Skidmore interviews fashion experts Donald Pollard Jr. and Ngozi Okaro about creating a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry. They discuss how education must include business fundamentals alongside design skills, emphasizing human-centered approaches that balance profit with ethical labor practices. Both guests share how they preserve traditional craftsmanship while embracing innovation and the power of authentic storytelling in fashion. They conclude that creating a more sustainable future requires genuine commitment from industry leaders to prioritize people alongside profit.

Michelle Gabriel & Ken Pucker on Fashion Industry Sustainability - Policy, Education, and Business Innovation

In this episode, MBA candidate Erin Malaney interviews Michelle Gabriel, Director of Sustainable Fashion at IE and NYC, and Ken Pucker, former COO of Timberland and professor at Tufts University. They discuss why current sustainability approaches in fashion aren't working, highlighting business models that prioritize profit over planet, lack of regulation, and externalized environmental costs. Both experts emphasize that policy is essential for meaningful change, as voluntary corporate sustainability efforts have proven insufficient. They also address the critical need for fashion education to include business strategy, climate science basics, and policy understanding to create effective industry change.

Kia Huggan on Digital Accessibility - From Engineering to Educational Equity

In this episode, Bard MBA student Ana Caka interviews Kia Huggan, founder of Webquity, about creating accessible digital learning experiences for students with visual dyslexia and impairments. Kia shares her journey from engineering to educational technology, discussing her user-centered approach to entrepreneurship and the importance of staying mission-focused. She offers insights on balancing innovation with sustainability, thoughtfully integrating AI, and using feedback to shape better solutions, while emphasizing that "inclusion is not optional" in technology development.

Tom Wright & Jessica Dupont: Transforming Panama's Environment - From Plastic Recycling to Lionfish Management

Tom Wright & Jessica Dupont: Environmental Transformation Through Community Action - From Plastic Recycling to Lionfish Management in Panama

Jessica Dupont interviews Tom Wright, founder of Wasteless World, about his journey building environmental initiatives in Panama. Tom explains how his organization evolved from a website on waste management solutions to a foundation running multiple community projects, including the Bye Bye Lionfish initiative. The conversation explores their sustainable business models that convert invasive lionfish into jewelry and food products, providing income for indigenous fishermen while addressing ecological threats. Despite challenges, including a factory fire in 2022, Wasteless World continues developing market-based solutions that align economic opportunities with environmental restoration in coastal communities.

 

#810 Lennox Omondi on Sustainable Innovation for Menstrual Health: From Myanmar Activism to Kenyan Social Enterprise

In this compelling episode, we speak with Ray Oo, a Myanmar refugee and climate activist currently pursuing his MBA in Sustainability, and Lennox Omondi, founder and CEO of Ecobana Limited in Kenya. Their conversation explores how sustainable innovation can address critical social challenges, focusing on Ecobana's development of biodegradable sanitary napkins made from banana fibers. The discussion weaves together themes of youth leadership, environmental sustainability, and social impact, as Lennox shares how he's tackling period poverty in Kenya while creating an environmentally conscious solution. Ray, who serves as Myanmar's representative on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, brings his unique perspective on climate activism and social change from the Global South, creating a rich dialogue about the intersection of sustainability, social justice, and entrepreneurship.

#809 Ravi Mangla on Building Community Power: From Political Communication to Climate Action at Working Families Party

In this timely conversation, Working Families Party National Press Secretary Ravi Mangla and Bard MBA in Sustainability candidate Jackson Thompson join us to explore the intersection of political communication and climate action in the wake of the 2024 presidential election. Mangla shares insights on effective climate messaging for working communities, the importance of local organizing, and strategies for combating misinformation through authentic community engagement. The discussion delves into how progressive organizations can better connect with working-class voters, the power of fusion voting, and practical steps for civic engagement.

#808 Nataki Williams on Transformative Leadership: Changing Decision-Making Habits & Embracing Diverse Voices

In this episode, Nataki Williams, CFO of The Guardian US, shares powerful insights on transforming corporate leadership through inclusive decision-making practices. Drawing from her experience moderating a panel on advancing women in leadership and her role as a sustainability ambassador, Williams discusses how changing the habits of how decisions are made can lead to more innovative, profitable, and sustainable businesses. She emphasizes that true diversity isn't just about having different voices at the table, but actually creating space to hear and incorporate those perspectives. Williams also shares her personal journey of overcoming age-related insecurities to become a leader who champions collaborative approaches, transparency, and hope as a discipline for creating meaningful change in business and society