Eleven Project Redwood members joined with thirty other graduates of Stanford Business School, Alumni Office administrators and guests to hear from panelists representing three Project Redwood grantees at the GSB on May 16th for an “Innovation in Social Venturing” Project Redwood Regional Event.

Susan Austin and the GSB Alumni Office hosted the event in the Seawell Boardroom, a beautiful room with great views on the top floor of the Bass Building on the Knight Management Center campus of the GSB. After a networking hour with tasty appetizers and a welcoming bar, compliments of the GSB, the panel discussion began, moderated by Ken Inadomi, PRW Partner and past Co-Board Chair.  

The grantee representatives were Jenni Doherty, Co-Founder of Daraja (Kenya), Jamie Stark, Co-Founder of Farming Hope (San Francisco), and Karae Lisle, Board Chair of Mercado Global (Guatemala). For more on these and all other PRW grantees, CLICK HERE.

Topics included how each organization was founded, what challenges the founders faced along the way and how their mission has evolved over time. Farming Hope, which trains homeless and recently incarcerated people in San Francisco in urban gardening and foodservice operations,  grew out of research Jamie began while at Stanford, and he shared with the group how his in-the-field experience helped him modify his model.

Jenni spoke about how Daraja was created to address inequities in education for girls in Kenya and the need for training in the kind of education and skills desired by employers.

Karae shared her experience as both the non-profit Board Chair of Mercado Global and CEO of another non-profit. The latter was of high interest to the audience members looking to get involved at the Board level.

After questions from the audience, Ken wrapped up the Q&A asking each panel member to tell what challenge kept them up at night still and how they find the peace and energy to regularly recommit themselves to their mission.

Among feedback from the panelists was Jenni’s comment  “A wonderful side benefit to us last night was getting to learn more about other PRW projects. Jamie, Karae, and I are determined to stay in touch!”  Jamie of Farming Hope said “I think it’s a great goal to open up the organization,” and as a Stanford graduate, he volunteered to help recruit members from other classes. Ruth Degolia. Founder and CEO of Mercado Global wrote to PRW after the event, “It means so much to have… the support of the entire Project Redwood community.”

Kudos to Rick Agresta and Ken Inadomi for organizing and executing another opportunity to tell the Project Redwood story to the broader GSB community, and thanks to Susan Austin, Cara Hamelin and the GSB Alumni Office for their support.