Bits of Business: Recent Episodes
Moniola Odunsi
Bits of Business is a podcast that highlights entrepreneurs who are effecting change, large or small, in their respective communities.
Aerica Shimizu Banks encapsulates the definition of “getting things done.” Social Entrepreneur, Activist, and Innovator, Banks can be described in several ways, all pointing back to her burning desire to produce positive change in our world. As a Japanese and African American woman, Banks has experienced her fair share of obstacles that may have defeated others. But, not her. Despite numerous societal biases, Banks has continuously broken the glass ceiling with prominent roles at the White House, Google, Pinterest, and many more. Describing herself as “eclectic” as a child, Banks proves not afraid to challenge the status quo. One of many examples: Finding herself in an uncomfortable situation at Google as others failed to recognize their ignorance against the barriers minorities face, Banks chose to stand up against what she described as a “disgusting conversation” and turn others’ empty promises into transformative impact. Banks’ path to her present role as founder of company Shiso has not been easy nor straight. Yet, one thing has remained throughout: she has continuously fought to highlight the beauty in our differences and empower others to see such too. Watch the interview above to learn more about Banks’ passion for this worthy feat.
Shelby Breger: a woman who has completed a seemingly endless amount of inspirational feats. If determination described a single person, it would be Breger. From attending Stanford University to serving as a consultant at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to becoming the present Head of Finance Operations at the groundbreaking startup, Via Separations, Breger has proven that drive brews success. Currently, Breger plays a vital role at Via Separations, a clean-tech company centered on strategically eliminating the energy used in Industrial Manufacturing. This elimination results in saving money for companies and a massive impact on climate change and, specifically, greenhouse gas emissions. Breger has broken the glass ceiling by defying societal barriers on women in a largely male-dominated field, and she is using her talents to affect our world.
Innovator, designer, and Figma mastermind. There are endless descriptors one could use to portray Juan Agrón's inspiring work at Recidiviz. Having an artistic passion from a young age, so much so that he would be bored at a house without paper and pencils, Agrón has come a long way from routinely drawing for himself as a child to using his creativity to impact the United States Criminal Justice system today. Agrón is a product designer at Recidiviz, a Criminal Justice Data platform that tackles the massive issue of mass incarceration. By combining his artistic talents and passion for creating change, Agrón designs products that work to shift the behavior of thousands of probation and parole officers across the country. To find out more about Agrón's story and work, watch the interview above.
A global citizen is one of many accurate descriptions to illustrate the character and work of groundbreaking entrepreneur Mackinnon Engen. Frequent exposure to worldwide issues combined with trips to places, such as Haiti, where the disparity is evident, proved formative in Engen's future career path. Engen's love for anthropology and creative spirit has led to her current role as Executive Director at Watsi: a non-profit organization that aims to "bring people together through technology to fund life-changing surgery." Watsi is performing inspirational work and providing children like 5-year-old Marline whose goal is to become an engineer the chance at chasing their dreams by providing them with immediate health care. Watch the interview above to hear more about Mackinnon Engen's story.