Social Impact Design for Business: Recent Episodes
Impact Studio at Michigan Ross
Part of the Michigan Ross +Impact Studio, we bring impactful ideas to life using business and design tools along with university research expertise.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Kim Dabbs, Global VP of ESG and Social Innovation at Steelcase and best-selling author of "You Belong Here." In this episode, Kim discusses her path from nonprofit work into her current job at Steelcase, and why she moved to Munich for it.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Neil Hawkins, CEO and president of the World Environment Center and Executive-in-Residence for Business+Impact. In this episode, Neil discusses his integration of environmental and social considerations within the core of the Dow’s business strategy and reporting, and his front row seat to the genesis of ESG.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Tom Segrue, Professor of History and Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of "Origins of an Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit." In this episode, Tom dispels the myth that Detroit's economic hardship and racial tensions began with the 1967 riots and instead identifies factors at play since the 1920s, and looks ahead to a brighter future for Detroit.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Franz Hochstrasser, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Raise Green and 2018 graduate of Yale University. In this episode, Franz discusses his company's work in climate investment, from inclusive investment opportunities to considerations of the JOBS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Margaret Woolridge, Director of the Institute for Energy Solutions; Andre Boehman of UM Mechanical Engineering; Michael Craig of the UM School of Environment and Sustainability and the Institute for Energy Solutions; Neil Dasgupta of UM Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Johanna Mathieu of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science In this episode, Jerry asked all of them to briefly share what they felt were the most intriguing and promising new innovations in green energy that inspire them. They discussed everything from waste heat to batteries to dimethyl ether to new power grid work to exciting new governmental policies.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Patrick Miller, Founding Attorney at Impact Advocates APC and 2006 graduate of the University of Michigan In this episode, Patrick discusses his company's legal work in the social impact arena, from representing clients in disputes with other social impact organizations, to establishing ethical supply chains.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Donna Harris, Founder and CEO of Builders + Backers. Ms. Harris previously established 1776 and has been part of venture capital for social impact since her graduation from Michigan Ross in 1999. In this episode, she discusses how bank loans and traditional VC organizations are being replaced by the crowd.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Bama Athreya, Deputy Assistant Administrator with the Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation at USAID. Ms. Athreya discusses how the Global South has technologically leapfrogged past the expected little steps toward automation and straight to a gig economy where AI tracks employees, for good or for bad.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Jagadeesh Sivadasan, Professor of Business Economics at Michigan Ross. Mr Sivadasan shares insights into changes labor markets where remote work and monopsony are radically changing the landscape. As remote work opens up, competition for jobs can increase in certain industries.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Andrew Wu, Assistant Professor of Technology and Operations and Finance and Faculty Co-Director of the FinTech Center at Michigan Ross. Mr Wu shares insights into radical changes in capital funding models, where apps are entering the field and nearly cutting out banks entirely. These new small business loans tend to be cheaper and more efficient than ever before.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Jenn Holk, Strategy Manager at the Monitor Institute at Deloitte and Apoorva Kanneganti (MBA ’19), Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting.--both working with social impact-focused organizations. In order to help social sector leaders confront the COVID-19 challenge, the Monitor Institute by Deloitte developed a report with tools for planning in these uncertain times.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Eric Schwartz, Co-Founder, and Ian Robinson, Managing Director of BlueConduit, an analytics startup that uses predictive modeling to find lead pipes. While working with the +Impact Studio, they discovered the perfect balance of data extraction techniques and sensitive learning from the community to build trust in their work.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Fernando Meza, Owner and CEO of Oneupweb, a digital marketing agency based in Traverse City, Michigan. Fernando discusses tech adaptations to COVID-19 and new ways of putting customers and employees first during the crisis.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Lauren Franklin, Founder and CEO of SummerJax, a creative agency. Lauren believes in the power of potential—in ideas, in companies, and in the people around her; her commitment to fostering personal development creates the supportive work environment.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Adam Smiddy, Founder and CEO of YourCheck. Adam is not only a former Green Beret and current candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives, but he works to eliminate implicit bias from background checks and reputation management in the gig economy.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Justin Woods, Founder of EQuity Social Venture. Justin encourages people to get reflective and don't be afraid of making mistakes in the process of addressing racism in the world, the community, and in businesses or organizations.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Mikey Adams-Staber, VP of Commercial Lending at Level One Bank. Embedded in the local business ecosystem, Mikey shares some of her perspectives on what organizations have been going through and ways in which they have had to innovate in order to make it through this time of Covid-19.
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Tabitha Mason, Managing Partner of Zingerman's Cornman Farms, an event venue, a culinary destination and a working farm in Dexter, MI. Tabitha is looking for ways to continue their work in light of coronavirus, and consideration for branching out into new areas, using creative thinking.