The Impact Equation

What if financial barriers in underserved markets didn’t stand in the way of higher education. That’s the bold idea Batya Blankers and her team a Chancen International are scaling across Africa. From Cape Town to Kigali, they’re rewriting the rules of education finance; giving underserved young people the chance to study now and succeed later, with repayments linked to a fair share of future income. Batya’s journey is extraordinary. An MBA grad from the African Leadership University, with roots in tech and nonprofit leadership in South Africa and Germany. She’s building not just a financing model, but a movement for dignity, and economic growth. This conversation stayed with us because it’s not just about money. It’s about opportunity, ownership, and unlocking Africa’s potential. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest is Haroon Yasin. By 18, Haroon was already running schools in Islamabad’s slums. What began as a one-room refuge for street children has grown into Taleemabad; a groundbreaking ed-tech company reaching over 10 million children across Pakistan. Taleemabad has digitised and localised the national curriculum, turning it into engaging lessons on TV, tablets, and mobile apps, even designing entire days around how kids really learn. Recognised by Malala Yousafzai and even the late Queen Elizabeth, he’s now scaling systems, not just solutions. This one’s about purpose, scale, and redefining what education can be, especially in the age of AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode we're joined by Christopher Hook, Global Head of Sustainability Strategy at Uber. Chris joined Uber in 2019 to launch its first ever sustainability initiative, the London Clean Air Plan, and now leads sustainability across 70 countries, pushing for nothing less than fully sustainable car journeys and restaurant orders. From building impactful partnerships to helping drivers and restaurants lower their carbon footprint, Chris has become a driving force (literally) behind Uber’s sustainability shift. In this episode we explore; what it means to lead sustainability at global scale, the bold bets Uber is making for the future, how corporate sustainability can go beyond targets to deliver real impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this wash up episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our most recent 7 guests. We've had some incredible conversations, these are some of our highlights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Ian Shapiro, a true force in international development and CEO of Reall, an NGO revolutionising affordable housing across Africa and Asia.Ian’s work at Reall isn’t just about buildings; it’s about dignity, jobs, clean water, sanitation, and long-term sustainability for millions of people. Before Reall, Ian’s impact spanned continents: He ran a youth organisation in Nepal, he shaped UK development programmes in India, he led DFID’s global strategy for private investment, and, he managed a £1 billion development fund. From government halls to grassroots partnerships, Ian’s seen what it really takes to drive lasting change. We talk: Why housing is the backbone of development and the power of public-private partnerships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode's guest on The Impact Equation is a powerhouse: Dame Dr Helen Stephenson. As the former Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, Helen oversaw 169,000+ charities. She's held top roles across government; from shaping early years policy to championing civil society and innovation at the highest levels.She’s also brought her magic to the National Lottery Community Fund, the Royal Academy of Dance, and somehow found time to earn a PhD in Philosophy too.Helen was awarded a CBE in 2014 and made a Dame in the 2024 Birthday Honours for a career dedicated to purpose, public service, and doing things that matter.Thoughtful, bold, and full of wisdom. Listen in as we dive into leadership, legacy, and what’s next for civil society.#TheImpactEquation #PodcastDrop #Leadership #CharitySector #SocialImpact #WomenInPublicLife #NewEpisode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Dan Garrett, Chief Growth Officer at Dignity Group, which recently acquired Farewill, the company Dan co-founded back in 2015 with a bold mission: to change the way the world deals with death. Under Dan’s leadership, Farewill became an award-winning provider of wills, probate, and funerals - raising over £1.1 billion in pledged legacy income for more than 1,000 charities across the UK. Now, through a powerful partnership with Dignity, Dan is scaling that vision further, transforming an industry that touches us all. In this episode, we explore how to tackle complex, deeply human problems with design-led thinking, why legacy matters more than we think, and what it takes to change society’s relationship with death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Dr. Nick Laing, co-founder of OneDay Health, on a mission to solve one of the world’s most overlooked crises: 100 million people lack access to quality healthcare. Nick and his team are changing that, one clinic at a time. With just $4,000 OneDay Health can launch a sustainable primary health centre in sub-Saharan Africa. Each clinic serves 4,000 to 8,000 people, offering comprehensive, high-quality care where none existed before. Using smart AI to identify healthcare black holes, they place clinics where they’re needed most. Over 315,000 patients have been treated including 154,000 malaria cases, with 80% of clinics self-sustaining through $1–$2 fees paid by local communities. In this episode we discuss building systems in the toughest conditions, scaling smart, lean healthcare models and what real public health impact looks like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Richa Gupta, an educator-turned-social entrepreneur transforming education for vulnerable children. As Co-Founder & CEO of Labhya, Richa is leading a movement that impacts 2.4 million+ children in India through social-emotional learning programs. Richa's work has earned her Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, a spot as one of 17 global UN SDG leaders, and a seat on the UNICEF India board. She’s even caught the attention of Selena Gomez, who recently celebrated Labhya’s work!In this episode, we dive into how Richa is reshaping education at scale, the power of social-emotional learning and what it takes to drive real, systemic change. With thanks to our friends at 100x Impact Accelerator who have partnered with us on this special series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Brett Wigdortz, co-founder and CEO of Tiney, a fast-growing startup transforming childcare. Before that, Brett spent 15 years building Teach First into the UK’s largest graduate recruiter, reshaping education nationwide and earning Brett an OBE for services to education. Brett has also played a key role in expanding Teach For All globally and served as Chair of National Citizenship Service (NCS Trust), the UK’s biggest youth engagement programme. With deep experience in scaling businesses, raising funds, and leading mission-driven organisations, it was a privilege to speak to Brett about all his experiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.