How the philanthropic, private, and public sectors can work together to create an enabled environment for the social economy.
The event showcased how the movement is collectively organising for change and working together to create an enabling environment for the social economy.
Co-hosted with Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, the event focused on how the philanthropic, private and public sectors can work together to create an enabled environment for the social economy. The event brought together sector leaders who shared insights and best practices on how they are working to foster social innovation.
We heard from Dr John Mugo, RELI network member and Executive Director, Zizi Afrique Foundation, who was joined by Joyce Malombe, Program Director, Wellspring Philanthropy, Dr Wamuyu Mahinda, Managing Partner and Convener, Collaborative Value Partners – Africa, and Alexandra van der Ploeg, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, SAP. The panel, moderated by Dr François Bonnici, shared insights on the importance of funders, governments and corporates working together to provide an enabling environment for the social economy and building the future together, to accelerate progress on attaining the SDGs.
You can learn more about Catalyst 2030 enabling environment work and an explanation why this is such a key strategic area for us to advance here.
Creating an enabled environment for the social economy
Audio Recording of Webinar
Dr. François Bonnici
Head of Social Innovation at the World Economic Forum and Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
Dr Bonnici is a public health physician, university professor, social change practitioner, foundation leader and author of a new book, The Systems Work of Social Change. He was the former Founding Director of the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, the first academic centre dedicated to social innovation in Africa, where he still serves as Adjunct Associate Professor.
Dr. John Mugo
RELI network member and Executive Director Zizi Afrique Foundation.
John is the Executive Director of the Zizi Afrique Foundation, and lead of the RELI Network country hub for Kenya. John is also Principal Investigator of the Assessment of Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE), a 5-year RELI program developing and conducting contextualised SEL assessments in the region, through a collaborative approach of more than 20 RELI member organisations across East Africa. He is a teacher, seasoned researcher and policy advisor with a credible record of scholarship. He has a passion for systems change and inclusion in education and his voice resounds among the many leaders in the global education reform movement.
The RELI network is a member driven initiative working to ensure inclusive learning for all children in East Africa, comprising 70+ East African organisations. The network brings together a diverse, energetic and impactful group of members from across East Africa.
Alexandra van der Ploeg
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, SAP
Alexandra is responsible for setting the strategic direction of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focused on bringing to life SAP’s higher purpose through strategic partnerships and programmes that deliver sustainable social impact and long-term business value. In this function, she also oversees corporate giving, volunteerism and the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships. Alexandra started with SAP Switzerland in charge of management development and held various managerial positions in Human Resources. Moving into the CSR organisation in 2010, Alexandra developed and managed various global CSR programmes. Alexandra is also Co-Chair of the Conference Board’s Corporate Citizenship Council in Europe and is part of the Leadership Council of the Realised Worth Institute. She holds an MBA from Henley Business School in Great Britain.
Dr. Joyce Malombe
Program Director for International Children’s Education at the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
Prior to joining Wellspring in January 2012, Joyce worked as a consultant for several organisations and held numerous positions including Program Officer for Education at ELMA Philanthropies where she started and led programming in nine Southern Africa Countries. Joyce has served on several nonprofit boards in different capacities.
Dr. Wamuyu Mahinda
Managing Partner and Convener, Collaborative Value Partners – Africa and Chairperson, Catalyst 2030 Kenya Chapter.
Wamuyu holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from United States International University. In her doctoral studies, Wamuyu researched team leadership and its influence on collaboration within Ashoka fellow organisations in 19 African countries. The study examined what interactions and actions embedded in team actions within organisations contribute to collective value. Wamuyu is currently the Chairperson, Catalyst 2030 Kenya Chapter and is a member of the Systems Learning Working Group.
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