Podcast Archives

February 9, 2023February 9, 2023

PODCAST: From the Lab: Innovations for the Green Energy Transition

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.

October 11, 2022October 11, 2022

PODCAST: Legal Services for Social Impact Disputes and ESG Requirements

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.

August 8, 2022

New Venture Capital: Crowdfunding, Crowd Loans, and Crowd Grants

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.

June 9, 2022June 9, 2022

PODCAST: AI and the Gig Economy in the Global South

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.

May 11, 2022June 9, 2022

PODCAST: Labor – Effects of Remote Work and Monopsony

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.

March 30, 2022June 9, 2022

PODCAST: Capital – New Ways to Finance Your Business

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.

February 19, 2021June 9, 2022

PODCAST: Social Sector Tools – Futurist Thinking for Uncertain Times

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.

January 15, 2021June 9, 2022

PODCAST: More than Data – Getting the Lead out with Trust, Transparency, and Empowerment

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.

December 9, 2020June 9, 2022

PODCAST: Responding to Employee and Customer Needs During a Pandemic

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.

November 20, 2020June 9, 2022

PODCAST: Sharing Makes Us Stronger

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.