Impact Snapshot
December 2023 and January 2024
In this Impact Snapshot, read about EHF Fellows in action creating economic, environmental and social impact, plus recent recognitions and awards they’ve received during December 2023 and January 2024.
Fellows in action 🎬
Hazel Heal, NZ Fellow and co-founder of Global Health New Zealand, is working to improve global health outcomes.
Hazel recently visited Niue, which is on track to become the first in the world to eliminate viral hepatitis from its population. She was accompanied by Fellows Kaye Maree Dunn and Hunter Weeks who are filming the project, which has been entirely funded by Fellow donations.
Hazel is part of the Cure a Country project, providing medication and medical advice to combat hepatitis in Niue. Confirmation of Niue's achievement as the first country in the world to eliminate hepatitis is expected in April (recognised by the World Health Organisation), providing hope for meeting global targets to reduce hepatitis infections by 2030.
Through grassroots philanthropy, efficient models, and optimism for regional progress, Hazel’s efforts are setting a precedent for accelerating global health initiatives.
Tristan Harris, international entrepreneur, and president and co-founder of the Centre for Humane Technology, has been announced as a winner of the 2023 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize.
Tristan was awarded “for his advocacy efforts to align disruptive technology with humanity’s best interests.”
The prize annually honours outstanding leaders who are addressing 21st-century challenges innovatively, with global impact rooted in universal values.
The award is recognition of Tristan’s ongoing advocacy for a comprehensive shift toward humane technology that operates for the common good.
Boyd Multerer, founder and CEO of Kry10 Industries, based in Wellington, is attracting significant investment and attention, which is helping to position Aotearoa NZ as a hub for cutting-edge cybersecurity innovation.
Boyd's Wellington start-up has secured NZ $6 million in funding, and is poised to revolutionise cybersecurity for connected devices. The potential impact spans industries such as automotive and renewable energy, signalling significant transformative opportunities for New Zealand.
Fellow Lovina McMurchy, as Kry10's Chief Operating Officer, orchestrated the successful fundraising efforts and helped forge the key partnerships.
With strategic backing from Folklore, Rotomā, and intelligence agencies such as In-Q-Tel, Boyd’s mission to safeguard the increasing number of internet-connected devices, highlights Aotearoa NZ as a basecamp for global tech innovation.
Aya Miyaguchi, an international Fellow and the executive director of the Ethereum Foundation, is committed to using blockchain to positively change people’s lives.
Aya personally donated to The Wellbeing Protocol, an NZ-based not-for-profit organisation building a technology-based infrastructure that empowers and supports community self-determination. Her contribution enabled the launch of The Rātā Rangatahi Fund, offering rangatahi (youth) opportunities to be immersed in local food production, climate healing, and community development.
Aya’s commitment to Web3 innovation to empower youth in Aotearoa NZ highlights the transformative power of blockchain and decentralised solutions to drive positive social change.
Siddharth Sthalekar is the founder of Neighbourhoods, a Web3 project for social co-ordination at scale.
Sidd recently announced that Neighbourhoods is set to contribute to a major climate initiative in Sri Lanka's Knuckles Mountain Region.
The Green Climate Fund-backed project aims to enhance climate resilience for 1.2 million people, particularly subsistence farmers, facing water shortages. The initiative involves utilising Neighbourhoods' framework for habitat restoration, ecosystem resilience, and data sharing among stakeholders, with potential applications in other pilot communities focused on climate change adaptation efforts.
Sidd's involvement in this initiative signifies a powerful intersection of technology, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship, demonstrating a tangible and lasting impact on the regions involved.
Leyla Seyidzade is a Women in STEM advocate, and the Head of Exploration for the United Nations Development Programme Accelerator Labs in Azerbaijan.
Leyla was included in the WOMEN IN TECH®- Global Movement powHer list of the 100 best Speakers of 2023; a list that celebrates the innovation of women in the tech world who have shared their knowledge, inspired, empowered, and left an indelible mark on the global tech community.
Leyla's inclusion in this list highlights her impactful contributions to the field of technology. It also emphasises her role as a thought leader and advocate, dedicated to addressing global challenges, like climate change and gender inequality, while inspiring positive change within the tech industry.
Aaron McDonald is an NZ entrepreneur creating more equality in the digital economy through decentralisation, and the co-founder of Futureverse.
Aaron recently announced Futureverse’s new partnership with the creators of Ready Player One and Warner Bros. Discovery to exclusively bring the Ready Player One franchise to the metaverse across Web3.
Futureverse’s technology stack has been in development for over five years, with plans to use it to pioneer the metaverse market, which has the potential to reach US $13 trillion in value by 2030, according to a recent report from Citi.
Aaron and Futureverse continue to make a significant impact in the digital economy, bridging the gap between entertainment, technology, and the metaverse, all from Aotearoa NZ.
Brukty Tigabu, co-founder of Whiz Kids Workshop, is at the forefront of advocating for community-led development and empowerment.
Brukty recently shared her experience as a prime partner with USAID at their Localisation Learning Forum. Through her work, Brukty has showcased the capability of innovative local organisations in driving tangible results, exemplified by the success of Whiz Kids Workshop.
Emphasising the power of direct partnerships in building trust and capacity for sustainable development, Brukty is challenging common myths about the capabilities of local organisations, and highlighting the unmatched potential for impact when communities lead the way.
Mohan Nair, international entrepreneur and Innovator-in-residence at MOVAC capital, was interviewed by GDS about the impact of AI on innovation.
In the interview, Mohan challenges the belief that only a select few are innovators, asserting that AI can empower everyone to innovate. He says that AI serves as a tool to uplift, and cites the role that AI has played in the healthcare industry to address burnout and gaps in patient care, but also emphasises the irreplaceable compassion of skilled professionals.
Mohan’s thought leadership about seeing AI and human innovation as partners encourages celebrating both roles in the digital age. He is also encouraging industry professionals to engage in conversations around AI to accelerate outcomes.
Dipanwita Das, technology entrepreneur and CEO & co-founder of Sorcero, has been named in The Washington Business Journal’s prestigious ‘40 under 40 list’.
Dipanwita is revolutionising healthcare by leveraging AI to empower life sciences with comprehensive medical data and insights. This is to ensure smarter, informed decisions for doctors and patients, to improve the quality of patient care, while addressing the critical issue of inefficiency in healthcare systems.
Her inclusion in the list recognises Dipanwita’s role in driving innovation, her leadership in revolutionising healthcare through AI and her influence in shaping the future of the industry.
Jeff Schlichting and Tim Derrick, co-founders of Helios Energy, an Auckland-based utility-scale solar and BESS developer, are contributing positively to the future of Aotearoa NZ's energy industry.
In this article, Jeff details Helios’ plans to contribute to NZ's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 through large-scale solar projects, guided by core values such as tiaki (safeguarding), whakarawe (providing), and hononga (connecting).
Through Helios, Jeff and Tim are aiming to democratise the energy market, and promote sustainability, education, and training within local communities.
Michelle Sharp, CEO of UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand, is on a mission to create a more inclusive society.
Michelle gave the opening keynote at the United Nations Women Aotearoa New Zealand Women Leaders Summit, attended by 200 wāhine (women) over 2 days in December.
With topics spanning inclusivity, integrity, and the power of purpose, Michelle’s keynote not only broadened the conversation on diversity but emphasised the importance of collective action to make positive and meaningful change.
Tatyana Mikayilova is an international entrepreneur disrupting education and empowering women entrepreneurs in Eastern Europe.
At the SHE Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tatyana was interviewed by CBCTV, where she spoke about the importance of women's leadership, and the vital need for balanced decision-making and diverse perspectives, for a more equitable world.
Through her vocal advocacy on these matters, Tatyana is actively contributing to positive societal change and the realisation of a more equitable world.
Two Manu Tukutuku Fellows, Thabiso Mashaba and Sasha Lockley, are attracting media coverage for their impactful social ventures.
Thabiso, an international entrepreneur living in Aotearoa NZ, is successfully implementing the Slash for Cash initiative in Tolaga Bay. Through the community education programme, he has trained 45 locals, offering employment opportunities and skills development. The initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also fosters community engagement, motivation, and economic activity. Thabiso aims to create jobs with environmental benefits, turning the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle into a community-driven opportunity for positive change.
Sasha, founder of Money Sweetspot, challenges responsible lending practices in the financial sector. With $10 million from Bank of New Zealand's social good finance programme, Money Sweetspot focuses on providing responsible debt consolidation loans. Despite facing challenges in the lending market, Sasha aims to demonstrate that socially conscious lending can be profitable and beneficial in helping individuals achieve financial stability.
*Images have been provided by Fellows or sourced from the Internet. EHF does not claim to own the images.