Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

Helen Mountford, President and CEO of the ClimateWorks Foundation, provides a clear and structured overview of the current state of climate philanthropy and its role in supporting decarbonization, resilience, and systemic climate solutions. ClimateWorks, founded in 2008, was established to improve coordination among climate funders and to identify high-impact interventions that can be supported at scale. Since its inception, the organization has granted over $2 billion to partners in more than 50 countries. Mountford explains how philanthropic funding is well-positioned to play a catalytic role in advancing climate solutions, despite its relatively small scale compared to public and private capital. Philanthropy’s comparative advantage lies in its ability to take calculated risks, support early-stage innovation, and invest in enabling conditions—such as policy research, technical capacity, and coalition building—that other sectors may overlook. She gives examples ranging from industrial decarbonization (such as the development of LC3 cement) to the role of philanthropic incentives in accelerating energy-efficient air conditioning technologies. The discussion explores how the cost of renewable energy has now undercut that of fossil fuels in many regions, even when paired with battery storage. This shift has made the economic case for clean energy more compelling, though political and regulatory obstacles remain. Mountford notes that while some jurisdictions are experiencing pushback—through efforts to weaken ESG standards or reduce transparency—broader market and investment trends still favor climate-aligned strategies. A recurring theme in the conversation is the growing convergence between climate and other sectors, such as public health, agriculture, and education. Many foundations that did not historically identify as climate funders are now incorporating climate dimensions into their work. Conversely, climate-focused funders increasingly recognize the importance of aligning with local development goals. Mountford points to the rise of collaborative initiatives aimed at climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in areas that overlap with development priorities. On strategy, she emphasizes the importance of data and coordination. ClimateWorks helps funders co-develop shared approaches based on emissions profiles, political context, and evidence of what is feasible. This includes identifying areas where philanthropic investment can help unlock larger flows of capital or policy change. A systematic, portfolio-level approach helps reduce duplication and increases the likelihood of durable outcomes. Mountford also discusses the challenges of data collection in the philanthropic sector, particularly with respect to individual giving and the measurement of adaptation-related investments. ClimateWorks continues to invest in improving data transparency and encourages others to do the same, as shared information strengthens the entire ecosystem. The episode concludes with a reflection on the role of accurate, credible information in sustaining climate progress. Mountford cautions against the influence of misinformation, which can lead to apathy or misdirected skepticism, and reiterates that while challenges persist, there is substantial forward movement that deserves attention. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Fabio Segura, Co-CEO of the Jacobs Foundation, offers a deep dive into the foundation’s bold and evidence-driven approach to improving learning outcomes in low- and high-resource environments alike. At the heart of the discussion is a new $120 million co-funding initiative in Ghana—an ambitious, multi-stakeholder collaboration bringing together the country’s Ministry of Education, the World Bank, the Global Partnership for Education, and an expanding consortium of private sector actors. What emerges is a compelling framework for what true impact entails. Success is no longer measured solely by the number of schools built or children enrolled, but by the cultivation of resilient education systems that are capable of continuous learning, self-correction, and scale. This means embedding a “culture of rigor” while retaining the humility to revise assumptions as conditions change. Segura is candid about the complexities of building trust across sectors—philanthropy, government, business, and academia—each of which brings different priorities and expectations to the table. He highlights the importance of clearly defined success metrics, transparent governance structures, and a willingness among partners to surrender individual control for the sake of shared objectives. Notably, he underscores how corporate partners are being asked to expand their lens beyond traditional CSR and consider educational reform as a long-term investment in system-wide human capital development. Ultimately, Segura offers a persuasive argument for rethinking philanthropic and developmental practice. In a world where challenges outpace resources, the path forward is not to pursue impact in silos, but to build shared, data-informed architectures for change—anchored in realism, yet animated by the conviction that systems can evolve. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Philippa Charles, Director of the DFN Charitable Foundation, leads a conversation on the Foundation’s strategic philanthropic approach and its distinctive commitment to long-term, systems-level impact. With a background in leading one of the UK’s major family foundations and now at the helm of DFN, she offers a compelling look at how deeply personal motivations can shape focused and effective grantmaking. The DFN Foundation operates across four thematic pillars: disability education, disability employment, myeloma cancer research, and conservation. These areas are not only strategic but are also rooted in the lived experiences and values of the Foundation’s founding family. This grounding translates into a uniquely empathetic and effective model of philanthropy—one that combines substantial funding with strategic oversight and deep engagement with delivery partners. The episode explores how DFN supports systemic change in disability inclusion. Philippa discusses the success of Undershaw, a school for students with special educational needs that recently received an “Outstanding” rating from Ofsted, and the DFN Project SEARCH initiative, which has helped more than 3,000 young people with disabilities secure meaningful employment across over 200 corporate and public sector partners. These stories illustrate DFN’s commitment not just to education and training but to shifting the broader landscape of opportunity for disabled individuals. A similarly strategic approach underpins the Foundation’s investment in myeloma research. Through the Jacquelin Forbes Nixon Fellowship, DFN has supported a clinical trial at the Institute of Cancer Research that is producing transformative outcomes. Over 75% of participants remain in remission—a significant improvement over standard care—and the research now points toward wider clinical application and deeper exploration into treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. DFN’s work extends beyond the UK, particularly in conservation. In Kenya, the Foundation supports the Pangolin Project, an initiative preserving 5,000 hectares of biodiverse forest and protecting the world’s most trafficked and critically endangered mammal. The project embodies the Foundation’s ability to balance localized impact with global relevance, and its philosophy of acting where there is both clear need and the opportunity for catalytic intervention. Throughout the discussion, Philippa reflects on the leadership demands of running a multifaceted family foundation. She shares how she is structuring her first year in the role by focusing on governance, partnerships, operational strategy, and long-term vision. Her insights offer a valuable roadmap for those leading or advising mission-driven organizations, especially those navigating the complexities of family philanthropy. The conversation concludes with a discussion of collaboration across the sector and the importance of peer networks among foundations. Philippa also speaks passionately about the transformative power of volunteering, not only as a form of civic engagement but as a professional and personal development tool. For those interested in strategic philanthropy, disability inclusion, evidence-based research funding, and conservation efforts with measurable impact, this episode provides a thoughtful and informative exploration of how one foundation is driving change across sectors—anchored in personal values, executed with professional discipline, and amplified through strategic partnerships. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

In this compelling episode, Vishal Sunil, Co-Founder and CTO of Rocket Learning, offers a nuanced and forward-looking perspective on the intersection of artificial intelligence and early childhood education in India. Rocket Learning, a social impact organization working with over 3.2 million students across 10 Indian states, is radically transforming how foundational learning is delivered to underserved communities. The organization’s vision is to ensure that every child, particularly those aged 0 to 6, reaches their full potential by empowering both caregivers and early childhood educators through scalable, tech-enabled interventions. Central to Rocket Learning’s success is its deep integration with India’s vast public daycare infrastructure, the anganwadi system. These centers, which serve a majority of the country’s early learners, were historically under-resourced and underutilized for educational purposes. Rocket Learning is spearheading efforts to convert anganwadi workers into effective early childhood educators, a mission now backed at the national level through initiatives such as “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” — a government campaign that integrates nutrition with learning and is supported by a significant financial commitment. What sets Rocket Learning apart is its product philosophy: pragmatic, accessible, and deeply embedded in community. Rather than building flashy new platforms, the organization leverages ubiquitous tools like WhatsApp to facilitate parent-child and teacher-child engagement. Their pedagogy prioritizes social reinforcement by fostering community-based learning environments, where shared participation amplifies motivation and adoption. By rejecting highly individualized and gamified approaches in favor of communal learning, they offer an alternative paradigm rooted in behavioral science and cultural context. The discussion takes a particularly insightful turn as Sunil introduces Appu, Rocket Learning’s new voice-based, AI-powered tutor developed in collaboration with Google.org. Appu is not merely a chatbot, but a human-centric educational interface designed to engage children in two-minute voice conversations tailored to their learning level, interests, and local context. The system is engineered with a guardrail framework — ensuring safety, consistency, and pedagogical alignment — while still offering dynamic, personalized experiences. This form of “guided discovery” allows children to learn through everyday interactions, and it encourages parents to participate actively in the process, thereby reinforcing learning through familial bonding. Multilingualism, minimal screen time, and culturally responsive design are at the core of Appu’s development. The tool is already operational in several Indian languages and can be quickly adapted to new linguistic and regional contexts, with the ambition of one day serving learners globally. Importantly, Rocket Learning is not just interested in innovation for its own sake. As Sunil notes, the organization is committed to rigorous evidence-building. Their forthcoming randomized controlled trial, conducted in partnership with J-PAL, will offer critical insights into the impact of AI tutors on early childhood learning outcomes — potentially shaping global policy and philanthropy in this domain. Sunil’s personal journey, from a data scientist in the United States to a purpose-driven social entrepreneur in India, is emblematic of a new generation of technologists who view scale not just as a metric, but as a moral imperative. His reflections are deeply grounded in the lived experiences of Rocket Learning’s users — parents who sacrifice convenience for their child’s future, and educators who evolve from caretakers to catalysts of cognitive development. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

This conversation offers an illuminating view into the intersection of entrepreneurship, climate innovation, and ecosystem-building, as seen through the partnership between SparkCharge and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). Josh Aviv, Founder and CEO of SparkCharge, and Matt Petersen, President and CEO of LACI, detail the transformative impact of incubator support on the successful deployment of cleantech solutions—particularly in addressing the critical infrastructure gap in electric vehicle (EV) charging. SparkCharge has emerged as a category-defining company in mobile EV charging. Its innovation lies in offering modular, off-grid battery systems capable of delivering fast, flexible charging to electric vehicle fleets without requiring permanent infrastructure. This is particularly significant in a landscape where the traditional rollout of fixed EV charging stations can take years. By contrast, SparkCharge can bring fleet operations online within days. The technology is not only scalable and cost-effective but addresses a central barrier to EV adoption in underserved or infrastructure-poor locations. Central to SparkCharge’s success is its long-standing relationship with LACI. Matt Petersen outlines LACI’s mission to build an inclusive green economy by supporting early-stage climate-focused ventures through incubation, access to capital, and workforce training. SparkCharge’s trajectory through LACI exemplifies this support in action. From winning the California Climate Cup in 2019 to refining investor pitches, connecting with early customers, and leveraging non-dilutive funding and working capital, SparkCharge benefited from a full-spectrum, hands-on approach to scaling. LACI’s model demonstrates how climate incubation can go beyond office space and mentoring. Their wraparound support includes executive coaching, pilot funding, capital stack innovation through debt and equity funds, and workforce integration. Notably, SparkCharge leveraged LACI’s microloan program—created to fill a critical gap in startup financing—alongside its ecosystem of commercial partners and regulators, including influential environmental agencies and private investors who visited the LACI campus to see SparkCharge’s technology in action. Aviv articulates the entrepreneurial journey with candor, underscoring the emotional endurance, strategic clarity, and spiritual conviction required to lead a startup addressing systemic challenges. He emphasizes that being an entrepreneur demands both resilience and vision, particularly when pioneering novel business models that must educate the market as much as serve it. Petersen complements this by advocating for a broader understanding of entrepreneurship—not just for founders, but also for civic and social actors he calls “citizen entrepreneurs.” He urges others to find opportunities in their own communities to champion sustainability, reinforcing the importance of localized, mission-driven leadership at every level. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.