The Impact Agenda

S6E8: Defending Justice for All with Jodi Linker, Federal Public Defender for Northern California

In this episode, we sit down with Jodi Linker, the first woman to lead the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California—one of the most storied defender offices in the country. With nearly two decades of experience and a team of over 70 attorneys, Jodi represents people who can’t afford legal counsel in federal court, taking on cases that span drug offenses, immigration, fraud, firearms, and more. She shares how her office navigates the unique challenges of San Francisco, a city grappling with homelessness, inequality, and shifting political winds. We explore the ethics of defense work, what it means to lead with integrity in a high-pressure system, and the limits—and possibilities—of individual advocacy within a deeply flawed structure. Jodi reflects on moments with clients that have reshaped her understanding of justice, and speaks candidly about the future of federal public defense, structural reform, and what it truly means to give back. Whether you're in the legal field or just curious about the intersection of justice, leadership, and impact, this episode offers a powerful look at what it means to fight for fairness when the odds are stacked.

S6E7: Building, Exiting Startups & Reimagining Tech with Akshaya Dinesh, Serial Entrepreneur & Investor

In this episode, we’re joined by Akshaya Dinesh, a self-taught engineer, Thiel Fellow, and two-time exited founder now exploring AI as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Bain Capital Ventures. After dropping out of Stanford, Akshaya went on to found Nova, a Gen Z professional network, and Spellbound, a no-code platform for interactive email experiences—both of which were successfully acquired. She shares the inflection points that shaped her journey, from coding through 45+ hackathons to teaching over 600 girls through Girls Make Apps. We dive into her current obsession with consumer health, her work on a new companion app for women with PCOS, and what excites her most about the intersection of healthcare and AI. Akshaya also reflects on her experience as a scout and angel investor, how young founders should evaluate fellowships and accelerators, and why being in San Francisco still fuels her creativity. Whether you’re just starting out or already building, this episode offers an energizing look into what it means to create with intention—and keep evolving with curiosity.

S6E6: Teaching Tech Ethics in an Age of AI with Steven Kelts, Princeton Lecturer & Ethics Advisor

In this episode, we’re joined by Steven Kelts, a lecturer at Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs and the Department of Computer Science, where he leads the university’s groundbreaking “Integrated Ethics” program. With a background that spans academia, nonprofit leadership, and tech industry advising, Steven’s work focuses on preparing the next generation of technologists to anticipate the real-world impact of their innovations—and to lead with responsibility and care. We explore the origins of his popular Tech Ethics course, the development of his Agile Ethics framework, and why grounding all students—not just those in STEM—in ethical thinking is more urgent than ever. Steven shares insights on the most pressing dilemmas in AI and emerging technologies, the policy shifts needed to keep pace with innovation, and why students themselves give him hope. Whether you're a technologist, policymaker, or simply tech-curious, this is a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring conversation on how we can shape a more ethical future for technology—and for ourselves.

S6E5: Investing in the Future of Learning with Jessica Millstone, Founder of Copper Wire Ventures

In this episode, we’re joined by Jessica Millstone, a leading expert in educational technology and founder of Copper Wire Ventures, an early-stage fund investing in women-led tech companies shaping the future of learning and work. With over 20 years of experience building edtech products at BrainPOP, Sesame Workshop, and Common Sense Media—as well as years in the classroom—Jessica shares how her background as both an educator and product strategist uniquely informs her investment lens today. We dive into what it means to support mission-driven founders at the pre-seed stage, how Jessica navigates the balance between impact and financial return, and why edtech remains one of the trickiest markets to break into—especially for parents and schools. She offers insights on emerging trends in digital literacy, online safety, and AI in education, and reflects on the founder stories that have most inspired her since launching Copper Wire. If you're curious about the future of learning, building in edtech, or investing in women-led ventures, this episode is packed with thoughtful takeaways.

S6E4: From Public Policy to ESG in Venture Capital with Jaclyn Seow, Senior Advisor at Openspace Ventures

In this episode, we’re joined by Jaclyn Seow, Senior Advisor and former Executive Director and Head of ESG at Openspace Ventures, a leading Southeast Asian VC firm with over US$800M in committed capital. Before moving into venture capital, Jaclyn spent over a decade in Singapore’s public sector, shaping national policy across the Ministries of Law, Health, and Foreign Affairs. She shares insights from representing Singapore at the United Nations and reflects on the power—and limitations—of policymaking within a high-efficiency government system. We explore Jaclyn’s pivot to venture capital, where she led Openspace’s industry-recognized ESG practice and portfolio operations team. She discusses what it means to pursue a more responsible form of capitalism in Asia, how to balance profit with purpose, and the cultural and market forces that uniquely shape ESG across the region. With experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Jaclyn offers a rare, systems-level view of what it takes to drive sustainable impact—and why collaboration across sectors is key to building an inclusive future.