Don Gips, CEO Emeritus of the Skoll Foundation: Social Entrepreneurship, Systems Change, and the Rise of Systems Orchestrators

Don Gips, CEO Emeritus of the Skoll Foundation: Social Entrepreneurship, Systems Change, and the Rise of Systems Orchestrators

What does it take to change systems rather than simply address symptoms? In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji speaks with Don Gips, CEO Emeritus of the Skoll Foundation, about the evolution of social entrepreneurship and the enduring role it plays in tackling the world's most complex challenges. Drawing on a career spanning the private sector, government, diplomacy, and philanthropy, Don reflects on the Skoll Foundation's pioneering efforts to help establish social entrepreneurship as a global field. He discusses Jeff Skoll's founding vision, the creation of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford, and the growth of the Skoll World Forum into one of the world's foremost gatherings of social innovators. The conversation explores what distinguishes social entrepreneurship from traditional charitable approaches, emphasizing the pursuit of systems change through innovative models that reshape incentives, institutions, and outcomes. Don explains why successful social entrepreneurs increasingly build enduring organizations rather than relying on individual leadership, and why adaptability is essential when navigating resistance to systemic reform. A central theme is the growing importance of "systems orchestrators": trusted leaders who convene diverse stakeholders, align incentives, and enable collective action across sectors. Don argues that these often overlooked actors play a critical role in advancing large-scale social change, even when their contributions resist conventional methods of attribution and measurement. The discussion also examines philanthropy's relationship with risk, the challenges of funding systems change, and the need to move beyond linear models of impact toward collaborative approaches that recognize shared contribution. Don shares practical insights into how foundations can better support both social entrepreneurs and the broader ecosystems that enable transformational change. Reflecting on his own career, Don recounts lessons from leadership roles including U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, domestic policy advisor to Vice President Al Gore, and CEO of the Skoll Foundation.  The episode concludes with a simple but powerful principle that has shaped both the Skoll Foundation and Don's own career: bet on good people doing good things, then use your resources, relationships, and influence to help them succeed. This conversation will appeal to anyone interested in philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, systems change, impact investing, leadership, and the future of social innovation. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett: Creating the Plants of the Future Through Innovation, Science & Philanthropy

Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett joins Alberto Lidji to explore one of the world's most important—and often overlooked—scientific frontiers: plant science. As Chair of the John Innes Centre, Sir Thomas shares how this globally renowned research institute is developing the plants of the future—crops that are more nutritious, more resilient to climate change, require fewer chemical inputs, and can help feed a growing global population sustainably. The conversation examines the remarkable advances emerging from modern plant science, from vitamin D-enriched tomatoes and disease-resistant potatoes to drought-tolerant crops and breakthroughs that could transform biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, and global food security. A central theme is the distinction between precision breeding and genetic modification. Sir Thomas explains how precision breeding accelerates processes that occur naturally, enabling scientists to develop improved crop varieties far more rapidly while navigating evolving regulatory environments in the UK and Europe. The discussion also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in scientific discovery. AI, advanced data science, and international collaboration are reshaping how researchers identify valuable genetic traits, accelerate breakthroughs, and tackle some of humanity's greatest challenges. Beyond agriculture, the conversation highlights how plant science contributes to medicine, including promising research with potential applications in vaccine development, illustrating how fundamental scientific research often generates benefits far beyond its original purpose. Sir Thomas also reflects on a challenge familiar to many philanthropists: funding long-term scientific research. While scientific discoveries can take years or even decades to translate into real-world impact, he argues that some of society's greatest advances require patient, visionary philanthropy willing to invest in the future rather than immediate outcomes. This episode explores: * Why plant science is central to food security, human health, and climate resilience. * How precision breeding differs from genetic modification. * The role of AI in accelerating scientific discovery. * Why long-term philanthropic capital is essential for breakthrough science. * How scientific storytelling can inspire greater public understanding and support. A fascinating conversation at the intersection of science, sustainability, innovation, and philanthropy—offering an optimistic vision of how research today can help create a healthier future for people and the planet. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Patrick Dunne on What Makes Great Boards Work

Patrick Dunne, author of "Boards", joins host Alberto Lidji on the Do One Better Podcast for a timely conversation on how boards can become more effective, more agile and more valuable. Drawing on the third edition of his book "Boards", Patrick explores how governance is changing in a world shaped by AI, faster decision making, dynamic strategy, rising uncertainty and more complex risk. He looks at the growing role of AI in boardrooms, from summarising papers and tracking regulatory change to supporting better decisions, while also considering where human judgement remains essential. Patrick also discusses the increasing importance of subcommittees, the value of bringing domain experts and next generation voices into governance, and why advisory boards may not always be the best way to access external insight. He reflects on trustee remuneration, generational diversity and the need for boards to move beyond traditional meeting formats. A highly practical episode for board members, chairs, chief executives, trustees, philanthropists and social entrepreneurs who want to strengthen governance and make better decisions. Patrick's executive experience includes 26 years in a variety of investment and management roles with 3i Group plc where, until 2012, he was Communications Director, a member of its Operating committee and Chairman of its Operational Risk forum.  Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Rachel Kolisi on Falling Forward, Philanthropy, and the Power of the One

Rachel Kolisi returns to the Do One Better Podcast for a candid and deeply reflective conversation with host Alberto Lidji about philanthropy, resilience, and the launch of the Falling Forward Foundation in South Africa. Since her previous appearance on the podcast, Rachel’s life and work have changed significantly. Having co-founded the Kolisi Foundation and led major impact work, she now enters a new chapter focused on strengthening the broader nonprofit ecosystem, particularly grassroots organisations that are doing vital work but lack visibility, resources, and access to support. Through the Falling Forward Foundation, Rachel is not looking to reinvent the wheel. Instead, she wants to walk alongside existing organisations, amplify their work, and help solve practical barriers that can prevent life-changing services from reaching communities. She shares the example of a community kitchen in the Eastern Cape that was feeding thousands of people but could not operate properly during the rainy season because of a leaking roof. For Rachel, this kind of issue matters deeply. It may not always fit neatly into a systemic change framework, but for the people affected, it is transformational. This episode explores the emotional demands of philanthropic leadership and how, in difficult seasons, Rachel returns to the deeper purpose behind her work: serving people and creating meaningful change. Rachel speaks openly about rebuilding after personal and professional upheaval, the discipline of staying true to one’s mission, and the beauty of small acts of generosity. She highlights the potential of crowdfunding and collective giving, making the case that many small contributions can create meaningful and tangible change. The conversation also touches on South Africa’s nonprofit landscape, the need for stronger collaboration, the role of trust and transparency, and Rachel’s admiration for Melinda French Gates as a philanthropic leader who continues to resource areas that have often been overlooked. At the heart of the episode is Rachel’s reminder that impact does not always need to be measured only at systemic scale. Sometimes the most meaningful change begins with one person, one act, one relationship, and one moment of care. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

How Renewable Energy Can Support Peace in Conflict-Affected Countries. An interview with David Mozersky, President and Co-Founder of Energy Peace Partners.

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji speaks with David Mozersky, President and Co-Founder of Energy Peace Partners, about the connection between renewable energy and peacebuilding in fragile and conflict-affected countries. David explains how some of the least electrified countries in the world are also among the most affected by conflict and climate vulnerability. From South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Somalia and Chad, Energy Peace Partners works to bring renewable energy solutions to communities where electricity access can transform lives, strengthen local economies, improve health and education, enhance security, and support peace. The conversation explores how distributed renewable energy, such as solar mini grids and public lighting, can create shared benefits for communities, open up new economic opportunities, and serve as a practical peacebuilding tool. David also introduces the Peace Renewable Energy Credit, known as a PREC, an innovative financing mechanism that helps channel sustainability funding into renewable energy projects in fragile settings. David discusses the role of major corporate buyers, including Microsoft and Google, and looks at the potential of the new PREC Aggregation Facility, an $11 million initiative designed to unlock far larger investment in renewable energy projects across fragile states in Africa. He also considers the role of philanthropy, the challenges of building a new field at the intersection of peace and renewable energy, and the importance of collaboration among funders, developers, policymakers, researchers, and peacebuilding organizations. This is a thoughtful and timely conversation about how clean energy can do more than reduce emissions. It can improve lives, create new forms of cooperation, and contribute to peace and stability in some of the world’s most challenging contexts. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org [https://www.lidji.org/] for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.