Solve Challenge Finals 2020
Virtual Pitch EventSolve Challenge Finals 2020
Virtual Solve Challenge Finals is the premier social impact pitch event. During this event, finalists in our 2020 Global Challenges presented their solutions to 400+ leaders from the global Solve community.
The most promising 35 finalists were selected to form the 2020 Solver Class, accessing more than 2 million in prize funding and joining the Solve community to build partnerships with cross-sector organizations—including Members such as Nike, Capital One, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"During the event, we met new partners to collaborate with, from Education Ministers wishing to deploy AI technology in their schools, to investors and contacts in harder to reach communities."
—Priya Lakhani, Founder and CEO of Solver Century Tech
What you can expect:
Short, engaging pitches from diverse innovators will expose you to the most promising tech-based solutions to global challenges—with over $2 million in prize funding to help selected Solver teams scale.
Interactive, issues-focused workshops and breakout sessions with cross-sector leaders will help inspire your personal and organizational social impact goals.
Intentional networking opportunities to connect with Solve Members will shed light on how they are addressing the “new normal” during the Covid-19 crisis
Not yet a Member?
If you're interested in attending this premier social impact event—and joining the Solve community to partner with innovators who are solving Global Challenges—find out how you can become a Member of Solve.
Looking for ways to make your virtual events more engaging? Check out Solve’s tips to host an engaging virtual event.
Join us to kick off the day with opening remarks, a Solver story of impact, and a fireside chat between Yetneberesh Nigussie, global disability rights activist, and Alex Amouyel, Executive Director of MIT Solve, on how we can use this moment to build a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Session Speakers
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Alex Amouyel
Yetneberesh Nigussie
From the Main Stage, you will hear one minute pitches by the 15 finalist solutions for the Good Jobs & Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Maternal & Newborn Health Challenges. Join for inspiration and to hear the latest trends.
Session Speakers
Ruchit Nagar
Conor Smith
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Razin Mustafiz
Alia Rasoully
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Marvin Tumbo
Dewan Ahmad Fawzul Kabir Choudhury
Meghan McCormick
Emilian Popa
Abdulwaheed Alayande
Sebastian Groh
Iva Gumnishka
Eyitayo Ogunmola
Tomas Uribe
Sahar Jamal
Antonio Nuno
Debbie Teodorescu
Hanae Bezad
Albina Poljak
Lauren Payne
Charles Onu
Prosper Ahimbisibwe
Jemimah Muthoni Kariuki
RUTH MWAURA
Chidi Okpala
Soheil Ghiasi
Luisa Bonin
Ratul Narain
Jon Lexa
Carrie Murchison
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Digital and entrepreneurial skills for all.
Session Speakers
Conor Smith
Meghan McCormick
Sebastian Groh
Tomas Uribe
Nicolas Serrano
Anna Tunkel
Laura Gaviria Halaby
James Danahy
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Services for micro and small businesses.
Session Speakers
Philip Gaskin
Angela Jackson
Philip Reuchlin
Razin Mustafiz
Iva Gumnishka
Hanae Bezad
Chidi Okpala
Luisa Bonin
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Better jobs, job matching, and income generation pathways.
Session Speakers
Marvin Tumbo
Eyitayo Ogunmola
Antonio Nuno
Jon Lexa
Carrie Murchison
Gwyneth Gaul
Bilha Ndirangu
Megan McCarthy
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Diagnostics and services for pregnant women.
Session Speakers
Emilian Popa
Abdulwaheed Alayande
Prosper Ahimbisibwe
Jemimah Muthoni Kariuki
Soheil Ghiasi
Kevin Przybocki
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Oren Oz
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Newborn-centered care.
Session Speakers
Ruchit Nagar
David Sarley
Dewan Ahmad Fawzul Kabir Choudhury
Sahar Jamal
Charles Onu
Ratul Narain
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Renuka Gadde
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Gynecological, mental, and primary healthcare for women.
Session Speakers
Alia Rasoully
Debbie Teodorescu
Albina Poljak
Lauren Payne
RUTH MWAURA
Joia Crear Perry
Ako Egbe Manna Eneke
Toyin Ojora Saraki
From the Main Stage, you will hear one minute pitches by the 15 finalist solutions for the Learning for Girls & Women and Sustainable Food Systems Challenges. Join for inspiration and to hear the latest trends.
Session Speakers
Linda Kamau
Erin Fitzgerald
Tariq Fancy
Joy Wojiambo
Ady Beitler
Farshid Pahlevani
Geeta Mehta (Reviewer Account)
Rudayna Abdo
DEBORAH DE MARI
Mark Lim
Azellia Alma Shafira
Tracy Kimathi
Martha Lidia Oxi Chuy
Saar Safra
Cecilia Blasco
Sandhya Sriram
Natalja Rodionova
Celina Lee
Lalit Gautam
Sucheta Baliga
Alexia Akbay
Monika Katkute
Oyindamola Adesina
Pamir Yanık
Yehuda Elram
Talash Huijbers
Ashu Sikri
Ray Nathan
Carmen Nibigira
Maharshi Vaishnav
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Enrollment and accreditation.
Session Speakers
Anjali Sastry
June Sugiyama
Lucy Lake OBE
Linda Kamau
Geeta Mehta (Reviewer Account)
Oyindamola Adesina
Carmen Nibigira
Maharshi Vaishnav
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Connectivity and digital access.
Session Speakers
Erin Fitzgerald
Tariq Fancy
Rudayna Abdo
Martha Lidia Oxi Chuy
Sucheta Baliga
Geoff Davis
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Rania Khalaf
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Shanti Jagannathan
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Platforms for learning and mentorship.
Session Speakers
Joy Wojiambo
DEBORAH DE MARI
Natalja Rodionova
Celina Lee
Monika Katkute
Regina Honu
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Adam Simpson
Cleopatra Kambugu
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Healthy and low-waste diets.
Session Speakers
Hari Balasubramanian
Ady Beitler
Mark Lim
Cecilia Blasco
Pamir Yanık
Ray Nathan
Rajashekar (Raj) Seelam
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Efficient and equitable agriculture.
Session Speakers
Farshid Pahlevani
Saar Safra
Talash Huijbers
Ashu Sikri
Lalit Gautam
Amos Winter
Ismahane Elouafi
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Low-impact protein.
Session Speakers
Azellia Alma Shafira
Tracy Kimathi
Sandhya Sriram
Alexia Akbay
Yehuda Elram
Benedetto Marelli
Bruno Brasil
From the Main Stage, you will hear one minute pitches by the 15 finalist solutions for the Health Security & Pandemics Challenge and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship. Join for inspiration and to hear the latest trends.
Session Speakers
Michael Lenihan
Bryan Deans
Aditya Sharma
Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz
Keolu Fox
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Bramuel Mwalo
Tobi Nagel
Tsitsi Sifiyali
Amani Salim
Eva Burk
Satish Cherukumalli
Richelle Thomas
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Derrick J. Slick
Chelsey Luger
Matthew Wilson
Elizabeth Rule
Chase Comes At Night
Benjamin Richard Wang
Valter Cumbi
Jacob Scott
Mariah Gladstone
Michael Running Wolf
Tiana Henderson
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Kimberly Robertson
Austin Serio
Alexandra Grigore
Sheila Kioko
Patipat Susumpow
Ndiko Mwaura
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Disease detection, mapping, and recovery.
Session Speakers
Marijke Wijnroks
Michael Lenihan
Amani Salim
Satish Cherukumalli
Patipat Susumpow
Aditya Sharma
Douglas Hansen-Luke
Julius O. Akinyemi
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Clinical supply chain and healthcare worker tools and protection
Session Speakers
Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz
Bramuel Mwalo
Benjamin Richard Wang
Jacob Scott
Sheila Kioko
Melissa Menke
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Suzanne Miller
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: vaccines, research, and patient services.
Session Speakers
Jonathan Jackson
Tobi Nagel
Tsitsi Sifiyali
Valter Cumbi
Alexandra Grigore
Ndiko Mwaura
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Narges Baniasadi
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Tools for Indigenous learning.
Session Speakers
Megan Smith
Keolu Fox
Elizabeth Rule
Michael Running Wolf
Tiana Henderson
Jacob Moore
Krisha Zane
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Food, water, and a sustainable future.
Session Speakers
Bryan Deans
Eva Burk
Derrick J. Slick
Matthew Wilson
Mariah Gladstone
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Larry Susskind
Dive deeper into key themes and solutions with Challenge Judges & Finalists working on: Indigenous wellness.
Session Speakers
Richelle Thomas
Chelsey Luger
Kimberly Robertson
Austin Serio
Susan Alzner
Dana Comes At Night
From the main stage, a powerful presentation from Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff on addressing the racism behind police violence. Plus a preview of Solve's 2021 Global Challenge working themes, which you will have a chance to help shape later today.
Join Solve Members for a facilitated discussion around Solve’s 2021 Economic Prosperity working theme. We’ll get to know others in the Solve community working in this space, share examples of what’s effective and what’s needed, and build the start of a year-long Challenge coalition.
Solve believes that everybody should have a place at the problem-solving table, including (and especially) young people. If we want to build a more inclusive, equal, and sustainable tomorrow, we must inspire, guide, and support the next generation to become problem-solvers and social innovators today. To that end, Solve will bring together young people under 24 years old, as well as education providers and other cross-sector leaders and organizations, to design, launch, and run a global Youth program. This session is a facilitated community discussion to start building this program.
Session Speakers
Carrie Morgridge
Bruna Braga
Saachi Dalal
Learn how to use old tools, in new ways to better finance and cutting-edge impact innovators, and scale solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.
Session Speakers
Geoff Davis
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Casey van der Stricht
Renée Vassilos
Join Solve Members for a facilitated discussion around Solve’s 2021 Learning working theme. We’ll get to know others in the Solve community working in this space, share examples of what’s effective and what’s needed, and build the start of a year-long Challenge coalition.
Join Solve Members for a facilitated discussion around Solve’s 2021 Health working theme. We’ll get to know others in the Solve community working in this space, share examples of what’s effective and what’s needed, and build the start of a year-long Challenge coalition.
Join Solve Members for a facilitated discussion around Solve’s 2021 Sustainability working theme. We’ll get to know others in the Solve community working in this space, share examples of what’s effective and what’s needed, and build the start of a year-long Challenge coalition.
Join Solve Members for a facilitated discussion around Solve’s 2021 US Interior working theme. We’ll get to know others in the Solve community working in this space, share examples of what’s effective and needed, and build the start of a year-long Challenge coalition.
Witness the exciting reveal of our 2020 Solver teams, the announcement of more than $2 million in prize funding, and an inspiring program of speakers and musical performances, including:
- A fireside chat between Sal Khan, Founder & CEO of Khan Academy, and Anya Kamenetz, NPR Education Correspondent, on the future of learning and social entrepreneurship
- A future-forward discussion on the remote workforce with Harry Moseley, Global Chief Information Officer of Zoom, and Solver Jessica Hubley, Co-Founder and CEO of Annie Cannons
- A panel on leveraging technology to promote inclusion and economic mobility with Lady Mariéme Jamme, founder of iamtheCODE, and Dalila Wilson-Scott, SVP, Community Impact, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation
- A presentation from Phillip Atiba Goff, Co-Founder and CEO of the Center for Policing Equity, on how data science can help measure bias in policing and combat racist systems
- Plus exclusive musical performances by artist, drummer, and gender liberation activist Madame Gandhi.
Featured Speakers
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Phillip Atiba Goff
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Madame Gandhi
Harry D. Moseley
Sal Khan
Dalila Wilson-Scott
Session Speakers
Alex Amouyel
Sanjay Sarma
June Sugiyama
Carlos Moedas
Joseph Deitch
Philip Reuchlin
James Danahy
Douglas Hansen-Luke
Jessica Hubley
Elizabeth McGovern
Nassar Al Mubarak
Julie Doleman
Mariéme Jamme
Anya Kamenetz
Nicole Sirivansanti
Featured Speakers
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women
Phillip Atiba Goff
Co-Founder and CEO
Madame Gandhi
Artist, Activist
Harry D. Moseley
Global Chief Information Officer
Sal Khan
Founder and CEO
Dalila Wilson-Scott
Senior Vice President of Community Impact, Comcast CorporationSpeakers
Alex Amouyel
Executive Director
Yetneberesh Nigussie
Senior Manager for Global Action on Disability (GLAD)
Ruchit Nagar
CEO
Conor Smith
Founder
Razin Mustafiz
CEO
Alia Rasoully
President, Founder
Marvin Tumbo
Co-Founder & C.E.O
Dewan Ahmad Fawzul Kabir Choudhury
Founder
Meghan McCormick
Co-Founder & CEO
Emilian Popa
Abdulwaheed Alayande
Co-founder and Product Lead
Sebastian Groh
CEO
Iva Gumnishka
CEO
Eyitayo Ogunmola
CEO
Tomas Uribe
Co-founder and CEO
Sahar Jamal
CEO & Founder
Antonio Nuno
Co-founder & CEO
Debbie Teodorescu
Founder
Hanae Bezad
CEO / Founder
Albina Poljak
Director Business Development
Lauren Payne
Student
Charles Onu
AI Research Lead
Prosper Ahimbisibwe
Clinical Lead
Jemimah Muthoni Kariuki
Founder
RUTH MWAURA
CEO
Chidi Okpala
CEO
Soheil Ghiasi
Co-Founder and CTO
Luisa Bonin
Co-founder of Tamo JuntoRatul Narain
Founder and Chairman
Jon Lexa
Director of Operations
Carrie Murchison
Returned Citizen Advocate
Conor Smith
Founder
Meghan McCormick
Co-Founder & CEO
Sebastian Groh
CEO
Tomas Uribe
Co-founder and CEO
Nicolas Serrano
CEO
Anna Tunkel
SVP, Head of Strategic Initiatives & Global Partnerships
Laura Gaviria Halaby
Head of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
James Danahy
President, Global Hardware Components and Subsystems
Philip Gaskin
Vice President of Entrepreneurship
Angela Jackson
Chief Ecosystem Investment Officer
Philip Reuchlin
Director of Programs & Strategy
Razin Mustafiz
CEO
Iva Gumnishka
CEO
Hanae Bezad
CEO / Founder
Chidi Okpala
CEO
Luisa Bonin
Co-founder of Tamo Junto
Marvin Tumbo
Co-Founder & C.E.O
Eyitayo Ogunmola
CEO
Antonio Nuno
Co-founder & CEO
Jon Lexa
Director of Operations
Carrie Murchison
Returned Citizen Advocate
Gwyneth Gaul
Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships & Community Impact
Bilha Ndirangu
CEO
Megan McCarthy
Strategic Partnership Manager
Emilian Popa
Abdulwaheed Alayande
Co-founder and Product Lead
Prosper Ahimbisibwe
Clinical Lead
Jemimah Muthoni Kariuki
Founder
Soheil Ghiasi
Co-Founder and CTOKevin Przybocki
Oren Oz
Founder & CEO
Ruchit Nagar
CEO
David Sarley
Senior Program Officer, Global Delivery Programs
Dewan Ahmad Fawzul Kabir Choudhury
Founder
Sahar Jamal
CEO & Founder
Charles Onu
AI Research LeadRatul Narain
Founder and Chairman
Renuka Gadde
Vice President, Global Health
Alia Rasoully
President, Founder
Debbie Teodorescu
Founder
Albina Poljak
Director Business Development
Lauren Payne
Student
RUTH MWAURA
CEO
Joia Crear Perry
President & Founder
Ako Egbe Manna Eneke
Medical Director, SRH Expert, and Psychosocial Counsellor
Toyin Ojora Saraki
Founder & President
Linda Kamau
Co-founder & COO
Erin Fitzgerald
Cofounder & Country Director
Tariq Fancy
Founder
Joy Wojiambo
Ady Beitler
CEO
Farshid Pahlevani
CEO
Geeta Mehta (Reviewer Account)
Co-founder/President
Rudayna Abdo
Founder
DEBORAH DE MARI
CEO and Founder
Mark Lim
Corporate Strategist
Azellia Alma Shafira
CEO
Tracy Kimathi
Founder
Martha Lidia Oxi Chuy
MAIA Co- Executive Director - External Relationship
Saar Safra
CEO
Cecilia Blasco
Executive Director
Sandhya Sriram
CEO
Natalja Rodionova
Founder
Celina Lee
CEO
Lalit Gautam
Founder
Sucheta Baliga
Founder and CEO
Alexia Akbay
CEO
Monika Katkute
Oyindamola Adesina
COO
Pamir Yanık
Project Manager
Yehuda Elram
CEO & Co-Founder
Talash Huijbers
CEO and Founder
Ashu Sikri
Product Strategy
Ray Nathan
CEO
Carmen Nibigira
Davis College Rwanda Board Member
Maharshi Vaishnav
Chief of Staff
Anjali Sastry
Senior Lecturer, System Dynamics
June Sugiyama
Director
Lucy Lake OBE
Chief Executive Officer
Linda Kamau
Co-founder & COO
Geeta Mehta (Reviewer Account)
Co-founder/President
Oyindamola Adesina
COO
Carmen Nibigira
Davis College Rwanda Board Member
Maharshi Vaishnav
Chief of Staff
Erin Fitzgerald
Cofounder & Country Director
Tariq Fancy
Founder
Rudayna Abdo
Founder
Martha Lidia Oxi Chuy
MAIA Co- Executive Director - External Relationship
Sucheta Baliga
Founder and CEO
Geoff Davis
CEO & Managing Partner
Rania Khalaf
Chief Information and Data Officer
Shanti Jagannathan
Principal Education Specialist
Joy Wojiambo
DEBORAH DE MARI
CEO and Founder
Natalja Rodionova
Founder
Celina Lee
CEO
Monika Katkute
Regina Honu
CEO
Adam Simpson
Special Advisor, Policy Programme & Intergovernmental Division
Cleopatra Kambugu
Director of Programmes
Hari Balasubramanian
Managing Director
Ady Beitler
CEO
Mark Lim
Corporate Strategist
Cecilia Blasco
Executive Director
Pamir Yanık
Project Manager
Ray Nathan
CEO
Rajashekar (Raj) Seelam
Founder & Managing Director
Farshid Pahlevani
CEO
Saar Safra
CEO
Talash Huijbers
CEO and Founder
Ashu Sikri
Product StrategyLalit Gautam
Amos Winter
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Ismahane Elouafi
Director General
Azellia Alma Shafira
CEO
Tracy Kimathi
Founder
Sandhya Sriram
CEO
Alexia Akbay
CEO
Yehuda Elram
CEO & Co-Founder
Benedetto Marelli
Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Bruno Brasil
Head of Secretariat for Research & Development
Michael Lenihan
Founder + CEO
Bryan Deans
Executive Director
Aditya Sharma
Founder-Director
Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz
Research Investigator
Keolu Fox
Assistant Professor
Bramuel Mwalo
Founder and CEO
Tobi Nagel
Founder & President
Tsitsi Sifiyali
Chief Executive Officer
Amani Salim
Academician & Technopreneur
Eva Burk
Graduate Research Assistant
Satish Cherukumalli
Co-Founder & CEO
Richelle Thomas
PhD Student
Derrick J. Slick
Graduate Student
Chelsey Luger
Editor
Matthew Wilson
Food Sovereignty Director
Elizabeth Rule
Assistant Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies
Chase Comes At Night
Benjamin Richard Wang
Chief Medical Officer
Valter Cumbi
Executive Director
Jacob Scott
Physician Scientist
Mariah Gladstone
Founder
Michael Running Wolf
Founder
Tiana Henderson
CEO
Kimberly Robertson
Project Director
Austin Serio
CEO
Alexandra Grigore
Chief Product Officer
Sheila Kioko
Digital Health Partnerships Manager
Patipat Susumpow
Managing Director
Ndiko Mwaura
Member Success Manager
Marijke Wijnroks
Chief of Staff
Michael Lenihan
Founder + CEO
Amani Salim
Academician & Technopreneur
Satish Cherukumalli
Co-Founder & CEO
Patipat Susumpow
Managing DirectorAditya Sharma
Douglas Hansen-Luke
Executive Chairman
Julius O. Akinyemi
Founder/CEO of UWINCorp and The Mobile Commodity Exchange
Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz
Research Investigator
Bramuel Mwalo
Founder and CEO
Benjamin Richard Wang
Chief Medical Officer
Jacob Scott
Physician Scientist
Sheila Kioko
Digital Health Partnerships Manager
Melissa Menke
Founder
Suzanne Miller
Chief Medical Officer
Jonathan Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Tobi Nagel
Founder & President
Tsitsi Sifiyali
Chief Executive Officer
Valter Cumbi
Executive Director
Alexandra Grigore
Chief Product Officer
Ndiko Mwaura
Member Success Manager
Narges Baniasadi
Health Technology Entrepreneur and Investor
Alex Amouyel
Executive Director
Sanjay Sarma
Vice President for Open Learning
June Sugiyama
Director
Carlos Moedas
Trustee
Joseph Deitch
Founder
Philip Reuchlin
Director of Programs & Strategy
James Danahy
President, Global Hardware Components and Subsystems
Douglas Hansen-Luke
Executive Chairman
Jessica Hubley
Founder & CEO
Elizabeth McGovern
TrusteeNassar Al Mubarak
Director, Office of Strategic Affairs
Julie Doleman
Managing Director, Global Expansion
Mariéme Jamme
Founder
Anya Kamenetz
Education Correspondent
Nicole Sirivansanti
Program Officer
Megan Smith
CEO and Founder
Keolu Fox
Assistant Professor
Elizabeth Rule
Assistant Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies
Michael Running Wolf
Founder
Tiana Henderson
CEO
Jacob Moore
Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations, Office of Government & Community Engagement
Krisha Zane
Bryan Deans
Executive Director
Eva Burk
Graduate Research Assistant
Derrick J. Slick
Graduate Student
Matthew Wilson
Food Sovereignty Director
Mariah Gladstone
Founder
Larry Susskind
MIT Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning
Richelle Thomas
PhD Student
Chelsey Luger
Editor
Kimberly Robertson
Project Director
Austin Serio
CEO
Susan Alzner
Co-founder
Dana Comes At Night
President
Carrie Morgridge
Vice President and Chief Disruptor
Bruna Braga
Head of Partnerships
Saachi Dalal
Strategy and Research Lead
Geoff Davis
CEO & Managing Partner
Casey van der Stricht
Principal, Solve Innovation Future
