Daniela Ancira: A journey of empowerment and change

Through her work, Daniela Ancira creates awareness for the systemic lack of support for incarcerated women, often trapping them in cycles of crime and violence driven by desperation. Inspired to advocate for systemic change, Ancira leveraged her legal expertise and connections to create pathways for societal reintegration for marginalized individuals. She co-founded La Cana, a hybrid organization combining a civil association and social enterprise, dedicated to training and employing incarcerated women and developing reintegration programs within prisons.

As the Chief Medical Officer of Bioniks, Dr. Ayesha Zulfiqar spearheads a social enterprise that revolutionizes healthcare through AI-powered, affordable, and highly functional customizable bionic limbs. Bioniks is dedicated to enhancing mobility, physical independence, and the overall quality of life for individuals with limb differences, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

Blandine Umuziranenge is the founder & CEO of Kosmotive, a social enterprise established in 2014 with the mission of improving reproductive, maternal, and child health in Rwanda and across Africa. Her personal mission, inspired by her own experiences, is to pave the way for menstrual freedom for girls and women throughout the continent.

Janepher Matini, co-founder of Kyuka Ventures, exemplifies the spirit of innovation and resilience. Raised in the slum community of Kampala, she experienced firsthand the devastating effects of poor waste management, including contracting cholera, which nearly claimed her life. This personal ordeal, coupled with inspiration drawn from advanced waste management systems in countries like Germany, propelled her on a mission to tackle Uganda’s environmental and waste crises.

Founded by Dr. Rishita Changede, TeOra is driven by a dual mission: revolutionizing aquaculture and empowering communities. Growing up in coastal India, Dr. Changede witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of crop failures on farmers, often leading to financial ruin and tragic outcomes. Her upbringing in a conservative household, where women were traditionally discouraged from pursuing careers, fueled her determination to break these barriers and forge her own path.

Lan Tao, the founder of Green Inclusive Science and Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, is an entrepreneur committed to combating climate change through innovative technological solutions. With a mission to promote carbon emission reduction, her company has developed personal digital carbon account books aimed at encouraging individuals to reduce their carbon footprint.

Teresa Njoroge’s entrepreneurial journey exemplifies resilience and a deep commitment to social justice. Her personal mission, shaped by the harrowing experience of serving a wrongful prison sentence at Langata Women Maximum Security Prison from 2009 to 2011 with her infant daughter, ignited a desire to effect meaningful change. This prompted her to establish and lead Clean Start Africa as CEO in 2015—a social enterprise committed to helping formerly incarcerated women in Kenya successfully reintegrate into society.

Dr. Edda Aradottir is the Co-Founder and CEO of Carbfix, an Icelandic company focused on significantly contributing to climate recovery through proprietary technology that permanently turns captured CO2 into stone underground. As a trained Chemical Engineer accustomed to a male-dominated industry, Aradottir is also dedicated to highlighting the critical role women play in climate action, particularly in the face of regressive trends in women’s rights globally and the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls. 

Read on for an interview with Kelly Benoit, Research Analyst, to explore her background in food systems, what she's currently working on, and her vision of food systems transformation.

Michal Nachmany’s career has been dedicated to building robust data and tools for a wide range of stakeholders, including parliamentarians, civil servants, researchers, investors, and activists. As the founder of Climate Policy Radar, Nachmany leads a mission to organize, analyze, and democratize the world’s climate law and policy data, helping to drive the transition to a low-carbon, resilient and just world. This entity builds open databases and research tools so people can discover, understand and generate data-driven insights on public laws and policies. 

Yewande Adebowale, a pioneering entrepreneur and environmental advocate, is the Co-founder and COO of Salubata. With a background in environmental law, holding both LLB and LLM degrees, Adebowale is deeply committed to leveraging innovation to tackle pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainability within the footwear industry. Her journey is marked by a blend of professional expertise, personal passion, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

In 2013, amid Greece’s severe financial crisis, Melina Taprantzi visited a “Social Grocery” to donate food supplies. What she witnessed there—a donation shortage that left only razors available for people in need—sparked a life-changing realization. This pivotal moment led to the founding of Wise Greece, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting the troubled Greek economy and ensuring no one goes to bed hungry.