A panel discussion titled “Impact After VU: Alumni Leading the Way in Social Impact and Entrepreneurship” is planned for Friday, Oct. 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Wond’ry, Room 300.
The event will explore the experiences of Vanderbilt alumni working in social impact and social entrepreneurship careers. Moderator Meribah Knight, producer of the Nashville Public Radio podcast The Promise, about Nashville residents living in public housing in the midst of the city’s growth and transformation, will guide the panelists in a conversation about what motivated them to take the plunge into a purpose-driven career and how they got their feet in the door.
The panelists will share insights into how they have overcome the inherent challenges and opportunities of achieving meaningful social and/or environmental impact. They’ll also discuss the role they see business playing in addressing social and environmental challenges and forging more just, equitable and inclusive communities and supply chains. Lastly, the panelists will talk about their approaches for aligning a professional career with a social or environmental mission and offer advice to audience members who may be trying to figure out how to do it for themselves.
The panelists include:
- Anthony “Mo” Hasan, Class of 2020, Second Spoon, founder and CEO
- Caroline Goggin, Class of 2009, UpCause PR, founder and CEO
- Kristin Jarrett, Class of 2010, Booz Allen Hamilton, community engagement and social impact strategist
- Rachel Taplinger, Class of 2014, Nike, director of strategy for sustainable sourcing and manufacturing