EMERGE Everywhere Jennifer Tescher

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, many large companies made commitments to advance equity. Nearly four years later, those commitments have largely faded away – despite the strong link between equity and business outcomes, innovation, and long-term value creation. How can we urge corporate America to make racial and economic equity a foundational part of their businesses, so that all of us can prosper? Listen to Jennifer’s conversation with Michael McAfee, President and CEO of PolicyLink, about the pivotal role of corporations in promoting inclusion and key steps for embedding equity into business standards.

As the climate crisis deepens, it weighs most heavily on marginalized communities that are already financially fragile. How do we protect these groups from the economic impact of rising energy costs, pollution, and natural disasters as we combat climate change? Listen in as Anne Evens, CEO of Elevate, joins Jennifer to explore the climate-financial health connection and how government, financial, and nonprofit leaders can drive equity through climate action.

What’s the key to financial security today? As technology and a shifting economy reshape how we save, spend, borrow, and plan for the future, mastering the art of money management is critical for achieving financial health. Join us as Jennifer speaks with Suze Orman – personal finance expert, author, Emmy Award winner, and Co-Founder of workplace emergency savings platform SecureSave – about the critical role of savings and the most important step companies can take to support employees’ financial success today.

Financial inequity isn’t a problem unique to the U.S. – it’s a global challenge that prevents many women and their families from escaping poverty. How can we empower all women to achieve financial security? Increasing access to financial services and creating women-centered products are integral parts of the solution. Hear Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, paint a picture of the challenges facing women across the world and the unexpected solutions required to close the gender gap in financial health.

The last few years have given us a glimpse at technology’s vast potential to improve financial, physical, and mental well-being. Can it help us achieve financial health for all? Truly advancing equity through technology requires meaningfully investing in founders of color, women founders, and others who bring lived experience to tackle persistent disparities. Tune in to hear Nasir Qadree, Founder and Managing Partner of Zeal Capital Partners, share how Zeal is democratizing venture capital and what it will take to increase investment in underrepresented founders and markets.

Is artificial intelligence the key to providing personalized financial advice for all? While companies like Credit Karma are tapping into AI’s vast potential to help customers manage their money, the technology also raises weighty questions about how to use it responsibly. In this episode, Credit Karma CEO Ken Lin speaks with Jennifer about how the company has embedded AI into its solutions, the biggest opportunities and challenges right now, and what an AI-enabled future might look like.