High-Impact Growth

Dimagi
High-Impact Growth

A podcast for social entrepreneurs, global development funders, nonprofit leaders and anyone grappling with the challenge of how to build solutions that are both immensely impactful and also achieve high-growth. Join Dimagi CEO and co-founder, Jonathan Jackson, along with co-host Amie Vaccaro as we unpack learnings from 20 years building digital solutions for global health and development, explore barriers to and opportunities for high-impact growth, and speak with industry leaders from around the world. Find us at: https://sites.dimagi.com/high-impact-growth-podcast

  1. JUN 13

    "The System's Burned Down. This Is Our Moment." With Nithya Ramanathan

    The old paradigms of global health are shifting. Nithya Ramanathan, Co-founder & CEO of Nexleaf Analytics, joins us to discuss navigating this new reality and rebuilding for impactful futures. As Nithya powerfully states, "the system has been burned down. this is our moment" – presenting a unique opportunity to redefine how we create impact. We explore Nexleaf's strategic pivots, from for-profit to non-profit, their decision to cannibalize their device business for greater ecosystem impact, and the critical move towards owning outcomes. This episode is a deep dive for social entrepreneurs and global health professionals on reshaping business models and driving sustainable change in a resource-constrained world.

    51 min

  2. MAY 15

    Flipping the Script on Aid: Five Talents' Journey to Participatory Impact

    In this episode, we’re joined by Rachel Lindley, Hannah Wichmann, and Samantha Muli from Five Talents to explore a bold shift in how development is done: What if communities—not donors—defined success, owned their data, and led the path forward? Five Talents supports women entrepreneurs across Eastern Africa through savings groups, but their approach goes far beyond finance. It’s a story of transformation—from traditional microcredit to a savings-led model rooted in literacy, dignity, and community ownership. Along the way, they’ve reimagined monitoring and evaluation—not as a donor checkbox, but as a participatory, empowering process that drives real learning. In this conversation, we unpack how technology, like CommCare, plays a critical role—not just in digitizing data, but in strengthening trust, visibility, and inclusion at every level. We hear about the approach and impact of one specific program addressing human wildlife conflict in the Tsavo Conservation Area of Kenya. And we reflect on the evolving aid landscape, and what the future could look like if communities were at the center, and technology served as a bridge—not a barrier—to locally led change. If you’ve ever wondered what truly participatory aid looks like in action, this is the episode for you.

    51 min

  3. APR 23

    Cash, Choice and Dignity: How GiveDirectly is Changing Aid

    In this episode, we’re joined by Stella Luk, Regional Director at GiveDirectly, and Erin Quinn, Dimagi’s Senior Director of Customer Success, to explore a fundamental question: What if, instead of aid programs deciding what communities need, we simply gave people cash and trusted them to make the best choices for themselves?GiveDirectly has pioneered direct, unconditional cash transfers to people living in extreme poverty, challenging long-held assumptions about traditional aid. Stella shares powerful insights from the field—how cash empowers recipients with dignity, choice, and long-term impact. We also discuss the skepticism surrounding cash transfers, the evidence supporting their effectiveness, and how technology is helping reach those most in need.With global development funding in flux, could direct cash transfers be the future of aid? Listen in for a thought-provoking conversation on how this model is reshaping humanitarian response and development efforts worldwide.

    41 min

  4. MAR 20

    The People and Planet Parts of Running a “Sustainable” Company

    In this episode, hosts Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro are joined by two leaders on Dimagi’s People Operations team – Emily Gutman and Molly Broderick – to delve into what it takes to run Dimagi in a way that’s sustainable for its employees and the planet.. From reimagining performance management systems to demystifying the complexities of climate neutrality, they offer an unfiltered look at the challenges of navigating sustainability in the corporate world.  Topics include: The role of frameworks in supporting sustainability  Becoming a certified Benefit Corporation How and why Dimagi became Climate Neutral certified What it means to be employee-first When and how to redesign foundational people systems The role of carbon offsets The role of AI in a company’s operations and its impact on carbon footprint

    35 min

  5. MAR 7

    The Future of Aid: Adapting to a Changing Funding Landscape

    The landscape of international aid is shifting rapidly, leaving organizations and communities facing unprecedented challenges. In this episode, hosts Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro are joined by Gillian Javetski, Managing Director of Dimagi’s Software-as-a-Service division, and Ismaïla Diene, Managing Director of Dimagi's Solutions division, to unpack the impact of massive funding cuts on global health and development efforts. What does it mean when critical aid funding disappears overnight? How are frontline organizations adapting to continue their life-saving work? And how is Dimagi stepping up to support partners in this time of uncertainty? Join us for an honest and insightful conversation about the human side of these changes, the resilience of global health partners, and the role of digital solutions in navigating this crisis. Related Resources: New Blog: Supporting Our Partners Through Change   How Dimagi is supporting partners through changes in funding : https://dimagi.com/supporting-our-partners/ Sign up to our newsletter⁠, and stay informed of Dimagi’s work We are on social media - follow us for the latest from Dimagi: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share your favorite episodes with friends.  Hosts: ⁠Jonathan Jackson⁠ and ⁠Amie Vaccaro

    34 min

  6. 12/19/2024

    Building SaaS Products for Global Health: Lessons from CommCare & SureAdhere

    In this episode, Dimagi product leaders Danny Roberts, Kai Cowger, and Matthew Hayto delve into the challenges and opportunities of building SaaS products for global health. This insightful conversation explores transitioning from donor-driven funding to a product-driven model, focusing on user needs, product sustainability, and scaling for impact. The episode highlights the complexity of aligning revenue and impact in resource-constrained settings, the importance of product marketing, and the lessons learned from scaling solutions like CommCare and SureAdhere. Tune in to discover practical strategies for creating technology that drives meaningful, lasting change in global health.

    52 min

  7. 11/27/2024

    From Extractive Data Collection to Inclusive Data Sharing: Nora Lindström on the Evolution of ICT4D

    In this episode, Nora Lindström, Senior Director of ICT4D at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Erin Quinn, Senior Director of Customer Success at Dimagi join the podcast to discuss the evolving role of the iNGO in the context of localization and advancing local leadership, the intersection of technology and localization in global development, and the ways that technologists in global development can center the people we serve in our work. In the conversation, we learn Nora’s  journey and insights into the transformative power of technology in global development. From empowering local communities with data to navigating the challenges of localization, Nora offers her thinking on balancing tech innovation with human-centered practices. Key topics: Tech as an Enabler, Not the Goal Nora emphasizes the importance of listening deeply to identify real problems before introducing technology. Successful ICT4D involves tailoring solutions to local contexts and needs. Different Approaches to Enabling Programs with Technology Erin shares the ways that iNGOs across the sector are equipping their teams with tech tools. Nora shares how it adapts its approach based on the partner and context.  Empowering Communities with Data Nota notes global development’s tendency towards extractive data collection practices and highlights her work making data useful for the people it’s about. For example, in Malawi, village committees use CRS-provided data to advocate for local changes. The Evolving Role of INGOs As localization gains momentum, CRS is evolving into a capacity-building and knowledge-sharing role, preparing local organizations to lead development initiatives independently. Building Diverse Teams Nora highlights the value of diversity within CRS’s ICT4D team, bringing together cross-disciplinary expertise to solve global challenges creatively and effectively. Show Notes: CRS Digital Development Guidebook  CRS | ICT4D Program Area

    1 hr

  8. 10/17/2024

    The Strategic Role of Data Management in Cure Violence Global’s Work

    In this episode of High-Impact Growth, hosts Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro talk with Dr. Charles Elliott, Director of Data Management at Cure Violence Global (CVG), an organization using a public health approach to prevent violence. Dr. Elliott shares insights into how CVG views violence like an epidemic, applying data-driven methods to map and reduce violence in communities around the world. Dr. Elliott articulates the value of a thoughtful data strategy using a tool like  CommCare to measure and track critical indicators such as violence interruption, behavior change, and norm change. Dr. Elliott highlights that for Cure Violence, technology is not just a tool but a long-term investment that powers program funding, staffing, and programmatic decisions. The conversation covers the challenges of quantifying the impact of violence prevention, the significance of trust-building in communities, and the role of data in driving both local and national violence prevention strategies. Dr. Elliott also touches on his personal journey from military service to data management, emphasizing the importance of creating systems that empower community workers, who often play a crucial role in violence prevention programs. Dr. Elliott shares his guidance for other organizations looking to leverage data as a strategic advantage and impact accelerant: Start with Clear Goals: Define your program with specific goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to effectively measure progress. For Cure Violence, they measure metrics like violence interruption, behavior change, and norm change. Build Relationships: Foster strong relationships with data users to understand their needs and communicate the value of the data being collected. Create User-Centric Tools: Ensure that data collection tools are easy to use and enhance, rather than hinder, workflows. For example, Cure Violence uses the CommCare application to map violence, track follow-ups, and access reports. Prioritize Data Privacy and Security: Building trust with users and stakeholders is crucial, so ensure privacy and security in data collection. Invest for the Long Term: Treat your tech platform as a long-term investment to ensure lasting impact, rather than a short-term expense. For Cure Violence, this data helps drive funding decisions and program design. Related Resources: Cure Violence Global website The Interrupters - PBS Documentary featuring Cobe Williams, CVG’s National Training Director  Interrupting Violence by Cobe Williams Sign up to our newsletter⁠, and stay informed of Dimagi’s work We are on social media - follow us for the latest from Dimagi: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share your favorite episodes with friends.  Hosts: ⁠Jonathan Jackson⁠ and ⁠Amie Vaccaro

    54 min
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About

A podcast for social entrepreneurs, global development funders, nonprofit leaders and anyone grappling with the challenge of how to build solutions that are both immensely impactful and also achieve high-growth. Join Dimagi CEO and co-founder, Jonathan Jackson, along with co-host Amie Vaccaro as we unpack learnings from 20 years building digital solutions for global health and development, explore barriers to and opportunities for high-impact growth, and speak with industry leaders from around the world. Find us at: https://sites.dimagi.com/high-impact-growth-podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Dimagi
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dimagi
  • Show Website
    High-Impact Growth

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