The Impact Agenda

Evelyn Howe and Elise Kratzer
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

In the 21st century, there’s no limit to what social good can look like. Join Princeton students Evey Howe and Elise Kratzer as they talk to trailblazers, creators, leaders and team players to redefine and expand the boundaries of a “social impact” careers beyond the traditional definitions and dispel the myths that you can’t create a successful or profitable career that focuses on and incorporates social impact. Follow us as we initiate, integrate, and inspire service in our lives and others, together!

  1. 5d ago

    S7E3: From Roche CFO to Reinventing Leadership & Education with Kaye Vitug, Co-CEO of Unlocking Eve

    In this episode, we’re joined by Kaye Vitug, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Unlocking Eve and former SVP and CFO of Roche Diagnostics. A mathematician by training, Kaye spent 20 years at Roche across the US, UK, South Korea, and Switzerland, ultimately leading a 350-person team. She now serves on several boards, including the Lumina Foundation and its $1.5B endowment focused on expanding education beyond high school. We dive into her story of navigating a male-dominated industry, why she stayed two decades and how she decided to leave, and the “Integrated Leadership” model behind Unlocking Eve, which has been presented at the World Economic Forum and the United Nations. We also explore the future of education, rising college costs, and what AI means for tomorrow’s workforce. Whether you’re curious about leadership, passionate about healthcare and education, or wondering how to build a career with impact, this episode offers an inside look at Kaye’s leadership at the intersection of finance, healthcare, and education.

    S7E3: From Roche CFO to Reinventing Leadership & Education with Kaye Vitug, Co-CEO of Unlocking Eve

  2. Oct 7

    S7E2: Building Luminary & Redefining Women's Professional Networking with Cate Luzio, Founder and CEO of Luminary

    In this episode, we're joined by Cate Luzio, Founder and CEO of Luminary, a global professional development and high-touch networking platform dedicated to uplifting and upskilling women and allies throughout their careers. Before launching Luminary in 2018, Cate spent 15 years in senior leadership roles in financial services, most recently as Global Head of Multinational Corporate Banking at HSBC and previously as a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan.  We dive into how Cate leads a team of 25 and has grown Luminary through partnerships with major companies and through acquisitions, including The Cru in 2023 and HeyMama, a membership-based community of entrepreneurial and working moms. Cate walks us through everything the platform offers, from 20+ events a month to peer coaching, how she built credibility to land corporate partnerships, and how she keeps a global community feeling local and supportive. We also explore the story behind the Glass Ceiling Rooftop, how she measures the return on community, and where she sees Luminary heading in the next five years. Whether you're an early-career listener navigating a traditional industry like finance or tech, curious about building a community-driven business, or wondering how to find the right network for your career stage, this episode offers an inside look at a standout woman building the future of professional networking.

  3. Sep 30

    S7E1: Disrupting Cybercrime & Tracking Top Hacking Groups with May Chen-Contino and Allison Nixon, CEO and Chief Research Officer of Unit 221B

    In this episode, we're joined by May Chen-Contino, CEO, and Allison Nixon, Chief Research Officer, of Unit 221B, a women-led threat disruption company delivering actionable intelligence and cybersecurity solutions to enterprises, law enforcement, and government agencies. May has spent her career in cybersecurity and tech at Fortune 500 and VC-backed companies including eBay, PayPal, and Forter. Allison is a renowned investigator known for her original research on DDoS attribution, cybercrime attribution, and criminal communities. Together, they lead a team of ~30 that works with the top 10 banks, more than 50 of the Fortune 500, the DoD, and federal law enforcement. We dive into how Unit 221B grew from a boutique, services-only firm into a startup-style team with its own technology. May and Allison walk us through how they solve cybercrimes from start to finish, including the case of ShinyHunters. We also explore the profiles of the criminals behind these attacks and how many of the same actors target young women.  Whether you're curious about cybersecurity, passionate about tech for social good, or wondering how today's biggest hacks actually get solved, this episode offers an inside look at the standout women fighting cybercrime.

    S7E1: Disrupting Cybercrime & Tracking Top Hacking Groups with May Chen-Contino and Allison Nixon, CEO and Chief Research Officer of Unit 221B

  4. 12/03/2025

    S6E8: Defending Justice for All with Jodi Linker, Federal Public Defender for Northern California

    In this episode, we sit down with Jodi Linker, the first woman to lead the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California—one of the most storied defender offices in the country. With nearly two decades of experience and a team of over 70 attorneys, Jodi represents people who can’t afford legal counsel in federal court, taking on cases that span drug offenses, immigration, fraud, firearms, and more. She shares how her office navigates the unique challenges of San Francisco, a city grappling with homelessness, inequality, and shifting political winds. We explore the ethics of defense work, what it means to lead with integrity in a high-pressure system, and the limits—and possibilities—of individual advocacy within a deeply flawed structure. Jodi reflects on moments with clients that have reshaped her understanding of justice, and speaks candidly about the future of federal public defense, structural reform, and what it truly means to give back. Whether you're in the legal field or just curious about the intersection of justice, leadership, and impact, this episode offers a powerful look at what it means to fight for fairness when the odds are stacked.

    S6E8: Defending Justice for All with Jodi Linker, Federal Public Defender for Northern California

  5. 11/26/2025

    S6E7: Building, Exiting Startups & Reimagining Tech with Akshaya Dinesh, Serial Entrepreneur & Investor

    In this episode, we’re joined by Akshaya Dinesh, a self-taught engineer, Thiel Fellow, and two-time exited founder now exploring AI as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Bain Capital Ventures. After dropping out of Stanford, Akshaya went on to found Nova, a Gen Z professional network, and Spellbound, a no-code platform for interactive email experiences—both of which were successfully acquired. She shares the inflection points that shaped her journey, from coding through 45+ hackathons to teaching over 600 girls through Girls Make Apps. We dive into her current obsession with consumer health, her work on a new companion app for women with PCOS, and what excites her most about the intersection of healthcare and AI. Akshaya also reflects on her experience as a scout and angel investor, how young founders should evaluate fellowships and accelerators, and why being in San Francisco still fuels her creativity. Whether you’re just starting out or already building, this episode offers an energizing look into what it means to create with intention—and keep evolving with curiosity.

    S6E7: Building, Exiting Startups & Reimagining Tech with Akshaya Dinesh, Serial Entrepreneur & Investor

  6. 11/19/2025

    S6E6: Teaching Tech Ethics in an Age of AI with Steven Kelts, Princeton Lecturer & Ethics Advisor

    In this episode, we’re joined by Steven Kelts, a lecturer at Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs and the Department of Computer Science, where he leads the university’s groundbreaking “Integrated Ethics” program. With a background that spans academia, nonprofit leadership, and tech industry advising, Steven’s work focuses on preparing the next generation of technologists to anticipate the real-world impact of their innovations—and to lead with responsibility and care. We explore the origins of his popular Tech Ethics course, the development of his Agile Ethics framework, and why grounding all students—not just those in STEM—in ethical thinking is more urgent than ever. Steven shares insights on the most pressing dilemmas in AI and emerging technologies, the policy shifts needed to keep pace with innovation, and why students themselves give him hope. Whether you're a technologist, policymaker, or simply tech-curious, this is a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring conversation on how we can shape a more ethical future for technology—and for ourselves.

    S6E6: Teaching Tech Ethics in an Age of AI with Steven Kelts, Princeton Lecturer & Ethics Advisor

  7. 11/12/2025

    S6E5: Investing in the Future of Learning with Jessica Millstone, Founder of Copper Wire Ventures

    In this episode, we’re joined by Jessica Millstone, a leading expert in educational technology and founder of Copper Wire Ventures, an early-stage fund investing in women-led tech companies shaping the future of learning and work. With over 20 years of experience building edtech products at BrainPOP, Sesame Workshop, and Common Sense Media—as well as years in the classroom—Jessica shares how her background as both an educator and product strategist uniquely informs her investment lens today. We dive into what it means to support mission-driven founders at the pre-seed stage, how Jessica navigates the balance between impact and financial return, and why edtech remains one of the trickiest markets to break into—especially for parents and schools. She offers insights on emerging trends in digital literacy, online safety, and AI in education, and reflects on the founder stories that have most inspired her since launching Copper Wire. If you're curious about the future of learning, building in edtech, or investing in women-led ventures, this episode is packed with thoughtful takeaways.

    S6E5: Investing in the Future of Learning with Jessica Millstone, Founder of Copper Wire Ventures

  8. 11/05/2025

    S6E4: From Public Policy to ESG in Venture Capital with Jaclyn Seow, Senior Advisor at Openspace Ventures

    In this episode, we’re joined by Jaclyn Seow, Senior Advisor and former Executive Director and Head of ESG at Openspace Ventures, a leading Southeast Asian VC firm with over US$800M in committed capital. Before moving into venture capital, Jaclyn spent over a decade in Singapore’s public sector, shaping national policy across the Ministries of Law, Health, and Foreign Affairs. She shares insights from representing Singapore at the United Nations and reflects on the power—and limitations—of policymaking within a high-efficiency government system. We explore Jaclyn’s pivot to venture capital, where she led Openspace’s industry-recognized ESG practice and portfolio operations team. She discusses what it means to pursue a more responsible form of capitalism in Asia, how to balance profit with purpose, and the cultural and market forces that uniquely shape ESG across the region. With experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Jaclyn offers a rare, systems-level view of what it takes to drive sustainable impact—and why collaboration across sectors is key to building an inclusive future.

    S6E4: From Public Policy to ESG in Venture Capital with Jaclyn Seow, Senior Advisor at Openspace Ventures
See All (57)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

In the 21st century, there’s no limit to what social good can look like. Join Princeton students Evey Howe and Elise Kratzer as they talk to trailblazers, creators, leaders and team players to redefine and expand the boundaries of a “social impact” careers beyond the traditional definitions and dispel the myths that you can’t create a successful or profitable career that focuses on and incorporates social impact. Follow us as we initiate, integrate, and inspire service in our lives and others, together!

Information

  • Creator
    Evelyn Howe and Elise Kratzer
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Evelyn Howe and Elise Kratzer
  • Show Website
    The Impact Agenda