Podcast appearances and mentions of Kevin Starr

What does it take for an organization focused on impact to drive meaningful, large-scale change? In this compelling episode, Kevin Starr, CEO of the Mulago Foundation, shares his deep expertise in scaling solutions to address some of the world's most pressing problems.Kevin introduces Mulago's distinctive approach to scaling, including their “Doer and Payer at Scale” framework, and discusses the rigorous standards they use to identify ideas with the potential for transformative impact. He emphasizes the vital role of a clear, focused mission in avoiding the common risk of “mission drift.”Through real-world examples—such as the evolution of community health workers in Mali—Kevin illustrates how deliberate partnerships, data-driven strategies, and an unwavering focus on outcomes can help organizations turn ambitious visions into lasting impact. He also challenges funders to play a stronger role, advocating for greater accountability and alignment with measurable goals. This episode is essential for anyone passionate about driving social change, offering practical insights into how to scale promising ideas into global solutions.Since 1993, Kevin has been at the helm of the Mulago Foundation, supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs committed to achieving maximum impact in the world's poorest communities. In 2003, he launched the Rainer Arnhold Fellows Program to apply Mulago's principles and tools, helping social entrepreneurs transform great ideas into sustainable solutions at scale. In 2016, he expanded this vision with the Henry Arnhold Fellows Program, focusing on environmental challenges.

What does it take for an impact-first organization to achieve meaningful, large-scale change? In this insightful episode, Kevin Starr, director of the Mulago Foundation, shares decades of expertise on scaling solutions that address the world's toughest challenges. Kevin explains Mulago's distinctive approach to scaling… their “Doer and Payer at Scale” framework, and their rigorous criteria for assessing ideas with transformative potential. He also delves into the critical importance of a clear, focused mission to avoid the common pitfalls of “mission drift.” Drawing on real-world examples—such as the transformation of community health workers in Mali—Kevin illustrates how thoughtful partnerships, evidence-based strategies, and a relentless focus on outcomes can enable organizations to turn their vision into sustained impact. He also challenges funders to step up, emphasizing the need for greater accountability and alignment with measurable results. This episode is essential listening for anyone passionate about social change, offering practical guidance on how to transform promising ideas into global-scale solutions.Kevin is the founder of the Mulago Foundation, which funds early stage social entrepreneurs devoted to maximum impact at scale in developing countries. Kevin set up the Reiner Arnhold Fellows Program in 2003 to apply Mulago's principles and tools to help social entrepreneurs turn good ideas into lasting change at scale– and in 2016, the Henry Arnhold Fellows Program to add a focus on environmental solutions.  Kevin was the primary instigator of Big Bang Philanthropy, a group of funders that work together to direct more money to those best at fighting poverty. This is an edited version of an interview from the Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs podcast.  

Join in this exceedingly rare conversation with Dr. Mark Renneker, a distinguished figure in the realm of big wave surfing hailing from San Francisco. With a surfing tenure spanning nearly six decades, Dr. Renneker has secured his legacy as both a surfing pioneer and a medical doctor at the University of California, San Francisco.Renowned for his notable achievements, including being the first to surf the treacherous Potato Patch outside the Golden Gate Bridge, and amongst the first to lead expeditions to surf in remote locations such as the Arctic, Antarctic, Iceland, Norway, Greenland, and Alaska, 'Doc' Renneker joins us to share insights into his extraordinary life.In this episode, we meticulously explore the facets that have contributed to Dr. Renneker's enduring success, addressing aspects such as life balance, dietary practices, training regimens, and the nuanced risk-taking inherent in tackling some of the world's most formidable waves.Acknowledgments are extended to Josh Wiese and Kevin Starr for their role in facilitating Dr. Renneker's participation in this episode. To our esteemed audience, if you find enjoyed the show, share with a friend. References:Playing Doc's Games. The eponymous New Yorker article by William Finnegan that made me a lifelong fan of Mark RennekerSurf Encyclopedia Bio of Mark Some classic surf videos of Mark Direct Lab. Where Mark gets his bloodwork done ▶️ YouTube

Rare privilege of meeting with Dr Kevin Starr, accomplished rock climber, big wave surfer and social enterprise CEO. Growing up in San Diego, Kevin fell in love with both the mountains and the ocean, started hiking and climbing around California, and went on to accomplish daring alpine ascents in the Karakorams, Peru and beyond. Moving to San Francisco, Kevin found a good mentor and also started learning how to tackle big waves like the Mavericks outside Half Moon Bay. Along the way he left a perfectly good medical career to grow the Mulago foundation that helps global social entrepreneurs design for impact at scale. Listen in for how Kevin juggles a career as the CEO of Mulago, along with continuing to excel in the outdoors, all while keeping his mind and body in great shape.  (And did I just invent the term 'jugglery')▶️ YouTube

When historian and California state librarian Kevin Starr passed away in 2017, he left behind a legacy of historiography and storytelling that was unrivaled, including his mammoth California Dream series. Former Governor Jerry Brown said that Starr "chronicled the history of California as no one else. He captured the spirit of our state and brought to life the characters and personalities that made the California story. His vision, like California itself, was bigger than life." Now a group of academics is taking a new look at Starr and his works, including the largely unexplored role of his Catholic faith on how he interpreted California and its history, as well as reinterpreting his works in light of new trends in academia. Jason Sexton, the editor and Russell Jeung and Peter Richardson, two contributors to the new book Redemptive Dreams: Engaging Kevin Starr's California will take Club audiences through some of the challenges involved in interpreting Starr's work and his impact on our understanding of California's past, present and future, and what they mean for Starr's view of the California dream. MLF ORGANIZER: George Hammond A Humanities Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can NGOs pivot towards innovation, agility and impact? Social Impact Pioneers Isaac Nyangolo of Zeraki and Paul Ronalds from Save the Children's Global Ventures share their journey. Faced with a rapidly changing world and the tremendous need for systemic reform, NGOs like Save the Children are venturing beyond the bounds of traditional funding models and approaches. Navigating the tumultuous waters of non-governmental organisation funding, they're pivoting towards innovation in order to achieve their ambitious missions. Paul Ronalds joins the conversation to share why Save the Children, went on a brave journey of transformation beginning by recognising the growing limitations of traditional philanthropy and grants. Paul shares how they embarked on a mission to explore new territories—impact investing, technology, and social enterprise and in the process set up Save the Children Global Ventures (SCGV). SCGV is the dedicated entity created to explore innovative finance funding mechanisms and take new technologies to scale. The venture has helped generate significant traction for organisations like Zeraki, a Kenyan-based ed-tech firm that not only proved to be a sound financial investment, but also aligned with the mission of Save the Children. Meet Isaac Nyangolo, social innovator, entrepreneur, CEO and Co-Founder of Zeraki. There have been great strides taken in getting children some education, but more than half all 10-year-olds from poor and middle income countries are unable to read and understand a short age-appropriate text. With the predictions of climate related disasters and migration becoming a reality, the access to quality education may well slip further. Isaac is on a mission to democratise education and create access to quality learning through online tools and data. During our conversation he advocates for agile support from funders and supporters to scale and grow economically sound, lasting and impactful solutions. Prepare yourself for a good dowse of inspirations coupled with practical ideas and insights as Paul and Isaac share their warts and all journey. Links: • Save the Children Global Ventures: https://scgv.org/ • Zeraki: https://www.zeraki.app/ • UNESCO, The World Needs Almost 69 Million New Teachers to Reach the 2030 Education Goals: https://uis.unesco.org/en/document/world-needs-almost-69-million-new-teachers-reach-2030-education-goals • Holon IQ, $10tn global education market in 2030: https://www.holoniq.com/notes/10-trillion-global-education-market-in-2030 • Save the Children, Impact Funds: https://savethechildreninvestments.org.au/ • Kevin Starr & Sarah Miers, “No Where To Grow”, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Oct 2020: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/nowhere_to_grow • Greg Coussa, “To Impact Millions, the Social Sector Needs to Scale Up Scaling Up”, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Jan 2019: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/to_impact_millions_the_social_sector_needs_to_scale_scaling_up • Global Partnership, Education Data Highlights:https://www.globalpartnership.org/results/education-data-highlights

Kevin Starr talks about his article "Don't Feed the Zombies" and how if we focus on measuring reach, instead of caring about impact, we end up doing harm in the world. His vision is a world where you can't get taken seriously if you can't talk about real, measurable change in the lives of people we serve, and the evidence to back it up. "The minute you commit to impact, and a definition thereof, you're starting to be part of the solution." What's a definition of impact? Evidence of change that happened in someone's life, and a plausible description about how your part in that change worked. If we (especially donors) are not accountable for impact, they end up supporting groups that aren't accountable to the people they serve, and are not driving for the full potential of what we can get done in the world. Here are some other links to check out: Making Ourselves Accountable Strategy: Go Big or Go... Oh, Just Go Big The Seven Commandments of Funding The Lazy Funders Guide to High-Yield Philanthropy

Greg Lucas is the California State Librarian.The more I see of California, the more I realize how special we are. I've been to European countries. I've been to South American countries. I've been to Malaysia. I'm fairly well-traveled. I've yet to find a country that has everything California has. [...] We forget sometimes how extraordinary a place this is.Notes and references from this episode: @GregLucas20 - Greg Lucas on Twitter California State Library - Visitor's center “Malcolm Lucas, former California chief justice, dies at 89,” by Bob Egelko, SFGateGov. George Deukmejian - California Governors' Gallery / State LibraryStanislaus National Forest / Highway 108 Corridor - USDAEpisode 1: Gov. Jerry Brown - What is California? “Kevin Starr, author of California histories and former state librarian, dies at 76,” by David Zahniser and Matt HamiltonMary Coin, by Marisa SilverMigrant Mother, by Dorothea LangeCalifornia: The Great Exception, by Carey McWilliamsGov. George Pardee - California Governors' Gallery / State Library“California Democratic Heavyweight John Burton Exiting the Political Stage,” by Scott Shafer, KQED===== Produced, hosted and edited by Stu VanAirsdaleTheme music: Sounds SupremeTwitter: @WhatCaliforniaSubstack newsletter: whatiscalifornia.substack.comEmail: hello@whatiscalifornia.comPlease subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And if you liked What is California?, please rate and review What is California? on Apple Podcasts! It helps new listeners find the show.

Kevin Starr, North American Service Development Manager at ABB, joins Sarah for a conversation around Industrial Automation and how the education of today's workforce must evolve while maintaining the core principles.

This week we're going back to 1840s California with the Mask of Zorro! Join us to learn about children in Catholic missions, the truly weird story of a guy named Harry Love and the head of Joaquin Murrieta, the dons of California, and more! Sources Cecilia Rasmussen, "Early Lawman Overshadowed by His Quarry," Los Angeles Times, available at https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-nov-12-me-then12-story.html Full Documentary, "The Head of Joaquin Murrieta," Available at https://vimeo.com/189559216 Fronteras, Interview with John Valadez, available at https://video.pbswisconsin.org/video/fronteras_krwg-head-joaquin-murrieta-john-valadez/ Mask of Zorro, Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mask_of_zorro "Steven Spielberg Had to Talk Martin Campbell Into Making Mask of Zorro," SlashFilm, available at https://www.slashfilm.com/778799/the-wizard-of-oz-almost-premiered-without-its-signature-song/ Roger Ebert's Review of Mask of Zorro: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mask-of-zorro-1998 Mask of Zorro, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mask_of_Zorro Damon B. Akins and William J. Bauer, Jr., We Are the Land: A History of Native California (Oakland, CA: University of California Press, 2021).  Martin Rizzo-Martinez, "First Were Taken the Children, and Then the Parents Followed," We Are Not Animals: Indigenous Politics of Survival, Rebellion, and Reconstitution in Nineteenth-Century California (University of Nebraska Press, 2022), : https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv270kv7w.7 . Rose Marie Beebe and Robert M. Senkewicz, "Junipero Serra's Approach to the Native Peoples of the Californias," in The Worlds of Junipero Serra: Historical Contexts and Cultural Representations edited by Steven W. Hackel (University of California Press); https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt2050wrm.12  Kevin Starr, California: A History (New York: The Modern Library, 2015).  "Mexican California," Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/collections/california-first-person-narratives/articles-and-essays/early-california-history/mexican-california/  "Kumeyaay - The Rancho Period," https://www.kumeyaay.com/kumeyaay-the-rancho-period.html  Philip Laverty, "The Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation of Monterey, California: Dispossession, Federal Neglect, and the Bitter Irony of the Federal Acknowledgement Process," Wicazo Sa Review 18:2 (2003):41-77.

One of the key pathways to achieving impact at scale is replication. In this episode, we talk to Kevin Starr, a seasoned foundation leader who truly understands why good replication matters when it comes to impact. Kevin Starr leads the Mulago Foundation, a foundation that finds, funds, advises and promotes organizations with scalable solutions to poverty. On the podcast, we explore the value of unrestricted funding, the principles of replication, and how scale and replication differ and relate to one another. -- Learn more about Spring Impact. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

What would you do if you had millions of dollars to invest in impact? Would you put it in an existing charity - or would you try to do something different, something better? Kevin Starr needed to answer these questions when, in 1993, he unexpectedly found himself at the head of a new foundation named Mulago. Instead of taking the path well traveled, Kevin decided to experiment with creating impact that lasts. And so, through the twists and turns of many years, he developed the Mulago Foundation fellows program and investment approach. In today's conversation, Kevin shares how he found his way in the early years of Mulago. He talks about the challenges of early investments and how those lessons are applied to his current approach. Over time, he shares how the Foundation really started to gel once he was able to build common ground with his investors and his awardees. Kevin dives into some of the fallacies and idiosyncrasies of the aid sector, and how he's established a more efficient way of working. Mulago runs lean because it builds on talent and trust - and skips the bureaucracy. Finally, Kevin presents his “playbook for scale”, the six systemic accelerators he sees again and again in his most successful investments. In addition to leading Mulago, Kevin is one of the primary instigators of Big Bang Philanthropy, a group of funders that work together to direct more money to those best at fighting poverty. Mulago Foundation was an early funder of Digital Green, Nexleaf Analytics, Medic, One Acre Fund, Living Goods, Last Mile Health, VillageReach, and Mothers2Mothers.   To find out more, access the show notes at https://AidEvolved.com  Let us know what you think of this episode on Twitter (@AidEvolved) or by email (hello@AidEvolved.com)

The following is a conversation between Kevin Starr, the CEO of the Mulago Foundation, and Denver Frederick, the Host of The Business of Giving. The Mulago Foundation invests in charities and philanthropic opportunities that have the highest impact. They seek organizations that are addressing a priority problem, offer a scalable solution, and have the capacity to deliver. And here to discuss their work, as well as share his perspectives on issues impacting the social sector, it's a pleasure to have with us, Kevin Starr, the CEO of the Mulago Foundation.

Manufacturing is currently moving out of the time of COVID crisis, and many plants report that they are increasing their digital/automation budgets. Kevin Starr works in the digital service space within ABB for North America and, in particular, the process industries component, and has been involved with every step of service and reliability for the past 34 years. Plant Services Chief Editor Thomas Wilk had the chance to talk with Kevin recently about the digital changes currently taking place in industry, and the extent to which they are being driven by COVID considerations.

Welcome to our fourth episode of the Good Will Hunters Autumn Series: The NGO of the Future. This series is presented with sponsorship from Alinea Whitelum. Learn more about their work here alineawhitelum.com In this episode, hosts Paul Ronalds and Rachel Mason Nunn speak with Kevin Starr and Mark Reading on the innovation challenge facing NGOs, and how the NGO of the Future must be much better at taking successful innovations to scale. Kevin Starr is CEO of the Mulago Foundation, and has taught hundreds of social entrepreneurs and other leaders how to approach impact at scale, and there’s nothing he likes better. Mark Reading is Head of Foundation at Atlassian, where he is the bridge between the Australian technology success-story that is Atlassian, and the charities they choose to support through their Pledge-1% model. Relevant Links: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/nowhere_to_grow Enjoy the episode, The GWH Team

In this episode, we welcome veteran investor Kevin Starr to the podcast to discuss the work of the Mulago Foundation, which funds high-impact organizations working on alleviating poverty. Kevin explains how Mulago's focus has inevitably extended over time to take into account climate and the environment--the focus of Mulago's Henry Arnhold Fellows Program. Kevin's main focus at Mulago is on lasting change at scale and he explains how he thinks about scaling-- and the importance of structuring investments to make sure that profit and impact are aligned.  In this wide ranging, Kevin shares his perspective on the state of social entrepreneurship today, the reality of impact investment, and his evolving thoughts on measuring impact.  Kevin is the founder of the Mulago Foundation, which funds early stage social entrepreneurs devoted to maximum impact at scale in developing countries. Kevin set up the Reiner Arnhold Fellows Program in 2003 to apply Mulago's principles and tools to help social entrepreneurs turn good ideas into lasting change at scale-- and in 2016, the Henry Arnhold Fellows Program to add a focus on environmental solutions.  Kevin was the primary instigator of Big Bang Philanthropy, a group of funders that work together to direct more money to those best at fighting poverty. This is an edited version of an interview from the Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs podcast.

In this wide ranging and stimulating interview, Kevin Starr shares his perspective on the state of social entrepreneurship today, the reality of impact investment today, and his evolving thoughts on generating lasting change at scale

Data Centers have been called the ‘Factories of the Future', yet there've been few attempts to double click on what this means in terms of possibilities and opportunities. Are there synergies that can be exploited between what data centers do and what is done in ‘industry'? Carrie and Simon meet two people from ABB who have the answers - Kevin Starr is the Global Program Manager for ABB's Oil, Gas, and Chemical Division and Richard Ungar is the Head of Data Center Automation.

Tonight the boys of Pod Like a Hole, who are still at large, will take you through Uncle Acid and the Deadbeat's seminal 2010 album BLOOD LUST - which is literally a candy lane of murder and mayhem. We go into the history (6:20) of Kevin Starr's sludge doom occult groove rock band, some brief discussion of the genre and what even is this genre. Then the pride of Sacramento and Uncle Acid and expert of all things Rock and Horror Darryl (27:20) calls in to give share his thoughts. Followed by the track by track discussion (53:20) of the upbeat tunes and happy time lyrics of Uncle Acid's BLOOD LUST.   Be sure to come back next week for some Christmas cheer with another Pod Like Holiday Special.        

We welcome Brendan Hodge to talk about his new novel, "If You Can Get It"... Then Shelia Starr, wife of acclaimed historian and author the late Kevin Starr to speak about Catholics in Early America. If You Can Get It Continental Achievement --Catholics in the Early United States

Mary Harrell talks with the wife of author Kevin Starr about his book, “Continental Achievement: Roman Catholics in the United States.”  The post Morning Blend Guest: Sheila Starr, Continental Achievement appeared first on Mater Dei Radio.

Sarah shares a recent keynote she delivered for Aston Business School’s World Servitization Convention, which includes her presentation of three key themes she feels have surfaced as a result of COVID and will impact the future of service across industries as well as a discussion with Larry Blue, CEO of Bell and Howell; Kevin Starr, Global Program Manager, Advanced Services at ABB; and Robin Butler, Group Field Service Director at WaterLogic about how these themes have presented in their companies and what they feel the future holds.

Since 1931, the California Book Awards have honored the exceptional literary merit of California writers and publishers. Each year a select jury considers hundreds of books from around the state in search of the very best in literary achievement. This year, we will be saluting the winners virtually. The California Book Awards have often been on the vanguard, honoring previously unknown authors who go on to garner national acclaim. John Steinbeck received three gold medals—for Tortilla Flat in 1935, In Dubious Battle in 1936 and The Grapes of Wrath in 1939. Award winners in recent years include Adam Johnson, Jared Diamond, Karen Fowler, Kay Ryan, Bill Vollman, Joyce Maynard, Andrew Sean Greer, Yiyun Li, Adrienne Rich, Chalmers Johnson, Richard Rodriguez, Michael Chabon, Philip Levine, Rebecca Solnit, Galen Rowell, Jonathan Lethem, Peter Orner and Kevin Starr. Join us for this special celebratory event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Politicalish welcomes a great historian of California politics: Alex Vassar. He and Q have a fascinating discussion of California legislative history. But don’t think it’s dry and boring! Part one is filled with duels and violence, along with details of early CA politics. Redistricting is a contentious topic, but in the 1860s it led to a stabbing on the floor of the Assembly. We get stories from both Alex and Q about prolific CA historian Dr. Kevin Starr. Then they discuss how different politics was in the late 1800s, with massive turnover, non-professional politicians, completely different political power bases, and how one dude organized all CA law and had more impact than any other legislator in early CA. This episode finishes with the story of David Terry, an early Chief Justice of the CA Supreme Court who loved to stab people with his Bowie knife and how it finally went wrong for him. 

Jonathan Berman (Producer/Director) has had a longtime obsession with film and film-making, beginning as an assistant editor and as a stock footage researcher. His film Commune (2006), looked at a seminal commune, the Black Bear Ranch, to explore the wins and excesses of the Sixties and Seventies. His film My Friend Paul (2000), about his relationship to his bipolar best friend, was produced with ITVS, a part of the US public broadcasting family. He is director and producer of The Shvitz (1994), a film about the last traditional steambaths in New York. His films have been awarded grants from the NEA, NYSCA, The Jerome Foundation and more; broadcasts include the BBC, PBS, Sundance Channel, Discovery, ARTE, and others. Festival screenings include SXSW, Slamdance, Amsterdam Documentary Festival, (IDFA), Karlovy Vary and many others. Berman co-wrote the story for the independent comedy On The Run. He was the American producer on Claudia Heuermann’s German TV project Sabbath in Paradise, which featured Harvey Pekar and John Zorn. Berman helped create On The Run for director Bruno De Almeida. "CALLING ALL EARTHLINGS" Calling All Earthlings explores a mid-century UFO cult led by one-time Howard Hughes confidante, George Van Tassel. Van Tassel claimed to have combined alien guidance with the writings of inventor/physicist Nikola Tesla, and other controversial science, to build an electromagnetic time machine he dubbed “The Integratron.” Was he insane? Or could the dome really break through boundaries of space, time, and energy? FBI agents worked against Van Tassel and the alternative community that formed out of his work. Would he finish the Integratron before the government finished him? Calling All Earthlings looks at all the roots of counterculture, particularly through the lens of the reactions against and inspiration of "Big Science" and "The Bomb." The story portrays the roots of the Peace Movement, Burning Man and even the FBI's notorious COINTELPRO program. The verité tale of Van Tassel and his dome is told by relatives, neighbors, skeptics, believers, scientists, healers, artists and historians. The film features the "stewards" and owners of the Integratron, the Karl sisters; Dr. Kevin Starr, the preeminent historian of California; Eric Burdon, Singer for The Animals and War; and the legendary Drs. J.J, and Desiree Hurtak. "Calling All Earthlings" Website:http://www.callingallearthlingsmovie.com/Social Media Links:https://www.facebook.com/groups/callingallearthlings/https://www.instagram.com/callingallearthlingsmovie/https://vimeo.com/user4219207/videoshttps://callingallearthlings.tumblr.com/Music:Guru Blake Boyer"Mera Man Loche""Adi Shakti"Support the show (https://cash.app/$2Dabs)

Kevin Starr, Program Manager Advanced Services - Oil, Gas, and Chemical Division at ABB talks with Sarah about the concept of “refactoring” field service – discussing ways organizations need to evolve to keep pace with change, particularly as we recover from COVID-19.

Summary of the step-by-step process taught by Kevin Starr to design for building lasting impact at scale. Original article: http://www.gregoryschmidt.ca/writing/lasting-impact-at-scale-kevin-starr

D.J. Waldie, in the tradition of historians Kevin Starr and Mike Davis, contextualizes our understanding of California and Los Angeles history and explains why, especially given the issues we face today, we’re really “just like the rest of America, but only more so.”

Who are the doers at scale? Who is the payer at scale? Lessons from the book Lean Impact by Ann Mei Chang and work of Kevin Starr. Original article: http://www.gregoryschmidt.ca/writing/engines-of-growth-in-social-impact

Since 1931, the California Book Awards have honored the exceptional literary merit of California writers and publishers. Each year a select jury considers hundreds of books from around the state in search of the very best in literary achievement. The California Book Awards have often been on the vanguard, honoring previously unknown authors who go on to garner national acclaim. John Steinbeck received three gold medals—for Tortilla Flat in 1935, In Dubious Battle in 1936 and The Grapes of Wrath in 1939. Recent award winners include Adam Johnson, Jared Diamond, Karen Fowler, Kay Ryan, Bill Vollman, Joyce Maynard, Andrew Sean Greer, Yiyun Li, Adrienne Rich, Chalmers Johnson, Richard Rodriguez, Michael Chabon, Philip Levine, Rebecca Solnit, Galen Rowell, Jonathan Lethem, Peter Orner and Kevin Starr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s no better way to understand the issues and people shaping California today than through its colorful and complex history. Few understood the depth of that history better than Dr. Kevin Starr, the late author of a definitive eight-volume history of California. His work is the gold standard for the Golden State. Dr. Starr died two years ago, but we kick off the California Sun podcast with a special conversation I had with Dr. Starr about California from 1950 to 1963. As you will hear, it’s a time that shaped so much of the California we live in today.

Less than 10 years ago, historian Kevin Starr warned that California might be “the first failed state in America.” But, despite that dire prediction, the Golden State is now roaring back. Is California's resurgence establishing pattern for America?

All Saints and Day of the Dead are part of a 3-day festival that remembers the lives of those who passed before us.  This quiz honors the lives and contributions of ten Americans who died this year: Nov 7 Janet Reno, 78, American lawyer and politician, first female U.S. Attorney General (1993–2001) Dec 8 John Glenn, 95, American astronaut (Mercury-Atlas 6) and politician, U.S. Senator from Ohio (1974–1999 Dec 9 Edwin Benson, 85, American teacher, last speaker of the Mandan language Dec 30 Huston Smith, 97, American religious scholar and author Jan 14 Kevin Starr, 76, American historian and librarian Feb 18 Norma McCorvey, 69, American political activist, plaintiff in U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade Feb 22 Eni Faleomavaega, 73, American Samoan politician and attorney, Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives (1989–2015), Lieutenant Governor (1985–1989). Mar 14 Lillie Mae Bradford, 88, American civil rights activist. July 23 Thomas Fleming, 90, American writer and historian (American Revolution) Oct 18 Rita Henley Jensen, 70, American journalist, founder of Women's eNews Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2016 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2017 Find more at Citizenship Quizzes for Halloween, All Saints, and Day of the Dead Also check out the new FREE online Citizenship Prep course: USALearns Citizenship Thank you!

Kevin Starr has been supporting social entrepreneurs since before we used the term. He built the current incarnation of Mulago Foundation, a private foundation that funds early-stage social entrepreneurs devoted to maximum impact at scale in the lives of the poorest people in developing countries. In 2003, Kevin set up Rainer Arnhold Fellows Programme to apply...

“Perpetuating the California Dream: Progressive Policy Meets Progressive Leadership” Interview with Pedro Pizarro, CEO of Edison International in Los Angeles, California Welcome to Episode 9 of the Leadership Lyceum: A CEO’s Virtual Mentor.  I had the pleasure of visiting Pedro Pizarro, CEO of Edison International in his Los Angeles office for this conversation as part of what will be a bit of a sub-series introducing some of the recently appointed CEO's in the utility industry. Edison International (Ticker: EIX) is the publicly-traded holding company for regulated utility Southern California Edison and a small array of non-regulated investments plus Edison Energy. At $11.5 billion in annual revenue, and serving 15 million customers, the company is one of the largest utilities in the country. Our interview will delve deeply into one of Pedro’s priorities for positioning their utility, Southern California Edison (SCE) to help the state of California achieve its very ambitious, legislatively-mandated targets for reducing greenhouse gases by 2030. The path ahead for Pedro and Edison with respect to his plan to: “help catalyze all the efforts to support reducing greenhouse gases” is uncharted and unprecedented.  To achieve the targets, it is not enough for California to decarbonize the electric power sector – they need cooperation and electrification from other sectors.    As fitting context for this interview, in our last podcast episode, Episode 8, we illustrated through our interview with Susan Story, CEO of American Water, how success in the public utilities industry requires industry leaders to lead “beyond their authority” – that is, leading beyond the boundaries of their corporations.  We discussed that continuously achieving safe, clean, reliable, affordable service is dependent upon public policy, legislation, and regulatory relationships which in turn require leaders to lead and influence beyond the boundaries of their corporations.  California legislation presents a stage set for leadership of this nature. This includes a plot thickened by the stark disparity between California and Federal, climate and renewable energy policy. But there are no scripts for this story.  The action will be carried out by a talented troop of improvisational actors.    Informative and Helpful Links A helpful summary of California Climate legislation called SB 32 which was promulgated on September 8, 2016.  We discussed this in detail in the interview. http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article100734142.html A helpful summary of California Climate legislation called SB 350 which was promulgated on October 7, 2015.  We discussed this in depth in the interview.  http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-jerry-brown-climate-change-renewable-energy-20151007-story.html LA 2024 – Los Angeles’s Bid for the Olympics.  LA is one of two candidate cities along with Paris. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_bid_for_the_2024_Summer_Olympics My LA Times source on legendary historian Kevin Starr from an obituary the day before my interview with Pedro. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-kevin-starr-obit-20170115-story.html Edison International Website: https://www.edison.com California is using more renewables and less natural gas in its summer electricity mix https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=27812 California has nearly half of the nation’s solar electricity generating capacity https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=24852#   Program Guide Episode 9 Pedro Pizarro Interview – “Perpetuating the California Dream: Progressive Policy Meets Progressive Leadership”  0:30     Introduction to Pedro Pizarro CEO of Edison International 1:19     Policy/legislative context for the interview 2:52     Start of interview – key areas of focus on Pedro’s leadership agenda 5:25     Break 1 5:46     Non-regulated Edison Energy focus on the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) market 8:20     Benefits of a dual platform: regulated and competitive businesses and two views 9:30     Use of electric storage/batteries (front-of-the-meter and behind-the-meter-applications) 13:00   Other state’s activity vs California: Community Solar in Minnesota 13:50   Pedro’s leadership as a relatively new CEO of an iconic California company 16:35   California’s unique position – the imaginative and the factual; the influence on the nation 19:30   Break 2 19:51   Leadership outside the walls of the company and LA 2024, LA’s bid for the Olympics 22:20   LA 2024 and strength of conviction and strength of the bid 23:48   Policy and Legislation: SB 350 (state renewable portfolio standard increase) and SB 32 (greenhouse gas emission reductions) 28:01   Striking balances on policy and legislation – Example: Net Energy Metering revisit in state in 2019 30:12   Break 3 30:34   SB 32 greenhouse gas emission reductions discussion and the task ahead in context 32:00   Accounting for greenhouse gas emissions by sector. Needs from sectors beyond the electric utility sector 33:46   Edison’s task in the future regarding SB 32 and implications on Edison’s grid 34:55   Break 4 35:07   Cross-economy/cross-government collaboration for SB 32 progress.  Example - ports and port transportation networks 38:21   Pedro Pizarro’s vision and approach for Edison International in cross-industry collaboration 40:26   Break 5 (Final Break) 40:44   Conclusion - LA 2024 “the first energy positive solar powered games” in history. Tying it all together. 44:01   Recap and end of Episode 9   Biography on Pedro Pizarro Mr. Pizarro has been the President and CEO of EIX since October 2016. Prior to that, he served as President of EIX from June 2016 to September 2016 and President of SCE from October 2014 to May 2016. Mr. Pizarro has held a wide range of executive positions at the EIX companies since joining EIX in 1999. From 2011 through March 2014, he served as President of EME, an indirect subsidiary of EIX that filed for bankruptcy in 2012.  Prior to that, Mr. Pizarro served as Executive Vice President of SCE from 2008 to 2011, responsible for SCE’s transmission and distribution system, procurement of conventional and renewable power, and gas-fired and hydroelectric power production facilities. He also previously served as Vice President and Senior Vice President of Power Procurement, and Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, among other executive roles. Prior to his work at the EIX companies, Mr. Pizarro was a senior engagement manager with McKinsey & Company, providing management consulting services to energy, technology, engineering services, and banking clients. He is a director of the Edison Electric Institute and the Electric Power Research Institute, and is a member of the Board of Governors of Argonne National Laboratory. Mr. Pizarro is a graduate of Harvard University and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.   Subscribe to the podcast at iTunes: https://t.co/a70rtSiQnW or SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/thomas-linquist Follow Leadership Lyceum on:          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-linquist-682997          Twitter: @LeaderLyceum https://twitter.com/LeaderLyceum          Email us: Thomas.Linquist@LeadershipLyceum.com Please subscribe to the Leadership Lyceum at iTunes which will enable future content to come to you automatically.  Rate us and spread the word among your fellow executives and board colleagues.  Your host Thomas B. Linquist is a Partner at a leading global executive search firm. Over his 15 years in management and leadership consulting he has served a wide array of industrial clients.  This includes leadership assessment and search for chief executive officers, chief financial officers, chief operating officers and boards of directors.  He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and over his 25-year career has served in a variety of roles: as an engineer with Shell Oil Company, a banker with ABN AMRO Bank, and as treasurer was the youngest corporate officer in the 150+ year history at Peoples Energy Company in Chicago.  He is an expert on hiring and promotion decisions and leadership development.  Over the course of his search career, he has interviewed thousands of leaders.  Please subscribe to the Leadership Lyceum in the podcast section at iTunes which will enable future content to come to you automatically. Rate us and spread the word among your fellow executives and board colleagues. © 2017 The Leadership Lyceum LLC

Do you ever have the feeling that your work in the Social Impact sector is akin to "plowing the sea?" That is - despite all of the time and effort you've put into your particular program or project, the effects are less than expected or, worse, completely disappear in a relatively short time? This was a lament of Rainer Arnhold, a pediatrician who, despite having helped countless children around the world and dedicating his life to serving others, felt that his work had not produced lasting change. Upon Dr. Arnhold's untimely death in 1993, his family created the Mulago Foundation in his honor. My guest for the 138th Episode of the Terms of Reference Podcast, Dr. Kevin Starr, who was Rainer's mentee and serves as the Managing Director of Mulago, has led the foundation in investments that see to create lasting change at scale. With alumni such as the One Acre Fund, RootCapital and Sanergy, its plain to see they understand what it takes to go the distance.

Kevin Starr has been supporting social entrepreneurs for as long as the term has existed. He built the current incarnation of Mulago Foundation, a private foundation that funds early-stage social entrepreneurs devoted to maximum impact at scale in the lives of the poorest people in developing countries. In 2003, Kevin set up Rainer Arnhold Fellows... The post Episode 3 | How the Mulago Foundation supports social entrepreneurs: Interview with Kevin Starr, CEO of the Mulago Foundation appeared first on Financing Social Entrepreneurs Podcast.

January 19th Ken about Kevin Starr “Continental Ambitions: Roman Catholics in North America: The Colonial Experience” (Ignatius Press) and Tom Corcoran “The rebuilt Field Guide: Ten Steps for Getting Started” (Ave Maria Press) Dr. Starr’s book is available at: http://www.ignatius.com/Products/CAM-H/continental-ambitions.aspx . Tom’s book is available at: https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-701-X/The-Rebuilt-Field-Guide/  To learn more about the rebuilt series and the […]

Here is episode 2 of Oh No! Not... The podcast where we discuss people, places and things that have recently ceased to exist. This episode we talk about two musicians, a librarian and a roadside attraction.

Eminent California historian Kevin Starr traces the emergence of San Diego’s role in the distinctly Southern California aesthetic of “Mediterranean-ism,” as seen in the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park. Series: "Helen Edison Lecture Series" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 28611]

Eminent California historian Kevin Starr traces the emergence of San Diego’s role in the distinctly Southern California aesthetic of “Mediterranean-ism,” as seen in the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park. Series: "Helen Edison Lecture Series" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 28611]

Kevin Starr, MD Hippocratic Philanthropy: Helping the Poorest Around the Globe Most people agree that philanthropy, whether in the form of foreign aid or local grassroots projects, is a worthy undertaking. But many have long held that philanthropy often fails, wholly or in part, in terms of impact and sustainability. Sometimes it can even make things worse. How do we make philanthropic efforts most effective? What has worked best around the world? Join TNS Host Steve Heilig in conversation with Dr. Kevin Starr—a pioneer in developing and supporting workable projects in health, ecology, and economic development—about effective philanthropic strategies and stories. Steve has also worked in developing nations, and co-authored an article with Starr titled Hippocratic Philanthropy: Lessons from International Health. Kevin Starr, MD Kevin Starr, MD, directs the Mulago Foundation and is the founder and director of the Rainer Arnhold Fellows Program, focused on sustainable projects to help the very poorest people around the world. He practiced medicine for decades while exploring the world and for the past decade has devoted himself full-time to studying, designing, and supporting good work around the planet. Find out more about The New School at tns.commonweal.org.

Kevin Starr directs the Mulago Foundation, a private foundation that invests in charities and philanthropic opportunities that have the highest possible impact. Indeed, the foundation has a single-minded focus on impact: how to build high impact organisations for social change, how to measure and invest in impact, how to take impact to scale. The Mulago...

Kevin Starr, Ph.D. is the California State Librarian Emeritus and University Professor of History at the University of Southern California. His six-volume book series, Americans and the California Dream, captures the enigmatic blend of dreams and hardscrabble reality that loosely define California. 

In this lecture, Professor Starr will place George Washington in the context of the relationship of the American colonies to the western frontier during the Colonial period. He will discuss such figures as Bishop George Berkeley, William Byrd, William Bartram, Thomas Jefferson, and others — and then focus in on Washington's own complex relationship to the frontier as surveyor, military officer, investor, president, and member of the Masonic Order. Through a generous gift by Maribeth Borthwick ’73, Vice Regent for the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, a new partnership between USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon was created. Convening students, scholars, historians, and the general public from across the country, the partnership provides an ongoing exploration of George Washington’s lifelong accomplishments. Through this partnership, the public can gain a better understanding of George Washington as a man, as well as his remarkable leadership, professional achievements and lasting legacy.

 The mission of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy is to improve the quality of life for people and their communities, here and abroad. We achieve this mission through education and research that promote innovative solutions to the most critical issues facing society. In fulfilling this mission, the Price School provides a dynamic learning environment where interdisciplinary education abounds. At Price, students choose a program of study from the interconnected fields of public administration, public policy, urban planning, health policy and management, and real estate development. 

 Since purchasing George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate from the Washington family and assuming stewardship in 1858, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association has embraced a heroic mission to preserve, protect, and maintain the estate for the American people, relying exclusively on private donations, admission fees, and restaurant and retail proceeds. Through robust education and outreach programs, the Association expands awareness about the exceptional life and character of George Washington, sustaining his legacy through research, interpretation, and public education. In experiences on the estate and through its digital outreach platforms, Mount Vernon strives to preserve George Washington’s place in history as “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.” 

 With its latest initiative, The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, Mount Vernon is affirming its status as the preeminent center of learning about George Washington, his life, character of leadership, and legacy. In addition to safeguarding original books and manuscripts, the Library serves as a center for leadership, where scholars, influencers, and other luminaries come together to talk about the past as well as the future, inspired by Washington’s extraordinary life, achievements, and character.

Join Kevin Starr, American historian, best-known for his multi-volume series on the history of California, collectively called "America and the California Dream" as he discusses the impact of Ronald Reagan as governor of California and President of the United States.

Photographer/author Harry Brant Chandler and historian Kevin Starr explore the fascinating lives of inspirational Southern Californians, the subjects of Chandler's unique portraits.