Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

• Tiffany Yu, CEO and Founder of Diversability: How to Build a Disability Inclusive World

  In a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, Tiffany Yu, CEO and Founder of Diversability, explores the transformational potential of disability advocacy, the importance of representation, and the expansive reach of community-building. As the architect of Diversability—a global community now numbering more than 80,000 individuals—Tiffany has created a platform that empowers disabled individuals and their allies to elevate their voices, dismantle ableist systems, and build collective influence. What began in 2009 as a student-led initiative has grown into a dynamic, multi-sector movement. Inspired by her corporate experiences at Goldman Sachs and Bloomberg, where she first encountered disability employee resource groups, Tiffany saw firsthand how visibility and solidarity within institutions could alter perceptions and influence systems. Diversability not only fosters peer connection but also positions disability identity as a source of pride, resilience, and leadership. Much of the conversation centers on her newly released book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, a call to action for disabled and non-disabled readers alike. Through a structured “Me-We-Us” framework, Tiffany makes disability advocacy accessible to all. The manifesto is not simply about compliance with existing legislation—it’s about shifting societal mindsets to affirm the inherent value of disabled lives. It’s a deeply human appeal that complements legal protections like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the UK's Equality Act by focusing on hearts and minds, not just policy. Tiffany underscores the economic imperative of inclusion. With over 1.6 billion people globally identifying as disabled and a collective market power exceeding $18 trillion, disability inclusion is not only a moral obligation but a competitive advantage. She cites examples of innovations originally designed for disabled users—such as electric toothbrushes, audiobooks, and ergonomic seating—that have gone on to benefit the broader public. These “curb-cut effects” demonstrate how designing with accessibility in mind fosters universal benefit. The conversation also delves into the structural challenges facing the disability community: fragmentation across geographies, underrepresentation in leadership, and political headwinds threatening essential services. Yet, Tiffany resists despair. She points to disabled entrepreneurs as economic contributors and changemakers, and notes that small businesses led by disabled founders are significantly more likely to hire other disabled people—illustrating how grassroots action can lead to systemic transformation. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

  --------  

  31:11
• Valeria Scorza, CEO of Fundación Avina, on Driving Collaborative Action for Sustainable Development

  Valeria Scorza, CEO of Fundación Avina, offers a compelling exploration of how philanthropy can act as an orchestrator in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Latin America and the broader Global South. With a 30-year legacy of fostering sustainable development, Fundación Avina operates at the intersection of climate action, democratic innovation, and economic transformation, working through six key programs—climate, circular economy, labor innovation, biomes, democracy, and water. What sets the foundation apart is its commitment to building trust, promoting systemic change, and fostering co-creation among diverse stakeholders. At its core, Fundación Avina embraces a decentralized model, with a team of 95 staff members across 15 countries, emphasizing coordination, autonomy, and self-regulation. Beyond simply deploying grants—having mobilized over $500 million across 13,000 initiatives—the foundation plays a catalytic role in multi-stakeholder collaborations, ensuring that local knowledge and grassroots organizations shape solutions tailored to their specific contexts. Expanding beyond Latin America, the organization is increasingly forging partnerships in Africa and Asia, reinforcing a philosophy that philanthropy must be complementary rather than prescriptive, engaging both grassroots actors and large institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank. A particularly striking element of Fundación Avina’s work is its long-standing engagement with access to water, an issue affecting nearly a quarter of Latin Americans, with rural communities being disproportionately impacted. Viewing water access as a fundamental human right, the foundation draws from the principles of Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom, advocating for decentralized, community-led governance of shared resources. Through the Latin American Association of Community Water Management Organizations and other regional initiatives, Avina has helped scale innovative, locally-driven water management solutions, from rainwater harvesting to adaptive governance structures that enhance resilience in the face of climate change. The foundation’s work in Brazil’s semi-arid region, for example, illustrates the power of community networks in not only implementing practical solutions like cistern installations but also shaping public policy at the national level. The conversation highlights key bottlenecks in water governance, including the misconception that solutions must always be top-down or infrastructure-heavy. Instead, Avina advocates for a model that aligns incentives across communities, governments, and the private sector, ensuring that solutions are sustainable and adapted to local realities. The role of trust is particularly emphasized as a crucial yet often overlooked form of infrastructure—essential for managing climate-induced conflicts over water scarcity and ensuring long-term collaboration across sectors. Indigenous and tribal communities also play a central role in Avina’s approach, with a strong commitment to ensuring their participation in decision-making processes. From advocating for indigenous representation in climate governance discussions to recognizing traditional water conservation methods as legitimate forms of technological innovation, the foundation underscores the importance of cultural intelligence in addressing environmental challenges. This extends to Avina’s broader mission of reducing power asymmetries, ensuring that historically marginalized voices are not only heard but actively shape policy and investment decisions. Fundación Avina’s collaborative ethos is further exemplified by its engagement with global and regional funders. From working with One Drop Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation, and FEMSA in the Lazos de Agua initiative to partnerships with Skoll Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Packard Foundation, Avina positions itself as a key facilitator in bringing diverse actors together to drive systemic change. Whether working with corporate foundations, development banks, or local philanthropic funds, the foundation’s role is not merely to fund initiatives but to strengthen ecosystems that ensure solutions are deeply embedded in their communities and sustained over time. Ultimately, this conversation sheds light on a model of philanthropy that moves beyond traditional grant-making to embrace systemic, collaborative, and trust-driven solutions. By leveraging its position as a convener, Fundación Avina is not only addressing immediate challenges but also reshaping the way sustainable development is approached across the Global South. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

  --------  

  27:29
• A Partnership for Inclusion: Special Olympics and The Coca-Cola Company's Shared Mission to Change the World

  The opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games have just taken place in Turin, Italy on 8th March 2025. Today, we welcome leaders from Special Olympics and The Coca-Cola Company onto this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Zehra Sayin is the Chief Marketing, Communications and Development Officer at the Special Olympics; and Tim Dignard is Senior Director, Global Sports Partnerships & Operations at The Coca-Cola Company. For over 55 years, Special Olympics and The Coca-Cola Company have been pioneering a movement that transcends philanthropy and sports sponsorship, redefining how corporate and nonprofit partnerships can drive systemic change. At the heart of their collaboration lies a shared vision: fostering inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power of sport. We hear how Special Olympics, now a global movement with millions of athletes, began as a simple gathering in 1968, and today stands as a testament to the power of sport in shifting societal attitudes. The Coca-Cola Company, a founding partner, has been instrumental in supporting this evolution — not just through financial contributions, but through a deeply integrated, strategic engagement that extends far beyond traditional corporate sponsorship. The partnership is a model of holistic collaboration, spanning corporate volunteering, global marketing, consumer engagement, and systemic advocacy for inclusion. While their alliance has long been impactful, both organizations recognize that their work is far from complete. Special Olympics continues to face challenges in expanding its global footprint, particularly in markets outside the United States where brand awareness remains low. The Coca-Cola Company has embraced this challenge, leveraging its vast global reach and marketing capabilities to amplify the movement’s message in new territories. Their recent eight-year partnership extension — the longest in their history — underscores their commitment to taking inclusion to new heights. On the ground, the collaboration is about more than visibility; it’s about breaking down barriers. From Turin, Italy, where the Special Olympics World Winter Games are currently underway, to future events in Chile and Switzerland, the movement is not just about competition — it is about driving long-term social impact. Whether through engaging The Coca-Cola Company’s employees in volunteer programs, facilitating access to resources, or enlisting high-profile ambassadors to advocate for inclusion, the goal is clear: to create a world where people with intellectual disabilities are fully included, recognized, and celebrated. The essence of this partnership is perhaps best captured in the simple yet profound experiences of those involved. Volunteers who come to support the games often arrive thinking they are there to give, only to leave with a transformative realization —  they have received far more than they contributed. The athletes, whose resilience and determination shine through every competition, are the true champions of this movement, proving time and again that inclusion is not charity, but a fundamental human right. Looking ahead, the partnership between Special Olympics and The Coca-Cola Company is set to become even more strategic, targeting key markets and leveraging new opportunities to foster change. Inclusion, as both organizations emphasize, is a journey — not a destination. With the scale, influence, and shared values of these two global giants, the potential to reshape societal attitudes and build a more inclusive world has never been greater. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

  --------  

  37:48
• Fay Twersky, President and Director at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, on Accelerating Giving and Tackling Society’s Biggest Challenges

  Fay Twersky, President and Director at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, on Accelerating Giving and Tackling Society’s Biggest Challenges. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, founded nearly 30 years ago, is committed to accelerating philanthropy and tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Arthur M. Blank co-founded The Home Depot. Under the leadership of Fay Twersky, the foundation has expanded its giving and in 2024 granted approximately US $200 million, focusing on core areas, including: democracy, climate change, youth development, mental health and well-being, and community investment in Atlanta’s west side. The foundation operates as a grant-making institution but also serves as a convener and collaborator, leveraging its influence to drive systemic change. One unique aspect of its work is the use of West Creek Ranch in Montana, a dedicated retreat space designed to foster meaningful dialogue and problem-solving among leaders in philanthropy, policy, and social change. The foundation is particularly invested in advancing innovative solutions. In climate change, it supports regenerative land management practices in Montana, helping ranchers adopt more sustainable approaches that benefit both the environment and their livelihoods. In Atlanta, it works to preserve affordable housing and promote economic mobility, including piloting a guaranteed income initiative. Mental health is a newly expanded priority, with a focus on early interventions in childhood and adolescence to prevent long-term crises. The foundation is supporting evidence-based programs like Inner Explorer, which introduces mindfulness practices in schools to help children regulate stress and improve academic outcomes. With a deep commitment to long-term partnerships, general operating support, and investing in organizations’ capacity, the foundation prioritizes impact over bureaucracy. Twersky’s philosophy — "Curiosity trumps certainty" — underscores the foundation’s approach to learning, adaptation, and continuous improvement in its mission to repair and uplift society. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.    

  --------  

  32:17
• Doug Griffiths, President of the Oak Foundation, on the Power of Philanthropy

  Doug Griffiths, President of the Oak Foundation, on the power of philanthropy, transforming lives, strengthening communities, and addressing inequities in ways that neither governments nor markets can achieve alone. The Oak Foundation exemplifies this potential, channeling nearly half a billion dollars annually into causes that seek to make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place. From climate action to human rights, child protection to economic justice, Oak’s work demonstrates the profound role that philanthropy can play in driving long-term, meaningful change. The foundation understands that real impact is achieved when nonprofits are strong, resilient, and empowered to adapt to changing circumstances. By prioritising unrestricted funding and investing in capacity-building, Oak ensures that its partners have the flexibility to innovate, scale, and sustain their work over time. This shift from transactional funding to transformative partnership is at the heart of philanthropy’s power to drive change. A defining aspect of Oak’s approach is its willingness to take risks where others will not. Many of today’s most pressing challenges require bold, forward-thinking investments. Oak has stepped into these gaps, funding research, advocacy, and grassroots movements that challenge the status quo and push for progress. In areas like childhood cancer research, where market forces fail to generate sufficient investment, Oak’s philanthropic intervention has the potential to accelerate medical breakthroughs and save lives. Philanthropy is also uniquely positioned to catalyse change by connecting diverse actors — governments, civil society, businesses, and innovators — who might not otherwise collaborate. Oak’s work in climate philanthropy exemplifies this, with its support for platforms like Climate LEAD, which has mobilised more than $4 billion toward high-impact environmental solutions. By convening stakeholders, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and funding new models of intervention, Oak is leveraging its resources to create impact far beyond the size of its own grants. Oak’s work is a testament to the potential of philanthropy to not just fund change, but to actively shape it.  The foundation is proving that when philanthropy is done with humility, empathy, and a willingness to learn, it can be one of the most powerful forces for good in the world.  Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.  

  --------  

  34:03

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship