Onward and Upward our Alumni go!
See what's up after the DSIL Course.
Our DSIL Course alumni inspire the DSIL team and others around them every day.To date, we have more than 200 alumni working across 60+ countries. As they continue their task of taking everything they have learned during the course journey forward through intentional choices and new approaches to doing things- the result is a global network of cross-sector pioneers experimenting and evolving with how that sector or team may be able to generate actions that amplify impact. See their stories from their words below!
After the DSIL Course, I began a new phase of my career life and currently work as a Senior Strategy Designer SY Partners, NYC. I am using design thinking and innovation tools to help businesses design strategies and business models of the future. I have taken my learnings from DSIL forward, specifically around business models that keep impact in mind. With this new role I introduce large enterprises to the innovative approaches I saw on the ground as inspiration for their future strategies that bring people into the design!
"I already had a strong background in corporate design and innovation when I joined the DSIL Course, but it is not only an innovation training - it is something totally different, a life-changing challenge that broadened my perspectives and expanded my network with lifelong support of peers."
My company SEED SPOT supports early-stage social entrepreneurs launch ventures that improve the world. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, SEED SPOT has become globally ranked as a top 20 Accelerator in the World and won an Emmy in 2016 for their partnership with Univision supporting Latino entrepreneurs. SEED SPOT opened a second location in Washington, D.C. and is scaling their numbers and impact. "DSIL provided me with connections to a global network of thought-leaders and an enhanced skill set around design thinking and program innovation that is manifesting in my team at SEED SPOT's expansion efforts. It was important for me who leads such a large effort to understand these processes and tools so I could support my team in our constant collaboration.
Watch the quick video below to get a feel for the course classrooms.
Alumni Aaron Wong is building 3D Houses for those who live in poverty.
On February 23rd, Transparency International and the World Wide Web Foundation have jointly launched a study on how well is corruption being tackled in G20 countries by using open data (and innovation brought by such and by its societal use). There was a sample of 5 G20 countries which were analyzed and I did the analysis for Brazil! It is a thorough one and has reverberated quite well over here. I'm presenting this work in late June in Berlin, during a Network Summit proposed by the Hertie Foundation, the institution that maintains Hertie School of Governance - where I took my master studies. DSIL gave me new ways to think to help me drive this work forward in new directions.
More info here: New research on open data and anti-corruption released
After receiving an award as New Australian of the Year in early 2017, I am now developing new learning programs that aim to address the systemic reasons for the cultural isolation of international in Australian high schools and universities. How often do we see people and institutions around us ignore the root cause of a problem, and instead, spend non-negligible resources on treating the symptoms - just because they seem to lack the courage and ingenuity to tackle an issue head-front. I am interested in using the careful design approach learnt with DSIL to better understand the actual situation of the people I seeks to help and a mindful approach that aims both to equip learners with the right emotional and cognitive tools to better deal with their situation, and through careful reframing, to operate a gentle mindset shift.
After the course I moved back in Brazil, managing different projects in my home country and beyond, and that has led me to applying design thinking in my daily work. I am developing a community project in the Amazon forest, designing expeditions to connect micro-entrepreneurs who are excited to build their skills along with volunteers who can help to transfer knowledge too. I am also managing a social business course along the Trans-Siberian Railway. One more thing; I am have started educational and agricultural initiatives with companies and community members in my hometown.
More than learning theories and concepts, the DSIL Course to intuitively apply design thinking and facilitation tools to each step of the way; both within my many teams and even with friends and family! Bonus: I can count on so many bright and inspiring people from all over the world that I met at the course!