Blog Posts

Designing for 100x Impact

I am excited to share in today’s Female Leaders in education and philanthropy edition of the PurposePhil Pulse the exchange I’ve recently had with Ellie Bertani , the founding CEO of the GitLab Foundation . With a background that spans global health philanthropy, executive roles in the private sector, and a deep focus on economic mobility, Ellie brings a systems-oriented, practical, and refreshing

From Journalism to Systems Change: Camila Pereira on School Leadership, Rested Leadership, and Redefining Impact

In this edition of PurposePhil Pulse: Female Leaders in Education & Philanthropy , I had the privilege of sitting down with Camila Pereira , the newly appointed CEO of Global School Leaders . Camila’s journey into education has been anything but linear, starting as a political journalist, growing through 14 years at the Lemann Foundation in Brazil, and just recently having stepped into a role

From Spark to Systems: Kat Pattillo on Leadership, Advocacy, and Reimagining Education

In this PurposePhil Pulse conversation, Kat Pattillo shares with Nora Marketos hard-won lessons from education reform across the Global South—from immersive government partnerships and her EdWell newsletter to building coalitions and writing The Systems Change Playbook.

Rethinking Education Systems through Finance, Technology, and Human Behavior: A Conversation with Dayoung Lee

Dalberg Partner Dayoung Lee shares with Nora Marketos insights on scaling impact in global education—from AI and outcomes-based finance to her leadership journey across four countries. Discover how she embeds innovation in public systems while staying grounded in human-centered change.

Centering Voice, Depth, and Sisterhood: A Conversation with Radhika Bharat Ram

In this PurposePhil Pulse interview, Nora Marketos speaks with KARM Co-Founder Radhika Bharat Ram on building trust, mentoring young women, and reimagining education as a pathway to systemic change. A powerful conversation on voice, values, and shifting norms from the inside out.

Seeing the Whole Child: Romana on Privilege, Belonging, and Educational Transformation

Global education leader Romana Shaikh joins Nora Marketos to explore how justice, identity, and inner work can transform education systems. From community-rooted school models to her book Weaving Wholeness, this dialogue reimagines leadership as a practice of healing.

Beyond the Tent: A Systems View on Education in Emergencies

Petra Heusser discusses the evolving landscape of Education in Emergencies, the need for integrated responses, and the power of partnerships to protect learning in crisis.

Leveraging Networks in Uncertain Times: A Vision for Education's Future

In my exchange with Aashti, we dive into pivotal moments that led her to work on education from different angles, and how important it is to create meaningful learning opportunities among education organisations worldwide. She shares about key partnership principles and leadership traits that make her an important voice in the global education sector.

From Village Classrooms to Systems Change: Amy's Journey in Global Education Leadership

Amy Bellinger shares her career in consulting, Ark Schools and at the Learning Generation Initiative, what it means to work on systemic approaches in education. She also delves into leadership aspects from her perspective as a working mother.

Beyond Frameworks: The Essential Mindsets for Successful Partnerships

In an era defined by complex challenges and interconnected systems, partnerships involving multiple stakeholders and sectors have become a vital mechanism for achieving systemic change, particularly in philanthropy and education. While frameworks, tools, and organizational strategies often take center stage in public and informal discussions about partnership building, the real engine of sustainab

Embracing Variability: Leadership Lessons from Two Decades in Education Philanthropy

Discover career insights from a senior Jacobs Foundation leader on evidence-based education, cross-sector partnerships, and navigating leadership as a woman in philanthropy.

Strengthening Systems, Building Resilience: A Conversation with Heidi on Education, Partnership, and Leadership

Explore how Heidi Rosbe scaled education programs across MENA, transformed partnerships, and shares leadership lessons from her journey in philanthropy and international development.

Locally-Led, Globally-Informed: Wendy Kopp's Vision for Education

Wendy Kopp shares how developing leadership at all levels drives systems change in education, with powerful reflections on female leadership and scaling global impact.

Crossing Mighty Mountains: A Conversation with Nishat on Authentic Leadership and Education

Nishat Riaz shares how becoming Pakistan's first female engineer shaped her approach to education philanthropy, partnerships, and empowering girls in marginalized communities.

Speaking in Tongues: Navigating the Hidden Languages of Social Impact Work.

If you want to find a job or career in the social impact world, you might be using language that is highly connotated with a specific sub-sector, such as impact investing, NGO formal government slang. I reflect on what it takes to master the different languages and how it helps when building trust and multi-stakeholder coalitions.