OGUNTE Global Tribal Network - Generating Human Wealth Through Social Innovations

Inspiring women driving social change

Nominations for the coming Women's Social Leadership Awards have flown from the entire world, as far as New York and Calcutta! The awards took place on February 7th 2008, in London, with our partners BT Executive Women. 

Why these awards?

Countless women throughout the UK and the world have the potential to be inspiring social leaders - amazing women who, with the right support and networks drive positive social change.

The OGUNTE Women's Social Leadership Awards recognise these women.

Thanks to those who have nominated women who are making a difference through a campaign, a learning programme, an association or a social business.

Winners of the Women's Social Leadership Awards 2008

Winner Charities and Associations:  Jennifer Ogole (UK) – “Life Fm” community radio and “Bang Edutainment”

Jennifer came to the UK as a refugee and asylum seeker in 1980. She got involved in a youth group at the age of 15, became a single mother at 20, and started BANG Edutainment at the age of 25, from her living room. Jennifer is now the CEO of Bang Edutainment Ltd and LIFE FM, its flagship project, known as the voice of the community. In 1997, Life FM was awarded a five year FM broadcast licence and provides a platform for people and organisations to share information and grow their community, in North West London and over the world through their successful on-line presence. Jennifer leads a team that has enabled over 800 volunteers to have a go in media broadcasting since it started in 2002.

www.lifefm.org.uk | www.bang-ed.com

Winner Social Campaign:  Rachel Martin (UK) “ADVA” - Regional Campaign against Domestic Violence in Devon

Rachel is an enthusiastic leader and communicator, who has helped to boost a partnership against domestic violence, increasing a pooled budget for services from £60,000 to £1.2m.In 6 years, the Devon County Council Partnership ‘ADVA’ has spear-headed wholesale change and introduced sustainability to core support services within the voluntary sector. With a background in external funding and in the private sector as a leading salesperson for Apple Computers, Rachel has demonstrated her ability to grasp complex tasks, identify the critical paths to achieving success and lead by example with her enthusiasm and forthright campaigning approach. 
www.adva.org.uk

Winner Social Business: Julie Brown (UK) “Growing Communities” - Sustainable local food economy.

Julie founded Growing Communities, a community enterprise, ten years ago and on a daily basis, manages 17 part time staff, a team of volunteers and apprentice growers, and various programmes such as organic urban market gardens in Hackney parks, weekly organic fruit and veg box scheme (the first community supported agriculture scheme in London), the weekly organic Farmers’ Market in Stoke Newington (the only weekly certified organic farmers’ market in the UK).Julie shows in practice how a sustainable local food economy might work.  Her vision and everyday practice exceptionally combine truly strategic thinking with a grasp of practical realities.

www.growingcommunities.org

Highly Commended Finalists 2008

Finalists Charities and Associations

Daniela Barone Soares (Brazil - UK) “Impetus Trust” – Venture Philanthropy.

Born and raised in Brazil, Daniela is a brilliant economist. She joined Impetus Trust as Chief Executive in June 2006, after a successful career in the Banking and Private Equity industries.
As the Chief Executive of the Impetus Trust, a leader in Venture Philanthropy in the UK, Daniela’s aim is to have all crucial ‘actors’ collaborating and pulling in the same direction to generate sustainable social change.  Impetus provides an integrated venture philanthropy package, translating venture capital and business frameworks for the not for profit sector. Impetus has been able to ‘leverage’ £5.50 additional to each £1 that they put into each charity.

www.impetus.org.uk

Leila Thomas (UK) “Urban Synergy” - Mentoring scheme for young people

Leila is a Project Manager with Reuters Ltd, a 34 yr old mother to a 3 yr old and in her spare time she has set up Urban Synergy UK, pulling together various professionals from all over London to join the programme and provide positive role models and mentors to young people in the community. Urban Synergy works now with around 60 mentors and firmly intends to grow this pool to 100 professionals, coming from various prestigious corporations and organisations, and provide inspiring pathways to children, who volunteer to access the mentoring scheme.

www.urbansynergy.co.uk

Finalist Social Campaigns

Jin In (USA) “4GGL- 4Girls Glocal Leadership.” - Global gender equality campaign

Jin In, born in South Korea and US resident, works with and advises governments, UN Agencies and glocal (global – Local) civil society groups on girls.
Foremost, she mentors girls and young women of all ethnicities and background to be positive change agents. Jin created the first girl advisory panel at the US Department of Health and Human Services, which became a model for youth programs throughout the federal government. It received many awards, including from the White House, and direct funding of over $1 million with additional regional funds.

More about Jin on http://storyxstory.org/memoir.php?q=55

Finalists Social Businesses

Sally Broom (UK) “Your Safe Planet” - Sustainable travel

Sally is the founder and director of “Your Safe Planet” – a global network of trusted contacts who are on hand to help travellers scratch below the surface and spend money locally.
Sally graduated top of her year in Human Science at University College of London. During her degree she took an extra course in business and decided to focus on Your Safe Planet, using her student loan to start a business rather than go to law school!
YSP is identifying opportunities for independent travellers to travel the world responsibly, and sources volunteers who want to make a real difference without paying extortionate costs charged by other organisations.
She is also co-launching a network to support the people at the grass roots of the tourism industry.

www.yoursafeplanet.co.uk

Sadhana Kaikini (India) “Buoyancee” – self-development support for social regeneration.

Sadhana, is conducting Leadership training though her organisation Buoyancee and also for other’s, such as The Lion’s club and Rotary. She is reaching out to an impressive number of children and young people in India, supported by a team of 30 young staff. They visit institutions, slums and villages and conduct empowerment programmes for the teens and youth but also their parents and teachers and deliver in 5 languages.

www.buoyancee.com

Panel: Rachel Bamber, Kirstie Doyle, Jilla Jamfar, Servane Mouazan.

The judges looked at the way elements such as social impact, diversity, networking, risk taking, diversity, replication, inspirational aspects, were standing out in the applications.

The input of the referees was extremely important and carefully looked at.

Speakers:

Jane Swift | Chair BT Executive Women

Elizabeth Mojarro Huang | ACEVO | The Innovation Exchange

Lily Lapenna | Managing Director | MyBnk | www.mybnk.org