Virtual Campfire with Changemakers - Power of Impact Community
Join us for an engaging online event series, Virtual Campfire with Changemakers, where we gather beyond borders to spark meaningful conversations, share stories and ignite change! Each month, our host Carmen Chan, founder of Girls Be Change, invites her remarkable changemaker friends from around the world to explore diverse topics that matter to us all. From conservation and climate to women's stories and young voices, this series is designed to enlighten and empower you with stories. So, let's talk about something serious... with a light heart.
On July 12 Sat, we are thrilled to welcome two co-hosts and impact community builders: Jessie Huang, Co-founder of Impact Circles, a dynamic peer-to-peer learning network designed to amplify the impact of social innovators; and Vincent Otenio Odhiambo, Regional Director of Ashoka Africa. Ashoka is a global changemaker network that envisions a world in which Everyone is a Changemaker: a world where all citizens are powerful and contribute to change in positive ways.
In this unique Virtual Campfire format, we won’t be confined to a traditional panel or roundtable discussion. Instead, prepare for an intimate gathering where professional stories intertwine with personal experiences. Our cohosts will share their journeys and insights, inviting participants to ask questions and contribute to a rich tapestry of dialogue. This is a space for connection, learning, and inspiration, where you are welcome to join in and share your thoughts. All genders welcome!
No matter what age or changemaking stage you are at, this virtual campfire promises to be a thought-provoking experience. Bring your curiosity and an open heart, and let’s celebrate the power of storytelling and community together! We can’t wait to see you there!
In order to curate a more engaging experience, we limit each virtual campfire session to 10 participants only. The online session will also be recorded.
Meet our Campfire Host, Carmen!
Carmen Chan | Girls Be Change (Hong Kong)
Carmen is a people-driven entrepreneur. Since the age of 25, she has been running her own ventures, including her namesake jewelry brand, Carmen Chan Jewelry; creative agency, Studio C; and lately, her new social business, Girls Be Change.
Carmen Chan Jewelry celebrates the beauty of imperfection through jewelry and accessory design. Carmen was awarded as the finalist of Lane Crawford Calling Out For the Next New 2015 and highlighted in Facebook #SheMeansBusiness in 2016. Studio C is a creative agency that provides public relations, marketing, and design services with clients from a variety of backgrounds, including Taylor Swift, Marriott International, Hong Kong Design Centre, Affordable Art Fair, and more.
Girls Be Change is a social business that enables and empowers girls and women to be explorers and changemakers. Carmen spent years understanding the challenges of women leaders and struggles of underserved women, and finally decided to transform her expertise in problem solving throughout her journey of entrepreneurship into this new venture with the goal to eradicate gender inequality and build strong impact eco-system collectively.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenbechange/
And our wonderful co-hosts!
Jessie Huang | Impact Circles | US & China
Jessie is a passionate entrepreneur, facilitator, and community builder, boasting seven years of experience in building and expanding communities both in Hong Kong and globally.
Jessie is the founder of Impact Circles, a vibrant peer-to-peer learning network designed for early-stage social entrepreneurs and impact professionals. Over the past five years, this initiative has extended its reach across Asia and the US, annually engaging over 4,000 social entrepreneurs through a mix of meetups, mentorship programs, and online peer groups. In addition to her work with Impact Circles, Jessie lends her expertise as a leadership training facilitator at Rippleworks, a California-based nonprofit foundation dedicated to scaling high-impact social ventures worldwide to improve more lives.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Development Practice from UC Berkeley, Jessie is deeply committed to empowering grassroots social innovators, equipping them with the necessary tools to develop effective solutions. Her work not only fosters a culture of learning and growth but also amplifies the impact of social entrepreneurship on a global scale.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-huangzhaoxi/
Vincent Otieno Odhiambo | Ashoka Africa | Kenya
Vincent is the Regional Director for Ashoka in East Africa, based in Nairobi Kenya. He is a seasoned, visionary and transformative leader with an impressive track record in different sectors including social and humanitarian services, public and private sectors, and the social impact sector. His leadership journey has taken him through various levels of leadership, from local community initiatives to national, regional, continental, and global engagements. Vincent’s expertise lies in driving organizational development, building transformative, cross-sectoral collaborations, social entrepreneurship and social impact.
Vincent is the Board Chairman of Lightup Impact, an NGO building a movement of over 100 young grassroots leaders across East Africa advocating for equality in health, gender, and other opportunities. He is also the Board Treasurer of Konexio Africa and until recently, he was one of the strategic advisors to INASP (International Network for Advancing Science and Policy). He has served as the Board Chair for Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environment Internationale-Kenya Chapter. He is the founder of a youth-focusing organization whose focus was to champion youth participation in development and governance. He is also a founding director of a consultancy which worked with private sector leaders to create and champion development models that combine positive social impact with market-facing enterprises. He regularly shares his opinions and thoughts on a wide range of issues in both local and international media platforms.
Vincent is a firm believer in ecosystemic, transformative partnerships and collaborative impact for social entrepreneurship as a critical path towards finding sustainable systems change solutions to drive social transformation and a firm believer of an everyone a changemaker world.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-odhiambo-8b838044/
This virtual campfire is opened to only approved guests. For any RSVP enquiries, please contact Carmen on girlsbechange@gmail.com.