Digitally Democratizing Education
Pioneering nonprofit 'Projects For All' is democratizing access to education by implementing digital infrastructure (Hello Hubs) in developing countries. Recently, the nonprofit launched ‘Project: Hello World’, an installation of digital, internet-enabled, kiosks in African communities. The Hello Hubs deliver educational tools, internet connectivity and a place in the 'Granny Cloud' digital mentoring program, while providing protection against human right violation by enabling community journalism.
'Projects For All' Founder Katrin Macmillan, FreshGrade Partner/Founder Lane Merrifield, and 'Projects For All' Advisory Board member, Sophie Kelly, will discuss the importance of entrepreneurial approaches to development work, why we are focusing on digital education and connectivity for equality, how 'Projects For All' overcomes the logistical challenges of reaching remote communities, and the importance of sustained digital programs in creating long-term change.
Presenters
Katrin Macmillan
Founder & Dir
Projects For All
Katrin is an award-winning producer and has produced human rights advocacy events and programs in London, South Africa, Nigeria, DRC and Australia. In New York she launched a city-wide political arts festival and coordinated advocacy events for the UN (OCHA), NY University Center for Global Affairs, NY Public Library, the Culture Project, Speak Truth To Power and the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. She has addressed international academic forums on human rights and humanitarian aid.
Katrin has worked as a development consultant for the World Bank, the International Centre for Energy Environment and Development and USAid, and has assisted Management Sciences for Health with their HIV/AIDS program. She co-launched Bwari, a Nigerian collective aimed at generating jobs using sustainable resources and, in collaboration with the ICRC, initiated the emergency relief for Jos. Katrin works with Panzi Hospital in Eastern DRC as a volunteer.
Lane Merrifield
Partner/Founder
FreshGrade
Lane Merrifield is co-founder of Club Penguin and former executive vice president of Disney Online Studios.
As CEO, Lane worked to help create and launch Club Penguin in 2005, playing an integral role in its phenomenal growth and continued success as one of the largest digital brands for children. This success led to a partnership with the Walt Disney Company, which acquired it for $350M in August of 2007.
In 2013 Lane left his role at Disney to return to his entrepreneurial roots, pursue new ventures, and find ways of giving back to the community. Inspired to focus on the challenges facing teachers in the 21st century classroom, Lane co-founded a startup in the field of Education called FreshGrade.
Lane has always had a passion for the convergence of creativity and technology. He and the Club Penguin team have been recipients of a BAFTA Award and a Webby Award. Lane has received an Honorary Fellows Award, several leadership awards, and was listed as one of THR’s 35 Top Executives under 35. Most recently he has been appointed to the University of British Columbia’s Board of Governors.
Roland Wells
Technical Dir
Projects For All
Roland is the Director of Technology at Projects For All & Project Hello World and is strongly committed to building community technological capacity. By involving and working together with all members of a community during the implementation of projects, Roland not only helps to foster community ownership but encourages the community to work with new technologies. He is passionate about contributing to positive change in the projects, businesses and communities he is involved with.
Prior to working with Projects For All, Roland has founded and managed a diverse list of community projects and entrepreneurial businesses, including: KRUU-LP 100.1 FM (Community Radio Station), The Bonnell Project (open community incubator), The Beatbox (Youth and Community Technology Center), WalkerGroup, Inc (disaster inspection service), and Cypress Villages (sustainable housing development).
Sophie Kelly
CEO
The Barbarian Group
Over the course of a 20 year career spanning Australia, Asia, Europe and the US, Sophie Kelly has built a formidable reputation for growing and transforming global brands.
In her role as CEO of The Barbarian Group, Sophie oversees all client business, agency operations and growth, and has played an instrumental role in strategically building the agency’s executive leadership team. Over the course of her tenure, the agency has added several major accounts to its existing client roster, including Pepsi, Virgin and most recently, Beam Spirits.
Prior to joining The Barbarian Group, Sophie served as Managing Director of StrawberryFrog, where she was responsible for leading the growth of new and existing clients including Jim Beam, Sabra and P&G. Previously, she acted as Global Business Director at JWT, where she ran a portfolio of worldwide Diageo brands including Smirnoff, Bailey's and Jose Cuervo.
Sophie currently sits on the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s (IAB) agency advisory board, in addition to serving as an advisory board member to nonprofit ‘Projects For All’, where she is heavily involved in implementing digital initiatives in developing nations.
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