Madera Group is working with The Body Positive to strengthen the next generation of female leaders, freeing them from obsession with external image, and supporting them in developing self acceptance so they can focus on living life to its fullest. Young women of today are bombarded with advertising and a popular culture that promotes an unhealthy relationship between eating and wellness.
This weekend, I was reading the interview of Techcrunch with Gina Bianchini (CEO of Ning) in Davos. In it, Gina argues that that she doesn’t see Nign as a competitor of Facebook or Twitter.
The Madera Group partnered with Strategen Consulting to co-host a special fundraiser celebrating Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner’s first year in the California State Assembly and to support her re-election in 2010. More than 100 friends and supporters gathered at the David Brower Center last Friday evening to honor Nancy’s hard work and success in passing several key bills through the legislature.
Last month, President Barack Obama spoke to people of Ghana about opportunity, responsibility, and the important role each of them has in determining their country’s future. His message was clear: “The world will be what you make of it.” Obama’s words challenged and encouraged the people of Ghana to take control of their own destiny – Africans have already shown their capacity and commitment to making change, and now is the time for them to use those tools to create new opportunities for themselves, he said.
This month, the Madera Group continues our work with Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, launching a new “campaign within a campaign” to help increase enrollment in their program, Make Mine a Million $ Business. Founded by social entrepreneur and author Nell Merlino (who created “Take your Daughter to Work Day”), Count Me In helps women entrepreneurs grow their businesses by providing (for free or at very low cost) a suite of online tools, webinars, national and regional events, and access to business development experts.
I am in San Francisco for the national conference of WBENC, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, giving the keynote address at lunch today. As I prepare to speak I am overwhelmed with the importance of women getting together, reaching out and venturing out to talk with other business owners about how they are handling the dramatic changes in the marketplace, the economy and their family lives.
“By loving the natural environment as we would a child, the environment will love and serve our children, producing food and clean water for future generations.”
~ Feliciano dos Santos
Here in San Francisco we are fortunate to have the inspiring annual Goldman Environmental Awards. The financial prize increased this year to $150,000, which is a significant cash resource for the local activists from around the world.
I had the good fortune to see Muhammad Yunus speak last week at the Commonwealth Club, and he was very inspiring. He spoke a bit about his
overall philosophy of poverty reduction, some about Grameen’s new corporate joint ventures (such as with Danone), and about Grameen
Bank’s new program for beggars.
Madera Group produced a video to help launch the re-branding of International Rivers. The organization works to protect rivers and human rights around the world. It has played a crucial role in building a global river protection movement fostering grassroots organizations in more than 60 countries and promoting leadership though technical and
strategic advice.
… Athena Williams-Atwood (in photo at left) thinks so. She knows about the importance of working with enjoyment and relaxation — sixteen years ago, at a time when she was working 60 to 80 hours a week, Athena had to radically change the way she managed her stress and tremendous work load. Eventually Athena founded Work With Ease, based in the US and Australia, to work with individuals and organizations to achieve better results, with peace of mind and health intact.
The William J. Clinton FoundationThe William J. Clinton Foundation seeks to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges through collaborative partnerships. Programs include the Clinton Global Initiative, the Clinton Climate Initiative, the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Read more
Animal Legal Defense FundWhen Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) approached the Madera Group, it had a steady base of supporters and donors built over the past 30 years.
Read more