Natasha McEwen, Author at Business Fights Poverty

Partnerships, Systems Change and the Future of Collaboration with Darian Stibbe

Social Impact Pioneer, Darian, Executive Director of The Partnering Initiative (TPI), shares insights from more than 20 years spent helping businesses, governments, NGOs, philanthropies and international organisations work together to create lasting social and environmental impact.

Business Purpose, Corporate Impact, Economic Development, Fostering Leadership, Partnerships, Responsible Business, Social Enterprises, Sustainable Development

July 31, 2026

What Does a Human-First, AI-Enabled Approach to Fighting Poverty Look Like?

As AI becomes increasingly central to social impact, organisations need frameworks that put people before technology. This article introduces the SHAPE framework, outlining five principles for designing and deploying responsible AI that strengthens human capability, promotes equity, builds accountability and ensures AI improves lives rather than amplifying existing inequalities.

Business, Business Purpose, Corporate Impact, Responsible Business, Technology

July 27, 2026

Why African Agriculture Must Prepare for its Nana Benz Moment

Africa’s food systems face a growing succession crisis as younger generations move away from farming, risking the loss of vital agricultural knowledge. This article explores why strengthening rural livelihoods, creating economic opportunities and treating farming as a viable career are essential to building resilient food systems and long-term food security.

Agriculture, Food and Nutrition, Livelihoods and Jobs, Poverty

July 27, 2026

Building Inclusive Economies with Joe Scantlebury

Meet Social Impact Pioneer Joe Scantlebury, President and CEO of Living Cities. From representing children in the juvenile justice and dependency care systems to helping shape civil rights and equity advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Joe shares his journey. If you’re looking for inspiration and a can-do boost, this podcast is for you.

Business Purpose, Corporate Impact, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Economic Development, Equity and Inclusion, Financial Inclusion, Livelihoods and Jobs, Responsible Business, Social Enterprises, Social Welfare, Sustainable Development

July 23, 2026

Creating Work Opportunities for Refugees, with Aline Sara

Meet Social Impact Pioneer, Aline Sara, Co-Founder and CEO of NaTakallam, the award-winning social enterprise transforming how businesses and individuals engage with refugees and conflict-affected communities.

Business Purpose, Corporate Impact, Employment and Jobs, Livelihoods and Jobs, Refugees and Migration, Responsible Business, Sustainable Development

July 2, 2026

Staying Ambitious with AI: 5 Lessons for Responsible Social Impact

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform social impact, but only if it is deployed responsibly. Drawing on Business Fights Poverty’s latest Insight Paper, this article explores five practical lessons for using AI to strengthen lives, livelihoods and learning through inclusive design, trusted partnerships, strong governance and human-centred implementation.

Corporate Impact, Responsible Business, Sustainable Development, Technology

June 30, 2026

From Engagement to Action: 5 Ways to Activate Internal Stakeholders on Social Impact

Moving internal stakeholders from awareness to action is one of the biggest challenges facing social impact professionals. Drawing on insights from Business Fights Poverty’s latest Insight Paper, this article outlines five practical strategies for building trust, creating relevance and activating sustained internal engagement to embed social impact across business strategy and operations.

Business, Corporate Impact, Engaging Employees, Fostering Leadership, Governance and Transparency, Responsible Business, Sustainable Development

June 30, 2026

Moving Beyond Projects: How Corporate–NGO Partnerships Can Build Systems Collaboration

As global crises intensify and aid declines, corporate–NGO partnerships must evolve beyond project-based funding. Drawing on Business Fights Poverty’s latest Insight Paper, this article outlines six practical lessons for building financially resilient, locally led and systems-focused partnerships that create lasting social impact while strengthening business resilience.

Business, Corporate Impact, Partnerships, Responsible Business

June 30, 2026

Unlocking More Impact from Limited Capital: 5 Lessons on Catalytic and Recyclable Finance

As social impact budgets tighten, businesses are exploring catalytic and recyclable finance to achieve greater impact with limited capital. Drawing on Business Fights Poverty’s latest Insight Paper, this article shares five practical lessons to help companies use grants, blended finance and impact investing more strategically to build resilient, long-term social and environmental outcomes.

Business, Corporate Impact, Economic Development, Finance and Investment, Financial Inclusion

June 30, 2026

From Reaction to Prevention: Using Remittances to Act Before Climate Crises Hit

As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, the case for acting before crises strike is growing stronger. This article explores how Mercy Corps, H&M Foundation and Adyen are testing an innovative approach that links climate early-warning systems to remittances, helping vulnerable families access resources before disasters hit and building more resilient, anticipatory humanitarian systems.

Climate & Environment, Climate Action, Finance and Investment, Poverty, Responsible Business, Sustainable Development

June 11, 2026

Brokering Partnerships and Collaboration with Ian Leader

Listen in to Ian Leader, Social Impact Pioneer, cross-sector strategist and founder of Local Works. Ian shares his experience in building partnerships that really work, between business, community and government.

Business Purpose, Corporate Impact, Fostering Leadership, Partnerships, Responsible Business, Sustainable Development

June 8, 2026

AI Literacy and Local Humanitarian Leadership in Cameroon

In this interview, we hear from Ulrich Assouah, Managing Director of IFP Humanitarian Studies, based in Douala, Cameroon. With a background in humanitarian leadership development, organisational governance, and capacity building for local NGOs and young professionals across Africa and fragile contexts, Ulrich brings a practitioner’s lens to the question of AI’s role in locally led humanitarian action.

Business, Corporate Impact, Human Rights and Governance, Sustainable Development, Technology

June 2, 2026

When Budgets Tighten, Corporate Innovators Invest More in Social Impact. Here’s Why.

Across the corporate social impact community, budgets are tightening and many companies have gone quiet on commitments. New research from Project ROI, aggregating 640+ peer-reviewed studies, shows the opposite move: high-performing companies invest more in CSR during downturns. Here’s the data, and what it means for corporate leaders and their nonprofit partners.

Corporate Impact, Engaging Employees, Innovative Business Models, Partnerships

May 28, 2026

What a Decade of TRANSFORM Teaches Us About Partnerships

The new TRANSFORM Playbook shares practical lessons from more than a decade of collaboration between Unilever, FCDO and EY. With contributions from Business Fights Poverty CEO and Co-Founder Zahid Torres-Rahman OBE, it offers timely guidance for impact accelerators and organisations seeking to build public-private partnerships that deliver lasting social impact.

Partnerships, Sustainable Development

May 28, 2026

What Can Business Gain from Cross Cultural Learning with Hesham Elzeftawi

Social Impact Pioneer Hesham Elzeftawi, shares his journey developing deep understanding and appreciation for cross-cultural learning.

Business Purpose, Corporate Impact, Fostering Leadership, Learning and Skills, Partnerships, Responsible Business, Social Enterprises, Sustainable Development

May 26, 2026

From Resilience to Antifragility: What Nature Can Teach Us About Staying Ambitious in a Time of Constraint

Business Fights Poverty and Learn Biomimicry come together to explore how nature offers a powerful lens for going beyond resilience, helping organisations not just withstand adversity but grow stronger because of it.

Business, Business Purpose, Corporate Impact, Responsible Business, Sustainable Development

May 6, 2026

Inside the Mars Impact Fund with Michelle Grogg

Social Impact Pioneer Michelle Grogg is the Executive Director of the Mars Impact Fund. Listen in as Michelle shares her insights on why Mars can do more with an Impact Fund now. She shares her experiences on how businesses can drive meaningful social impact at scale and how delivering impact through both business operations and targeted investment is a vital way to make limited resources go further.

Business Purpose, Corporate Impact, Finance and Investment, Financial Inclusion, Impact Investing, Partnerships, Responsible Business, Social Enterprises, Sustainable Development

April 27, 2026

Partnering for Impact: Five Lessons for Organisations Ready to Champion Women Farmers

Strong partnerships are essential to building resilient, climate-smart supply chains. Drawing on ofi and GIZ’s multi-year collaboration, this article shares five practical lessons for empowering women farmers at scale. From aligning around shared challenges to designing inclusive, long-term programmes, it shows how partnership can unlock livelihoods, strengthen value chains and drive measurable impact.

Agriculture, Corporate Impact, Gender, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Partnerships, Sustainable Development

April 17, 2026