What is your brief story and how did you get to be a GloablMindED First Gen delegate from Union College?

I am a Ghanaian-American who spent her childhood in Accra (Ghana) and teen years in the Bronx (New York), until I got into Union College to study biomedical engineering. I have always had a strong interest in learning about how things work: from the human body to machines. This led to coursework and experiences in healthcare, engineering, and education. I have participated in a number of education and healthcare-focused projects (from the community outreach work of the Society of Women Engineers to the performances and fundraising activities of the African Dance Club) that seeks to empower women and children, and intersect people of different backgrounds. This passion grew as I worked in local and international organizations and projects, evolved into avid pursuit of a career in global health-where I believe that the power of intersections of thoughts and disciplines, can provide earth-changing solutions. Thus, when the opportunity to attend the 2017 GlobalMindED conference (from one of my professors: Lorraine Cox) was presented, I was instantly hooked just from its name.

How did the leadership experience open personal and professional doors for you during and following the conference?

I got very excited at the conference, because it was like a boiling pot of people from different backgrounds who had come together to explore opportunities and solutions to some of the issues we were facing (from the potential loss of jobs due to an increase dependency AI and tech products, to the lack of girls in STEM fields because they are lost at the very beginning). I was able to connect with professionals who offered their contacts for potential internships as well as friends with similar interests. After this conference, in addition to sharing my experiences with my friends and colleagues, I became more driven to focus on the subjects and topics I was passionate about, including initiating female empowerment projects with Girls Inc and in Ghana and Togo, but also becoming more resolute in my journey to work on some of our local and global challenges I had learned in class and seen on the field, during community outreaches and internships.

What role did this experience play in winning the Truman Scholarship?

My experience at the conference really pushed me to learn more and build on my knowledge, including partaking in an independent study in South Africa to learn more about HIV/AIDS, and to explore the mechanisms through which a local NGO (based in Johannesburg) was functioning so well. This internship opportunity helped me understand what was happening on the ground, including the intensity of the prevalence of the diseases and lack of sustainable means/avenues for the organization. It became the premise that guided the development of my policy proposal for the Truman fellowship.

What are your professional goals from here based on your connections and experiences?

I plan on pursuing a masters in global/international health, and then an MD after that. I hope to utilize these degrees along with her research and engineering background to work with others to bridge gaps in healthcare and improve its accessibility in developing countries.

Each session is based on how things get done, key stakeholders, measurements and ability to bring about change at scale. Participants do not spend time talking about their background; but emphasize unique, innovative work and what it has achieved. Sessions will be selected based on the following criteria: 

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Building a Democratic Economy: How Do We Create Prosperity for All?

November 13, 2019 - Washington, DC

While our economy continues to grow, our country's prosperity is not broadly shared. Although unemployment is low, too many working people still struggle to make ends meet or build enough wealth to provide for a stable life for themselves and their families. How do we create a new economic system that builds prosperity for all, helping to ensure that everyone shares in the wealth that businesses generate?

A new book, The Making of a Democratic Economy, explores this question by looking at organizations and individuals across the country working to reshape our economy to make it more equitable and to restore power to individuals. From worker cooperatives to socially conscious investing, these leaders are creating different approaches to capitalism that can serve as models for others. The book outlines a set of principles for this new economy that can help guide efforts to address the challenges that many people still face.

Women at HBS Webinar

December 4, 2019 - 4:00pm EST

Hear from members of the Women's Student Association as they reflect on their MBA experience and discuss the environment, resources, and support, for women at HBS.

Entertainment For Change creates original song and dance (#SDGGROOVE) to educate young people on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Like any meaningful social change, the original song and dance is a collaborative effort between more than 20 singers, dancers, writers and choreographers. Lauded vocalists Natalie Weiss and Antonio Cipriano lend their voices to the powerful lyrics, while each SDG is  danced by performers of all calibers.

"There is an incredible opportunity to make a difference as a 'Real Leader' - now" - Sir Richard Branson

The National Academy of Medicine defines "gender" as a person's self-representation as male or female based on social interactions and "sex" as based on one's genes. The environment can impact gene expression which is known as "epigenetics."

Gender/sex impacts every aspect of our daily lives. The same dosage of medication, for example, has different effects on men compared to women, resulting in a need for us to understand these differential effects in the research and development process before doctors can effectively dose their patients. Similarly, although some products (such as shoes, sports equipment, or cars) seem to have separate designs for men and women, it is important to distinguish between a simple change in aesthetics and a design that actually addresses the biological factors (ie, body composition, bone structure, metabolism) that cause men and women to experience these products differently. Each small detail and seemingly insignificant change in design can heavily impact how we perform at work, school, or in our leisurely activities.

GUIDELINES

Participants:

The challenge is open to all students

Design Requirements:

The design elements can include:

Programs (ex: an educational symposium);

Policies (ex: a policy on inclusion);

Protocols (ex: athletic training protocols or medical guidelines); or

Products (ex: sports equipment, clothing, tools, hardware and machine-human interfaces).

Solution Requirements:

The solution should:

Demonstrate the impact of gender/sex on a design element.

The concept for the design element needs to be clear, concise and actionable.

Submissions (approximately 1-2 pages in length) are due November 7 to contact@globalminded.org. We look forward to your ideas!