Insights from the Technology Innovation Deep Dive
Pictured: Professor Mike Smith, ALI's Technology Innovation Deep Dive Chair
Professor Mike Smith of Harvard's John A. Paulson School Of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) convened ALI's first-ever Technology Innovation Deep Dive. Prof. Smith organized the three-day immersive event that explored the present-day social impact implications of technology platforms. To learn more and hear key takeaways from the event, read our executive summary and watch our session highlights videos below!
Watch highlights from the Deep Dive sessions on our Youtube playlist. Topics include: the life cycle of innovation for technology, using technology to drive equitable outcomes, and the future of machine learning and quantum technologies.
Fellows News
Linda Orlans (2021) was inducted into the 2021 Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan Hall of Fame. Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame laureates are “drivers of the economy and the soul of our community."

Robin Mendelson (2020) was featured on HBR's Cold Call podcast where she and co-author Professor Mike Toffel (HBS) discussed their new case study "Student Success at Georgia State University." The case study highlights how the university used a data-based approach to retain students of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and help them graduate.

Laura Murphy (2016) was awarded the Impact Award by Rev. Jesse Jackson and his organization, Rainbow Push Coalition, at their annual summit. The award recognized Laura for her civil rights audits of Facebook and Airbnb, and her success in getting 12 minority, women and veteran owned firms to be part of the Airbnb public offering.  

Sutapa Banerjee (2015) was featured on the RFi Group's Global Digital Banker podcast and shares insights on how behavioral economics and science can significantly impact gender equity and financial inclusion.

Eduardo Elejalde (2015) is working to expand the Natalia Mental Health Foundation's international efforts in Colombia and Peru. As founder, Mr. Elejalde and the Foundation help improve the living conditions and self-esteem of people affected by schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Marissa Wesely (2014) launched a first-of-its-kind collaborative funding initiative, the Resilience Fund for Women in Global Value Chains. The Fund brings together corporate investors, foundations, and NGO partners to invest in the health, safety, and economic resilience of the women who form the backbone of global value chains.
Pictured: Linda Orlans (ALI 2021) was recently inducted into the 2021 Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan Hall of Fame
Faculty & Staff News
ALI Faculty Board member Cornell Brooks hosted a virtual event titled “Achieving our Country: An Academy of Citizen Activism” to promote collaboration between social justice activists, advocates, academics and artists. Recorded sessions from the event can be viewed on the William Monroe Trotter Collaborative’s YouTube channel.

ALI Faculty Executive Committee Member Howard Koh (SPH/HKS) says it is critical to maximize COVID-19 vaccination in younger groups. Featured in The Boston Globe, Dr. Koh suggests that health professionals and educators can support families, parents and children to accelerate the momentum to vaccinate this group, making it more of a social norm.

ALI Founding Chair & Director Rosabeth Moss Kanter (HBS) says businesses led by women are 63 percent less likely to receive funding than businesses led by men. In an article in HBS's Working Knowledge, she discusses her case study that examines what it takes to break gender barriers and build thriving businesses in an emerging startup hub.