Phil Tower

Capital For Change

Business EN ↓ 7 episodes

Do you know what it takes to turn a creative business idea into a business success story that enhances our state economy? Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch, two of Michigan’s premier business development leaders, do – and they’re ready to share the ins and outs of the start-up business ecosystem with you. Find out what they know and hear from start-up CEOs who have seized the opportunity to turn their dreams into business reality in the new podcast series, “ Capital for Change. ” You’ll learn how the New Community Transformation Fund is connecting innovative entrepreneurs with investors and spurring...

Author

Phil Tower

Episodes

From Shanghai to 1,100 Stores: The Hummus Goodness Success Story with Hannah Awada 30.06.2026 30:36

From a Kitchen Window to Over 1,100 Stores: Hannah Awada's Journey of Purpose-Driven Growth. How do you grow a successful business without losing sight of what made it special? In the sixth and final episode of Capital for Change , host Phil Tower welcomes Hannah Awada , founder and CEO of Hummus Goodness , to share the inspiring story behind one of Michigan's fastest-growing specialty food brands...

The Power of Purpose-Driven Investing with NCTF Managing Director Abid Ali 16.06.2026 30:19

What does it take to identify businesses that can generate both financial returns and meaningful community impact? In Episode 5 of Capital for Change , host Phil Tower is joined by New Community Transformation Fund co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch for a conversation with Abid Ali, Managing Director of the New Community Transformation Fund. Together, they explore how strategic investments ca...

Music, Tech & Equity: Dre Wallace and the Bold Vision Behind Opnr 02.06.2026 31:39

What happens when music, technology, and entrepreneurship collide with a mission to create more equitable opportunities for independent artists? In Episode 4 of Capital for Change, host Phil Tower joins New Community Transformation Fund co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch for an inspiring conversation with A ndrea “Dre” Wallace, co-founder and CEO of Opnr — an innovative platform helping indep...

Beyond Philanthropy: Steve Jandernoa on Investing in Economic Opportunity Through NCTF 19.05.2026 31:54

In Episode 3 of Capital for Change , host Phil Tower is joined once again by New Community Transformation Fund co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch for a conversation with longtime West Michigan business and philanthropic leader Steve Jandernoa. A partner at 42 North Partners , president of the Jandernoa Foundation , and Investment Committee Chair of the New Community Transformation Fund , Jand...

How the Frey Foundation Helped Launch the New Community Transformation Fund 19.05.2026 33:14

In this second episode of Capital for Change , host Phil Tower is joined once again by New Community Transformation Fund co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch for an inside look at one of the key early partnerships that helped propel the fund forward. Birgit and Skot speak with Holly Johnson, President of The Frey Foundation — one of West Michigan’s leading family foundations and an early suppo...

The $10 Million Vision: How a Bold Idea in Grand Rapids Sparked a Venture Capital Movement 19.05.2026 37:46

In the debut episode of Capital for Change , host Phil Tower sits down with New Community Transformation Fund co-founders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch to unpack the remarkable origin story behind one of West Michigan’s most groundbreaking venture capital initiatives. What began as a conversation over lunch between two longtime community leaders quickly evolved into a bold mission: creating generati...

Capital For Change-Official Trailer 05.05.2026 1:27

What does it take to turn a bold idea into a thriving business—and who gets access to that opportunity? In this special trailer for “Capital for Change,” get a first listen to a new podcast exploring startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and economic development in Michigan. Business leaders Birgit Klohs and Skot Welch, alongside host Phil Tower, introduce a series focused on real stories f...