Tech Matters

In this season three finale, Jim Fruchterman distills the core lessons from his conversations with leading tech-for-good organizations, highlighting how AI is being thoughtfully applied to address real-world challenges—from agriculture and maternal health to mental health and crisis response. As the broader tech industry wrestles with the "tool vs. worker" debate—and some companies justify mass la...

In this episode, Jim Fruchterman speaks with Debbie Rogers , CEO of Reach Digital Health . Debbie details the evolution of Reach Digital Health (formerly the Praekelt Foundation), which was founded on the insight that mobile phone penetration in Africa was leapfrogging the rest of the world. This created a unique opportunity to address systemic health challenges like HIV and maternal mortality. On...

In this episode of Tech Matters, we sit down with Jonathan McKay, the founder of SameSame, a social enterprise dedicated to providing mental health support and access to services for LGBTQI+ youth. During the conversation, we explore Jonathan's journey from graphic design and for-profit marketing to the social sector with SameSame, using anonymity to create safe, accessible pathways for young LGBT...

Inspired by astronauts and grounded in the realities of rural India, the founder of Digital Green shares a 15-year journey of using technology to support smallholder farmers. In this episode, we hear how a Microsoft Research project grew into a global nonprofit working with governments and NGOs, first by using low-cost farmer-to-farmer videos, and now by building AI-powered advisory tools in local...

In this special episode, we revisit the origin story of Aselo, the open-source contact center platform transforming how child helplines operate around the world. Jim talks with Aselo's leaders, Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt, about modernizing helplines by integrating calls, texts, and social media to meet young people where they are. From global partnerships to the careful use of AI, this conversation...

What if drones weren't symbols of surveillance and warfare, but everyday tools for local communities to protect forests, cities, and coastlines? Sonja Betschart is the co-founder of WeRobotics and the Flying Labs Network . Thanks to these organizations, drones, geospatial data, and AI are being put in the hands of local experts across the Global South. From mapping shark nurseries in the Seychelle...

CONTENT WARNING: This episode makes reference to sexual assault.   In this episode, Jim speaks with Tracy DeTomasi , CEO of Callisto , a nonprofit using secure technology to connect survivors of sexual assault and expose serial perpetrators. Tracy, a licensed clinical social worker, explains how Callisto's end-to-end encrypted platform lets survivors safely discover if their assailant has harmed o...

What do you do when you have a great social impact idea but no experience with making it a reality? With all its risks, is Artificial Intelligence something that replaces human ingenuity or can it really be used to bring your idea to fruition? Delve into how Fast Forward takes a page from the iconic Y Combinator playbook to shake up the nonprofit scene. Entrepreneurial spirit meets social impact—d...

Welcome to our third season, featuring amazing guests: Shannon Farley and Kevin Barenblat of Fast Forward, Tracy De Tomasi of Callisto, Sonja Betschart of WeRobotics, Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green, Jono McKay of SameSame, and Debbie Rogers of Reach Digital Health. Tune into the biweekly Tech Matters podcast by following and subscribing on your favorite platform! 

In this special episode of the Tech Matters Podcast, we dive into the inspiring story of Aselo , a groundbreaking contact center platform designed to empower child helplines worldwide. Aselo is revolutionizing how organizations provide counseling, resources, and care through modern, purpose-built technology. Join us as we explore the journey of Director of Product and Operations Dee Luo and Execut...

In wrapping up Season Two, Jim extends his heartfelt gratitude to our devoted listeners and the extraordinary tech nonprofit leaders who've shared their impactful stories. Furthermore, this season wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our major donors, including the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation , Okta for Good , the Skoll Foundation , and Splunk .   Jim leaves us with a cal...

For our final episode of season 2, this time it's Jim who sits on the other end. Our special guest host is his longtime mentee — and CEO of Nexleaf Analytics — Nithya Ramanathan .      What led to the decision to prioritize social impact over the stereotypical Silicon Valley (attempt at) wealth for its own sake? Guided by Nithya's insightful questioning, Jim's narrative takes us through the early...

Open Supply Hub is more than just a database; it's a movement towards a more ethical and sustainable future. By crowdsourcing data and providing a unique identifier for facilities, they've created a system that benefits everyone from brands to auditors and even the workers themselves.   Today's conversation covers the inception of Open Supply Hub and its evolution. Executive Director  Natalie Gril...

Dive into the heart of social tech innovation with Heejae Lim , the trailblazing founder and CEO of TalkingPoints . Heejae recounts the inception of her groundbreaking app, which stands out as a rare success story in a sea of well-intentioned but often ineffective educational apps. TalkingPoints isn't just another tool in the edtech arsenal; it's a game-changer, using AI to bridge language gaps, f...

"What could the nonprofit sector do if every nonprofit had Google's engineering team?" (J. P.)   In this thought-provoking episode, we sat down with Jake Porway , the visionary co-founder of DataKind , to explore the transformative potential of harnessing data science for the nonprofit sector. Jake takes us through the journey of the organization from its early days of hackathons to its evolution...

"It takes a network to fight a network" (D. S.)   In the labyrinth of global corruption and organized crime, a beacon of truth shines through the data-driven work of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). This episode takes a deep dive with co-founder Drew Sullivan as he shares the story behind the most comprehensive database on international corruption.    By aggregating bi...

"Seeing is no longer believing. You need to fortify the truth." (Y.A.T.)   Generative AI, deepfakes… we've known the risks for a while, but the dangers feel ever closer given the amazing advancements of orgs like OpenAI. Meanwhile, human rights activists have faced these risks for years (think of doctored videos, misleading evidence, or the total absence of context).    Witness was ahead of its ti...

Picking up where we left off with Owen Barder , Jim digs deeper into how tech enters the discussion, in particular what Precision Development has been doing to tackle major sustainable agriculture challenges in developing countries. Key topics: When to do AB testing (à la Facebook) vs. a full-blown Randomized Control Trial (the typical government approach); the fact that data helps flag a problem,...

Throughout Owen's journey, one central question has been: How do you navigate market failure, especially when the stakes are sky-high? The typical choice between government intervention vs. private investment vs. third sector solutions often can't cut it. Owen and innovators like him don't have all the answers, but are able operate at the highest institutional level, crafting and implementing new...

As we learned from Nithya Ramanathan in Season 1, data = money = power. To understand what this means for our future, and what we can actually do about it, we're coming back strong with a whole new lineup of interviews in Season 2. You'll hear from Jake Porway, co-founder of Datakind, Yvette Alberdingk Thijm of Witness, Owen Barder of Precision Development, and many more about the importance of hu...

As we draw the curtain on Season 1, Jim takes us back through some of the most captivating insights shared by our remarkable guests. It's a reaffirmation of why technology serves as a catalyst for monumental social change and why it's equally crucial to grasp the boundaries of technology and its ethical development.     Join us for a retrospective that underscores the pivotal role of tech in drivi...

Get ready to meet Emily Jacobi , co-founder of Digital Democracy , a non-profit on a mission to harness the transformative power of technology for marginalized communities. Join us as we delve into their remarkable work, from empowering local partners in Haiti to Peru to track cultural and geographical data. This data, in turn, becomes compelling legal testimony against corporate practices causing...

Join us in an insightful journey with Rebecca Masisak , the dynamic CEO of TechSoup Global , as she unravels the fascinating evolution of the organization's mission. Starting as CompuMentor, their initial focus was on providing tech volunteer services to nonprofits. Over time, they expanded their impact by offering donated software and hardware at steep discounts, setting the stage for remarkable...

Meet Sanjay Purohit , the visionary Chief Curator of Societal Platform , on a mission to orchestrate a vibrant ecosystem of changemakers, organizations, and initiatives committed to tackling grand-scale challenges head-on. In this episode, he takes us on an illuminating journey through the intricacies of his role.   Uncover the secrets of designing, not "just" for thousands, but for millions if no...

In this recap episode, Jim steps in to reflect on the insights we've gathered from our exceptional guests, Mike, Ana, and Nithya. He also shares the personal journey that brought him to becoming a social entrepreneur. Join us as Jim dives into the essence of human-centered design, the art of navigating skepticism on the path of social entrepreneurship, and the critical role technology must play in...