The Big Idea Center Celebrates Inaugural ChangeMaker Series Cohort; Students Share Key Takeaways from the Masterclass Program

Story by Rankin Tran (SCI '24)

Rankin is a 2023-2024 Big Idea Center Intern who covered this new program and provides his perspective and key take-aways from the participating students.

The Big Idea Center recently concluded its inaugural ChangeMaker Series cohort! Launched in Spring 2024, the ChangeMaker Series is a new body-of-knowledge masterclass program designed for Pitt students interested in exploring innovation and entrepreneurial concepts and what changemaking in action and its impact looks like across various disciplines, professions, and areas of interest.

This semester, 26 students participated in the first-ever cohort with 17 completing the series and receiving a Certificate of Completion. This level of participation demonstrates strong demand for innovation and entrepreneurship knowledge-building among students at all levels and across disciplines, and a desire to explore how the skillsets and mindsets of innovators and entrepreneurs can be applied to and impact their own lives and careers.

Reflecting on the Series, Rhonda Schuldt, Director of the Big Idea Center noted, “We know that engaging in and exploring innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) – in any way – as a student has a significant positive impact.”  

Rhonda goes on to state, “A lot of the student-facing programs focused on I&E are geared toward starting companies.  As such, we found that many students don’t feel like these programs (or a place like the Big Idea Center) were for them. However, innovators and entrepreneurs are our world’s changemakers, and we believe that everyone has this potential whether they start a startup or take innovative and entrepreneurial action in other ways to make a positive impact and deliver value in the world. We created this new ChangeMaker program to invite all students into the Big Idea Center and to know that it’s a place where they absolutely belong and are welcome to step in and explore what innovation and entrepreneurship can uniquely mean for them.” 

She concludes, “we are absolutely thrilled to see the number and diversity of students – from undergrad to PhD, across a number of disciplines and schools – who stepped in and started their changemaking journey in this first cohort and look forward to seeing more students stepping into their own journey in the coming semesters.”

Here is a glimpse into each session and a summary of the students’ key takeaways!

ChangeMaker Series Session #1 - “Where the Journey Begins and Where it Can Lead” 

 
In the first session of our ChangeMaker Series, students learned about the foundational theories of Lean Startup as they were joined by inspirational guest panelists from the Pitt community who are making a positive impact in the world through their startups. These panelists shared their stories of what it means to be a changemaker and their unique paths to pursuing innovation and entrepreneurship.  

Getting Started with Entrepreneurship 

Anyone can be a changemaker! Innovation is an iterative process and entrepreneurship is both a mindset and skillset. Although entry into entrepreneurship seems like an enormous hurdle, many endeavors begin with an air of mystery and a dive into uncertainty. Embracing uncertainty with a passion for discovery and tackling smaller problems allows you to continually progress your idea and achieve realistic goals. Mistakes are inevitable. Don’t take L’s as losses – take them as lessons and you will always be making progress. 

Key Takeaways:

• Start and Iterate: The initial hurdle to innovation and entrepreneurship is often just getting started. Don't wait until you have all the answers -- begin by taking small steps forward. You'll refine your idea over time as you gain experience. 
• Embrace Uncertainty: Doubts and "what-ifs" are common when executing your idea. Understand that these uncertainties are normal and part of the entrepreneurial journey. 
• Focus on Consumer Needs: To make a significant impact, understand what consumers are trying to achieve. Innovate by fulfilling these "jobs-to-be-done" effectively. 

“At the heart of all change is a focus on the well-being of people.” 

Finding an opportunity to innovate can be a daunting process. In a world of infinite possibilities for innovation, one of the best places to find opportunity is from within. Consider the things you’re passionate about and search for common problems around your areas of interest. It’s important to identify the intersection of your passion, your motivation, and how you are going to make a positive, impactful change in society.  

Key Takeaways:

• Ownership and Resilience: While it's beneficial to consider guidance and feedback from others, remember that your vision is yours to guide. It’s important to understand your own strengths and weaknesses and remain resilient in the face of criticism and doubt. 
• There's No One "Right" Path: There's no definitive way to make a change. The universe is open to change and constantly changing in unimaginable ways. Follow your interests to find opportunities for positive impact. You can shift away from choice paralysis to true imaginative freedom when you begin to see that good can be done in every area of the world.
• Seek Inspiration Everywhere: Inspiration for innovation often arises in unexpected places. Look beyond your professional or academic sphere, even to your hobbies, for creative and entrepreneurial inspiration. 

Guest Panelists: 

• Joanna Sutton, Entrepreneur in Residence at the Big Idea Center 
• Kyle Guinness (CBA '20), Co-Founder of Revitalize Energy 
• Joe Maggiore (MD/PhD '27), Founder & CEO of Conduction 
• Blake Dubé (ENGR '17), Founder & CEO of Aeronics 

ChangeMaker Series Session #2 - “Creating and Delivering Value” 

 
In the second session of our ChangeMaker Series, students learned about the need to identify your value propositions and using tools such as the business model canvas to determine how you create and deliver value to others. At the end of the session, students engaged in a panel discussion with another set of panelists comprised of Pitt student/alumni founders who shared how they discovered the purpose behind their startup.  

Finding a Value Proposition 

Entrepreneurship is driven by empathy and discovery. A compelling value proposition comes from seeking to understand what people need and creating the bridge between the job-to-be-done and your solution.  

Key Takeaways:

• Customer Discovery Interviews: When asking customers for feedback, don’t lead them to a solution. Let the customers' experiences guide you to the solution you need to create for them. These interviews provide valuable data and insights for understanding deeper issues and refining ideas to meet customers in their environment. If a customer's needs and experiences don't align with your solution, listen and adapt to understand how your solution needs to fit into their lives. People prefer the path of least resistance, especially when it comes to incorporating a new solution that changes their lives. 
• Varied Approaches to Problem-Solving: Changemakers employ diverse methods to identify problems and formulate solutions. These approaches, such as personal observation, iterative project development, and goal-oriented conversations, emphasize organic processes over traditional market research and detailed business planning in the early stages of development. 

“Being a changemaker requires a grounding point to make tough decisions.” 

It’s important to remember that your value proposition comes from your passion to solve a problem that others have. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to be led down a path of decision-making that takes your value proposition away from what truly energizes you to make a positive impact in the world. Pivoting is important if it’s something that’s aligned with your passion and purpose, but never sacrifice your mission and vision – the heart and soul of your effort – simply for momentary financial gain.  

Key Takeaways:

• Courage and Conviction: Asserting yourself in conversations with authority figures requires courage and confidence in gathering data and evidence. Effective communication of goals is crucial, recognizing that not all perspectives align. The panelists recommended students to read Measure What Matters by John Doerr, which elucidates how Objective Key Results are used with teams to transparently communicate goals and steps to reach them. 
• Balancing Customer Feedback: Integrating customer feedback without compromising the core vision is challenging and pivoting based on feedback involves risks to financial stability. The guest panelists were resilient, adaptable, and willing to take calculated risks to ensure their business could successfully pivot to identified opportunities while remaining aligned with their core missions. Always be intentional with and self-aware of your moves and conduct careful planning with research before enacting change.  
• Handling Conflicts and Prioritizing Vision: Conflicts with stakeholders, including investors, necessitate prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term gains. The panel discussion raised important questions regarding relationships with stakeholders. Researching alternative funding sources and contextual considerations aids in navigating conversations effectively. Investments are enticing, but you must also be aware of what each stakeholder expects from you and what outcomes are likely to occur.  
• Embracing Change: Pivoting is a reality in business due to a constantly changing landscape. You may face a conflicting decision between aligning with overall customer feedback or aligning with an initial vision you set out for the endeavor. This will be a choice that requires deep reflection and consideration of the future, but it is reassuring to know that pivots are not necessarily negative. Some can lead to new opportunities, such as entering new market segments or addressing more resonant pain points.  

Guest Panelists: 

• Noah Snyder (ENGR PhD ‘15), President & CEO Of Biointerphase 
• Kyle Wyche (DSAS ‘19, MBA ‘24), Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of Ecotone Renewables 
• Kate Gallo (CBA ‘25), Founder & CEO of Underdog 

ChangeMaker Series Session #3 - “Seek First to Understand: The Power of Curiosity and Empathic Inquiry”

In our third ChangeMaker Series session, students learned how creative problem-solving begins with empathy to understand stakeholder needs and deliver solutions that respond to the market. Afterward, curious students had their burning questions answered in a panel discussion with a Pitt alumni entrepreneur who embodies the heart of empathic inquiry by providing jobs to impoverished women and fighting preventable illnesses in underdeveloped countries through recycled soap. 

Leverage the Strength in Numbers of Your Network 

The ability to network effectively is fundamental to entrepreneurship. It is a skill free to learn, use, and invaluable for success. When you go out and make connections with stakeholders and immerse yourself in the environment, you gain firsthand insight into their needs and how you can deliver value to their lives with an impactful service or product that people want to pay for.  

Key Takeaways:

• Empowerment through Empathy: Social entrepreneurship involves not only providing aid but also empowering communities. Samir valued the dignity of the impoverished communities he sought out to serve, so he created jobs for women in those areas to work in the production of recycling and processing soap. He built a supply chain of hotels that would donate soap to further his cause and created job opportunities for women, thereby giving them agency in the solution he was creating as well as providing Samir with a passionate labor force that was invested in the success of Eco-Soap Bank’s mission. 
• Community Engagement: Use the power of human connection to find a balance with designing a solution without being restrained by the community's resistance to change. While it's crucial to consider community perspectives, it's also necessary to balance this with the need for innovation and change. Samir emphasized the importance of being informed by and involved with the community when developing solutions as the key to Eco-Soap Bank’s success. 
• Deep Listening and Respect: Active listening cultivates a profound sense of empathy that challenges preconceived notions and biases. By immersing himself in the lives and experiences of the Cambodian villager, Samir learned to understand and respect the villagers' cultural needs in relation to his idea. This approach allowed him to develop contextually relevant solutions that addressed religious, environmental, and public health concerns. 
• Look for Overlooked Resources: Samir created value for neglected resources, hotel soap and women who needed jobs, to address health issues in Cambodian villages. He found a multifaceted solution by fostering community partnerships in changemaking efforts. 

What Makes it Fun to Work Hard?  

Being mindful of your reason for being an entrepreneur is a critical component to success that can get lost in the mire of day-to-day tasks. When you fall in love with the why of your solution – and not the solution itself – you allow it to evolve with the process of discovery and maintain motivation to push forward with your idea. 

Key Takeaways:

• Finding Joy in Your Purpose: Finding a way to infuse fun into your problem-solving is a key component for success. Samir spoke of his innate sense of boredom which drives his curiosity and desire to engage with meaningful work, highlighting the importance of enjoying the journey. Awareness of your motivations and gratitude are the bread and butter of personal sustainability. When you’ve found your source of fun, entrepreneurship becomes a dream you wake up to everyday, excited and energized to take on the world.  
• Sustainable Development Goals: Aligning your business plans with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals sets you up, in Samir's words, “...to be successful in tomorrow’s world”. By integrating these social and environmental considerations in the early stages of your venture, you organically contribute to creating a prosperous world and people become invested in your success as it is aligned with the greater good. 

Guest Panelist: 

• Samir Lakhani (DSAS '14) Executive Director & Founder of Eco-Soap Bank

ChangeMaker Series Session #4 - “Human Centricity in Creative Problem-Solving and Changemaking” 

In our fourth ChangeMaker Series session, students learned how to keep humans at the center of creative problem-solving. One of the biggest differentiators a business can have is their social impact, and that begins by asking stakeholders BIG questions. The session concluded with an engaging panel discussion consisting of Pittsburgh entrepreneurs who shared how human centricity helped their startup take flight!  

A Problem Can Have Many Solutions 

It is alluring to think that you’re onto the one-and-only solution, that you’ve stumbled upon “the One Ring to rule them all”, but take a moment to review the human experience with which you seek to change. Meaningful impact comes from understanding how solutions fit into people’s lives. A single idea and pursuit to solve a problem can manifest multiple solutions in the market, so researching how people currently co-exist with a problem gives you invaluable insight into potential methods to differentiate yourself from competitors. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Feasibility and Ideation: Always consider the feasibility of what you can execute or produce as you scale up. While app ideas are popular starting points, not everyone has the resources or connections to develop, launch, and — most importantly — maintain them.  
• Problem-Driven Initiatives: The shock of a distressing statistic can ignite your passion for change. Both Kelsey and Leah were motivated by alarming statistics - Kelsey by the vast abundance of trash in Haiti, and Leah by the 40% of perfectly good food wasted each year in America (with grocery suppliers accounting for 30% of it). A key point of statistical evidence can rest at the core of your mission and fuel the mobilization for change. 

Harnessing the Power of Community Involvement 

Entrepreneurship presents an opportunity to integrate personal convictions with societal impact. It is a transformative journey that promotes a positive impact on yourself and the world around you. Through the art of professionally translating your values into actionable solutions that improve people’s lives, you can cultivate an authentic understanding of diverse perspectives in the world. This empathy not only attracts a community to invest in your success financially, but also emotionally. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Prioritizing Empathy: Meaningful and sustainable solutions stem from understanding the perspectives and motivations of those affected by the issue. This human-centric approach leads you to address the core of complex problems like food insecurity with a focus on empowering the local community. Leah and Kelsey shared examples of conversations where they used boots-on-the-ground knowledge of the actual state of reality to correct “experts” who relied on economic models. 
• Get the Community Engaged: Both women are business leaders and emphasized the importance of incorporating local community members in project growth. Allowing local experts to help guide their focus on change and serving as bridges to greater resources, they created a self-sustaining network of motivated supporters who saw a change in their own community and wanted to be involved. 

Guest Panelists: 

• Leah Lizarondo, Co-Founder & former CEO of 412 Food Rescue, Founder & CEO of Food Rescue Hero 
• Kelsey Halling (CBA '09), Senior Customer Success Manager at HowGood, founding team member and former Director of Sales/Head of Partnerships at Thread International 
  
  

Spring 2024 ChangeMaker Series Certificate of Completion Recipients (some not pictured above):

Interested in being a ChangeMaker?

Start by participating in the Fall 2024 ChangeMaker Series! Applications open later this summer. Participating in and completing the ChangeMaker Series is a prerequisite to joining the full ChangeMaker Scholars Program.  

If you are interested in receiving updates on the full Scholars program and when applications open for the Fall 2024 cohort of the ChangeMaker Series, complete the form at the link below.

Sign up to stay informed about the ChangeMaker Series and Scholars Program