Humanitarian Frontiers

🎙️ Erin Reilly is Chief Social Impact Officer and SVP of Social Impact Business at Twilio, where she also runs the business unit behind Twilio.org. More than 30,000 social impact organizations build on Twilio, reaching around 800 million people last year. After six years of conversations between us, she finally came on the show.🤝 The thread running through this one is partnership. I have long believed that private sector engagement with our sector has to be a handshake, not a handout. The business stays a business, the NGO stays an NGO, and both sides are honest about where their constraints sit. Erin agreed, and she explains how that actually works at Twilio, where Twilio.org sells at a discount to social impact organizations and reinvests the margin back into social impact, so the model sustains itself rather than depending on goodwill.🚨 On disasters, her starting point stopped me. The most common way people around the world still find out severe weather is coming is a siren, and a siren only tells you to worry. It does not tell you what to do, where to go, or when. Closing that gap is why Twilio has committed, through Disaster-Ready Communities, to a digital early warning system for everyone on Earth by 2030.Also in this conversation:📲 Ukraine cash assistance with NRC, where the expectation was roughly 10,000 digital sign-ups and 300,000 people registered in the first weeks, freeing field teams for those digital could not reach 🧹 Why 56% of executives report getting nothing from their AI investments, and how fragmented infrastructure explains it 💛 Personalization as a question of dignity rather than convenience 📈 UNICEF moving from uniform fundraising blasts to donor context 🌀 A $3M grant to Mercy Corps, community preparedness on Colombia's archipelago, and why trust has to exist before the message arrives ☎️ Red Cross standing up virtual help desks in days rather than months 🔒 Why sharing platforms across organizations is harder than sharing code 🔁 One number to rule them all, and why Erin thinks warm transfers between specialists is the better answer 🎁 Her stocking stuffer and her gift under the tree for the sector🔗 Twilio for Disaster-Ready Communities: https://www.twilio.com/en-us/lp/disaster-readiness#HumanitarianFrontiers #HumanitarianTech #EarlyWarning #AnticipatoryAction #SocialImpact #TwilioListen in to our podcast partner Devex's podcast This Week in Global Development https://www.devex.com/focus/this_week_in_global_development

For the last 70 years, the NGO playbook has remained largely unchanged, but the world around us has shifted. How do we move beyond outdated models to truly empower the people we serve?Joining me today are two pioneers pushing the envelope on that exact question: Eric Kaduru, leading digital and financial inclusion initiatives at CARE, and Darius Golkar—also known as Drew—the force behind Common Lands.In this episode, we move past the buzzwords. We aren’t just talking about ‘innovation’; we’re talking about building a global Commons for identity, trust, and inclusion. We dig into why NGOs shouldn't be trying to build their own tech, but instead, acting as the 'evangelists' that bridge the gap between powerful tools and local community needs. We also tackle the hard questions: Why is the legal system failing the bottom billion, and how can we use decentralized infrastructure to let communities 'self-assemble' their own truth?If you’ve ever wondered how to integrate cutting-edge tech like blockchain into humanitarian work without losing the human touch, or why the most effective solutions are often found right where you’re working, this is the episode for you.Join us as we explore the art of the possible. Let’s get into it."-----Key Themes Included:The Humanitarian Reckoning: Addressing the need to move past post-WWII development models.The "Commons" Approach: Defining the concept of a shared, community-owned infrastructure.Tech as a Bridge, Not a Box: Why NGOs should prioritize sensitizing communities and using existing local tools rather than becoming bespoke software developers.The Reality of Inclusion: Addressing property rights, contracting, and how technology—when used correctly—can help the 'forgotten class' participate in the global economy.Would you like me to refine the tone of this intro to be more casual, or perhaps create a social media blurb to promote this episode?https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickaduru/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgolkar/https://commonlands.org/https://care.org/

In Episode 7, Chris Hoffman is joined by Paula Gil Baizan (Principal, Something Meaningful) and Ben Holt (Principal, New and Useful) for a candid conversation on what the humanitarian sector needs next after a brutal 2025: is this a “reset” — or a complete redo?Paula argues we’re running on an outdated operating system built for predictable funding, stable access, and clear mandates — and those assumptions no longer hold. Ben reframes strategic foresight as a tool for action under uncertainty (not prediction), and asks the tougher question: if the sector’s “hardware” (institutions, incentives, hubs) can’t move fast enough, what new coalitions and models will emerge?They get practical on what individuals can do right now: ground in values, prioritise dignity over scale, build networks of trust, and be honest about power and trade-offs. They also discuss “grief” and anger in legacy systems — and how to channel that energy into purpose-driven change, not institutional survival.What we cover:Futures/foresight for humanitarian decision-makingValues-based leadership in volatile environmentsLocalization, power, dignity, and trustFrom legacy institutions to new models of aidLinks:Paula / Something Meaningful: https://www.somethingmeaningful.co/ (somethingmeaningful.co)Paula LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulagilbaizan/Ben / New and Useful: https://www.newanduseful.co.uk/Ben LinkedIn (quick find): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-holt-innovation/keywords: future of humanitarian action, strategic foresight, humanitarian innovation, localization, dignity, systems change, humanitarian leadership, resilience.

In Episode 6, Chris Hoffman is joined by Kenneth Kou (Head of Venture Lab / Crypto for Good Fund, Mercy Corps Ventures) and Simon Meldrum (Innovative Finance, IFRC; Executive Director, Humanitarian Finance Forum) to unpack what “innovative humanitarian finance” actually means—beyond the buzzwords. This is a wide-ranging, practical conversation about where capital can (and can’t) move the needle: why the sector is shifting from narrative to delivery details, what’s broken about the hype around social impact bonds (and why the data matters), and how instruments like insurance, risk-sharing, and capital markets tools can help close the humanitarian funding gap—if they’re designed for real constraints. We also connect the dots between emerging tech + finance, including how venture-style approaches are testing new models for financially underserved and climate-vulnerable communities. What we cover:Social impact bonds: market reality vs. storytelling Insurance, risk, and “doing less with less”The role of Humanitarian Finance Forum in unlocking private capital Links:Mercy Corps Ventures: https://www.mercycorps.org/what-we-do/ventures Humanitarian Finance Forum: https://hfforum.org/ Brookings “Impact Bonds by the Numbers”: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/social-and-development-impact-bonds-by-the-numbers/ LinkedIn (quick find):Kenneth Kou: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethkou/Simon Meldrum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonmeldrum/keywords: humanitarian finance, innovative financing, social impact bonds, blended finance, insurance and risk, capital markets for good, IFRC, Humanitarian Finance Forum, climate resilience, financial inclusion.

In Episode 5, Chris Hoffman is joined by Fran Baker (Director of Sustainability, Social Impact, and Innovation at Arm), Shane O’Connor (Innovation Manager, Emerging Tech, UNICEF Office of Innovation), and Hovig Etyemezian (Head of Innovation, UNHCR) to unpack what makes public–private partnerships actually work in humanitarian innovation.This isn’t a “pilot story.” It’s a practical conversation about aligning incentives, building trust across sectors, and avoiding the trap of partnerships that look great on paper but don’t survive real operational constraints. The guests share how long-running collaborations stay effective: clear problem ownership, strong local feedback loops, shared learning, and designing solutions that can scale without forcing a single tech stack. You’ll also hear why co-creation beats “solution shipping,” how innovation teams move inside large institutions, and what it takes to deliver outcomes for communities—not just reports for donors.What we cover:Partnership models that scale (beyond one-off pilots)Frontier tech, responsible innovation, and real-world constraintsHow UNICEF, UNHCR, and industry partners collaborate in practiceSustainable impact vs. “CSR theater”Links:Arm + UNICEF partnership (Arm): https://newsroom.arm.com/blog/arm-unicef-partnership UNICEF Office of Innovation: https://www.unicef.org/innovation/Shane O’Connor (UNICEF Venture Fund profile): https://www.unicefventurefund.org/team/shane-oconnor Hovig Etyemezian bio (AI for Good): https://aiforgood.itu.int/speaker/hovig-etyemezian/ Fran Baker:  https://www.arm.com/company/sustainabilityUK4UNHCR: https://unrefugees.org.uk/learn-more/news/news-updates/unhcr-partners-with-arm-to-unleash-tech-to-help-transform-refugees-lives/UNHCR Innovation: UNHCR Innovation ServiceLinkedIn:Fran Baker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franbaker1/Shane O’Connor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-o-connor-b9600b4/Hovig Etyemezian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hovig-etyemezian-9b33994/keywords: humanitarian partnerships, tech for good, UNICEF innovation, UNHCR innovation, Arm social impact, frontier technology, co-creation, digital public infrastructure.

In Episode 5, Chris Hoffman is joined by Abhi Kumar (Thunes) and John Reynolds (Aleo) to make “blockchain” practical for the humanitarian world—focusing on trust, traceability, and cross-border transfers that can reduce (not replace) the need to move physical cash.Abhi explains how modern payment infrastructure is now bridging fiat rails + stablecoins through a single API, and why stablecoins like USDC/USDT are becoming a serious option for global payouts and wallet-based distribution in volatile contexts. John breaks down what stablecoins are (and what they aren’t), then goes deeper on the privacy problem: most blockchains are transparent by default, creating real risks around surveillance and sensitive beneficiary data. Aleo’s approach—using zero-knowledge cryptography—aims to enable private, compliant payments with selective disclosure. What we cover:Stablecoins in aid delivery: USDC/USDT, wallets, liquidity, on/off-ramps Interoperability: moving value across rails (banks, wallets, digital assets) Privacy + compliance: protecting PII while enabling auditability Links:Thunes (global payment infrastructure): https://www.thunes.com/ (thunes.com)Thunes Pay-to-Stablecoin-Wallets (USDC/USDT payouts): https://www.thunes.com/pay-to-stablecoin-wallets/ (thunes.com)Aleo (zero-knowledge by design): https://aleo.org/ (aleo.org)USDC (issued by Circle): https://www.circle.com/usdc (Circle)LinkedIn (quick find):Abhi Kumar (Thunes): https://www.linkedin.com/in/abxkumar/John Reynolds (Aleo): https://www.linkedin.com/in/1jreynolds/keywords: humanitarian payments, stablecoins, USDC, USDT, cross-border transfers, cash and voucher assistance, blockchain for good, zero-knowledge, privacy-preserving payments, fintech for humanitarian response.

In Episode 3, Chris Hoffman sits down with Kate H. Wilson (Managing Director, Impact Futures Global) and Sean Burke (Strategy Lead – Nonprofit Practice, Accenture Health & Public Service) for a straight talk on what HR has to become in humanitarian and development organisations—especially in an era of AI, tighter budgets, and rising operational complexity. This episode goes beyond “HR policies” into the real work: rebuilding operating models, retaining talent when purpose alone isn’t enough, and designing human + machine collaboration without losing the human outcomes that matter. We dig into why the sector’s funding squeeze is forcing a reset (or reckoning), and how organisations can rethink roles, skills, and leadership so they can deliver more impact with fewer resources.What we cover:Future of HR in humanitarian response and international developmentTalent retention, career pathways, and staff care under pressureAI in operations: “human in the lead” (not just in the loop)Rethinking operating models: people + process + technologyEcosystem partnerships and sustainable capacity-buildingLinks:Kate H. Wilson bio: https://r4d.org/about/our-team/kate-wilson/ Sean Burke bio (Independent Sector): https://independentsector.org/people/sean-burke/ Accenture Nonprofit Consulting: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/industries/public-service/nonprofit LinkedIn (quick find):Kate H. Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinehwilson/Sean Burke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanburke/keywords: humanitarian HR, future of work, AI for social impact, operating model redesign, talent retention, organisational transformation, workforce strategy, non-profit digital transformation.

In Episode 2, Chris Hoffman is joined by Sandra Uwantege Hart (Mercy Corps Ventures) and Doug Smith (Acting CEO, Data Friendly Space) for a clear-eyed conversation about open source, Digital Public Goods (DPGs), and what sustainability really looks like once the pilot funding runs out.This episode cuts through the buzzwords and gets into the hard parts: why “everything must be open source” can unintentionally create abandoned codebases, how donor incentives shape what gets built (and what gets maintained), and why long-term ownership, governance, and security often matter more than ideology. Doug shares why AI adoption is accelerating faster than most humanitarian policies can keep up, and what that means for risk and accountability. Sandra adds the nuance on localization—how blanket requirements can undermine local tech start-ups and limit sustainable business models in the places where humanitarian response actually happens.What we cover:Open source vs. DPGs (and when each makes sense)Sustainability beyond pilots: maintenance, governance, securityLocalization and market-shaping effects of funding requirementsResponsible AI + data risk in humanitarian operationsLinks:Data Friendly Space: https://www.datafriendlyspace.org/Doug Smith (DFS profile): https://www.datafriendlyspace.org/members/doug-smithMercy Corps Ventures: https://www.mercycorps.org/what-we-do/venturesMercy Corps Ventures: https://www.mercycorpsventures.com/LinkedIn:Sandra Uwantege Hart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-uwantege-hart-862b5986/Doug Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connectwithdoug/keywords: digital public goods, open source sustainability, humanitarian innovation, responsible AI, localization, humanitarian technology, NGO digital transformation, data governance.

When connectivity drops, power is limited, and the stakes are life-and-death, “cool tech” isn’t enough. In Episode 1, Chris Hoffman is joined by Camille Crittenden (Executive Director, CITRIS & the Banatao Institute at UC Berkeley) and Carlos Pignataro (former CTO at Cisco, Founder/Principal, Blue Fern Consulting; tech-for-good inventor) to talk about what it really takes to build resilient, offline-first technology for humanitarian response.You’ll hear why the best systems are designed for reality: messy environments, unreliable networks, frontline workflows, and rapid change. Camille breaks down practical principles for offline data collection, delayed sync, usability under pressure, and responsible deployment. Carlos adds hard-won lessons from field experience and the importance of co-design with the people who will actually use the tools—so solutions don’t fail at the last mile.What we cover:Edge computing + offline-first design for humanitarian operationsCo-design (top-down architecture + bottom-up user reality)Security, resilience, and trustworthy data in crisis settingsBuilding tech that scales without breaking communitiesLinks:Camille (CITRIS bio): https://citris-uc.org/people/person/camille-crittenden/ (CITRIS and the Banatao Institute)Carlos (Blue Fern profile): https://bluefern.consulting/carlos (Blue Fern Consulting)Carlos (Cisco author page): https://blogs.cisco.com/author/carlospignataro (Cisco Blogs)Carlos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpignata/ (cednc.org)Camille LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillecrittenden/keywords: humanitarian innovation, edge computing, offline-first, crisis tech, resilient systems, co-design, digital transformation, humanitarian operations.

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