332 | A Global, Distributed Network of Social Impact Leaders with Sherry Lassiter
Our guest this week on the pod is Sherry Lassiter. Sherry is the President and CEO of the Fab Foundation, a network of over 2700 digital fabrication facilities in 150 countries. The goal of a Fab Lab is to provide access to the tools, the knowledge and the financial means to allow anyone to make almost anything thereby creating opportunities to improve lives and livelihoods around the world.
This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Social Impact Leaders: Interview with Sherry Lassiter Transcript
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You can read the full transcript of this episode here.
Key Topics and Bullet Points
Introduction to the Episode and Guest
- Overview of the episode’s theme focusing on creating a global network of social impact leaders.
- Introduction of the host, Paul Zelizer, and his background in social entrepreneurship.
- Introduction of the guest, Sherry Lassiter, her role as President and CEO of the Fab Foundation, and her professional journey.
History and Evolution of The Fab Foundation
- Origin story of Fab Labs tied to a National Science Foundation grant and Professor Gershenfeld's idea.
- Development of the first Fab Lab in an educational setting and its expansion to a global network.
- Evolution of labs into community centers and sources of innovation.
Educational Initiatives and Programs
- Discussion on the importance of education in the Fab Lab network.
- Details on hybrid courses and development of technology courses.
- Impact of global education programs on creating cohesion in the Fab Lab network.
Social Impact and Economic Benefits
- Sherry Lassiter’s explanation of the mission to democratize access to technology.
- The Fab Foundation’s role in addressing survival needs in communities.
- Social impact projects highlighted, like Fab City and initiatives in the Amazon River villages.
Leadership and Structure in Fab Labs
- The challenge of balancing strong guidance with democratized leadership.
- Description of how labs respond to local champions and community needs.
- Sherry's insights on running a global network, the importantce of decentralized governance and supporting local social impact leaders
Achievements and Contributions during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- The role of Fab Labs and Makerspaces in producing PPE and supporting communities.
- Examples of how decentralized manufacturing demonstrated resilience and adaptability.
Technological Accessibility and Future Goals
- Current initiatives to lower the cost of setting up new Fab Labs.
- Long-term goals for the next 5 to 10 years, focusing on sustainability and local manufacturing.
- Steps towards making technology and skills accessible to wider populations.
Funding Challenges and Opportunities
- Discussion on the difficulty of securing funding for social impact organizations and strategies for achieving sustainability.
- Recommendations for alternative funding methods and strategies for potential supporters.
Engagement and Involvement Opportunities
- Invitation to listeners to visit the Fab Foundation's website or contact Sherry directly.
- Opportunities for active participation and engagement within the Fab Lab network.
Conclusion and Further Discussion
- Paul Zelizer’s strategy sessions as a resource for social impact leaders.
- Recap of the key lessons discussed and the potential future impact of the network.
- Final thoughts from both host and guest on the power of distributed networks in social entrepreneurship.