How Next-Gen Project Professionals Deliver Positive Social Impact

The youngest generations in the workforce don’t just want jobs—they want to deliver impact. What skills do project professionals need to ensure their efforts lead to deep social impact? And how do they build support for these initiatives? We discuss this with:

Martin Irungu, founder and executive director, Empower and Serve Kenya (EmpServe), Nairobi: Irungu’s upbringing inspired him to create an organization focused on positive social impact. He shares how EmpServe Kenya is upskilling the next generation of changemakers, and how his teams engage with communities to build trust and support for projects.

Nuria Gabriela Soistata Ruiz, innovation and impact programs lead, Makesense Americas, México City: One of her org’s programs helps students build leadership skills while managing positive social impact projects in México City. Soistata Ruiz explains how she and her teams keep partners and program participants engaged and reveals the skills she leans on in her social impact work. Plus, how other project professionals can find opportunities that focus on their passions.

Key themes

[01:00] Why the next generation wants to deliver positive social impact

[04:10] Helping young Kenyans upskill to make change in their communities

[07:54] Building buy-in through community ownership and local project champions

[13:32] Measuring success through program alumni

[15:55] Helping students lead projects to make a difference in México City

[22:11] Must-have skills for social impact: Adaptability, empathy and assertive communication

[23:39] Finding the right organization to help you deliver positive social impact