Creating change doesn’t start with a sharp critique, nor does it end with suggesting a good idea, but it most certainly can be advanced through thoughtful dialogue. Just ask Gena Rotstein. Gena co-founded Karma & Cents, a social impact lab that is trying to help those working to create a better world be more effective through philanthropy. A member of the Purposeful Planning Institute and Canada’s Pro-Bono Marketplace, Gena believes we need to learn from wildly different perspectives if we want to create longer lasting change. Karma & Cents is just her latest endeavour in a journey that began with supporting her family’s small business while in high school and, across two decades, led Gena to becoming an award-winning, sought-after philanthropic manager.
Gena joined us in conversation to discuss the dangers of polarization, why thoughtful debate can propel good ideas and how we each have a role to play in creating a better balance between people and nature.
Find her: Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram
What do you think?
- What did you learn from Gena’s story?
- What does good debate and healthy conversation look like to you?
- Are too many too closed-minded to listen to contrary opinions and tough critiques? Or is it that those who criticize only highlight the negative and rarely propose a solution of their own?
- Is it up to the media, politicians, business leaders and activists to model better debate, or is it actually up to us?
More on Gena
Favourite Book: Childhood – Anne of Green Gables
Favourite Podcast/Documentary: Canadaland and the Sprawl
Favourite Website: Stanford Social Innovation Review