As a way to promote the incredible work our Host Organizations are doing and to spread the word of the substantial impact Atlas Corps Fellows has on their teams. Today, we are sharing a story of SEED SPOT and their experience with a current Atlas Corps Fellow Redempta (Class 41, Kenya), as well as with Alumni Precious (Class 38, Nigeria) and Ishaq (Class 31, Pakistan). SEED SPOT will be recognized and presented with the Distinguished Partner Award during our Atlas Corps Bonus Day Celebration on July 14th.
Host Organization: SEED SPOT
SEED SPOT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting all social entrepreneurs in creating a product, service, or technology that improves lives or makes the world a better place. They support entrepreneurs by surrounding them with the right access to resources, mentors, business fundamentals, community partners, capital sources, and anything they need to succeed.
Fellow Supervisor: Lauren McDanell
At Atlas Corps, we have a tradition of stating our “Five Facts” when introducing ourselves to new people. What are your five facts?
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Name: Lauren McDanell
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ Role at Organization: Vice President of Strategy & Growth Social Issue/Interest Area: I’m passionate about financial independence for all women Fun fact: I’m an amateur oil painter and love to plan trips to visit art museums around the world |
Why did you decide to host an Atlas Corps Fellow?
SEED SPOT has a tradition of hosting Atlas Corps Fellows who specialize in impact data collection and analysis. Each Fellow who has spent time at SEED SPOT has contributed to our reputation as a World Top 5 Private Business Accelerator.
How have your Fellows contributed to your team? How has their presence had an impact on your team’s dynamic?
All of the Atlas Corps Fellows that have spent time at SEED SPOT, Ishaq, Precious, and Redempta, have contributed creative ideas for measuring, evaluating, and using the social impact data that we collect about our beneficiaries—entrepreneurs—that have influenced the programs we run, the entrepreneurs we target, and the grants that we’ve received to fund our work.
How will your Fellow’s contributions and insights impact your organization in the long run?
SEED SPOT is proud to have built a world-class data program with the help of Atlas Corps Fellows that continues to inform and contribute to the global body of research and best practices for enacting change through social impact entrepreneurship.
What has your Fellow taught you? Have you learned anything special about their culture?
Working with Atlas Corps Fellows from other countries has enriched the entire SEED SPOT team’s experience with stories, cultural traditions, a sense of humor, and a global perspective on entrepreneurship and data.
Fellow: Redempta (Class 41, Kenya)
At Atlas Corps, we have a tradition of stating our “Five Facts” when introducing ourselves to new people. What are your five facts?
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Name: Redempta Mwende
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya Role at Organization: Measurement and Evaluation Fellow Social Issue/Interest Area: Youth Development, Women Empowerment and Gender Equity Fun fact: Despite the fact that I am not a good swimmer, I was to do snorkelling in the deep sea. |
What is your role at your Host Organization?
My role at SEED SPOT involves designing a data management system to track SEED SPOT Monitoring and Evaluation work to enable more accurate and up-to-date data. Additionally, I play a critical role in ensuring the organization makes informed decisions to improve current and future programs based on evidence from the analyzed data. Lastly, I will also have the opportunity to develop new modules and curriculum for SeedSpot programs and research content development and marketing content.
How is your experience with your Host Organization impacting your perspective?
So far, my experience with the host organization has been great. I have been able to improve both my technical and soft skills. Also, through the programs implemented, I have gained a new perspective on implementing entrepreneurial youth development programs that are impact-driven and sustainable. I have had the opportunity to learn new data management software and systems, which has ultimately improved my Monitoring and Evaluation skills.
How has your experience with your supervisor impacted your perspective?
Working with my supervisor has helped me gain a fresh approach to leadership and communication within the development sector. As a leader, I love how she can balance being warm, friendly, and approachable and ensuring we prioritize delivery of the results. My supervisor and I come from different backgrounds and cultures, which has helped me adapt to new communication styles that can be applied to different stakeholders across the board.
How will you build upon the skills and knowledge gained during your Fellowship once you return to your home country?
My new perspective on impact-driven entrepreneurs programs has helped me gain a fresh approach when designing projects, especially youth development projects impactful and sustainable. Also, I will be able to implement and mentor local staff on some of the new skills gained, such as leadership, communication, Monitoring and Evaluation, and work ethics in the current projects I will be working on.
Alumna: Precious (Class 38, Nigeria)
At Atlas Corps, we have a tradition of stating our “Five Facts” when introducing ourselves to new people. What are your five facts?
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Name: Precious Jacdonmi
Hometown: Jos, Nigeria Role at Organization: Monitoring and Evaluation Fellow Social Issue/Interest Area: Child abuse and youth empowerment Fun fact: I love cartoons, I still watch Disney junior |
What was your role at your Host Organization?
At SEED SPOT, I was engaged as the monitoring and evaluation Fellow. I was a part of the impact and research team and it was my responsibility to; ensure the organization’s database was properly managed, monitor and evaluate the results from programs and impact studies conducted frequently, provide data and figures to support grant and funding proposals, produce annual and partner impact reports, and ongoing reports to the organization regarding outputs and milestones achievement supported by evidence.
How has your experience with your Host Organization impacted your perspective?
Working with SEED SPOT broadened my perspective around my professional and personal life and goals. During my work with SEED SPOT, I expanded my knowledge and experience with various database management systems and explored other tools for data analysis beyond my knowledge prior to the fellowship. The organization also taught me that change, however drastic, can have positive impacts on us and that when you share similar goals and passions, you can connect where ever you are, even virtually, and where ever you are from globally. While working with SEED SPOT, my personal challenges were not ignored and I received the best support from them; it has become an important part of my career and personal life story as they contributed hugely to both areas.
How has your experience in the United States help you pursue your goals?
Serving with SEEDSPOT positioned me in a different environment for Monitoring and Evaluation and data analysis of program impact, and this has strategically supported my career advancement The software and tools I got to work with have become a part of the current work in my home country and have given me an edge in the industry. The values of the organization regarding culture, family, and employee well-being have brought to light certain improvements in the relationship with my existing colleagues and within the organization, as they have seen the positive changes it brings to work ethics and achievements.
Also, I have learned from my experience in the US, inspired by COVID-19, that you can cook and bake anything you set your heart to. My family is definitely enjoying every bit of it!
Alum: Ishaq (Class 31, Pakistan)
At Atlas Corps, we have a tradition of stating our “Five Facts” when introducing ourselves to new people. What are your five facts?
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Name: Ishaq Zaighum
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan Role at Organization: Measuring and Evaluation Fellow Social Issue/Interest Area: Economic Growth and Empowerment Fun fact: I learned Japanese martial arts when I was a teenager and I love to practice it sometimes |
What was your role at your Host Organization?
My role was to take lead in the analytical work of the organization by collecting, maintaining, and interpreting data to improve decision-making and business practices. Also, to play a lead role in developing and regularly updating the SEED SPOT economic impact databases including entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and venture databases, carrying out extensive data analysis, creating tables/charts and summary outputs using statistical tools and software packages including MS-Excel, SPSS and Qualtrics. Moreover, providing input for grant applications, impact reports, and other post program reports as required.
How has your experience with your Host Organization impacted your perspective?
In addition to improving my professional skills and expertise, I have learned that the real strength and beauty lies in the diversity of people. No matter what anyone’s background is, we need to be grateful for their contribution to the society and for what they do for the benefit of people! I learned a lot about different cultures, languages and values, and how important is the team work to make any venture or organization successful.
How has your experience with your supervisor impacted your perspective?
I was lucky to have worked with one of the best supervisors one can expect to work with. My supervisor at SEED SPOT was not only a director or manager but also a person with a golden heart, and a mentor who contributed significantly in my professional and personal development. From learning Qualtrics and Salesforce to conducting value for money analysis I was able to improve my professional skills to a great extent. Also, I learned how to guide and mentor entrepreneurs through the launch camps and help them connect with the important people to support them in their professional growth.
How has your experience in the United States helped you pursue your goals?
The experience with SEED SPOT has greatly helped me grow further in my career. I have been able to avail great opportunities with reputable international organizations. After I returned back from the US, I started working for an international NGO based in Malaysia as Evaluation Officer. Right now, I’m working for a World Bank funded project in my home country Pakistan as Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist. The work experience with SEED SPOT played a significant role in making these splendid opportunities accessible to me.
More about Atlas Corps
Atlas Corps partners with mission-driven organizations (nonprofit, private, and government) to facilitate a professional exchange program for the world’s best emerging social change leaders to live and serve in the United States for a 12-month Fellowship. The Atlas Corps network currently includes more than 1,100 professionals from 110 countries who have served at 300 organizations.
Interested in becoming a Host Organization for an Atlas Corps Fellow? Fill out Host Interest Form.
