LET’S TALK IMPACT ABOUT CELEBRATING YOUR HERITAGE & EMPOWERING WOMEN WITH LISA MATTAM @ SAHAJAN
ABOUT LISA MATTAM:
Lisa Mattam is a proven and passionate entrepreneur. Named by Profit Magazine as one of the Top Ten Emerging Women Entrepreneurs in Canada and recognized by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce as Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Lisa has become a thought leader in the areas of entrepreneurship, resilience, the advancement of women and diversity. She is a frequent commentator on these topics and has been quoted in variety of media including Fast Company, The Globe and Mail, CBC, and The Toronto Star.
With her first venture The Mattam Group, she grew a consulting firm with clients in Canada, the US, Latin America and the UAE. More specifically, she equipped Fortune 500 companies like Walmart with the tools to keep women in the C-Suite and advance diversity in the workplace. Notably, she co-authored the report, “Mom’s the Word: How Organizations can change the impact of Motherhood on Career Success” and was a contributor to the book, “Five Good Ideas”, published by Coach House Books.
Building on that success, Lisa launched Sahajan, an evidence-based natural skincare line based on the Ancient Science of Ayurveda. With Sahajan, Lisa brings together her entrepreneurial background and her knowledge from over 15 years working in and consulting to the pharmaceutical industry to create a skincare collection that since its launch has been featured in Vogue Paris, Chatelaine and Forbes and is distributed in Canada and the US in retailers such as Indigo, The Shopping Channel and the Home Shopping Network. Lisa was the only Canadian to be selected for Sephora’s Inaugural Beauty Accelerator.
Lisa has an Honours Bachelor of Science, an MBA, and Diploma in European Business. She is a former instructor with the Schulich Executive Education Centre and sat on the board of the Rouge Valley Health System. A young leader with the BMW Foundation and an active business mentor to other start-ups, Lisa lives in Toronto with her husband and her two children.
ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Let’s Talk Impact is a podcast series that explores the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. Hosted by Justyna Kedra and produced by The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and WERULE, the podcast features interviews with a diverse range of changemakers. From government officials to activists and entrepreneurs, these guests share their insights on the evolving definition of impactful work and the motivations driving their efforts. By focusing on the stories behind the initiatives, Let’s Talk Impact aims to inspire and inform listeners about the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change in the world.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Justyna Kedra, the founder of WERULE, received her BFA degree from Parsons the New School where she successfully finished their toughest major: Fashion Design. Since then she worked in Public Relations with celebrities ranging from Jeremy Scott, Lady Gaga to Madonna at People’s Revolution under the wing of Kelly Cutrone. Justyna is also no stranger to the corporate world working for 6 years in financial services at American Express generating over 20 Billion in acquisitions for Centurion, Platinum, Green Cards as well features such as their most successful “Employee Card” treatment. She also served as an advisor to the American Express’ President of US Consumer Services on topics related to the team’s culture.
She is a mentor & a team member at The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and a mentor at the Tory Burch Foundation, the AARP Foundation x Bridge for Billions program for aspiring founders over 50. Because of her work, she was recognized as the youngest Champion of Change at the United Nations. A book she co-authored with Erika De La Cruz, Editor in Chief at The La Girl, has become a bestseller across multiple categories and is available at Barnes and Noble.
Justyna also hosts a podcast, a collaboration between WERULE and The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, called Let’s Talk Impact, which was in the top 5% most shared podcasts globally according to Spotify Wrapped.
ABOUT IMPACT ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE:
The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative (IEI) at The New School fosters a transformative approach to business and social change. We equip students with the skills to create innovative, inclusive, and sustainable ventures that address pressing global challenges. Through our interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and strong community partnerships, we empower students to become agents of positive change and build a more equitable world.
ABOUT WERULE:
WERULE is a global platform dedicated to connecting individuals with life-changing mentors. Founded in 2015, they started by sharing stories of successful female entrepreneurs, becoming a recognized resource for women seeking inspiration and guidance. Today, WERULE offers a wider range of resources, including an AI-powered mentorship app used by businesses and organizations worldwide. Their mission is to make mentorship accessible to everyone, regardless of background or stage in life. They believe in the transformative power of mentorship and strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
HOSTED BY: Justyna Kedra (@thisisjustyna) & Kosi Dunn
PRODUCED BY: Janusz Kedra
CLICK TO LISTEN TO EPISODE: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JV7dOSd3afOrVjrBHXsGw?si=a83560bdb06044ca
Questions about our events, podcast, blog or Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative? Email Justyna Kedra at justyna@newschool.edu