Brilliant Business People: Exclusive Interview with Melissa Kushner, Founder and Executive Director of goods for good, Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know
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Dr. Garo Nazarian is a Mover and Shaker:
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In the two years since Mover and Shaker Melissa Kushner was first featured by Whom You Know, she has grown her organization from a small nonprofit committed to providing immediate support to Malawi’s more than one million orphans to a much larger organization that empowers communities to sustainably care for their own children in need.
Melissa believes that goods for good’s Community Enterprise Program is the key to providing sustainable care to Malawi’s orphans; and she is dedicated to proving it. Through this program, goods for good will invest in businesses at Malawi’s community centers. These locally run community centers are the heart of every Malawian village.
goods for good will work hand-in-hand with the community to seed small local businesses that have the potential to grow. These investments will eventually allow the centers to rely on their own earned income and ensure self-sufficiency for the children and the community.
The first two community enterprises that are being piloted are a poultry business and an agricultural endeavor. These seemingly small businesses will provide economic empowerment to two community centers and dozens of orphan-headed households and other orphan caregivers.
In addition to launching innovative new programs, goods for good is celebrating its third annual gala for good this Thursday, May 10th at Center 548. The evening will celebrate Malawi’s local leaders, the very people who run the poultry business and agricultural ventures. It promises to be a star-studded affair and raise important funds for the local leaders in Malawi who need it most. Click here for more information on the gala for good. We are thrilled to present this exclusive interview with Melissa Kushner. Peachy Deegan interviewed Melissa for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: How have you been able to grow your organization so successfully?
Melissa Kushner:
goods for good's programmatic growth and evolution has come by listening to its local partners and responding to their needs. Its financial growth followed naturally. When you have strong programs and believe in what you are doing it is much easier to find funding.
What should most people know about Malawi that they don't know yet?
When many people think of Malawi they think of poverty and with that often comes pictures of sad, powerless people. While Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, many of its people are far from powerless. The individuals I work with, and am honoring at this year's gala, might be poor but are dedicated to making their life and the lives of those less fortunate than them better. They are hard working, resourceful people that don't want a hand out but a hand up.
What kinds of products does goods for good literally provide to the underprivileged?
We continue to provide essential materials to orphans and vulnerable children so that they can go to school. Some of these materials are school supplies, required school uniforms and shoes. We consider this the immediate relief part of our work. While we are providing this relief we work with the community to launch a community enterprise so that over time they will be able to provide for these children independently.
Are you still doing lots of international traveling?
I still travel to Malawi several times a year. It is important for me to remain connected with our partners on the ground as well as my local team. Being close to them is a great motivator and very inspirational. I truly love the country and its people.
What brands have been the most helpful to the growth of goods for good?
We get help from several different brands but I would not pick one above the rest. We have a fabric supplier that has been essential to our uniform program's success. We are also partnering with KnollTextiles this year to create tote bags in Malawi for distribution in the US. Other brands such as VINCE, TOMS and Bic Malawi have been hugely helpful in procuring goods and getting the word out internationally and domestically about our work.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
More than once I have been sure that I know someone and gone up to them with all sorts of enthusiasm and excitement only to realize that not only are they not who I thought they were but also I don't even know them at all!
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
I would like to be the President of Malawi for a day, just one day! I am curious about how decisions are really made on the inside. Malawi has a new fantastic president as of a few weeks ago who is also a long time friend. I want to experience what she goes through in making the impossible decisions she has to make several times a day.
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Jacqueline Novogratz, founder of the Acumen Fund. I deeply respect what she has accomplished and feel that I could learn a lot from her trailblazing work.
Other than Charitable Peachy of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?
Petite Peachy: For Children has wonderful book recommendations that I pick up for my beautiful daughter, Raya.
Have you drank The Peachy Deegan yet and if not, why not?
I am not much of a drinker but I will try it as soon as possible!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I love candy from all over the world.
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
Email is the best way to reach me: mkushner@goods4good.org
