WAFFAWatch Novoloop Co-Founder and CEO Miranda Wang (C16) at the Slush New Materials Showcase. Novoloop is a Circular Materials startup with $21.4 M Series A funding. Based in the US, Novoloop is upcycling plastic waste into quality chemicals and materials.
Congratulations to SuperGoop Co-Founders Amanda Baldwin (WG06) and Holly Thaggard who were named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 National Overall Award winners. “Holly and Amanda have stood out in an extremely competitive industry by demonstrating an uncanny ability to create and market SPF-boosted skincare and beauty products in a way that makes consumers excited to use them. The mission-driven duo has grown a booming business built on trying to save lives.”
And a big OMG WOW to the recent Global GameChangers Summit, an extraordinary 48-hour non-stop live event. The Summit is organized by the Ascendance Social Enterprise X Penn (ASELxPenn) Club. It’s a student initiative that aims to bring together student leaders to learn about the latest news and developments in the business world. WAFFA member and teen phenom Harsha Ravindran LPS23 was one of the key organizers (read her WAFFA interview here) and we were thrilled to see that Alta Founder (and our Female Founder Shop app developer!) Son Ca Vu WG16 was a panelist on “How Do I Get My Idea Started?”
Congratulations to Wharton Professor Mori Taheripour (WG) whose book,“Bring Yourself: How to Harness the Power of Connection to Negotiate Fearlessly” just came out in paperback. In this book, she challenges the conventional wisdom around negotiation and offers a radically different perspective. Browse/buy it here. And ICYMI, watch our fun interview with Mori here.
Congratulations to Founder Diana Fung W15 who was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List this year. Through her bedding brand, Home de Luxe, she’s delivering hotel quality linens directly to homes in the Philippines. Diana spent 4 years as a consultant with Bain before launching her own business
Shereen Tawfiq WG12, founder of Balinca, is on a mission to help employees at all levels of a company build their knowledge of business finance. The startup offers three hands-on ways to learn, from a half-day introductory course to a two-day “practical mini-MBA,” drawing on games and simulations to teach important ideas. Her goal is to “change the way people look at finance.” Read more about Shereen in her WAFFA profile here.
Liya Shuster-Bier WG17 is the Founder of Alula. Her own battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma inspired her to start a centralized shop with products for those undergoing cancer treatments, ranging from cold packs to anti-nausea lozenges and post-op recovery kits.
“InnovateHERS – Why Purpose-drive Entrepreneurial Women Rise to the Top” – This book looks VERY interesting. Laura Smulian (GED21) has been collaborating with Dr. Bobbi Kurshan and Kathy Hurley on this new book – available on Amazon here. “Through personal interviews with twenty-nine of today’s global, top-performing women in purpose-driven organizations, Kurshan and Hurley offer readers a unique, insider view into the diverse pathways to success.”
Amazing Amy Errett (WG), Founder and CEO of Madison Reed!! Amy was interviewed in Inc magazine about her bold decision to pay 100% of medical costs for her 650 employees. Basically – Amy can’t fix the broken system, so she’s found an upside by making coverage her competitive advantage. “This is the way I believe this company should be run. I want to look in the mirror every single day and think, “I did the right thing for people.””