This summer I’m working with the World Resources Institute (WRI) within the Forest Program. I will be supporting two key programs: the Land Accelerator and TerraFund. WRI’s Land Accelerator program is aimed at supporting entrepreneurs based in Africa restore degraded soil through for-profit business models. The program provides capacity building for the entrepreneurs with trainings in pitching, financials, business development and more. I will be helping run these trainings and providing assistance as needed to ensure quality results from the program. I will also be assisting with TerraFund which provides loans for entrepreneurs restoring degrading land (including some of the LA alumni).
What went well?
The progress I made; what was achieved and done
In my first week at WRI, I met with team members to discuss what I envisioned for the summer, including projects I’d be leading myself and assistance I could provide elsewhere. My team introduced two key projects for me to focus on.
Firstly, I’ll be building off the work conducted in the spring by the Michigan Business School. The idea behind the project is to compile a few case studies of for-profit and non-profit organizations who have received TerraFund loans. I will speak with the organization heads/entrepreneurs directly to better understand the context of the industry in which they operate and business challenges and opportunities.
Secondly, I’ll be building off the work by Columbia students with the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). The aim of the project is to investigate equity factors within the TerraMatch program. How many female-led projects were funded by TerraMatch? What portion of TM funding was directed toward women?
In addition to being introduced to these two projects, I supported the WRI team by:
- Reviewing Land Accelerator surveys to identify where the entrepreneurs stood when they entered the program (what competencies they hoped to gain through participation, background on their businesses, etc.).
- Supporting the Land Accelerator training by compiling resources for the entrepreneurs published online.
What could have been done differently?
Things that did not get done and/or could be changed
My first week was about figuring out the lay of the land at WRI and evaluating where I believed my work would be most valuable and what my projects for the summer would look like.
Whenever I start on a new project, I begin somewhat reserved. Once I have time to reflect on the work and information presented to me, then I feel that I can fully take initiative and give my best self to my work.
What did I learn about myself when working with others?
Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited
Even though I have the advantage of having worked with WRI in the fall, I do think I’m quite strong in immersing myself in projects and tasks, even without extensive step-by-step guidance. I don’t see asking questions as a negative, but rather a display of interest and care for my work.
What did I learn about leadership?
Leadership attributes and insights I developed
- “Has energy and impact:” When I worked with WRI in the fall, I think I remained somewhat reserved. This time round I’ve been more open about my passion for projects and put a lot of energy into my work which I think has shined through to my other team members.
- Research and project management skills: Ability to analyze Terra Match and Land Accelerator data and interpret results (verbally and graphically).
- Ability to work and think independently: When my team member presented my two projects for the summer, he was relatively vague in what the final deliverable would look like or what the task was. I took this as an opportunity to think independently about what I believed would be most useful to WRI and, most importantly, the organizations and entrepreneurs the work is ultimately set at benefitting.
What do I want to develop or focus on next?
What I still need to develop
I have a lot of ideas of how my project will look like this summer and how I will be able to conclude with a deliverable with impact and purpose to the program. My next step, naturally, is to “turn ideas into action”!
Please sign in
If you are a registered user on Laidlaw Scholars Network, please sign in
Yay Alannah!