Scholar Spotlight - Laís Naoko Higashi

Laidlaw Scholar Laís Naoko Higashi on bringing light into the lives of those in need, becoming a social entrepreneur and having a positive impact on the world.
Scholar Spotlight - Laís Naoko Higashi
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Laís Naoko Higashi, a Laidlaw Scholar at Säid Business School, on bringing light into the lives of those in need, becoming a social entrepreneur and having a positive impact on the world. 


Ever since high school, when I was selected to participate in an entrepreneurship program to produce and market recyclable table lamps, I have been gripped by the autonomy entrepreneurship offers.

This passion led me to study business in college. However, inspired by my values and by the story of my great-grandmother – who transformed her soy sauce factory into an orphanage in Japan after World War II, I wondered how to combine entrepreneurship and social impact in my career.

So, in 2011, I attended a lecture at the university and discovered “social entrepreneurship”. It changed my life! I realised it was possible to use a business mindset to focus on a positive impact for society, so I decided to take every opportunity to become a social entrepreneur.

I’ve been delighted with the opportunity to lead Litre of Light these past 7 years and light up the lives of more than 20,000 people in Brazil with solar lamps, always teaching them how to assemble and maintain the technology so that the knowledge stays in the communities.

I believe that the Oxford MBA and Laidlaw scholarship are uniquely positioned to help me be a better leader and generate stronger social impact and greater business success. It offers outstanding opportunities for learning and expanding my mind while also offering the chance to connect with like-minded peers and professors who want to see a better world.

Delivering the certificate of participation for Sueli, a beneficiary
who assembled her own lamp.

What is the biggest life challenge you overcame, and what did you learn from it?

When I took over Litre of Light Brazil (2016), it was still in its early stages, with no employees (only 60 volunteers), no business model, no processes, and having installed just 90 solar lights. Starting as a full-time volunteer, I planned and set up the whole organisation from scratch, which meant finding and leading a competent team of directors and board of advisors; designing the first processes and services; generating leads and fostering partnerships; and putting all my energy into making Litre of Light Brazil a success.

Now we have a sustainable business model, 20 full-time employees, 200 young volunteers working in 6 cities, 3,700 solar solutions installed, and we have positively impacted more than 20,000 people in 120 low-income communities (riverine, quilombola, rural, indigenous and urban) spread throughout Brazil.

In this journey, the first years were the most challenging. I learned the importance of a cohesive, complementary and motivated team; the need to pilot to validate a revenue model; and the value of deeply knowing our beneficiaries in the field to generate true positive impact.

Training the residents on how to assemble the solar lamps.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

Trust is the foundation for a cohesive team.

What is the worst piece of advice you have been given?

Actions through volunteering do not work.

Top 3 tips that will help someone become a better leader

Be resilient: A social entrepreneur or any leader needs to learn how to stand up after every challenge constantly.

Watch out for the big picture: Be careful not to get lost in the day-to-day rush and therefore forget to see where you are going.

Truly focus on your team development: If you are transparent and genuine in your communication, and you really worry about the development of each member, they will see that and the results will be the consequence.

Which leaders in the world inspire you the most and why?

Muhammad Yunus. Grameen Bank was the first case I heard about social business, which made me realise that is what I wanted to do for a living: integrate social impact with business. I went to Bangladesh to learn with him and his other social businesses. This experience made me admire him more, and become certain about my vocation: to be a social entrepreneur.

Malala Yousafzai. For me, she symbolises the power of women and youth to break barriers and to act for change in the world. Moreover, I am very inspired by what she has done for women's rights and, therefore, for society as a whole.

What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?

To be a Laidlaw scholar means 3 main things to me.

First, I will have the unique opportunity to learn in a world-class school that is a reference in the intersection of social impact & business. That would not be possible for me without the scholarship.

It also means recognition for the work I have been doing at Litre of Light Brazil and an indication that top schools and foundations are seeing the value of social entrepreneurs. These are great incentives.

At last, to be a Laidlaw scholar also means a responsibility to make the most out of this experience so I can become a better leader and make a bigger impact.

Holding a Litro de Luz solar lamp.

Briefly describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.

A world where access to energy overcomes socioeconomic and geographic barriers.

Something personal to add

Please feel free to find out more about Litro de Luz Brasil (Liter of Light Brazil), the organisation that I run through the following links:

⚡️Website: https://www.litrodeluz.com/?lang=en

⚡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/litro-de-luz-brasil/

⚡️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litrodeluzbrasil/

⚡️YouTube: https://youtu.be/Vu0Cc35f2UI


Quick-Fire Questions

📺 Currently binging: The Queen's Gambit

🎵 My current anthem: As It Was by Harry Styles

📚 My top book recommendation: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

🎧 Podcast obsession: Mamilos

🌈 Something that made me feel joy recently: To do yoga watching the sunset and feeling grateful. 


Laís is a Laidlaw Scholar at Säid Business School. You can find Laís on LinkedIn. The Laidlaw Women's Business Education Scholarship aims to help build a pipeline of future women leaders through access to best-in-class education, resources and global networks by providing full and half scholarships to women who would not otherwise be in a position to reap the benefits of attending an outstanding school. 
 


🔦 Discover more Scholar Spotlights

  • Asha Scaria Vettoor on running a successful social enterprise and empowering rural women artisans.
  • Xuerui Yin on overcoming societal norms, creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, and working with compassion.

  • Paseka Khosa on overcoming financial hardship and advocating for unwavering belief in oneself.

  • Fisayo Adeleke on her mission to increase women's access to opportunities, and dealing with uncertainty.

  • Helena Couto on breaking out of your pre-defined place in society, and larger than life goals.

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