Archive for the ‘Social Responsibility’ Category
100 Years, 100 Women, One Day on Capitol Hill
While some fear that the United States is becoming more divided and politics more divisive, in one day, 100 women were sworn in as members of Congress, as part of the most diverse group of legislators in history. On the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, Nancy Pelosi also regained her position […]
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- Be the Change, Leaders, Social Responsibility
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- iranian american, mid term election, united states, women in politics
International Women’s Day 2018
This year’s International Women’s Day brings more powerful context and more promising momentum when it comes to gender equality and women’s rights than ever in history. I have been so deeply moved by the courage, honesty and risk-taking women who have come forward in light of revelations and scandals, that my own internal energy has […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Education, Human Rights, Social Responsibility
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- be the change, beyonce, bita milanian, coco chanel, compulsory hijab, Eleanor Roosevelt, helen keller, human rights, international women's day, Iran, iwd18, jennifer lopez, Maya Angelou, michelle obama, mother theresa, oprah winfrey, rosa parks, shonda rhimes, vida movahedi, Women, women right, women rights
The Warp and Weft of our Connected Lives
On October 30th, the company I have contributed to for several years (GENBAND) merged with another company (Sonus), to form a combined global communications brand we named Ribbon Communications. And this week, I was proud to represent the newly combined companies on a panel regarding the importance of diversity in the workplace, and the opportunity for […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Cultures, Healthcare, Leaders, Real Time Communications Innovations, Social Responsibility, Technology
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- be the change, bita milanian, bthechange, children, Connectedness, digital, diversity, economy, education, empowerment, global, healthcare, Real Time Communications, ribbon communications, technology, telemedicine, WebRTC
This Is How We Can Roll: Inspiration in India Drives Shrey Fadia to Design a Smart Wheelchair
21-year-old entrepreneur Shrey Fadia had an idea which came to him after seeing first-hand, people’s’ daily struggles when using a wheelchair and decided to do something about it. India is the second most populated country in the world, and is challenged, as are all countries, to find ways to efficiently help make the lives of […]
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- Be the Change, Real Time Communications Innovations, Social Responsibility, Technology
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- be the change, bita milanian, collabrizm, Connectedness, Humanitarianism, india, iot, netfoundary, non-profit, Real Time Communications, science, smart wheelchair, STEM, tata communication, technology
The Freedom Sculpture – A Shared Dream
With Fourth of July, Independence Day (United States) just around the corner, I can’t help but think about our nation’s visionary founders, and the many great leaders who have followed in their footsteps, dedicated to not only preserving but also improving upon the vision set forth by our founders. As a former refugee and immigrant […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Education, Human Rights, Leaders, Social Responsibility
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- be the change, bita milanian, cecil balmond, charity, cyrus cylinder, cyrus the great, eric garcetti, farhang foundation, human rights, Iran, los angeles, non-profit, philanthropy, Storytelling, the freedom sculpture
On International Nurses Day, We Celebrate the “Angels with the Stethoscope”
Nurses come into our lives and families at the most important and tender times. What would we do without them? Today, around the world, we are celebrating International Nurses Day, on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, and today in New York City, at the United Nations, our friend and inspiration, Deb O’Hara Ruscowski, a RN, […]
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- Be the Change, Healthcare, Leaders, Social Responsibility
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- be the change, bita milanian, charity, children, doctors, Humanitarianism, international nurses day, non-profit, nurses, philanthropy, technology, telemedicine, united nation, Women, women right
When Humanity Prevails: Prime Minister Trudeau to Welcome Malala to Canada
As a citizen of the world, I consider many countries my home! As a naturalized American citizen, forced to flee Iran as a young girl, and a grateful refugee who found support in Germany, then the U.S.; I am also often in Canada, where beloved members of my family live. While I am deeply […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Education, Leaders, Social Responsibility
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- be the change, bita milanian, canada, empowerment, human rights, Humanitarianism, Iran, justin trudeau, malala foundation, Malala Yousafzai, philanthropy, refugees, syrian refugees, usa, women right
Restoring Faith While Restoring Faces
Face Forward Mends the Lives of Victims of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Other Cruel Acts of Crime It is impossible for those of us who live in loving relationships and families, who have the resources to lead comfortable lives, to imagine the pain and suffering of children and adults who are beaten, burned and […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Cultures, Education, Social Responsibility
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- abuse, be the change, bita milanian, bthechange, charity, children, deborah alessi, domestic violence, education, face forward, go purple, goodness, human trafficking, non-profit, philanthropy, sharone stone, shohreh aghdashloo, Women
Where There Is Tragedy We Can Bring HOPE
What Happened on September 11 Has Inspired Millions to Never Give Up or Lose Hope, Even Under the Most Difficult Circumstances I was born on September 11 and feel honored each year to have the opportunity to look back on what happened on that day in 2001, not because of what the terrorists destroyed, but because […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Cultures, Leaders, Social Responsibility
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- 9/11, be the change, bthechange, charity, children, global, ground zero, Humanitarianism, new york, new york says thank you foundation, philanthropy, stars of hope
Shining a Light Through Music and Dance: Education Is Not a Crime
Iranian Baha’is Have a Human Right to Advance Through Study While Practicing Their Faith Education Is Not A Crime; a campaign that raises awareness of human rights abuses in Iran, is committed to protecting the rights of young people who have been barred from studying due to their beliefs, and encourages universities worldwide to admit […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Education, Social Responsibility
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- baha'i, be the change, bthechange, charity, goodness, harlem, human rights, Iran, Iranian, maziar bahari, nazanin boniadi, non-profit, not a crime, philanthropy, shanbehzadeh, shirin ebadi
A Pure & Beautiful Realism as a Meditation on the Reality of Climate Change
Fine Artist Zaria Forman’s Quiet & Powerful Activism Zaria Forman‘s pastel drawings transcend photorealism, bringing the eye and heart into a mystery so strong the mind begins to work differently. Inspired by her mother, Rena Bass Forman, who planned an expedition to Greenland but never made it when she succumbed to brain cancer, Zaria honored […]
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- Be the Change, Enviornment, Global Warming, Social Responsibility
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- art, artist, be the change, bthechange, charity, education, empowerment, global, global warming, Gratitude, House of Cards, Huffington Post, human rights, humanity, Juxtapoz Magazine, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Magazine, OZY Fusion Fest, Smithsonian Magazine, zaria forman
A New Light Shines in Nepal
We never know where innovation will rise, and for what meaningful purposes. This week, I learned about a project being led by a young 22-year old engineer name Madindra Aryal in Katmandu, Nepal who witnessed the devastating earthquake there and was inspired to invent a solar-powered panel able to light streets, homes and charge mobile […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Global Warming, Social Responsibility, Technology
- Tagged With:
- apps, be the change, bthechange, earthquake, empowerment, goodness, Gratitude, indeiagogo, nepal, philanthropy, solar, solar power
Kindness, Compassion & Rock & Roll
Let’s Give Girls in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Other Countries Guitars That Can Inspire Kids Everywhere What started out for the renowned rock guitarist Lanny Cordola as a single trip to Kabul, Afghanistan, to meet and comfort a family that lost two young daughters in a tragic suicide bombing, has turned into a mission to teach girls […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Education, Social Responsibility
- Tagged With:
- afghanistan, be the change, bthechange, charity, children, empowerment, full house, human rights, Humanitarianism, lanny cordola, music, philanthropy, power of music, rock and roll
Expanding The Definition of Fatherhood: Iran Nazario & More Than a Few Good Men
On this Fathers’ Day, as we are all still trying to process the most recent tragedy in Orlando, I’m honored to share the story of a remarkable man. Iran Nazario continues to dedicate his life to eliminating gang warfare in Hartford, Connecticut while sharing his own life story, his strength and his philosophy to contribute […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Education, Leaders, Social Responsibility
- Tagged With:
- adversity, anti-gun, anti-violence, barack obama, bita milanian, bthechange, compass peacebuilders, COMPASS Youth Collaborative, counseling, education, father's day, gun control, hillary clinton, iran nazario, president obama, youth
Steaming Forward: The Future Looks Bright with the Windward School Beneath These Global Scholars’ Wings
After emerging as a movement in the last decade, Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs are starting to graduate children who have evolved into impressive young adults – and our future will be in their very capable hands and hearts.Photo: WindwardSchool.org On Friday, the Windward School’s Class of 2016 graduated, moving forward as responsible, well informed and inspired […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Education, Leaders, Social Responsibility, STEAM, Technology
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- apps, art, azita ashofteh, be the change, bita milanian, bthechange, children, education, empowerment, engineering, geroge washington university, Iran, Johns Hopkins, keon vafaee, non-profit, pasha vafaee, philanthropy, science, seena vafaee, steam, STEM, tavangarian, technology, TED Talk, TEDtalk, tedx, Tedx Foggy Bottom, windward school
Reza Pakravan’s Long and Winding, Energetic and Inspiring Road: Join Him On His Journey
Some human’s journeys are more personal than others. For my friend Reza Pakravan, his life’s journey is personal and passionate as he continues to race around the world living his best life, while drawing attention to some of the world’s greatest challenges. In March 2011, Reza set the world record for the fastest crossing of […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Enviornment, Global Warming, Social Responsibility
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- africa, be the change, bthechange, capetown, caspian sea, charity, children, global, Humanitarianism, Iran, Iranian, madagascar, non-profit, Persian, philanthropy, reza pakravan, TED Talk, TEDtalk, Transamazonica, Women
It’s Personal: Brandy’s Story
Sometimes life throws challenges at us we simply cannot understand. Then a light comes on and a single individual recognizes the gift that adversity delivers, and has a crystal clear sense of their purpose. Such is the case with a woman I admire so deeply. Her story is personal, and so is mine. Brandy McFadden […]
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- Be the Change, Social Responsibility
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- be the change, bthechange, Change, children, education, empowerment, epilepsy, goodness, healthcare, Humanitarianism, non-profit, philanthropy, seizure, Women
Happy Graduation To The Amazing Young Women In Afghanistan : A Great Day To Give
It’s a good, busy day today, reflecting on and sharing my thoughts and love with so many amazing social entrepreneurs who are benefiting from the great work the team at Giving Tuesday has been doing over the last few years to bring awareness to the joy that comes from giving. I’ve never been a fan […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Cultures, Leaders, Social Responsibility
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- afghanistan, be the change, bthechange, charity, children, education, empowerment, global, Hassina Sherjan, human rights, non-profit, philanthropy, Women
A love letter to America
Pari Forood is the first generation Iranian-American author of the true-life novel, The Gates of Light, published in May 2015. After graduating from Vassar College, she was the Press Secretary to Congressman Hamilton Fish, Jr. in Washington, D.C. where she was inspired to write her book about the issue of immigration, both as a policy […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Leaders, Social Responsibility
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- bethechange, bthechange, Change, education, empowerment, human rights, Humanitarianism, Iran, Iranian, non-profit, pari forood, Persian, philanthropy, Women, women right
The Definition of Family at a Time of Love, Loss and Lofty Goals
For my friends Sultan and Kate Meghji, 2015 has been year of joy, achievement and sudden loss. Even as they were preparing to introduce their family foundation, inspired by decades of service by earlier generations in India, Africa, and North America – they got the news that their father, genetics pioneer Dr. Moez Meghji, passed away […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Cultures, Social Responsibility, Technology
- Tagged With:
- africa, be the change, bthechange, charity, children, education, empowerment, global, Humanitarianism, non-profit, philanthropy, science, sultan mghiji, tanzania, technology
For The Children: Please Join Me In Supporting Syrian Refugees
Today, I celebrate my first birthday as a grandmother. Our grandson, Hudson, was born earlier this summer and when I held him in my arms, I knew my life was changed forever. Life is so precious – a miracle! When I, along with millions of others, saw the image of little Alan Kurdi washed up […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Social Responsibility
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- be the change, children, diaspora, immigration, Iran, middle east, NGO, nonprofit, philanthropy, refugees, syria, syrian, united nation, war
Taking Brainy & Beautiful To a New Level: Cori Lathan
Dr. Cori Lathan is one of the most interesting women scientists and entrepreneurs I’ve come across, and it is an honor to share her story as part of my ongoing series of profiles of inspiring people making a big difference. I was introduced to Dr. Lathan through a colleague at my company (GENBAND), when one […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Cultures, Leaders, Social Responsibility, Technology
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- africa, anthrotronix, be the change, brain, bthechange, charity, children, cori lathan, empowerment, GENBAND, healthcare, Humanitarianism, innovation, Real Time Communications, science, Software, STEM, technology, TED Talk
Luce & Love
I’m in Barcelona today, and was unable to attend The J. Luce Foundation’s annual gratitude event that was held last Thursday, February 26th. I was recently introduced to Jim Luce, founder of the Foundation, last fall by a mutual friend, and spent time with him where he is based in New York City. Jim came […]
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- Be the Change, Cultures, Leaders, Social Responsibility
- Tagged With:
- charity, children, empowerment, global, human rights, Humanitarianism, Jim Luce, philanthropy
Box and Value Creation in the Truest Sense of the Word
I’ve been following Box for a while now, as part of my marketing role at GENBAND. We also deliver collaboration tools to large enterprises (different from Box – we focus on real time communications between human beings using voice, video and messaging). But the idea is the same – how can we give people in […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Cultures, Leaders, Social Responsibility
- Tagged With:
- aaron levie, AIDS, box, boxers, csr, culture, goodness, IPO, Karen Appleton, non-profit, OTT, philanthropy, Real Time Communications, technology, wall street, WebRTC, Women
Reflecting Back, Looking Forward
2014 has been a year of tremendous change, challenge and collective progress across many dimensions in my life, and today I am especially full of gratitude for a growing circle of friends and colleagues. As part of my professional journey and choice to re-enter the “corporate” world and as part of my life’s plan to […]
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- Be the Change, Companies, Cultures, Guest Contributor, Leaders, Real Time Communications Innovations, Social Responsibility, Technology, WomenIntheChannel
- Tagged With:
- afghanistan, africa, apps, art, attendanywhere, be the change, Channel Partners, charity, children, Connectedness, economy, education, empowerment, GENBAND, global, Gratitude, healthcare, Humanitarianism, Iranian, mobile, nigeria, non-profit, philanthropy, Real Time Communications, Women, women right
The Emerging Ecosystem of Goodness
The Emerging Ecosystem of Goodness Cigdem A Binal, Independent Technology Marketing Strategist (Guest Author to BtheChange.) In a world increasingly run by software, ecosystems have become a powerful and valuable asset in order to stay on top of the rapidly evolving marketplace. With the growth of open source models, and the advancement of applications enriched […]
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- Guest Contributor, Social Responsibility, Technology
- Tagged With:
- africa, AIDS, amazon, broadband, ecosystem, education, facebook, goodness, google, HIV, mobile, NGO, nigeria, non-profit, polio, public health, social responsibility, technology, telemedicine, UNICEF, Women, zambia