Impact Stories from Entrepreneurship Policy Area

Fellow showcases digital health Innovation at GITEX Europe

Fellow(s): Elmira Obry

Country: Kazakhstan

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Public Health

Fellow Elmira Obry (Kazakhstan, 2022), founder of Foody.AI, represented Kazakhstan’s growing tech ecosystem at GITEX Europe, May 21 to 23 in Berlin, Germany. Foody.AI, a digital health platform that integrates artificial intelligence with nutrition science, was featured among global startups and presented directly to investors, partners and ecosystem leaders — including Zhaslan Madiyev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry.
Backed by local accelerators such as Astana Hub and MOST Ventures, Foody.AI is part of a new wave of tech solutions designed to meet global health challenges through personalized, preventive approaches. It uses AI-driven tools to deliver customized nutrition guidance, helping users make data-informed decisions about their daily wellness. Already gaining early traction in five countries, the platform is preparing for broader international expansion.
“We’re proud that our product was born in Kazakhstan — a country that is now laying the foundations for the next generation of the digital economy,” said Elmira, who also represented Foody.AI earlier this year at Central Asia Startup Cup in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Report Date...: 07/14/2025

Fellow honored as a 2025 L’Oréal Woman of Worth

Fellow(s): Aseel Honein

Country: Lebanon

Cohort: 2013

Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow Aseel Honein (Lebanon, 2013) was recently recognized as one of L’Oréal’s Women of Worth 2025, receiving the Sustainable Architecture & Innovation Award, celebrated at a gala dinner on June 26 at Sursock Palace Gardens in Beirut, Lebanon.
Aseel is honored for her commitment to reimagining architecture as a tool for both sustainability and social impact. In a video featured at the event, she reflected: “I forged my own path, step by step. I transformed obstacles into opportunities, and barriers into bridges.”
Aseel is the founder of Indigo Kousba, a rural eco-tourism retreat in North Lebanon, and Parallel Studio, a design and technology academy focused on empowering youth through hands-on programs in architecture, design thinking and social innovation. Through Parallel Studio, she also created Architecture in a Box, a program that introduces children and teenagers to architecture, urbanism and cultural heritage through interactive learning and games.
“Guided by the same passion,” she shared, “I launched Architecture in a Box, a modest initiative in scale, yet monumental in impact.”

Report Date...: 07/14/2025

Fellow returns to UNEP as a Change Maker

Fellow(s): Ayeni Olamide

Country: Nigeria

Cohort: 2017

Policy Area(s): Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow Ayeni Olamide (Nigeria, 2017), founder of circular economy company HOPCYKU, was recently invited to the North America Office of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Washington, D.C., as a recognized Change Maker in sustainability. The invitation followed her participation as a panelist at the 2025 WWF Plastic Summit, where she spoke alongside policymakers, academics and global sustainability leaders.
Ayeni’s journey with UNEP began in 2019, when she was awarded a fellowship to attend the 79th UNEP/UNESCO/BMU International Short Course on Resource Efficiency, Circular Economy, and Waste Management in Dresden, Germany—her first formal education in environmental sustainability.
Reflecting on the milestone, Ayeni shared, “Visiting the UNEP Office was a full-circle moment. I got to share our journey, how we started, what we’ve achieved and where we’re headed.”

Report Date...: 05/05/2025

Fellow & Mentors publish international research paper

Fellow(s): Raushan Nurdillayeva

Country: Kazakhstan

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability

Fellow Raushan Nurdillayeva (Kazakhstan, 2020–2021) and LBNL mentors Virginia Altoe and Carolin Sutter-Fella have co-authored a recently-published materials science paper, “Humidity Disrupts Structural and Chiroptical Properties of Chiral 2D Perovskites”. Featured in the ACS Nano journal, the publication is the result of a global research collaboration spanning institutions in the U.S., Kazakhstan, and Europe—including the Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), where Raushan completed her TechWomen professional mentorship.
The study explores the effects of humidity on a promising class of materials known as chiral 2D perovskites, which have potential applications in advanced electronics such as spintronics. Their cross-border collaboration included researchers from Akhmet Yassawi University, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Eindhoven University of Technology.
Raushan’s participation was supported by the Bolashak “Internship for 500 Scholars” initiative under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

Report Date...: 05/05/2025

Fellow-founded Green Watech featured by Africa’s Business Heroes and MEDI1TV for eco-friendly water filtration system

Fellow(s): Salma Bougarrani

Country: Morocco

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow Salma Bougarrani (Morocco, 2020–2021), co-founder and CEO of Green Watech, was recently spotlighted in a video produced by Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) as well as in an interview by MEDI1TV Africa for her groundbreaking sustainable water purification system. Since delivering her winning pitch at the ABH semifinals in Cairo last September, Salma’s Green Watech has gained increased funding, visibility and access to a global network of support.
Her company’s low-tech, solar-powered filtration system—FISO—treats wastewater for reuse in agricultural irrigation, offering a clean, cost-effective and decentralized solution for remote areas. Built from locally sourced filtration bricks and designed to last up to 20 years, the system has already treated more than 400 million liters of wastewater, enabling the production of over 80,000 tons of food in water-scarce Moroccan communities.
“Innovation can be born where we least expect it” Salma shared in her MEDI1TV interview, where she reflected on her mission as a Moroccan scientist, entrepreneur and mother: She emphasized the power of accessible technology to improve lives in underserved areas—and the importance of purpose-driven leadership.
“This is the future,” she said, closing her winning ABH pitch. “Without water, we cannot survive. I am a mother and I don’t want my children to feel that they need to immigrate one day because of water scarcity or food insecurity.”

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Report Date...: 05/12/2025

Fellow hosts Innovation Unleashed for Central Asian youth

Fellow(s): Ainur Kuanyshbayeva

Country: Kazakhstan

Cohort: 2020-2021

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

On May 10, fellow Ainur Kuanyshbayeva (Kazakhstan, 2020–2021), founder of Qabi Tech, co-hosted Innovation Unleashed, an international webinar designed to empower young innovators across Central Asia.
Organized in partnership with TechDev Academy, the event welcomed 82 students live, with over 200 participants engaging online. Timed to accommodate students across multiple time zones—from the U.S. to Mongolia—the event featured five global experts across technology, entrepreneurship, fintech, mental health and biotech. Topics ranged from startup strategy to authentic leadership and navigating the path to funding. It also included a coding challenge and scholarship prizes to support continued learning.
“Innovation Unleashed,” Ainur shared, “was a powerful reminder of what happens when we bring together passionate youth and world-class mentors.”

Report Date...: 05/19/2025

Fellows launch seed-grant funded MentorMatch Kenya to connect talented women in STEM

Fellow(s): Tima Ali, Eunice Allela, Doreen Irungu, Auma Harriet, Naima Ibrahim

Country: Kenya

Cohort: 2024

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Growth

On July 6, 2025, the fellows of 2024 Team Kenya — Tima Ali, Eunice Allela, Doreen Irungu, Auma Harriet and Naima Ibrahim — officially launched MentorMatch Kenya, their seed grant-funded initiative designed to connect women STEM graduates with professionals across the globe for mentorship, peer learning and career support.
Hosted at Safaricom PLC’s Michael Joseph Centre in Nairobi, the launch event featured a keynote address, a panel discussion and a high-energy speed mentorship session. The launch brought together mentors, mentees and STEM professionals to engage in dialogue, build community and share insights on the transition from academia to industry.
MentorMatch Kenya aims to close the mentorship gap for women pursuing STEM careers by offering tailored programs that include academic support, job readiness training, and access to tools, resources and networks. The initiative also includes a growing online community via Discord, fostering peer-to-peer networking and learning opportunities.
“Our mission is to create a scalable model of mentorship and support that empowers women in STEM to navigate their careers with confidence,” the team shared. “We’re building something transformational, and we’re thrilled to have our community with us on this journey.”

Report Date...:

Fellow forges partnerships at major Middle East AI summit

Fellow(s): Aisuluu Kozhomkulova

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Cohort: 2023

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development

Fellow Aisuluu Kozhomkulova (Kyrgyzstan, 2023), regional director of StrategEast Central Asia, recently executed the role of partnerships director for Machines Can See 2025, the largest annual AI summit in the Middle East. Held at Dubai’s Museum of the Future and Emirates Towers, the event convened over 3,000 global attendees, generated more than 7 million views on social media and earned coverage from Bloomberg, CNBC and other top media outlets.
In her role, Aisuluu led strategic engagement with high-level delegations from ministries across Southeast Asia, Africa and the Gulf. She facilitated key bilateral meetings and supported the signing of memoranda of understanding between countries—paving the way for future collaboration in artificial intelligence, the digital economy and innovation.
Her work bridged and deepened global ties between countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt and the UAE, leveraging diplomacy and connection to shape tangible, cross-border impact.

Report Date...: 05/26/2025

Mentor(s): Jeannice Fairrer-Samani

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development

Mentor Jeannice Fairrer-Samani, a digital technologist and founder of the Fifth Wave STEAM Initiative, recently presented a workshop, “AI for Impact: Empowering Innovation Across Industries,” for IIE’s Alliance of Saudi Women Active in Tech (ASWAT) fellowship program. In her session, Jeannice explored how artificial intelligence is transforming STEM fields, entrepreneurship and global problem-solving.
ASWAT brings together rising Saudi women professionals in cybersecurity, biotech, electric vehicles, energy and beyond for a three-week program based in Austin, Texas. Activities include job shadowing, site visits, professional networking and the creation of action plans for impact.
Through ASWAT, Jeannice advances a growing movement of mentors who are helping to shape technology-driven, cross-sector solutions to today’s biggest challenges.
“AI has the power to drive innovation across industries,” she shared, “and I’m honored to welcome this extraordinary cohort of women in tech to explore that potential together.”

Report Date...: 06/02/2025

Mentor(s): Cassi Janakos

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development

Mentor Cassi Janakos, COO of Healthy Horizons, was recently named to Inc.’s 8th Annual Female Founders 500 list, alongside her mother and co-founder, CEO Sheila Dukas-Janakos. The honor recognizes 500 trailblazing women whose innovations are redefining industries and solving critical challenges across the globe.
Cassi and Sheila were recognized for their groundbreaking work expanding workplace lactation support across 130 cities in the U.S. and Canada, a mission rooted in maternal health, family well-being and employee retention. Under their leadership, Healthy Horizons has become a national leader in corporate lactation services, designing and maintaining lactation rooms, offering breast milk shipping, new parent resources and Lactation Room Servicing™ that supports millions of working parents.
“This recognition significantly elevates awareness of the critical need for comprehensive workplace lactation programs,” Cassi shared, “empowering us to partner with more employers and foster truly supportive, family-friendly workplaces.”
In addition to this honor, Healthy Horizons has earned spots on the Inc. 5000 list, the San Francisco Business Times’ 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies, and was named one of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Report Date...: 06/09/2025

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