Jul 30, 2026 · 34 min · 13 segments
***“You should ask yourself first, what truly, like in your bones, do you actually value and what do you really wanna get done in the world?” –Jessica Jackley*** Jessica Jackley’s answer to this…
Jessica JackleyGuestTed VaughnHost
I heard about people who were smart and strong and hardworking, just didn't have access to opportunity and capital the way that I had during my own life for student loans and whatever else.
It unlocked something for me and I was, it sounds small, but I was so motivated and I thought, well, if that's true, if that character is different in this story, then I can play a different role in the story too.
That was Jessica Jackley, social entrepreneur and co-founder of Kiva, a nonprofit that expands financial access so underserved communities can thrive.
To this day, Kiva is massively innovative in their approach and has made such a difference since their beginning.
They've impacted the lives of over 6 million people and have provided nearly $3 billion, that's B as in billion, in life-changing loans.
People know what they need to do to improve their lives, but too many dreams are stalled by one thing, a lack of funding.
We don't let systemic barriers decide who prospers.
We make way for people to help people.
For good to find good.
She's helped launch many other nonprofits rooted in economic access and human potential, and today she serves as the CEO for VOW for Girls, spelled V-O-W for Girls.
But for this conversation, I wanted to focus on her journey into social entrepreneurship and what it was like to build Kiva at the start of her career.
You'll hear her insight on culture, on leadership, and her advice for mission-driven founders.
You're listening to Future Nonprofit, a podcast about what it will take to build and scale the nonprofits of tomorrow.
I'm your host, Ted Vaughn, a nonprofit change consultant and author of Culture Built My Brand.
Join me as we unpack these stories and lessons of some of today's most innovative leaders working to make this world better.
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I heard about people who were smart and strong and hardworking, just didn't have access to opportunity and capital the way that I had during my own life for student loans and whatever else.
It unlocked something for me and I was, it sounds small, but I was so motivated and I thought, well, if that's true, if that character is different in this story, then I can play a different role in the story too.
That was Jessica Jackley, social entrepreneur and co-founder of Kiva, a nonprofit that expands financial access so underserved communities can thrive.
To this day, Kiva is massively innovative in their approach and has made such a difference since their beginning.
They've impacted the lives of over 6 million people and have provided nearly $3 billion, that's B as in billion, in life-changing loans.
People know what they need to do to improve their lives, but too many dreams are stalled by one thing, a lack of funding.
We don't let systemic barriers decide who prospers.
We make way for people to help people.
For good to find good.
She's helped launch many other nonprofits rooted in economic access and human potential, and today she serves as the CEO for VOW for Girls, spelled V-O-W for Girls.
But for this conversation, I wanted to focus on her journey into social entrepreneurship and what it was like to build Kiva at the start of her career.
You'll hear her insight on culture, on leadership, and her advice for mission-driven founders.
You're listening to Future Nonprofit, a podcast about what it will take to build and scale the nonprofits of tomorrow.
I'm your host, Ted Vaughn, a nonprofit change consultant and author of Culture Built My Brand.
Join me as we unpack these stories and lessons of some of today's most innovative leaders working to make this world better.
