Jennifer Wilde (nee MacCann)

Innovation Leader & Entrepreneur
San Francisco, USA.

About

A creative, results-focused leader with 15 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, adept at pioneering social innovation and building global partnerships. Leveraging a strong foundation in ecosystem innovation and strategic program management, I now drive impactful ventures in AI-driven education and parenting solutions. My expertise spans leading large-scale humanitarian responses to co-founding innovative tech platforms, consistently delivering high-impact change across diverse sectors.

Work

Learn Leopard
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Founder

San Francisco Bay Area, California, US

Summary

Led the establishment and growth of Learn Leopard, a paid parent community providing curated AI learning tools for children.

Highlights

Launched and managed a subscription-based online community, offering expert-curated AI learning tools, video/written reviews, and personalized AI learning plans for busy parents.

Developed a unique value proposition by eliminating ads and sponsors, ensuring unbiased recommendations and fostering a trusted community environment.

Drove content strategy and production, consistently delivering weekly updates on new AI ed-tech applications to empower parents in leveraging technology for their children’s educational advancement.

Lighten
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Founder

San Francisco, California, US

Summary

Founded Lighten, an AI-powered platform designed as a 'hive-mind' to support busy parents.

Highlights

Conceptualized and launched an AI-driven platform, Lighten, to provide innovative solutions and support for busy parents, enhancing efficiency in daily parenting challenges.

Oversaw product development from ideation to launch, establishing a new digital resource for the parenting community.

Managed early-stage growth and user engagement for a new AI-focused consumer product.

Fast Company Press
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Co-Author - Do Bigger Things

Remote

Summary

Co-authored 'Do Bigger Things,' a practical guide for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and activists on navigating industry disruption and achieving impactful innovation.

Highlights

Co-authored and published 'Do Bigger Things' through Fast Company Press, providing a strategic framework for driving innovation and achieving ambitious goals amidst industry disruption.

Contributed expert insights on complex challenges and new approaches to innovation, targeting business leaders, entrepreneurs, and activists.

Leveraged extensive experience in humanitarian innovation and ecosystem building to develop actionable strategies for creating impactful solutions.

Innovation Ecosystem
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Co-founder / Managing Director

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Summary

Co-founded and led Innovation Ecosystem, an organization dedicated to enhancing innovation effectiveness and solving complex problems through System Innovation.

Highlights

Spearheaded a year-long consultancy for a US-based company, leading their Agile/Digital Transformation and enhancing operational efficiency.

Developed and implemented strategic frameworks for a US pharmacy company, enabling partners to navigate and thrive amidst significant market disruption.

Created and coached global scale-up strategies for two multi-actor social sector innovations, significantly expanding their reach and impact.

Conducted extensive research and delivered training programs for social sector innovation donors, fostering the adoption of new innovation practices among grantees.

ELHRA - Humanitarian Innovation Fund
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Funding Committee Member

Greater London, England, UK

Summary

Served on the Funding Committee for the Humanitarian Innovation Fund, critically shaping its innovation portfolio and selecting high-impact projects.

Highlights

Provided critical oversight and strategic guidance as a member of the Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) Funding Committee, influencing the selection of high-impact innovation projects.

Contributed to shaping HIF's global innovation portfolio, supporting the development and testing of groundbreaking solutions within the humanitarian system over a 3-year tenure.

Utilized expertise in social innovation and entrepreneurship to identify and champion promising initiatives, ensuring alignment with the fund's mission and effectiveness criteria.

Independent Consultant
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Consultant - Humanitarian Innovation

Summary

Provided expert humanitarian innovation consultancy to NGOs, partnerships, and donors, focusing on strategy, capacity building, and ecosystem design.

Highlights

Judged the final prize round for the EU 2020 Humanitarian Innovation Prize, evaluating and recognizing leading innovations in the sector.

Led the 'Action for the Future Program' for World Vision and Save the Children, mapping country-level innovation actors and facilitating a 3-month adoption program in South Sudan.

Built and delivered the first innovation training/sprint, including methodology and tools, for Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) global team, enhancing capabilities in health, housing, and food security.

Supported the production of a sustainable energy innovation strategy and program for a key humanitarian organization.

Response Innovation Lab, World Vision International
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Founder / Director

London, England, UK

Summary

Founded and directed the Response Innovation Lab (RIL), driving global strategy, innovation pipeline, and partnerships to deliver tangible outcomes for affected populations.

Highlights

Led the global vision, strategic direction, and management of the RIL, overseeing a pipeline of innovations across health, shelter, education, food, and WASH sectors.

Secured funding from 13 new donors, including repeat multi-year funding, significantly expanding the initiative's financial base.

Represented RIL globally at senior levels, building partnerships and implementing new ways of working, and publishing articles on humanitarian innovation.

Developed an inter-agency social innovation evidence toolkit, now implemented across multiple agencies and countries to improve humanitarian evidence.

World Vision International
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Response Director, Nepal Earthquake Response

Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Summary

Directed World Vision's $65 million earthquake response in Nepal, overseeing a multi-sector program with 260 staff and 15+ donors.

Highlights

Directed the $65 million earthquake response in Nepal, overseeing 260 staff (8 direct reports) and coordinating with over 15 donors.

Led a comprehensive multi-sector program spanning Food, Health, Education, Shelter, WASH, Child Protection, Livelihoods, Social Inclusion, and Cash.

Cultivated robust external engagement by hosting the Response Managers Forum and forging partnerships with UNOPS, TedX, and Miyamoto.

Orchestrated the establishment and expansion of multiple innovative public-private, inter-agency programs under the Innovations Lab.

World Vision
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Operations Director, Typhoon Haiyan Response

Tacloban, Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Summary

Directed the implementation of a $70 million, multi-sector program for the Typhoon Haiyan Response in the Philippines, managing 500 staff.

Highlights

Directed the implementation of programs and operations for the $70 million Typhoon Haiyan Response, managing 500 staff (8 direct reports) and 20+ donors.

Managed a complex multi-sector program covering health, education, shelter, livelihoods, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and advocacy.

Led the establishment and growth of the largest NGO urban program within the Haiyan Response, involving multiple actors and donors.

Oxfam
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Humanitarian Program Manager

Jerusalem, Jerusalem Governorate, Palestine, State of

Summary

Led humanitarian programming for Oxfam in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, encompassing management, strategy, resourcing, and implementation.

Highlights

Managed humanitarian programming across four organizations within Oxfam Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, encompassing strategy development, resource allocation, and program implementation.

Oversaw comprehensive humanitarian response delivery, preparedness, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives.

Ensured effective program management and strategic alignment for critical humanitarian interventions in a complex operational environment.

Multiple (World Vision International)
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Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Consultant

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Summary

Provided expert consultancy on emergency management strategy and complexity in humanitarian action for World Vision International.

Highlights

Led the World Vision Mauritania office in developing its two-year emergency management strategy, successfully transitioning from drought response to rehabilitation and resilience programming.

Produced comprehensive training materials (videos, literature reviews, reading lists) on complexity in humanitarian action for Response Managers, enhancing organizational capacity.

Advised on strategic planning and program development to improve humanitarian response effectiveness.

World Vision Australia
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Southern Africa Program Manager (Emergency Affairs)

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Summary

Oversaw $40 million in emergency programs across Southern Africa, managing resilience sectors and granting funds to 7 offices.

Highlights

Managed a $40 million portfolio of Southern Africa emergency programs, encompassing all major resilience sectors and distributing funds to 7 regional offices.

Provided supervisory leadership for two program officers, ensuring effective program delivery and compliance.

Ensured strategic oversight and operational excellence for large-scale humanitarian initiatives across multiple countries.

World Vision Haiti
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Operations Manager

Port-au-Prince, Ouest Department, Haiti

Summary

Managed a team of 100 and a $30 million budget for urban recovery programs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Highlights

Managed a team of 100 personnel (6 direct reports) and a $30 million budget, securing funding from CIDA, SIDA, and DEC.

Supported the strategic direction of the urban recovery program in Port-au-Prince, contributing to one of the largest multi-NGO programs for long-term shelter solutions.

Facilitated the relocation of displaced populations from camps, significantly improving living conditions and stability.

World Vision Mozambique
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Program Officer (Emergency Affairs)

Mozambique, Mozambique

Summary

Supported emergency affairs programs for World Vision in Mozambique.

Highlights

Contributed to the development and implementation of emergency affairs programs.

Assisted in resource mobilization and operational planning for humanitarian interventions.

Supported field teams in delivering critical aid and services to affected populations.

World Vision Australia
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Program Officer (Emergency Affairs)

Australia, Australia

Summary

Supported emergency affairs initiatives for World Vision Australia.

Highlights

Provided programmatic support for various emergency response efforts.

Assisted in the coordination of humanitarian aid projects and stakeholder communications.

Contributed to reporting and monitoring of program effectiveness.

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America

Certificate

Innovator's DNA

Deakin University
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Certificate (with Distinction)

Humanitarian Leadership

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Masters of Social Sciences (with Distinction)

International Development

University of Technology Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Bachelor

Communications (Social Inquiry)

Awards

Technical Expert and Judge for the Humanitarian Innovation Prize

Awarded By

European Commission

Recognized for expertise in humanitarian innovation, serving as a judge for the final prize round of the EU's prestigious innovation award.

Publications

Do Bigger Things

Published by

Fast Company Press

Summary

Co-authored a practical guide for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and activists, offering strategies to navigate industry disruption, set ambitious goals, and create impactful solutions in complex challenges.

Skills

Innovation

Innovation Consulting, Social Innovation, Innovation Management, Product Innovation, System Innovation, Ecosystem Design, Agile Methodologies, Digital Transformation, Humanitarian Innovation.

Leadership & Management

Entrepreneurship, Strategic Planning, Program Management, Team Management, Cross-functional Leadership, Operations Management, Organizational Development, Capacity Building.

Humanitarian & Development

Humanitarian Aid, Disaster Response, Emergency Management, International Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Grant Management, Community Development, Resilience Programming, Advocacy.

Business Development & Partnerships

Fundraising, Partnership Development, Business Strategy, Market Analysis, Consulting.

Communication & Content

Public Speaking, Content Creation, Writing, Research, Training & Facilitation, Thought Leadership.

AI & EdTech

AI Learning Tools, EdTech, Parenting Community Management, Online Community Building.