‘We’ve forgotten we’re one human family’: The woman bringing optimism back to innovation

With major crises requiring attention across the globe, writes Zlata Rodionova, Amy Goldman and the GHR Foundation are on a mission to change as much as they can by combining innovation with optimism

Amy Goldman has not shied away from the challenges of leading the global billion-dollar foundation (GHR Foundation)

For those who still believe in the value of philanthropy as a tool to shape society for the better, there is a lot of work to be done. From climate change to a growing refugee crisis, major challenges are demanding fast action and new models are required to find the appropriate solutions.

Yet Amy Goldman, a philanthropist and chief executive and chair of the GHR Foundation, believes innovation combined with some optimism and solidarity can contribute to solving at least some of the greatest social issues facing our world today.

“There’s an overarching problem that spans across various areas we work on. It’s a lack of solidarity in the world, a lack of understanding that we are all one human family,” she told The Independent. “I think optimism is key for this work to be effective. It’s because of the quality of our internal team and our partners that we are continuing to reimagine what’s possible and not just going for the status quo.”