E2 S15, Scaling Change & Building Impact Careers in Emerging Markets

Wondering how to actually launch—and grow—a purpose-driven career across different countries and sectors? On Season 15, Episode 2 of the Social Change Career Podcast, host Dr. Craig Zelizer was joined by impact leader Ann-Elise Francis for an open, practical conversation about how changemakers build operational expertise, forge key partnerships, secure investments, and drive real inclusion in emerging markets.

An impact-driven leader, venture builder, and investor with deep experience advancing financial inclusion and economic empowerment. She has scaled ventures across Africa and Latin America, led multi-million-dollar partnerships, co-founded an impact fund for women entrepreneurs, and now serves as Portfolio Sourcing Manager at Rippleworks Foundation.

Why Take a Listen:

• Real Stories, Real Markets: From teaching history in Bangkok to leading teams in Uganda, Kenya, and Central America, Ann-Elise shares what it means to tackle challenges—and find opportunities—on the ground.
• The Art (and Reality) of Scaling Impact: Learn how microinsurance and tech-for-good companies actually reach those who need it most, and what it takes to craft partnerships that fuel major growth.
• Championing Women Founders: Hear candid insights about the uphill climb for African women securing venture capital, and why tailored support and networks are game-changers.
• Investment Advice You’ll Actually Use: Straight talk on when to seek investors, when to say no, and how to keep your mission front and center as you grow.
• Career Insights - Key recommendations for sustaining and advancing a career of impact.
• Rippleworks—Behind the Scenes: Go inside Rippleworks to discover how flexible mentorship, operational coaching, and capacity-building can help emerging organizations break through barriers to scale.

Resource Toolkit from the Episode

Want to go deeper, make connections, or get involved? These are the key networks and platforms highlighted on the episode:

• Women Who Build Africa – Summit and network empowering women tech founders across Africa.
• Nairobi Business Angel Network (NaiBAN) – A leading syndicate for learning about and investing in African startups.
• Astia Angels – Global investor group championing women-led companies, open to new founders and investors.
• TechCabal – Top news source for Africa’s startup and tech ecosystem.
• Devex Newsletter – Fresh updates and sector analysis across global development.
• PCDN Career Campus – Community, jobs, networking, and workshops for impact professionals worldwide.

Ann-Elise is an impact-driven leader, venture builder, and investor passionate about advancing financial inclusion and economic empowerment. With over a decade of experience scaling ventures and high-impact initiatives across Africa and Latin America, she specializes in operational strategy, market expansion, and investment readiness, helping ventures thrive in complex, emerging markets.

She has led growth, partnerships, and operations across financial services, health, and climate resilience, with a proven track record of securing multi-million-dollar investments and structuring high-value collaborations that drive sustainable impact.

Currently, Ann-Elise serves as Portfolio Sourcing Manager at Rippleworks Foundation, where she identifies and supports social ventures globally poised for scale. Previously, she was Head of Growth at Turaco, expanding inclusive insurance to over 1 million low-income customers. She also co-founded LendHer Capital, an impact fund supporting African women entrepreneurs.

A 2023 Acumen Fund Fellow, she has also held key roles at AZA Finance, KadAfrica, SHONA, and Bpeace, driving SME growth and building high-impact ecosystems through strategic capital and partnerships.

PCDN Resources

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