Inveneo Kristin Peterson Archives
- Posted by Jana Melpolder on April 24, 2014 in the categories: Events, News
It’s never too early to encourage a young girl to enter the growing ICT field. “Girls in ICT Day” was created to help young women appreciate and understand their potential – and to let them know how many diverse ICT career options are really available to them.
Young women have all the potential and talent to become great leaders, but they do so partly because of the women who forged ahead of them and helped paved the way.
Meet a few women who have worked in ICT for many years, some of them at mission*social – a unique shared workspace in San Francisco where our offices are located. These women have helped shape ICT to what it is today. Young girls celebrating Girls in ICT Day can look up to women like these to understand what it truly means to be a leader.
Heather Ramsey
Current: Senior Director of Center for Women’s Leadership Initiatives
Previous: Director of Women in Technology
As the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Institute of International Education, Heather Ramsey tirelessly leads the State Department initiative known as TechWomen in 16 countries. Techwomen brings emerging women leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics from the Middle East and Africa together for both professional mentorship with their counterparts in the United States.
She also works to oversee Women’s Enterprise for Sustainability, Tunisia, a training and capacity building program for women-led organizations.
Previously she worked at Women in Technology where she helped provide cutting-edge training and coaching for women in business planning, professional development, information technology and entrepreneurship.
Kristin Peterson
Current: Co-Founder and CMO of Volo Broadband
Previous: Co-Founder, CEO of Inveneo
Within the ICT world Kristin Peterson is one of the leading entrepreneurs of her day. In 2004 she co-founded a non-profit ICT organization called Inveneo which has grown to deliver sustainable ICT and broadband projects that reach and impact over 3.2 million people around the world.
More recently she founded the company Volo, a “start-up connecting the next billion to the Internet”. Although her new company is only eight months old, its online community has been steadily growing.
She has received multiple awards including the World Economic Forum’s 2013 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Schwab Foundation and the 2011 ITU World Telecommunications and Information Society Award. In addition, she was a CNN Principal Voice back in 2007.
Jill Costello
Current: Manager of Special Projects at Inveneo
Previous: Board Member at Maranyundo Initiative and Founder of Pannotia
As Inveneo’s Manager of Special Projects, Jill Costello puts her heart and soul into her ICT initiatives, including Internet Now!, a project that is establishing 100 ICT work centers in rural communities across northern Uganda.
Before coming to Inveneo, she built the Maranyundo School where she helped to establish a school for underserved girls in Nyamata, Rwanda. Classes offer these girls not only a high-quality education, but also a great way to get online and connect to the world. The school enrolls 60 students each year, and Maranyundo now ranks #1 among all middle schools in Rwanda.
To further her passion for ICT and social justice, she also founded Pannotia, a social enterprise that provided construction services and collaborative design for sustainable projects in Africa.
Sybille Fleischmann
Current: Senior Project Manager and Owner of POSSYBIL
Previous: Director of Education Solutions at Inveneo
Sybille Fleischmann is a proven self-starter. She founded her own company POSSYBIL, focusing on project management for communities in developing countries with a focus on digital inclusion and education projects. Her list of clients includes Imagine Education, Microsoft, NetHope and See Your Impact.
Previously she worked at Inveneo both as the Director of Education Solutions and as the Country Director in Haiti. She planned and implemented the Haiti Connected Schools program which was created after the tragic earthquake hit in 2010 and provides 40 rural schools with solar-powered computer labs and computer training training for more than 400 teachers in rural Haiti. As County Director in Haiti she led the expansion of the The Haiti Rural Broadband Network to connect 20 rural communities in Haiti to the Internet, and built local capacity to expand and maintain the network.
Before shifting her focus completely to work in international development Sybille worked for 13 years at Microsoft in Germany and The United States. For several years she drove innovative technology projects as a project manager and product planner and later managed the solution development and deployment for large scale pilot programs at schools in Peru, Uruguay, Colombia and Rwanda.
These four women have made, and will continue to make, giant and positive impressions in the world of ICT projects. Collectively speaking, they have helped several million people gain access to sustainable computing technology and solutions worldwide.
Girls who are participating in Girls in ICT Day should try to find mentors and teachers who are like the women mentioned above. Young people, especially girls, are the future leaders of tomorrow, and the next step is for them to learn from the leaders of today.
- Posted by Aaron Mason on September 20, 2012 in the categories: Events
It’s Inveneo’s 7th year at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and it is our most important year ever. The mission of CGI is to turn ideas into action. They do this by asking each member to make a commitment and to work with other CGI members and many additional outside groups and organizations to make it happen. The theme for this year’s event, starting September 22 in New York City, is “Designing for Impact: How can we design our world to create more opportunity and more equality?”
For 2012-13, Inveneo is announcing our biggest commitment ever – our new program Broadband for Good – the commitment to accelerate access to broadband Internet to those who need it most in underserved areas across the developing world.
We’re also excited to share that our CEO, Kristin Peterson, has been invited to participate in CGI’s Program Advisory Committee. She sits on this committee with many civil society leaders who come together to frame each year’s program. Broadband for Good directly relates to the CGI 2012 theme, as broadband access is now seen as one of the most the critical tools for unlocking both economic and social development.
If you’d like to join our Broadband for Good Initiative as a supporter or partner, please contact us at broadbandforgood@inveneo.org.
- Posted by Inveneo on October 17, 2011 in the categories: Economic Development, News
At the Georgia Social Business and Microcredit Forum on October 17th, 2011, Inveneo CEO and co-founder, Kristin Peterson, will be judging college student teams from across Georgia who are challenged to develop business solutions focusing on youth entrepreneurship, economic development, and helping communities in Georgia
The forum is part of the University System’s statewide economic development partnership efforts with other Georgia entities. The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of the microcredit concept, Professor Muhammad Yunus is the keynote speaker. Professor Yunus is known worldwide as the “Father of Microcredit”.
The conference has been organized to bring together economic development interests from all regions of the state to hear Professor Yunus’ social business concept of combining business know-how with the desire to improve quality of life.
Kristin will be one of 21 judges of the student competition where teams must identify a social business opportunity; propose a solution including a business model and products, services and programs; develop a market analysis and strategy; explain how the strategy is to be launched; provide a sustainable financial plan and an overview of the social benefits.
- Posted by Inveneo on May 17, 2011 in the categories: Events, News
The International Telecommunications Union is marking the 146th anniversary of its establishment on 17 May this year by recognizing three eminent personalities who have contributed to the ongoing digital revolution, with the 2011 ITU World Telecommunication and Information Society Award in recognition of their dedication to promoting ICTs as a means of providing a better life for humanity, particularly in rural communities:
- President of Finland, Tarja Halonen,
- Telecommunication innovator, Sam Pitroda,
- CEO of Inveneo, Kristin Peterson
ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré lauded the work of the three eminent laureates:
“Information and communication technologies are constantly reshaping the way the world communicates while creating opportunities for a better life through long-term, sustainable development, not least among the most disadvantaged sections of our society,” Dr Touré said.
“As we focus on extending the reach of ICTs to the remotest rural communities in every corner of the world, it is my pleasure to honour those who have dedicated themselves to harnessing the full potential of ICTs so that we can all enjoy a more productive, peaceful and — in every way — a better life, particularly in rural areas.”
The Awards were presented on 17 May 2011 at a ceremony at ITU headquarters in Geneva on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD).
This year’s theme for WTISD, “Better Life in Rural Communities with ICTs” brings attention to those who reside in rural districts and far flung communities — half the global population, or nearly 3.5 billion people — representing the poorer, less educated, and more deprived cousins of the world’s urban citizens. Among them are as many as 1.4 billion of the world’s extremely poor people, who are also among the least connected to the benefits of ICTs.
In accepting the World Telecommunication and Information Society Award, Kristin Peterson noted that delivering technology to rural communities can present many challenges, including environmental factors such as heat, dust and humidity as well as lack of power.
“At Inveneo we have made it our mission to find the right technologies that can help organizations in these communities — schools, clinics, relief camps — successfully use ICTs to deliver better vital services,” said Peterson.
“So we’ve been building an eco-system of certified in-country ICT entrepreneurs that we partner with around the world. Together, with these partners, we are implementing projects that range from solar-powered computer labs going in to hundreds of schools in Uganda and Tanzania, to building a rural broadband network in rural Haiti.”
Kristin Peterson is the co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Inveneo, a non-profit social enterprise focusing on information and communication technologies in rural areas throughout the developing world. She has led Inveneo’s efforts to provide ICT to deliver education, health care, economic development and relief projects in Haiti and in 25 countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Inveneo has also worked in partnership with ITU in delivering training in low-cost rural wireless networking in developing countries, such as Kenya, Uganda and the Caribbean.
- Posted by Inveneo on May 4, 2011 in the categories: Events, News
Inveneo is a proud 2011 Laureate of IDG’s Computerworld Honors Program for its submission: “Haiti — Broadband for Earthquake Relief and Haiti’s Future”. Computerworld Honors is the longest running global program that recognizes individuals and organizations using information technology to promote positive social, economic and educational change. Inveneo was nominated for our role in using broadband Internet for earthquake relief and Haiti’s long-term rebuilding.
Kristin Peterson, CEO and Co-Founder, will accept the award on behalf of Inveneo at the Annual Laureates Medal Ceremony & Gala Awards on June 20th at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. At that ceremony, five laureates in each of the eleven categories will be named as finalists for a 21st Century Achievement Award, based on judging by an exclusive panel of peers. One finalist in each category will then be named a 21st Century Achievement Award winner.
Wish Kristin & Inveneo good luck in being chosen!
- Posted by Inveneo on January 3, 2011 in the categories: Economic Development, News, Projects
Inveneo Funding to Develop and Document Models of Rural Broadband Network Management and Ownership
San Francisco, CA – January 3, 2011 Inveneo, a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to connecting and empowering rural and underserved communities with information and communications technologies (ICTs) in the developing world, announced today that Google has awarded it $182,000 toward its work in Haiti.
This funding will go specifically to develop, document and implement a model of local network ownership and operations for the rural broadband connectivity program Inveneo is deploying in partnership with local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Haitian entrepreneurs.
This connectivity program is supported by an innovative collective of organizations whose focus is ICT entrepreneurial capacity building, and rural economic development and education through ICTs. This collective includes the USAID Global Broadband and Innovations Alliance, NetHope, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, The EKTA Foundation and Microsoft.
Google’s award will fund the development and implementation of a locally owned operating model for the high-speed, rural broadband wireless connectivity that will be deployed in 20 regional/rural population centers across Haiti, currently not served by local ISPs. This grant is essential for Inveneo to build a model that will enable local ownership and fair use of the network so that ISPs can reach and serve clients (schools, NGOs, enterprises and others) cost effectively.
The rural broadband program, which is designed to be financially sustainable, will deliver affordable Internet services to a range of organizations. The connectivity will enable these organizations to accelerate Haiti’s rebuilding and better position the rural areas for economic development and improved access to opportunity.
“We are thrilled to be able to empower Haitians with affordable and reliable Internet access, and this support from Google is a vital component in our approach,” said Kristin Peterson, Inveneo CEO and Co-Founder. “Google’s participation in the Inveneo Haiti collaborative will strengthen the reach and sustainability of the effort.”
About INVENEO
Inveneo is a U.S.-based social enterprise whose mission is connecting and empowering rural and underserved communities with information and communications technologies. Inveneo’s model of nurturing and supporting local talent to support technical systems and earn income has been successfully implemented around the world. Since 2006, Inveneo and its partners have delivered innovative solutions to more than 1,500,000 people in over 500 communities in 25 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Haiti.
- Posted by Inveneo on December 8, 2010 in the categories: Economic Development, News, Projects
December 7, 2010 – WASHINGTON, DC – The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund today announced a grant of $742,688 to Inveneo, a nonprofit social enterprise. The funding will accelerate the development of a wireless broadband Internet network in six rural regions across Haiti. In addition to enabling rural communities with high-speed connections, Inveneo will provide Internet connectivity that will stimulate economic growth and support decentralization of the economy. Within 18 months, management and responsibility for the network will be turned over to local Haitian partners.
The project, developed in collaboration with Microsoft and The EKTA Foundation, will deploy a high-speed, broadband wireless network in 20 rural population centers and provide technology for 40 schools throughout Haiti. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund grant will also support training programs for Haitian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) entrepreneurs. Increased network capacity will give ICT entrepreneurs the opportunity to serve a variety of clientele and to build up the local IT sector. Haitian IT specialists will have the opportunity to hone their expertise, preparing them to help their nation build back better.
Inveneo’s program is bringing connectivity to formerly isolated communities through an innovative coalition of organizations that include Haitian-owned Internet Services Providers, NetHope, the USAID Global Broadband and Innovations Alliance and many other organizations and donors.
“The power of this program is that in addition to enabling rural communities with high-speed connections, we are also providing Internet connectivity that can be resold to Haitian Internet cafes, community organizations and other businesses, stimulating economic growth. Just as important, turning over networks to Haitian ISPs and training Haitian technicians will lay the building blocks for Haitians to own and grow these services,” according to Gary Edson, CEO of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
“We are grateful to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund for this grant. Though our work in Africa and Asia, we have seen that developing local capacity to manage and own in-country information and communications technologies is a key driver of economic growth. The investment in Inveneo’s network helps us deliver this key economic driver to rural parts of Haiti exactly when they need it most,” said Kristin Peterson, Co-Founder and CEO of Inveneo.
Inveneo’s work will build on its efforts immediately following Haiti’s devastating earthquake when Inveneo wirelessly connected many members of NetHope, a consortium of major international NGOs. Several weeks later, Inveneo had ultimately connected 18 NGO offices in 35 locations by partnering with technology organizations on the ground, such as Haitian ISPs Multilink and Access Haiti. After a few months of operation, Inveneo turned this network over to the Haitian Technology Group, a local firm trained by Inveneo engineers and dedicated to providing quality IT services to the Haitian market.
About Inveneo
Inveneo is a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is connecting and empowering rural and underserved communities with information and communications technologies. Inveneo’s model of nurturing and supporting local talent to support technical systems has been successfully implemented around the world. Since 2006, Inveneo and its partners have delivered innovative solutions to more than 1,500,000 people in over 500 communities in 25 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Their Haiti program is an accelerated version of this model, as demand for the broadband service to-date has outpaced the supply of local IT experts.
About the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded after Haiti’s January 12, 2010 earthquake, when President Barack Obama asked former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to lead a major fundraising effort to assist the Haitian people to “build back better.” The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund initially responded to the catastrophe with millions in humanitarian relief. By the time the Fund was officially formed in May 2010, it transitioned to primarily serving its longer-term mission of sustainable reconstruction efforts designed to promote jobs and economic opportunity, empowering Haiti to chart its own successful future.
- Posted by Inveneo on October 28, 2010 in the categories: Education, News, Projects
For immediate release: San Francisco, CA. October 28th 2010 – Inveneo, a non-profit social enterprise committed to deploying appropriate information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the developing world, announced today that it is working with Intel® as part of the Intel Learning Series Alliance as an Education solution deployment member.
“Our ethnographic research in classrooms around the world highlights the need to minimize the technical burden so teachers can focus on delivering a rewarding learning experience for students. These research results led us to work with technology implementers like Inveneo to deliver Intel-powered education solutions that makes it easier for teachers to focus on teaching, not technology administration, so they can create 21st century educational environments.” Frederico Carvalho, Intel
As an Education Solution Provider, Inveneo and its Certified ICT Partners (ICIPs) will now be able to implement state of the art education solutions using Intel’s reference design of the Intel-powered classmate PCs and other tools in over 26 African countries.
Inveneo and its 65 ICIPs will include Intel Learning Series products in professional turnkey education solutions. These can range from a basic site survey, installation and support all the way to complete project design, software and hardware systems integration and project management.
“We are honored to be an Intel Learning Series Alliance member and work with Intel in deploying appropriate educational technology in schools across Africa. We see a strong demand for these solutions – UltiNetS, our partner in Malawi, is already installing two Intel Learning Series mobile e-Labs in a USAID-funded education project there.”
“Kristin Peterson, CEO and co-founder of Inveneo
Inveneo has a strong history of deploying effective and appropriate technology that addresses local needs.
About Inveneo
Inveneo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise whose mission is to connect and empower rural and underserved communities in the developing world with information and communications technologies (ICTs). We work with and serve organizations that deliver vital education, healthcare, economic development and relief services to some of the poorest communities in the world, enabling these organizations – NGOs, governments and others – to more effectively serve people in need through technology.
We partner with local ICT entrepreneurs though our Inveneo Certified ICT Partner (ICIP) program, now active in 24 countries, to deliver and support these solutions locally.
Since 2006, Inveneo and its partners have delivered solutions with ICTs reaching more than 1,500,000 people in over 500 rural and underserved communities in 25 countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Posted by Inveneo on January 27, 2010 in the categories: Events, News
The local ABC News affiliate interviewed Kristin Peterson of Inveneo around our preparations for responding to the Haiti earthquake. You can learn more about your actions at https://inveneo.org
