In this compelling episode, we speak with Ray Oo, a Myanmar refugee and climate activist currently pursuing his MBA in Sustainability, and Lennox Omondi, founder and CEO of Ecobana Limited in Kenya. Their conversation explores how sustainable innovation can address critical social challenges, focusing on Ecobana's development of biodegradable sanitary napkins made from banana fibers. The discussion weaves together themes of youth leadership, environmental sustainability, and social impact, as Lennox shares how he's tackling period poverty in Kenya while creating an environmentally conscious solution. Ray, who serves as Myanmar's representative on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, brings his unique perspective on climate activism and social change from the Global South, creating a rich dialogue about the intersection of sustainability, social justice, and entrepreneurship.
Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2024 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes brought the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!
Lennox Omondi:
Lennox Omondi is a globally recognized entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of EcoBana Ltd., a pioneering enterprise that addresses period poverty in Africa. EcoBana produces affordable, biodegradable sanitary towels made from banana fibers, providing an eco-friendly solution that empowers women and girls across the continent.
With a background in Communication, Lennox has channeled his passion for social impact into a mission-driven company that promotes sustainable production and access to essential health products. His visionary work has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2022 Hult Prize Global Award. Beyond his role at EcoBana, Lennox serves on the boards of Kectil Global and Fast-Forward 2030 Africa, where he mentors young leaders and champions sustainable development.
Hein (Ray) Oo:
Ray Oo is a Burmese human rights and environmental activist dedicated to promoting democracy, peace, and sustainability. With a background in advocacy work in Myanmar, he has been a vocal supporter of ending the Rohingya genocide and civil war in his home country. He is pursuing an MBA in Sustainability at Bard College, with a strong focus on combating the illegal import of plastic waste. As part of his commitment, he represents Myanmar in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastic Pollution.
Ray's efforts have earned him the British Council's Award for Social Activism, recognizing his dedication to social justice and community empowerment. Now based in New York City, he serves as the Operations Lead for the Kectil International Program, where he continues to advance global advocacy and sustainable development initiatives.
Renay Loper:
Renay is a Clinical Faculty in Organizational Leadership for the Bard MBA in Sustainability, where she focuses on JEDI Transformation in the workplace. Previously, she was the Vice President of Program Innovation at PYXERA Global where she served on the Executive Leadership Team, led five country offices, drove the development of new business and programs, co-led the organization's work on inclusive circular cities, and advised corporate clients on their social impact strategies. Renay also led the organization’s ARC (Antiracist Collective) initiatives, which included internal and external efforts toward dismantling unjust systems. To this end, Renay created Rhetoric to Action, a series of conversations to bridge sectors toward collective action around social and racial justice.
Prior to PYXERA Global, Renay led the grassroots exchange and education grant portfolio at the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, and has served in a variety of leadership roles in higher education, nonprofit, and business prior to that. Renay is an avid speaker and facilitator, has authored and edited numerous publications, including a resource journal, Student Affairs Professionals Cultivating Campus Climates Inclusive of International Students (Jossey Bass). Renay serves on the board of directors of nonprofits including Community Change, Harpswell Foundation, and Girl Rising.