Supply Chain Now Classic: Education, Entrepreneurship & Equity - A Conversation With The Viziola Foundation's Laude Araba

Released on December 27, 2022

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Lewton and Matilda Oren engage in a meaningful conversation with Laude Araba, the co-founder and president of the Viziola Foundation. The discussion delves into Laude's inspiring journey, the mission of her nonprofit, and the critical role of education and entrepreneurship in fostering equity across Africa.

Laude Araba’s Inspiring Background

Laude Araba shares her unique upbringing, which laid the foundation for her future endeavors. Born in Nigeria, Laude moved to Rome, Italy, at the age of three due to her father's diplomatic role with the United Nations.

[03:13] Laude Araba: “I was born in Nigeria, and we moved to Italy when I was three. My father worked for the United Nations, so he was a diplomat. I grew up in Rome, Italy, the beautiful eternal city.”

Growing up in a multicultural environment, Laude became fluent in multiple languages, including Italian, French, and English. Her early experiences in Rome, contrasted with her observations of African communities, sparked a lifelong commitment to addressing disparities and empowering underrepresented groups.

Mastering Multiple Languages and Its Impact

Laude discusses the importance of being multilingual and how it has significantly benefited her career, especially in international roles.

[06:21] Laude Araba: “Speaking Italian certainly gives me an advantage with the Romance languages... it’s been a huge advantage for my career because I've been able to work in international organizations and qualify for positions in other countries on the merit of being able to speak these other languages.”

Her ability to communicate across different cultures has enabled her to forge meaningful connections and effectively lead initiatives aimed at development and economic empowerment.

Founding the Viziola Foundation: Mission and Vision

Driven by her experiences and observations of poverty and lack of opportunities in various African countries, Laude co-founded the Viziola Foundation. The organization is dedicated to empowering girls and young women through education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning.

[18:26] Laude Araba: “It is my purpose, it is my life mission... I saw so many people struggling... I wanted to do something that would contribute directly to development and improve the quality of life of people.”

The foundation focuses on creating access to education, fostering technical skills, and providing economic opportunities to help young women reshape their futures and, by extension, their communities.

Comprehensive Programs Empowering Over 8,000 Young Women

Laude outlines the Viziola Foundation’s three core programs, which have benefited over 8,000 girls across six African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

1. After-School STEM Clubs

   • [22:43] Laude Araba: “We teach them the theoretical concepts and especially science... we provide them with experiential learning.”
   • These clubs supplement public education by offering hands-on experience in physics, biology, chemistry, computer science, electronics, and robotics, bridging the gap in under-resourced schools.

2. Residential STEM Camps

   • [25:45] Laude Araba: “They learned about renewable energy, the importance of climate change, and how you can create prototypes that improve quality of life sustainably.”
   • These camps focus on themes like sustainable development and renewable energy, challenging participants to develop practical solutions through team projects and prototype presentations.

3. Coding Boot Camps for Young Women

   • [22:43] Laude Araba: “They spend five weeks learning basic computer programming... they are introduced to web development, graphic design, algorithms, data structures, and building mobile apps.”
   • Aimed at older participants (17-30 years), these boot camps equip young women with essential coding skills, leading to job placements, internships, and freelance opportunities in the tech industry.

Impact on Supply Chain and Gender Equality

Laude emphasizes the intersection of her foundation's work with the global supply chain, highlighting the importance of gender diversity.

[28:32] Laude Araba: “Are you applying a gender lens within your supply chain?... Diversity and inclusion does make good business sense.”

By promoting gender equality, the Viziola Foundation not only fosters social equity but also enhances the efficiency and innovation within supply chains. Companies are encouraged to integrate more women-owned businesses, ensure equitable leadership roles, and design products that cater to diverse consumer needs.

Supporting the Viziola Foundation

Listeners interested in contributing to the Viziola Foundation can engage in various ways:

• Volunteering and Mentorship:

  • Professionals can offer career talks, mentorship, and share personal journeys to inspire and guide the students.

• Corporate Sponsorships:

  • Businesses can provide financial support for programs or sponsor specific initiatives within the foundation.

• Donations:

  • Individuals can make tax-deductible donations through the foundation’s website, ViziolaFoundation.org.

[26:52] Laude Araba: “You can become a friend or partner to the foundation... we have a website, we also have a US fiscal sponsor... there are many different ways in which you can support what we're doing.”

Words of Wisdom: Laude’s Advice to Young Leaders

Laude shares profound advice aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders:

1. Believe in Yourself:

   • [31:11] Laude Araba: “You can do anything you set your mind to... visualize it and work towards it, you can achieve it.”

2. Maintain Integrity:

   • [31:11] Laude Araba: “Integrity is supremely important. Ethics, your name is your most important asset.”

3. Collaborate and Learn:

   • [31:11] Laude Araba: “Learn as much as you can and then find technical experts... we can't ever achieve anything on our own.”

These principles not only foster personal growth but also build strong, ethical, and collaborative professional environments.

Conclusion

This episode of Supply Chain Now underscores the pivotal role of education and gender equity in shaping resilient and inclusive global supply chains. Laude Araba’s dedication to empowering young women through the Viziola Foundation serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for businesses and individuals alike to support and integrate these values within their operations.

For more information or to support the Viziola Foundation, visit ViziolaFoundation.org.

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