Daniela Andrade

Recently, I’ve been lucky enough to join Forward·Inc as Program Coordinator. This week, we had our second workshop as part of the 2026 Forward Incubator program. This session was specifically designed for our entrepreneurs based in the Netherlands, equipping them with the essential knowledge needed to confidently navigate Dutch bureaucracy and build their businesses on a solid foundation. Marcel Keyser, our Dutch Business Networks Lead at Forward·Inc, delivered an excellent workshop packed with practical insights: from registering at the KVK to setting up a sensible financial structure and understanding key regulatory requirements. For founders, understanding the unique benefits and challenges of the Dutch ecosystem is essential to operating on a level playing field with their peers. Access to the right information at the right time can make all the difference. A big thank you to Marcel for guiding our entrepreneurs through this complex process and Marta Pereira for facilitating. As a freelancer, I learned a lot from the workshop, and hopefully reduced the likelihood of seeing any more scary blue envelopes in my future. 👀📫

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"Together, we can turn AI into real-world impact...." That’s how I closed my session on AI Advocacy and Action Driving Climate Resilience in the Digital Age at last year’s Fundraising.AI Summit. As a student and activist and a Youth-Led AI program leader, I’ve seen how AI can be more than just a tech tool; it can simplify complex issues, spark new ideas, and give young leaders the confidence to take action. From predicting disasters to helping youth design climate campaigns, AI has the power to make our advocacy smarter and our communities stronger. I’m excited to see how this year’s Summit will continue that journey, bringing together voices from across the nonprofit sector to explore how we can use #AI responsibly and with purpose. If you care about mission, values, and creating real change, you won’t want to miss it. View the full schedule and save your free spot; link in the comments. Thank you all, and we look forward to having you be part of the Fundraising.AI summit this year :) #FundraisingAI #AISummit #AIForGood #ClimateResilience #DigitalAdvocacy #NonprofitInnovation #TechForImpact #AIForClimate #YouthLeadership #MissionDriven #ResponsibleAI #SocialImpact #AIAdvocacy #ClimateAction #AmplifyImpact

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"The most distinctive aspect of human intelligence is its collective and social nature. While individual brains are enormously powerful, what enables our species' cultural achievements is the iterative, cumulative nature of our knowledge systems. We inherit cultural achievements, store them, transmit them across generations, and build upon them in ever more complex ways—driving tremendous cultural, technological, and social innovations." — Dr. Cristine Legare ___ I deeply enjoy interviewing scientists as a lifelong learner and multilingual science communicator passionate about equity and how culture shapes learning. And today's conversation with Prof. Cristine Legare for GSoLEN's February 2026 Scientist of the Month was particularly inspiring! Her insights on how culture, from family practices to gender roles, shapes learning really deepened my thinking. Conversations like this remind me why I love connecting science with real human experiences. Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/g6wc28ZS #ScienceOfLearning #CulturalLearning #GenderEquity #GSoLEN

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Before Alice van Harten began advising aspiring students on their college applications, she spent years teaching and mentoring brand-new undergraduates at Cambridge and Stanford, giving her a rare vantage point on what actually determines a student's ability to thrive once they arrive on campus—and what can quietly hold back even those enrolled at top schools. That experience is fundamental to how we approach undergraduate admissions at Menlo. It’s natural for families to be laser-focused on “getting in,” especially when selectivity and rankings dominate the conversation. But admission is only the starting line. What matters far more is whether your child arrives on campus with clarity about who they are, what excites them, and how they want to grow. The students who flourish during and after college are not those with the most carefully curated applications; they're the ones pursuing an authentic path that personally excites them. That’s why our work goes beyond polishing essays and optimizing extracurriculars. We focus on asking the big questions early, helping students understand their interests, values, and long-term direction so that the application becomes a genuine reflection of who they are—not a performance. Once that foundation is in place, the application becomes stronger and students arrive at college prepared to engage meaningfully with their education, rather than scrambling to define themselves once they get there. If you’re unsure where to begin, worried that your child is behind, or simply tired of trying to navigate this process alone, you’re not the only one. Nearly every family we work with starts in that exact place, and with the right structure and guidance, the process becomes clearer and far less overwhelming. If you’d like support in helping your child approach college admissions strategically and authentically, apply for a consultation to learn more about our undergraduate admissions service.

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💡 To all the startups and nonprofits working towards disability inclusion, here’s an exciting opportunity to accelerate your impact. Morgan Stanley’s Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures Lab is now accepting applications from organizations driving change across health & wellbeing, education & human capital, economic empowerment, and sustainability. The program offers funding, mentorship, and access to a global network. This can be useful for organizations building solutions in accessibility, assistive technology, inclusive education, financial inclusion and employment. Anyssa Venture Capital Morgan Stanley Arun Gore Shashaank Awasthi Manvi Ahuja #MorganStanleyInclusiveVenturesLab #DisabilityInclusion #InclusiveInnovation #AssistiveTechnology #Accessibility #SocialImpact #ImpactInvestment #EconomicEmpowerment

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For the longest time, I always thought that when others asked for feedback, I had to share something that would challenge them or change something. But recently I’ve learned something (that many people probably already know): feedback does not have to be negative. You can share encouraging things with others and that is a good thing to share, don’t think it always has to be criticism. When you’re leaving or starting in an organization, and you’re asked “What do you think we could work on? What are your thoughts?” If there is something they should work on, by all means say it. All I am saying is, just telling them things they do really well and things they should keep doing is good, helpful feedback. Constructive criticism is good, only if there is something good to criticize. Don’t criticize just because you feel like you had to tell them something to change. If all you see is good things that someone or some group is doing well, then tell them that. “You guys are doing a great job” is not bad feedback - it’s affirming that whatever they are doing they should keep doing it.

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Big day for the SDGs in Curaçao 🇨🇼 Yesterday at the University of Curaçao Dr. Moises da Costa Gomez (UoC) , a group of students was officially installed as #SDG Ambassadors🌐. In the coming months, they will work closely with Club17 Curacao and its partners to make sustainable impact more visible across #Curaçao. Each student represents one specific Sustainable Development Goal, allowing them to focus on the local context and translate these global ambitions into tangible, visible results on the island. The day itself reflected exactly what this program stands for: •It began with in-depth conversations between the students and the Advisory Board. They exchanged perspectives on their areas of expertise, discussed local challenges, and explored practical ideas to address them🤝. •Afterwards, students had the opportunity to connect with Club17 partners, who will support them in the next phase of developing and understanding their SDG content. These students are our future colleagues and leaders, giving them early exposure to the realities of business, policy, and implementation strengthens their ability to create meaningful change.m💪🙌. The day concluded with the pinning ceremony: a small symbol of a much larger responsibility we all share.

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What do you think could help amplify and accelerate regional innovation, entrepreneurship, and the startup community? Here are some ideas we’ve been hearing—but I’d love to hear yours: • Conversations with bold voices — Hosting thought-provoking talks or panels with founders, investors, and changemakers who can challenge our thinking and inspire action. • Vision 2040 — A future-focused series that brings together business, policy, and community leaders to talk about what our region needs to thrive in the next decade. • Stronger storytelling — Showcasing regional innovators through podcasts, founder spotlights, or short-form videos that celebrate wins, lessons, and momentum. • A hub or innovation clubhouse — A central, welcoming space where entrepreneurs, students, creators, and supporters can connect, work, and grow together. • Curated collisions — Smaller, targeted gatherings that bring together people across industries, sectors, and stages to spark new ideas and partnerships. • Access to capital — More local pathways to funding, whether it’s connecting with angel investors, unlocking public grants, or creating new early-stage seed funds. • Founder-first support — Micro-grants, mentorship, and wraparound supports for early-stage entrepreneurs who just need a foot in the door. • Alumni & homecoming activation — Re-engaging regional talent who’ve left the region—inviting them to share, mentor, invest, and reconnect with our region. • Startup attraction — Creating the right incentives, storytelling, and support systems to draw mission-aligned startups and founders to the region. • Innovation pilot zones — Designated spaces or programs where new technologies can be tested in real-world environments, speeding up learning and adoption. • FAST 10 — A bold, visible list of the region’s fastest-growing startups—giving leaders something to rally behind, invest in, and help elevate to the next level. • Entrepreneur-friendly policies — Procurement practices, zoning rules, and red-tape reduction strategies that send a clear signal: this region supports innovation and is open for business. • Community-made innovation — Tapping into regional wisdom to solve local challenges—where residents, founders, nonprofits, and businesses co-create solutions that matter to our region. These are just a few building blocks—what else would you add. 👇Comment below.

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