We talk a lot about doing good around here at Encast.
If you haven’t caught on, yet—it’s what we’re all about. It’s what brings us to work every single day.
Many of us will come across a moment of revelation where we want to do good in our own way. You might have the spark of an idea to help the homeless. Maybe you decide to make a generous gift this month to a cause you care about in your neighborhood or spend more time volunteering. Perhaps it’s coming up with an awesome idea to bring charitable giving to the workplace (*wink*).
But you know what the reality is?
Most of us can talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. We say we care, but feel meh about actually standing up and taking action.
But we’ve found a few people have done both, and they’re going to be featured on a panel at the 2017 SXSW Conference and Festivals Mar. 10-19 in Austin, TX.
Shut Up and Do Something—What Is the Panel About?
Most of us will talk about getting involved in charitable causes, but only 25% of us actually will. So who are the 25%, and what sets them apart from the rest of us? This panel will introduce 4 people who have not only gotten involved but changed the game for bigger, better impact.
This panel will be a conversation with four individuals on where they find their motivation and how they’ve turned their moments into movement. They’ll share their stories on how it happened for them, the steps they took, and share tips on how we can make our own ideas real and actionable.
Join us Sunday March 12th from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. For more information about our panel, including location, check out our panel overview on the SXSW page by clicking here.
Our Speakers Who’ve Walked the Walk
Leo Ramirez from Encast
Leo confronted mortality and service to others at his grandfather’s wake, 
and understood immediately how to measure the value of your life. We know ourselves by the people we’ve helped. Leo’s parents had already taught him as a child the importance of giving, regardless of how little you possessed. He grew up lower middle class in a mobile home park but his family adopted a tradition of bringing donations every year to his mother’s village in Mexico.
Giving became the filter through which Leo saw his life’s endeavors, which has led him to work in non-profits, start up tech companies that create social good, and recently to launch Encast, a platform to amplify charitable giving with the HERO platform of solutions.
Doniece Sandoval from Lava Mae
Doniece’s story began when she heard a homeless woman’s cry that she would never be clean. This was the moment that led to her movement with Lava Mae, a nonprofit organization that recognizes the profound impact basic hygiene can be to people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
She’s dedicated her life to her movement, transforming old diesel buses into mobile bathrooms with a hot shower, sink, toilet, and place to change specifically for the homeless. Why?
“Because hygiene brings dignity, and dignity opens up opportunity.”
PS, Lava Mae is doing a Pop-Up Care Village at SXSW—details on their FB event here!
Rachel Parent from Kids Right to Know
Rachel’s story began when she was just 11 years old. What started as research for a school project has turned into a movement that she proudly crusades. At 12 years old, she founded Kids Right to Know, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to informing children about their right to make informed, healthy, and environmentally sound choices when it comes to their food—specifically with GMOs.
Today, she still campaigns for GMO labeling in the United States and Canada. Having met with many of the world’s top leaders in food safety (including Dr. Vandana Shiva, Dr. Shiv Chopra, and Dr. Jane Goodall), her movement has grown with an astounding uproar throughout the world—especially after having a great debate with Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O’Leary.
Danny Pintauro from The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
Danny, while some may know him for his role in Who’s the Boss, has become an influencer in the fight against HIV/AIDS as an ambassador for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
His story began when he was diagnosed, himself, HIV positive. Once kept as a 12-year secret, he now uses his own history to connect with who are living with HIV/AIDS. His own revelations about his HIV status has helped him learn more about the disease and the stigma around it.
Will You Be Joining Us?
We’re thrilled to sit with these inspirational individuals about their different, yet equally impactful stories on how they’ve taken their ideas and moments into sweeping movements. If you still need to register, click here to get started—we hope to see you soon.
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