Shows
Future Tide ConversationsAngelo Stracquatanio on Scaling Innovation with Purpose (Part 2) In Part 2 of this Future Tide Conversations series, we continue our in depth conversation with Angelo Stracquatanio, Co-Founder and CEO of Apprentice.io, and delve into the next chapter of his entrepreneurial journey. If Part 1 explored how Angelo broke into the pharma industry with a mission driven idea, Part 2 focuses on what happened as that idea grew. Angelo shares how he raised the capital and built the team needed to bring his vision to scale, no small feat in a field known for red tape and skepticism toward newcomers. He talks about convincing investors and pharmaceutical leaders t...
2026-02-1150 min
Future Tide ConversationsAngelo Stracquatanio on Breaking Barriers in the Pharma Industry (Part 1) In the first episode of this special three-part Future Tide Conversations series, we meet Angelo Stracquatanio, the dynamic Co-Founder and CEO of Apprentice.io. Angelo's story begins with a bold vision in 2014 and unfolds into the early steps of an outsider entering the high-stakes world of pharmaceutical technology with a mission to challenge long-standing assumptions. In Part 1, Angelo shares how he identified a critical, archaic problem in pharma manufacturing and refused to accept the status quo. Listeners will hear how he confronted skepticism in an industry literally running on pen-and-paper systems, learned the ropes as an "insider-outsider," a...
2026-01-141h 10Future Tide ConversationsAlleys and Waves of Innovation? Get in the Game. (Part 2) Welcome back to Future Tide Conversations for Part 2 of our enlightening discussion with James Johnson-Piett, Principal and CEO of Urbane Development and Board Chair of Mangrove Community Wealth, Inc. If Part 1 was about how James planted the seeds of a new idea, Part 2 is about how those ideas blossomed and spread. This episode picks up the thread, so if you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, we recommend starting there to fully appreciate the journey. In Part 2, James dives into how he expanded his mission's reach and the innovative strategies he's using to change economic systems. We discuss t...
2025-10-0153 min
Future Tide ConversationsAlleys and Waves of Innovation? Get in the Game. In Part 1 of this Future Tide Conversations episode, we meet James Johnson-Piett, the dynamic Principal and CEO of Urbane Development and Board Chair of Mangrove Community Wealth, Inc, and uncover the beginnings of a journey that is transforming communities. James's story starts with a question: What if the key to reviving neighborhoods lies with the people who already live there? With that question in mind, he set out to reinvent community development from the inside out. He takes us through how he launched Urbane Development during the 2008 economic downturn, a bold move that exemplified courage and faith in his...
2025-09-1053 min
Future Tide ConversationsPurpose & Proximity: Investing with a Broader Sense of Community In this Special Edition of our podcast, Alfa Demmellash speaks with Preston D. Pinkett III—President of P3 Collective and Chair of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation—about the role of purpose and proximity in ethical investing. Together, they explore the power of relationship in funding, the role of trust, and why it matters who's closest to the solution. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more.
2025-07-2321 min
Better Than ThisWhy Authentic Leadership Works: How to Be an Authentic Leader in a World That Rewards ConformityAuthentic leadership is proven to be better for your relationships, your team, your bottom line, and your well-being. Yet, leading authentically is easier said than done at work—especially for working women and other marginalized leaders who often feel pressure to change themselves to belong in a system built by and for others. So how do you tap into your authentic leadership anyway?
In this episode, we’ll dive deep into why authentic leadership is so important and how to cultivate it in your work and life. With insights from top CEOs like Melanie Dulbecco, Stephanie Nadi Olson...
2025-06-2352 min
Future Tide ConversationsThe Art of Repair: Strength, Self-Healing, and Leadership in the Auto Industry "Hilda Mera on Driving Change in the Auto Industry" – In this episode of Future Tide Conversations, we meet Hilda Mera, the dynamic co-founder and CEO of S&A Auto Center. Hilda's story is a journey of courage and resilience: arriving in the U.S. as a young immigrant and ultimately thriving as an entrepreneur in the male-dominated world of auto repair. She recounts how she overcame the skeptics (only about 5% of auto repair business leaders are women) and built not just a successful company, but a community hub that empowers others. Listeners will hear how Hilda expanded her...
2025-05-2952 min
Future Tide ConversationsStill You in There: Healing, Resilience & the Systems We Carry In this episode, Alfa Demmellash sits down with Towanda McEachern, founder of The Empowerment Studio in Newark, NJ, to explore how personal healing can lead to community transformation. Towanda shares her journey from trauma to empowerment and how creating spaces of care—like A Life Recycled—can support others in reconnecting with their purpose. Together, they reflect on how the systems we carry internally shape the ones we build around us, and why mental well-being must be central to how we lead. Learn more and explore additional resources at: future.risingtidecapital.org/podcast Follo...
2025-04-3052 min
Future Tide ConversationsEducating our children, instilling resilienceIn this inaugural episode of Future Tide Conversations with Alfa Demmellash, CEO and Co-Founder of Rising Tide Capital sits down with Myani Lawson, an education entrepreneur, to explore her journey into entrepreneurship, education in today's world and instilling resilience in a rapidly changing world. The candid conversation is intended to share dreams in progress as they unfold to change the world around us, pointing the way to how we can journey together to mutual flourishing. Future Tide Conversations is a special initiative of Future Tide Partners powered by Rising Tide Capital. We are a 501-c-3 non-profit organization...
2025-04-0937 min
Corner Office BreakdownsRethinking Power and Privilege
In episode seven of Corner Office Breakdowns, Ambika speaks to Alfa Demmellash, the CEO of Rising Tide Capital, in what she says is one of the most goose-bump-inducing, profound, heart-wrenching, and inspiring conversations of her lifetime. Alfa breaks down the topic of privilege – not in the sense of race or wealth – the privilege of being loved. She then imagines what it looks like to inject love into the spaces that are typically void of it – like work.
2023-07-121h 17
2023-02-221h 20
A Few Things with Jim Barrood#66 Entrepreneur Chat: Alfa Demmellash - A Few Things - 57 MinWe discussed a number of things including:1. Alfa's entrepreneurial journey and vision for Rising Tide Capital2. State of the small business sector across the state and region3. Funding outlook for startups and underserved entrepreneurs4. Alfa's vision for Future Tide PartnersBorn and raised in Ethiopia, Alfa lives in New Jersey with her husband and two boys. She is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Rising Tide Capital, a non-profit organization that provides underserved entrepreneurs with the resources they need to launch and grow successful businesses. Since 2005 the organization ha...
2022-02-1057 min
Leadership LIVE @ 8:05! Podcast - Talking Small BusinessLet The Entrepreneur in You RISE - Talking Small Business with Alfa DemmellashLeadership LIVE @ 8:05! - Talking Small Business with Alfa Demmellash. Let The Entrepreneur in Your RISE. Alfa is the Founder and CEO of Rising Tide Capital, Inc., an innovative non-profit community development corporation providing small business development services to entrepreneurs in disadvantaged communities. RTC believes in building wealth in communities one entrepreneur at a time by providing knowledge, social, and access to financial capital. She is responsible for program and fund development, building partnerships, and product and service delivery. Learn more about Rising Tide Capital, Inc. at www.RisingTideCapital.org.
Every Tuesday evening on Leadership LIVE @ 8:05! - Talking Sma...
2021-11-0358 min
Today is the Day ChangemakersFinding Your Call to Action with Alfa DemmellashSend us a textWelcome to episode 27 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast. This week my incredible guest is Alfa Demmellash. Alfa is the the CEO and Co-founder of Rising Tide Capital and Future Tide Partners. Rising Tide Capital is a non-profit, or as I say for impact organization, that provides underserved entrepreneurs with the resources they need to launch and grow successful businesses. Since 2005 the organization has operated the Community Business Academy. Please visit Rising Tide Capital | A non-profit organization for more information about the services they provide. Alfa was bo...
2021-06-141h 26Today is the Day ChangemakersThe Power of Books with Emily JoofSend us a textWelcome to the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast, episode 25 with Emily Joof. Emily comes to us all the way from Sweden and is our first International guest! Emily Joof is a multicultural mom to two young children who have been her inspiration to write children's books. She moved to Sweden 10 years ago from London. She works as the Global Education Advisor at Save the Children, while at the same time writing and publishing her stories with a focus on inclusion and diversity from an afro-diaspora perspective. Emily is also working o...
2021-06-0757 min
Roots to RenewalEpisode Three: Rising Tide Capital Co-founder Alfa DemmellashSend us a textSponsored by Tierra Farm. Music by Grammy Award winning artist Aaron Dessner.In this episode, Martin Ping and Rising Tide Capital cofounder Alfa Demmellash discuss the notion of economy and what we need to do to reimagine it so that it can serve us, our communities, and our children, and their children’s children. Alfa was born and raised in Ethiopia. She came to the United States at the age of 12 with a keen interest in poverty alleviation and conflict resolution. Alfa graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 2003, where she majo...
2021-05-0432 min
Green Planet Blue Planet PodcastEp. 226 (RE) Humans Series with Alfa DemmellashAlfa Demmellash is the CEO of Rising Tide Capital, RTC provides business development services designed to transform lives by helping individuals start and grow successful businesses; build communities through collaborations with other non-profits, higher education institutions, corporations, and public agencies;
We talk about:
✨ Alfas journey as an immigrant from Ethiopia
✨ the Beloved Economy
✨ What the world most requires in unprecedented times like these
Alfa is a Young Global Leader with the WEF, a pioneer of the regenerative movement and currently serves on the board of New Jersey Future of work task...
2020-08-1753 min
Faith Driven EntrepreneurEpisode 116 - Investing in Overlooked Entrepreneurs with Alfa DemmellashToday’s guest was once recognized by President Barack Obama during a speech at the White House, and she was named one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women Changing the World with Philanthropy. As the CEO and Co-Found of Rising Tide Capital, Alfa Demmellash is working to help underserved entrepreneurs get the recognition and investment capital they need.In this podcast, she took us on a journey to Ethiopia, Harvard, and Rwanda, and we think you’ll love every step of the way...
2020-07-2837 min
Faith Driven InvestorEpisode 29 - Investing in Overlooked Entrepreneurs with Alfa DemmellashToday’s guest was once recognized by President Barack Obama during a speech at the White House, and she was named one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women Changing the World with Philanthropy. As the CEO and Co-Found of Rising Tide Capital, Alfa Demmellash is working to help underserved entrepreneurs get the recognition and investment capital they need.In this podcast, she took us on a journey to Ethiopia, Harvard, and Rwanda, and we think you’ll love every step of the way...
2020-07-2837 min
The Veritas ForumCoronavirus & Quarantine: The Economy, Career, and Jobs EditionIn this Virtual Veritas Forum we discuss the impact of the novel coronavirus on the global economy and how it may or may not reshape our concepts of commerce. Presented by a panel that includes Alfa Demmellash, CEO and Co-Founder of Rising Tide Capital; Andy Chan, VP of Innovation & Career Development at Wake Forest University; Arthur Brooks, social scientist, musician, and professor at the Harvard Kennedy School; Moderated by Andrew Schuman, Executive Director of The Veritas Forum.
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2020-04-061h 20
The Veritas ForumCoronavirus & Quarantine: The Economy, Career, and Jobs EditionIn this Virtual Veritas Forum we discuss the impact of the novel coronavirus on the global economy and how it may or may not reshape our concepts of commerce. Presented by a panel that includes Alfa Demmellash, CEO and Co-Founder of Rising Tide Capital; Andy Chan, VP of Innovation & Career Development at Wake Forest University; Arthur Brooks, social scientist, musician, and professor at the Harvard Kennedy School; Moderated by Andrew Schuman, Executive Director of The Veritas Forum.
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2020-04-061h 20
The Veritas ForumCoronavirus & Quarantine: What Big Questions Can We Be Asking?In this Virtual Veritas Forum we hear from a panel that includes Lydia Dugdale, MD and Director of Columbia Center for Clinical Medical Ethics; David Brooks, bestselling author and NYT cultural commentator; and Andy Crouch, executive editor of Christianity Today, author, and partner at Praxis Labs. Moderated by executive director of The Veritas Forum, Andrew Schuman.
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NEXT VIRTUAL FORUM
Coronavirus & Quarantine: The Economy, Career, and Jobs Edition. Thursday, April 2 at 4pm ET.
Featuring: Arthur Brooks (Harvard), Alfa Demmellash (Rising Tide Capital), and Andy Chan (Wake Forest University).
For more information and registration: http://www.veritas.org/veritasforumlivestream2/
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2020-03-261h 26
Talent Talks- With Rick MaherE09: Looking Beyond the Job, Investing in Entrepreneurship to Transform Lives and CommunitiesIn this 29-minute episode, host Rick Maher is joined by Alex Forrester, Co-founder and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of Rising Tide Capital, as well as Alfa Demmellash, CEO and Co-founder of Rising Tide, as they discuss the support that they offer entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities to help them grow their businesses. Alex and Alfa reveal their holistic approach to supporting entrepreneurs, their vision for future partnerships with the workforce development system, and the efforts they are making to expand their model to other communities.
2019-07-1229 min
A Closer LookA Closer Look With Arthur Levitt: Alfa Demmellash (Audio)(Bloomberg)--Arthur Levitt, former chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, interviews Alfa Demmellash, Co-Founder of Rising Tidal Capital on "A Closer Look With Arthur Levitt."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2018-03-1625 min
How Success Happens#31 Every Life is Precious. How This Simple Idea is Helping One Woman Coach Underserved Entrepreneurs.Alfa Demmellash is a co-founder of Rising Tide Capital, a non-profit in New Jersey that provides education, training and support for underserved entrepreneurs. Alfa founded Rising Tide in part thanks to her mother’s example, a woman who left her native Ethiopia and worked long hours as a waitress and entrepreneur to bring Alfa to the States to have a better life. Alfa will share how this example shaped her and helps her train thousands of business owners. Along the way, she'll share her own remarkable story, one that includes hitchhiking to safety after getting abducted as child and en...
2018-02-1454 min