Sign In

Elizabeth Scharpf

Global innovation and impact leader building movements, markets, and organizations.

Elizabeth Scharpf is a social entrepreneur and business leader with extensive experience in sustainable development and social impact initiatives. She is currently a Consulting Partner at Urgent Optimist Labs, where she advises founders and senior leadership of high-growth enterprises on operational efficiency, strategy, capital raising, and impact measurement.1

Career Highlights

Founder and CEO of Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE): Scharpf founded and led SHE from 2008 to 2020. The organization focused on manufacturing and distributing affordable hygiene products made from local agro-waste (banana fibers) to help girls and women thrive in school and work. Under her leadership, SHE achieved profitability and was successfully acquired by the East African Workforce Authority.12

Other Notable Roles:

  • Board Member, Women's Leadership Board at Harvard Kennedy School (2015-present)
  • Angel Investor with Astia, focusing on female, BIPOC, and LGBT-led companies (2017-present)
  • Board Member at The OpEd Project (2016-present)
  • Echoing Green Fellow (2008-present)
  • Chief Operating Officer at Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (2006)
  • Private Sector Specialist at The World Bank (2005)
  • Consultant at Clinton Foundation (2004)
  • Strategic Management Consultant at IQVIA (2001-2004)1

Education and Achievements

Scharpf holds an MBA and MPA in International Development from Harvard, as well as a BA from the University of Notre Dame. She is also a Fulbright Scholar.12

Her work with SHE has garnered significant recognition:

  • SHE's menstrual pad was featured in the Smithsonian's exhibit "Design with the 90%: Improving Lives Around the World" in 2019
  • Recipient of the Echoing Green Fellowship
  • Winner of the Harvard Business School Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship1

Approach and Philosophy

Elizabeth Scharpf is known for her innovative approach to social entrepreneurship, combining business solutions with social impact. She emphasizes the importance of understanding local contexts and creating sustainable, market-driven solutions to address pressing global issues.23

Scharpf's work with SHE demonstrated her commitment to empowering women and girls by addressing menstrual health challenges in developing countries. Her approach focused on local manufacturing, using readily available materials, and creating economic opportunities for women in the communities served.23

Highlights

Oct 30 · linkedin

To our SHE Community, When I first started SHE over 10 years ago, I brazenly declared “IF (and that’s a BIG IF) we are successful in instigating and building a global market and movement, then our role would no longer be necessary.” I’m happy to say, we have done just that.

Globally, people have INVESTED nearly $1B USD DEBUNKED the myths by changing the discourse in over 285+ top media/news outlets RECLAIMED their dignity with over 12 countries making policies and commitments LAUNCHED 500+ initiatives reaching 50M girls and women with more affordable pads

SHE’s impact lives on!

Earlier this year, the Workforce Development Authority of Rwanda approached us to continue our banana fiber pad production operations under their leadership. Hundreds of organizations and schools will continue to use our health curriculum that we disseminated. And entrepreneurs can now access our research and development through our open-source patents and our recent and soon-to be-published research in the Journal of Natural Fibers.

We (as in YOU and the SHE team) are pioneers and have made a great impact on girls, women, families, and communities around the world! Thank you for believing in us and the people we serve.

With gratitude, Elizabeth, the OG Chief Instigating Officer

Jul 13 · linkedin

Ready to lead the SHE East African team to scale? Apply now for our Managing Director position now....see below

Related Questions

What are some of Elizabeth Scharpf's most notable achievements at Urgent Optimists?
How did Elizabeth Scharpf's role at Sustainable Health Enterprises prepare her for her current position?
What impact has Elizabeth Scharpf had as an angel investor in female-led companies?
Can you provide examples of the strategies Elizabeth Scharpf has implemented for high-growth enterprises?
What inspired Elizabeth Scharpf to transition from a successful exit at Amylyx Pharmaceuticals to consulting?
Elizabeth Scharpf
Elizabeth Scharpf, photo 1
Elizabeth Scharpf, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area