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Dr. Kortney Ziegler
Pioneering Social Impact Tech Entrepreneur | Visiting Social Entrepreneur at Stanford Graduate School of Business | Camelback Fellow 2024
Dr. Kortney Ziegler is a multifaceted entrepreneur, scholar, and innovator who founded WellMoney, a community-driven financial platform designed to provide immediate, no-strings-attached financial support to individuals facing emergencies.12
Background and Education
Dr. Ziegler has an impressive academic background:
- B.A. in Film and Digital Media with a minor in Computer Science from UC Santa Cruz (2003)4
- M.A. in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in Black Studies from San Francisco State University (2005)4
- M.A. in African-American and Black Studies from Northwestern University (2008)4
- Ph.D. in African American Studies from Northwestern University (2011), becoming the first to graduate with this degree from the institution4
Entrepreneurial Journey
Dr. Ziegler is a serial entrepreneur who has founded several impactful ventures:
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WellMoney: His current venture, a community-driven financial platform that pools member contributions to support those facing financial emergencies.2
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Appolition: A crowdfunding platform that raised over $1 million to pay bail for people who couldn't afford it. It was recognized as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by FastCompany.2
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Trans*H4ck: A hackathon initiative that empowered trans people in the tech industry, influencing policy changes and career opportunities.4
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ZaMLabs (formerly Black Star Media): A production company through which he created the award-winning documentary "Still Black: a portrait of black transmen".4
Expertise and Focus
Dr. Ziegler is passionate about using simple but proven technologies for social good.5 His work focuses on:
- Developing tech solutions that increase financial and social prosperity2
- Addressing systemic barriers and creating impactful change1
- Championing financial inclusivity and empowerment3
- Supporting the Black diaspora through solution-driven products6
Dr. Ziegler's innovative approach and commitment to social impact have earned him recognition as an award-winning entrepreneur and a trailblazer in using technology for social justice.46
Highlights
Today, my stepson and I made a food review video for our duo YouTube channel, where we tried out KFC's new limited-edition snacks that are here in South Africa.
But what should have been a quick fun shoot turned into a big lesson—for me.
I'll be honest, I started off in a bad mood. I felt grumpy and distracted because earlier in the day, I was focused on my financial obligations and I got a bit overwhelmed.
But as we kept going, I realized I needed to snap out of it. I reminded myself that I'll miss these times someday and that these are the kinds of moments that make up the good parts of life.
So, instead of being grumpy, I gave myself grace and was patient with myself and him.
Once I shook off the bad mood, we enjoyed ourselves. We made jokes, ate junk food and made dope content.
The video became less important than just being there with him. I was reminded that what truly matters are the moments where we change our behavior to give out only love and nothing less.
I truly enjoy this parenting stuff!
On another note, I’m looking for new speaking opportunities.
I’d love to share about my journey as a new parent and how it’s profoundly shaped my life — and how these lessons can apply to entrepreneurship, leadership, patience, and personal growth.
If you know of any events or opportunities, feel free to reach out here: https://lnkd.in/dzgFBFHB
Last month I wrapped up my role as a Visiting Social Entrepreneur at Stanford.
Working closely with passionate students was such a rewarding experience, and I'm thankful I could contribute to their journeys.
We tackled big challenges together—from reimagining healthcare systems in underserved regions to exploring innovative ways to fund civil rights cases.
Their dedication and fresh perspectives were truly inspiring, and it reminded me why I love this work.
This experience was incredibly meaningful to me, and I'm excited to keep sharing what I've learned.
I'm currently looking for speaking opportunities to talk about social entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, and making lasting change. If you know of any events or conferences where these topics could make an impact, please reach out.
#Grateful #StanfordGSB #Entrepreneurship #SocialImpact #HealthcareInnovation #SpeakingOpportunities
