Laurene Amoit, a Full-Time MBA student at an undisclosed institution, has demonstrated a strong commitment to social entrepreneurship through her work with Native Renewables. This organization focuses on installing off-grid solar and battery storage systems for Indigenous homes in the United States that lack access to electricity. Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, Native Renewables has successfully powered nearly 80 Hopi and Navajo homes with solar energy to date.
Working alongside her classmates and Native Renewables founder Suzanne Singer, Amoit played a crucial role in rethinking and streamlining the venture’s operations. Their goal was to deliver off-grid solar energy to Native families in a more cost-effective manner. Through weekly course exercises and mentorship from Singer, Amoit gained valuable skills and insights that would later inspire her to create her own social venture.
The result of Amoit’s hard work and dedication is Matricare, a platform designed to support underserved communities, specifically Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women, throughout their pregnancy journey. The platform aims to match these women with maternal healthcare professionals of color, ensuring that they receive the care and support they need while reducing discrimination and improving communication between patients and providers.
Growing up in Kenya, Amoit witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by women during pregnancy, with thousands of women dying each year from pregnancy-related complications. This experience, combined with the stark statistics in the United States showing that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, motivated Amoit to take action and make a difference in maternal healthcare.
Amoit’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for social impact were further fueled by a guest speaker in her course, Nasser Diallo, founder of Clinic+O in Guinea. Diallo’s work in bringing primary-care services to low-income communities inspired Amoit to think about how Matricare could be adapted and implemented in Africa. This realization opened her eyes to the global potential of her venture and reinforced the idea that entrepreneurship knows no geographical boundaries.
As Amoit continues to navigate the logistics of launching Matricare and research medical privacy requirements, she credits the lessons and guidance she received from Diallo, Singer, Professor Hanna, and her classmates for preparing her for the challenges ahead. Reflecting on her experience, Amoit highly recommends the course she took to anyone interested in social entrepreneurship, emphasizing the value of connecting with like-minded individuals who share a common goal of making a positive impact in the world.
In conclusion, Laurene Amoit’s journey from working with Native Renewables to founding Matricare exemplifies the power of social entrepreneurship in addressing critical issues and creating meaningful change. Her dedication to supporting underserved communities and improving maternal healthcare serves as an inspiration to others looking to make a difference through innovative and impactful ventures.
