Last week The Skoll Centre conducted their annual event, Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, to bring together thought leaders in the social innovation space. I followed the action on Twitter through #skollwf and read a post regarding 3 vital reminders that woman should be especially mindful of when seeking to affect large-scale social change. Though the talk was geared toward women, these reminders are useful for anyone looking to create social change regardless of their gender.
In full disclosure, I am particularly drawn to this post because it recaps a session co-led by Dr. Judith Rodin, who was the President of UPenn while I was an undergraduate there. She has since moved on from Penn and I’m proud that her intelligence, grace, and experience continues to impact broad social change initiatives. As Penn’s President she built the foundation that has transformed West Philadelphia from a very dangerous inner city to a thriving, diverse urban destination.
How to affect large-scale change: three vital reminders for women
A session of inspiring stories and conversations of large-scale change affected by women, facilitated by Pat Mitchell with contribution from Judith Rodin, gave rise to identification of three vital reminders:
1. Systems Thinking: Wide understanding of the cultural context and general ecosystem is necessary: draw a systems map that identifies all stakeholders and variables.
2. Collaboration: Networks are vital. Carefully consider how to leverage your partners and connections, especially “non obvious partners”. Create and sustain supportive communities.
3. Innovation: Technology is transformational when it gets into the hands of women. Identify the innovation, more likely to be on the ground than in halls of headquarters.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
Last week The Skoll Centre conducted their annual event, Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, to bring together thought leaders in the social innovation space. I followed the action on Twitter through #skollwf and read a post regarding 3 vital reminders that woman should be especially mindful of when seeking to affect large-scale social change. Though the talk was geared toward women, these reminders are useful for anyone looking to create social change regardless of their gender. 
