“I was instilled with this idea that I come from a lot of privilege and lot of ease in my own life, and to use that as power to clear the barriers for others to Exercise their own privilege and power.”

Rena Greifinger has used her power and privilege to help some of the most underrepresented and marginalized people in the world. Director of Individual Philanthropy and Managing Director of the Maverick Collective by Population Services International or PSI, Rena joined PSI twelve years ago with a mission of working for the dignity of people affected by stigmatized issues.

Whether that’s HIV/AIDS or helping women get access to contraception and Family planning or helping communities upgrade sanitation, Rena puts people at the center.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

00:00 Rena’s background and passion for social justice

08:00 Introduction to Population Services International (PSI)

13:27 The Maverick Collective: Investing in women and girls

18:21 Addressing gender-based violence

23:03 Including men and boys in the conversation for gender equality

24:56 Challenges and rewards of working in different countries and cultures

25:37 The power of individual philanthropy and Innovation

28:40 Engaging high-net-worth women donors through Maverick Collective

45:18 The interconnectedness of social issues

49:04 Taking action and recognizing privilege in living a moral life

Find out more about the Maverick Collective and PSI on their websites: www.psi.org and maverickcollective.org. Get to know Rena Greifinger on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/renagreifinger.

Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization The Life You Can Save and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: www.thelifeyoucansave.org.

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Charlie Bresler Ph.D. Founder of EH Walkers

Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. Charlie became volunteer Executive Director of The Life You Can Save in 2013, and through his financial support and leadership, he helped Peter Singer develop the organization from the ground up.

Charlie holds a BA in History from New York University, a Masters in Social Studies and Education from Harvard University, and a PhD in Social and Clinical Psychology from Clark University. He is the former Director of Behavioral Medicine for The California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno. From academia, he was recruited to The Men's Wearhouse, where he became head of human resources, stores, and marketing, ultimately rising to the position of President. He stepped down to fulfill his long-standing desire to work directly on social and economic issues.

As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life. His insights on effective hedonism and Philanthropy have been featured in publications such as TIME, Fast Company, WSJ, and Forbes. He encourages others to find joy in contributing to the greater good, advocating for a balanced approach to life that enhances personal well-being while making a significant positive impact on the world.

Charlie lives in Sequim, Washington, with his wife Diana, a family physician, who partners in supporting The Life You Can Save.