Work Journal
Social Impact + Equity Advisor
I believe true impact does not scale like a business, and requires an intersectional systems approach. I work with organizations, brands, and social enterprises around the world navigate equity and inclusion across their initiatives. Together we co-create and design effective solutions to both approach and communicate impact with an emphasis on cultural humility.
Philosophy
decolonizing the way we approach and communicate impact.
The foundation of many impact-driven businesses is based on the existence of inequities -- that’s why their work is important, but also calls for critical conversations. Previously colonized countries are still struggling to rebuild as a result of years of extraction, which continues to manifest today in the form of capitalism.
Understanding how our businesses and marketing strategies navigate difference, oppression, and global inequities is important. I do not believe marketing, business development and equity should be addressed in silo. Justice should be part of every conversation – from the foundation of a business to how it communicates. And that is why I believe it is important for my work to be intersectional as someone who specializes in impact-driven brands.
Impact Report: Rethinking How MINNA Measures Impact
Impact Strategy + Assessment
As a Social Impact + Equity Advisor, my work with MINNA has been on-going. Together, we navigate conversations around equity while manufacturing in the Global South, cultural appropriation, and justice-driven approaches to impact. For this impact report, we rethought how traditional reports are written, through a lens of cultural humility. We challenged the metrics traditionally reported on, instead focusing on agency and responsible storytelling.
MINNA exists in a complex industry, shaped by layers of racial, geographic, linguistic and economical power dynamics to name a few. Deconstructing this complexity is critical and something we have been and continue to actively address. In order to deconstruct our place, we must first recognize where we stand in relation to power. We are a queer owned business. We’re also predominantly white. In some spaces some of us have a marginalized identity, but in most spaces we don’t. It’s important to acknowledge that, to show the humanity, facets, and intersectionality of our reality.
/tonlé/ Equity-Centered Brand Storytelling
>> Ethical Storytelling + Branding
During a major website revamp project, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the tonlé team to hone in on their brand mission and values. Throughout the process, we had incredibly powerful and raw conversations about justice and equity in the fashion industry - and how tonlé can shift from thinking beyond the bounds of conventional fair trade ideals by incorporating justice and equity across their entire business model.
Manpreet has been instrumental in shaping the narratives of many Fair Trade businesses and helping them move beyond a savior focus in their businesses to one of true co-creation and equal partnership with makers and artisans. Through her powerful workshops on anti-racism and cultural appropriation, to her strong writing and voice through these challenging times - she has been an inspiration to many and challenges with kindness and empathy much of what is wrong with the direction of traditional fair trade - while offering a better vision of what this industry can look like when done right. - Rachel Faller, Founder
/Bryr Studio/ Navigating Pay Equity While Manufacturing in San Francisco
Navigating pay equity and how that translates into tangible change while manufacturing in a city like San Francisco can be a challenging conversation. With the team at Bryr, I worked on addressing equitable pay both internally and externally. I facilitated internal conversations and ensured the process by which changes were made were inclusive and collaborative.
Working with Manpreet was really amazing. She was thoughtful, approachable and helped us keep the project moving along. She has a great way with people and was skillful at helping all sides of the conversation feel seen and heard. I would love to work with her again. — Isobel Rosedale, Founder at Bryr Studio
Ethical Storytelling | Inclusive Branding | Marketing Strategy
I help conscious businesses to maximize their impact in the world. I believe great things happen when we celebrate and elevate one another. I work with clients on fostering inclusive brand storytelling and innovative digital marketing strategies to help them meet their business and impact goals.
I truly enjoyed collaborating with Manpreet on redesigning and updating our website. She thoughtfully digested our massive collection of brand collateral and strategically used it to create a powerful new site map and content. I especially valued Manpreet's passion for our mission, products and desire to grow our brand. She was organized, energetic, and professional through the entirety of our work together. I strongly trust her marketing acumen in the industry and highly recommend Manpreet.
— Colleen Clines, Art of Citizenry
/case study/ seemakrish
Honoring Tradition Through Modern Mediums
Designing a visual luxury that transcends time, seemakrish creates heirloom textiles that blend India’s deep heritage of iconic craftsmanship with a refined modernity.
I had the opportunity to collaborate with Seema Krish in crafting a brand story that honors the traditional techniques of India’s rich textile heritage. The challenge was in finding balance between the studio’s emphasis on thoughtfully ethical sourcing and design approach. Together, we crafted a brand story that beautifully showcases the rich history of textiles within our global context.
Speaking + Workshops
My talks provide audiences with the inspiration, motivation, and practical steps they need to reach their business goals. I have spoken on a series of panels and led workshops on topics ranging from brand marketing, social entrepreneurship, impact communication, and decolonizing storytelling.
Manpreet Kaur Kalra has become an indispensable and impactful changemaker in our movement, and has facilitated many highly-valued sessions during the last three FTF Conferences. Her unique and original content is consistently among the most popular, and serves to catalyze further conversations that touch on the core identity of the fair trade enterprise model. These conversations are long overdue, and will help the larger global movement adapt, evolve, and re-vision fair trade to acknowledge and help shape the Colonial systems of power that we are all a part of.
—Chris Solt, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation
Writing + Special Projects
Manpreet has written for multiple print and digital publications. She has hosted webinars and put together original multimedia content on topics ranging from digital marketing best practices to sustainability and fair trade.
“Manpreet was one of the stars of the 2019 World Fair Trade Summit. She was well-prepared, clear and charming. Her expertise is unquestionable. And her ability to convey key information is brilliant. I wholeheartedly recommend Manpreet as a speaker.”
