Her light, Her Journey

Citizen-Driven Innovation with Ann Molin: Turning Ideas into Global Impact

Kyoko Yamashita

Ann Molin, Founder and Secretary General of the Hack4Earth Foundation, shares how she brings people together across the world to create real solutions for global challenges. Through her pioneering Dream.Hack.Build method, she has led citizen-driven hackathons that empower individuals to use their unique competencies and transform ideas into action aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In this inspiring conversation, Ann opens up about:

  1. The moment she shifted from self-doubt to higher purpose on stage—and how it changed her trajectory.
  2. How a community of a thousand participants supported each other in ways her small team never imagined.
  3. Why saying yes more often can unlock opportunities and unexpected “how’s” when you feel stuck.
  4. Her perspective on failure as “success in progress” and why doing matters more than just reading.
  5. What success means to her: using your gifts to bring value to society and being remembered for the positive impact you create.

With her background in psychology and decades of experience in global innovation, Ann’s story is a powerful reminder that collaboration, courage, and purpose can move the world forward. This episode is for anyone curious about hackathons, female changemakers, and the future of citizen-driven innovation.

Her linkedin: @ann-molin-89416191

Her Instagram: @annfannymolin

Her book: Dream! Hack! Build!: Unleash citizen-driven innovation with the power of hackathons

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