In episode 190 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, we speak with Nisha Anand, CEO, of Dream.org, on bringing all sides together to solve problems through policy and entrepreneurship.
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About Nisha Anand
Nisha is a passionate Indian-American activist, dedicated mom of two teenagers, and a true leader. Nisha’s remarkable journey began as a radical grassroots activist, fearlessly distributing pro-democracy leaflets in Burma, which unfortunately led to her arrest.
However, this experience only fueled her commitment to organizing and ignited her belief in the transformative power of collaborating with unlikely partners to achieve genuine solutions.
As the CEO of Dream.Org, Nisha guides a diverse group of individuals who, like her, have come to appreciate the immense value of forging unconventional relationships.
Prior to her current position, Nisha served as Chief of Staff to Van Jones, an esteemed CNN commentator and New York Times bestselling author.
Drawing upon her extensive experience in nonprofit development and management, Nisha has been an influential figure in fundraising and consulting for several organizations.
Nisha’s unwavering commitment to social justice has garnered international attention, stemming from her arrest in Burma in 1998. This pivotal moment thrust her onto the global stage, leading to numerous speaking engagements at prestigious events and conferences.
Nisha has also been sought after for interviews by various media outlets, including TV, radio, and print, where she shares her inspiring story.
Nisha’s incredible transformation from a punk-rock protester to a true champion of common ground is brilliantly captured in her captivating TED talk, “The Radical Act of Choosing Common Ground.”
This thought-provoking presentation has garnered views from around the world, offering audiences a profound perspective on the importance of bridging divides and finding shared solutions.
About Dream.org
At Dream.Org, they recognize that some of society’s most pressing issues also hold immense potential for positive change. However, they understand that lasting transformations can only be achieved through the collaboration of a diverse and inclusive coalition.
Whether it’s addressing the problem of overcrowded prisons, combating the challenges of climate change, or fostering economic opportunities in marginalized communities, Dream.Org believes that sustainable solutions emerge when people from all walks of life come together.
They actively seek common ground in unexpected places and are open to partnering with anyone who shares their commitment to finding solutions, even if they hold differing views on various matters. They firmly believe that their communities deserve nothing less.
This approach has already yielded significant achievements, such as bipartisan criminal justice reform that resulted in the release of over 18,000 individuals from incarceration.
Additionally, Dream.Org’s efforts have led to starting salaries of $70,000 for graduates of their tech cohorts and have been instrumental in securing $78.5 billion in federal funding for green initiatives, including public transportation, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and environmentally friendly school buses.
Through their partnership with Village capital they are a driving force for innvative ways to solve probles throufgh entrepreneurship.
Check out their ClimateTech and JusticeTech accelerators and cohorts.
Dream.Org, previously known as the Dream Corps, was established by Van Jones, an activist and entrepreneur. Through their various programs, they strive to create a future where fewer individuals are imprisoned, pollution is reduced, and opportunities abound for the younger generation.
Together, their vision is to build a nation characterized by freedom, dignity, and equal opportunities for all.
Interview Transcript
00:09
Host: Well, thank you so much, Nisha, for joining me today. I’m very excited to chat about your incredible journey. I’ve read some of your work and watched your TED talk. It’s amazing what you’ve done so far, and you’ve got so much more to accomplish. Before we dive into your role as CEO at dream.org, and why you took on this mission, can you talk about your journey up to this point? It’s been incredible, and it sounds like your father had a profound impact on setting you up for a life of activism and common ground. Could you start by sharing his influence on you?
00:59
Nisha: Absolutely. First, thank you for having me on the show and for calling me young. As I approach 50, it’s nice to hear! I have a hard time knowing exactly when to start my journey, but when I look back, I see a clear trajectory. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, in the 80s. My father was an immigrant from India. Back then, Atlanta was very much a black or white town with little diversity in between. Growing up, I faced the question, “What are you?” a lot. It was hard to answer, and not fitting in anywhere was tough. I’ve always identified as a bit of a misfit, neither here nor there, not fully American, nor fully Indian.
That misfit identity could be isolating, but I chose to make it my superpower, becoming a chameleon who could fit in anywhere. My father immigrated here seeking the American dream. He went to grad school for engineering, started his own company, and succeeded. Watching his journey from working class to owner class taught me a lot. He outsourced before it was a thing, partnering with friends in India to manufacture and ship products here. I saw our income shift and learned valuable lessons about being an outsider, gaining perspectives that those whose experiences reflect the mainstream might not get.
I developed a fierce sense of justice early on. My father wanted to make it in America and create a better life for his children, but I was passionate about justice and inclusion. Growing up as an Indian woman, I was expected to marry well and follow traditional paths, but I wanted more. I wanted a world where one’s future wasn’t determined by birth. I became a radical activist, chaining myself to buildings, getting arrested for various causes. I studied International Studies and Women and Gender Studies, breaking away from my family’s expectations.
My father’s story also shaped me. He was born during the partition of India, which led to mass migration and violence. My family, being Hindu on the wrong side of the border, had to hide. A Muslim family hid my Hindu family, saving their lives. This story of neighbors coming together despite religious differences has always inspired me. It reminds me that even in the hardest times, we can choose to find common ground and appreciate our shared humanity.
09:17
Host: You mentioned taking a different path as a young Indian woman. How were those initial conversations with your family? Was it difficult to convince them of your mission and vision?
09:39
Nisha: When merging cultures, there’s a lot of internal conflict. My father eventually recognized my potential and supported my success, even if it wasn’t the path he envisioned. He wanted me to be an engineer and take over his business, but he saw that I could succeed on my own terms. Feminism is a growing value in India, and he saw its importance for fathers of daughters.
However, the first time he found out about my arrest was tough. I had hidden it from him. My first arrest was for animal rights activism at the circus. My friends and I chained ourselves to the center ring to protest animal abuse. While locked down, I had a crisis of confidence, wondering if this was the right way to make an impact. It was a learning moment for me about the importance of strategy in activism.
12:50
Host: That’s a fascinating story. Activism is essential, but so is strategy. What have you learned about what truly moves the needle in activism?
14:05
Nisha: That question is crucial. Social change requires a large ecosystem. We need on-the-ground activists to force the conversation, but that must be coupled with strategy. Successful movements involve many parts working together. For example, during the pandemic, there was a moment of unity, but without a strategy to capitalize on it, the momentum faded. Similarly, after George Floyd’s murder, there was a shift in consciousness, but we needed strategic planning to sustain that change.
Movements need to plan for winning. If you win hearts and minds, what’s next? We need to appreciate each role in the ecosystem of change. Activists, strategists, policymakers—all must work together. Gandhi’s nonviolent activism during India’s independence is a great example. He had a vision not just for civil disobedience but also for governance. We need that holistic approach today.
18:22
Host: Let’s move on to dream.org. Why did you decide to take on the role of CEO, and what is the mission and vision of the organization?
18:42
Nisha: I joined dream.org about 10 years ago. After my kids were born, I took a break from working, but I felt lonely and disconnected from activism. I wanted to play a bigger game. When a job description from Rebuild the Dream (now dream.org) founded by Van Jones crossed my desk, I applied. I started in fundraising and helped grow the organization from five people to about 75 today.
In 2019, Van Jones asked me to become CEO. At first, I said no, but after consulting with colleagues, I realized I was ready for the challenge. I took on the role in 2019, and one year later, the pandemic hit. Leading through that time was difficult, but we grew significantly, raising funds and expanding our impact.
Dream.org’s mission is to close prison doors and open doors of opportunity. We focus on criminal justice reform, climate, and tech equity, aiming to solve big problems by being radically inclusive. We believe that real change comes from bringing diverse voices to the table.
22:29
Host: Can you elaborate on the three pillars of dream.org: green, justice, and tech?
23:42
Nisha: At dream.org, we aim to solve major challenges through radical inclusivity. Our three pillars are criminal justice reform, climate solutions, and tech equity. We believe in closing prison doors and opening doors of opportunity, ensuring that solutions work for everyone.
For criminal justice reform, we highlight the need for rehabilitation and reentry, addressing the fact that the U.S. has 25% of the world’s prisoners despite having only 5% of the global population. Our climate work involves ensuring that the $369 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act goes to impactful solutions. Our Green Business Council brings together CEOs from green tech companies to develop inclusive solutions. We recently launched a climate tech incubator with Village Capital, following a successful justice tech incubator last year.
We aim to show that you don’t need to increase polarization to solve big problems. We foster collaboration between community voices and tech entrepreneurs to influence policy and develop solutions.
29:31
Host: Will the cohorts for the incubator be annual?
29:39
Nisha: We need to fundraise for it to be annual. Ideally, these programs will make a big enough splash to attract ongoing support.
30:41
Host: Have you engaged with private prisons in your work? They’re a significant part of the system and controversial. Is there potential for collaboration?
30:41
Nisha: Private prisons are a contentious issue. Many see them as inherently bad, especially given the conditions in some detention centers. However, public prisons are also problematic. Both systems have backward incentives. We need to focus on the best ideas, regardless of whether they come from private or public systems, and incentivize rehabilitation and positive outcomes.
The Justice tech sector is ripe for disruption. We need to reframe the conversation around creating effective rehabilitation centers and not just focusing on the public vs. private debate.
33:33
Host: Are there any promising justice tech solutions you can highlight?
36:56
Nisha: One example from our previous cohort is a tech solution that helps eligible individuals expunge their records at a lower cost. This simplifies a process that can be prohibitively expensive and helps people re-enter society more easily. Solutions like this can have a significant impact.
38:41
Host: As you look three to five years down the line, what are some of the goals and successes you would like to see for dream.org?
39:23
Nisha: In three years, I hope we see bigger experiments in prisons, implementing innovative programs that prove effective. Climate action is crucial; we need to see real progress in creating green jobs. Ultimately, I want to decrease polarization. We need to show that it’s possible to work together, across differences, to solve big problems. If we can demonstrate this through our work, it will be a significant achievement.
41:32
Host: Thank you so much for taking the time, Nisha. This has been an amazing conversation. Best of luck to you and the team at dream.org.
Nisha: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to continuing this important work.
