loader from loading.io

E12 S14 Redefining Purpose: Building a Global Career in Urban Action

The Social Change Career Podcast

Release Date: 06/05/2025

E12 S14 Redefining Purpose: Building a Global Career in Urban Action show art E12 S14 Redefining Purpose: Building a Global Career in Urban Action

The Social Change Career Podcast

Season 14, Episode 12 of the Social Change Career Podcast spotlights Natalia Uribe—architect, artist, and founder of Urban World Matters. From her creative roots in Medellín to delivering transformative urban projects on four continents, Natalia’s career is a story of purpose, resilience, and a commitment to empowering local communities and youth in the built environment. Why take a listen? Natalia shares honest reflections, practical tools, and visionary thinking for anyone passionate about cities and social change. If you care about creating better urban spaces, influencing local action...

info_outline E11 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Justice and Healing show art E11 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Justice and Healing

The Social Change Career Podcast

This episode features  , an executive leader, innovator, coach, and Cambodian genocide survivor, sharing her extraordinary journey of building a career at the intersection of justice and healing. Drawing from over 20 years in labor rights, public health, civil rights, and organizational transformation, Hun opens up about personal resilience, the power of humanizing conflict, and practical strategies for meaningful impact in turbulent times. Why Take a Listen  Hun’s story as a Cambodian genocide survivor and refugee—and how her lived experiences instilled a lifelong dedication...

info_outline E10 S14 Building a Purpose Driven Career in Philanthropy show art E10 S14 Building a Purpose Driven Career in Philanthropy

The Social Change Career Podcast

This episode of the Social Change Career Podcast features a thoughtful and practical conversation between Craig Zelizer and , founder of and the Philanthropy Network. Brad’s entry into fundraising was unplanned—driven by financial necessity—but evolved into a decades-long career advising institutions like , the Portland Museum of Art, Suffolk University, and the . In this episode, Brad shares hard-earned lessons on how to build a meaningful and sustainable career in philanthropy, even amid burnout, changing donor landscapes, and rising ethical questions. What the episode covers: • How...

info_outline Ep9 S14 Innovative Finance and Impact: How to Build an Unconventional Career show art Ep9 S14 Innovative Finance and Impact: How to Build an Unconventional Career

The Social Change Career Podcast

This episode of The Social Change Career Podcast features , a global finance expert with over 15 years of experience across sovereign debt, venture capital, and impact investing. Her career has taken her from rural Missouri to leading projects across Latin America and Asia—working in English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Portuguese. Bethany’s path challenges conventional ideas of what a finance career looks like and shows how language, agility, and purpose can shape meaningful work. Why Take a Listen Learn how a career can evolve through unexpected roles and geographic pivots—and how to...

info_outline E8 S14 Protect What You Love: Building Movements from the Heart show art E8 S14 Protect What You Love: Building Movements from the Heart

The Social Change Career Podcast

In this episode, Craig Zelizer talks with , a Dutch social entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of multiple global movements including Dance for Life, , and . From organizing some of the largest public festivals in the Netherlands to driving emotional, community-rooted innovation for ocean protection, Ilco shares what it takes to build movements that not only spark change but sustain it. This conversation explores personal and planetary transformation, how movements scale, and why love—and not fear—is often the most powerful catalyst for action. Whether you're leading a social...

info_outline Ep7 S14 Women Shaping Industrial Policy and Transformation in the Global South show art Ep7 S14 Women Shaping Industrial Policy and Transformation in the Global South

The Social Change Career Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Craig Zelizer speaks with , a leader in industrial policy, gender equity, and international cooperation. From serving as Colombia’s Vice Minister of Business Development to designing the country’s first industrial policy in two decades, Soraya brings a rich, cross-sectoral perspective on how to build more inclusive and sustainable economies in the Global South. Based in Bogotá, with academic roots in Colombia, Italy, and India, Soraya shares how her experiences in government, academia, and diplomacy have shaped her career—and her deep commitment to bringing...

info_outline E6 S14: Navigate Your Impact Career Amidst Sector Disruption Breathe, Plan & Act show art E6 S14: Navigate Your Impact Career Amidst Sector Disruption Breathe, Plan & Act

The Social Change Career Podcast

Navigating a career in the ever-changing world of social impact work can be a wild ride, especially now.  In this episode of the Social Change Career Podcast, we talk about how to manage with the crisis caused by the devastating and cruel cuts to USAID and other orgs. This session features four leading impact sector experts  Caroline Ouwerkerk, Spencer Campbell,  Julia Firestone and Craig Zelizer. Whether you're figuring out your next steps or trying to make the most of your current situation, this episode offers insights to help you breathe, plan, and act. Why listen to this...

info_outline E5 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Art, Activism, and Collective Liberation show art E5 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Art, Activism, and Collective Liberation

The Social Change Career Podcast

In this episode of the Social Change Career Podcast, Dr. Craig Zelizer sits down with the inspiring . As a visionary leader and founder of impactful organizations like . and and serving as an , Yura shares their compelling journey of weaving together art, activism, and collective liberation to create lasting social impact. Why You Should Listen: Art as Activism: Discover how Yura's work with Liberate Inc. uses the arts to advance racial, social, and climate justice. Learn about their groundbreaking initiatives that empower BIPOC creatives through grants, education, and organizing efforts. ...

info_outline E4 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Water, Peace, and Sustainability show art E4 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Water, Peace, and Sustainability

The Social Change Career Podcast

Join us for Season 14, Episode 4 of the Social Change Career Podcast, featuring , a global leader working at the intersection of environmental policy, peacebuilding, and youth leadership.  Natalia shares her multifaceted career at the intersection of water, peace, and sustainability.  She highlights the importance of a long-term vision, nurturing relationships, and pursuing further education, such as her involvement in the . Whether you're just starting your career or looking to pivot into a field focused on making a difference, particulary in sustainability and impact, this is a...

info_outline E3 S14 Boardy, the AI Superconnector: How AI Can Support Your Career in Challenging (and Non-Challenging) Times show art E3 S14 Boardy, the AI Superconnector: How AI Can Support Your Career in Challenging (and Non-Challenging) Times

The Social Change Career Podcast

Take a listen to Season 14, Episode 3 of the Social Change Career Podcast featuring an AI super connector designed to help people navigate their careers, build meaningful connections, and find opportunities in impact sectors. Why Listen? Learn how AI can support impact professionals in challenging times.  Explore the role of AI-driven career networking in fostering real human connections.  Gain insights into how Boardy facilitates double opt-in networking to help professionals find aligned collaborations. Hear about the rise of AI in impact careers and how professionals can adapt. ...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Season 14, Episode 12 of the Social Change Career Podcast spotlights Natalia Uribe—architect, artist, and founder of Urban World Matters. From her creative roots in Medellín to delivering transformative urban projects on four continents, Natalia’s career is a story of purpose, resilience, and a commitment to empowering local communities and youth in the built environment.

Why take a listen?

Natalia shares honest reflections, practical tools, and visionary thinking for anyone passionate about cities and social change. If you care about creating better urban spaces, influencing local action on a global scale, or forging a more meaningful career—this episode is packed with fresh ideas and real-world advice.

What you'll learn:

  • From Medellín to the World: How Natalia turned her drive for freedom and creativity into an international career, blending arts, architecture, and systems thinking to tackle urban challenges in over 25 countries.

  • Making Participation Real: Concrete examples of genuine community engagement, including her Journey Lab approach that empowers youth and neighborhood actors to co-create solutions that last.

  • Urban World Matters in Action: Get the inside scoop on her ambitious platform’s work—like their youth labs, global engagement programs, and how you can plug in as a partner, expert, or supporter.

  • Careers & Resources: Natalia breaks down the different global career paths in urban action—architecture, policy, planning, placemaking—and shares plenty of resources for learning and networking.

Resources in the episode:

Whether you’re working in cities, dreaming of a global impact career, or want to see what’s possible when design and social action meet, this episode brings stories and insights you’ll want to carry forward.

About Natalia Uribe

Natalia Uribe is an architect, artist, and urbanist with over 20 years of international experience. She specialises in cities, with advanced studies from the London School of Economics (LSE). Her work spans regional strategies, urban regeneration, and small-scale interventions across the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, covering more than 25 countries.

Her career bridges design, social ecosystems, and environmental sustainability. She has led multidisciplinary teams at globally recognised organisations including Benoy, Gillespies, and AFK, where she delivered award-winning masterplans and urban design projects in collaboration with NGOs, public institutions, and private sector clients.

In 2023, she founded Urban World Matters, a global platform where design, local action, and global impact investment converge to improve quality of life and protect life on Earth. Rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals, UWM champions local leadership and youth engagement through initiatives like the Future Urban Crafters and Journey Lab programs—opening access to sustainable urban services in underserved communities and empowering youth to address local challenges.

Under Natalia’s leadership, Urban World Matters aims to open 100 Youth Labs by 2030, connecting grassroots action with a global network of experts and redefining how cities evolve into sustainable ecosystems.

Based in London, Natalia leads with a global mindset and is committed to mentoring emerging leaders in sustainable urbanism.

 

PCDN Resources