Mara Zepeda is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Zebras Unite, an international and intersectional hybrid cooperative creating the capital, culture, and community for the next economy. This global community of founders, investors, and are creating a more ethical, inclusive, collaborative, and sustainable approach to building businesses.
Prior, Mara was the founder of a venture-backed software company, Switchboard (now Hearken). It was through her experience as an entrepreneur of a different stripe that led her to co-found Zebras Unite, along with Jennifer Brandel, Astrid Scholz, and Aniyia Williams. Their manifesto,“Zebras Fix What Unicorns Break,” launched this timely, necessary, culture-shifting movement that has garnered broad recognition. It now boasts an online community of 10K+ strong, 100+ member-owners, and over 25 chapters around the world.
Mara Zepeda is a systempreneur and serial social entrepreneur. She has also co-founded and was the founding board chair of Business for a Better Portland and XXcelerate. BBPDX is a next-generation business organization 350+ members strong that forges public-private collaborations to advance systemic change, shared prosperity, and social justice and equity in Portland. XXcelerate provides business support, education, peer mentorship, and funding to 200+ Oregon womxn entrepreneurs.
She speaks about and leads workshops on education, trust, social networks, and the future of business internationally. Mara has spent her career at the intersection of community building, economic empowerment, and movement building.
Mara Zepeda speaks from her experience as an economic reporter for NPR, calligrapher, and child of bohemian and spiritually curious artists. She holds a BA in Russian from Reed College and an MS in Journalism from Columbia University where she graduated with honors. She grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Alternative Funding, Entrepreneurship, Startup, Business, Community Building, Economic Empowerment, Movement Building, Social Change & Issues, Journalist
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Anthony Bourke “AB” is a highly experienced F-16 fighter pilot who has flown tactical missions in countries all over the world. He has accumulated more than 2,700 hours of flight time in numerous high performance aircraft and was one of the first pilots to fly his F-16 over New York City in the homeland defense […]
Scott Greenberg is a dynamic and established motivational business speaker hailing from Los Angeles, California. With a passion for transforming ordinary teams into high-performance powerhouses, Scott’s journey is a testament to the power of leadership and resilience. His unique approach, honed through years of hands-on experience, has made him a sought-after figure in the world […]
Alyson Van Hooser isn’t merely a speaker; she’s a catalyst for high performance and effective leadership. With a dynamic presence and a wealth of experience, Alyson captivates audiences, igniting within them the drive to excel and lead with purpose. Her journey is one marked by triumph over adversity and a commitment to empowering others to […]
Jennifer Keitt is a renowned communication and leadership speaker known for her dynamic and engaging presentations that inspire individuals and organizations to unleash their full potential. With over two decades of experience in the fields of communication, leadership, and personal development, Jennifer has become a trusted voice in guiding others towards achieving their goals and […]
Ahmen Sivaloganathan is the Batman of Social Impact as a nonprofit leader by day and hip-hop artist by night, while never losing sight of his most important roles as father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He has built a reputation as a Troublemaker for the status quo, orchestrating sustainable transformation and systems change for education, […]
Joy Baldridge is an unstoppable force in captivating audiences with her dynamic presence and insightful messages. Embarking on her remarkable journey at a tender age, Joy’s audacious spirit and relentless drive have made her a prominent figure in the industry. Her passion for communication and sales has propelled her to the forefront of the speaking […]
Tracy Tutor is a dynamic and influential figure in the world of real estate and motivational speaking. As a top agent at Douglas Elliman, Tracy has carved out a remarkable career characterized by her tenacity, charisma, and unparalleled expertise in high-end properties. Her prominence skyrocketed when she became a star on Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing […]
Susanna Spies, widely known as Comedy Mama, is a dynamic comedian, performer, and educator who has dedicated her career to spreading laughter and empowerment through humor. With her signature blend of sharp wit, insightful storytelling, and an engaging stage presence, she captivates audiences of all backgrounds—whether on stage as a stand-up comedian, leading corporate comedy […]
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