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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Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
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Abigail Posner is a multi-talented professional, combining creativity, intellect, and innovation into her work. With a rich background in various fields and a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and creativity, she has become a recognized figure at Google, consistently pushing the boundaries of brand marketing. Posner’s journey began with a solid academic foundation. […]
Porsha Williams is known for her comedic verve and quick-witted screen presence, the Real Housewives of Atlanta star has emerged as one of the most prominent celebrity voices against police violence in the past year. From marching on the frontlines of Black Lives Matter protests to speaking out against systemic racism to her over six million social […]
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Julie Austin is an award-winning author, inventor, futurist, innovation speaker, and member of the World Future Society. She’s an internationally known thought leader on the topic of innovation, and CEO of the consulting firm Creative Innovation Group. She’s been an innovation keynote speaker for corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Northrop Grumman, and […]
Melissa Stockwell may appear to be the quintessential Midwestern All-American girl, but her story goes far beyond the surface. She is an American war hero, a Paralympic medalist, a World Champion, and a beacon of inspiration for countless individuals around the world. Melissa’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering dedication to turning adversity […]
Lisa Forte is a globally recognized keynote speaker and cybersecurity expert, specializing in ethical hacking, cyber resilience, and social engineering. With a dynamic approach to cybersecurity, she combines her deep technical knowledge with a talent for delivering impactful and relatable talks that engage audiences worldwide. Lisa has earned a reputation for transforming complex cybersecurity concepts […]
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