“Let's Talk Impact” Podcast with Meredith Curren & Bari Harlam, Founders @ Trouble
What is Troublemakers For Good aka Trouble?
Trouble (troublemakers.org) was started by Bari and Meredith, two women who’d found their seats at the board room table and knew that was far from enough. They were tired of hearing how far we’ve come as a society when they could see clearly how far we still have to go. They wanted to accelerate the process of equity by creating a new kind of brand, one that inspires women, supports women, funds women’s causes, and recognizes the barriers caused by intersectionality.
Who is Bari Harlam?
Bari Harlam is a successful C-suite business leader, marketer, educator, and author. As Co-Founder of TROUBLE, a lifestyle brand, and she relishes in being a TroubleMaker for good.Bari is a pioneer in customer loyalty & experience, personalized & digital marketing, and data analytics. Bari’s strategic consumer focus and business acumen have driven enormous value for several companies, including CVS Health, Swipely, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Hudson’s Bay Company.Bari’s people and thought leadership capabilities are especially relevant across a variety of industries such as healthcare, retail, finance and services.Bari is an experienced Board Director and Advisor for corporations and not-for-profit organizations. She serves on the Board of Eastern Bank, Mohawk Group, and Champion Petfoods and as Advisor for Govern for America and Gift Card Bank. Bari’s first chapter was in academia as Marketing Professor at Columbia’s Graduate School and the University of Rhode Island, and Adjunct Faculty at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Bari has published in numerous journals. Bari received her B.S., Masters, and Ph.D. from The University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School. She and her husband have three grown children. They love the outdoors, both above and below the water, and enjoy nature’s many spectacles.
Who Is Meredith Curren?
A passionate RI’er, Meredith graduated from Smith College, where she captained her intercollegiate gymnastics team. After working in banking, she returned to business school, earning an MBA in Finance & Marketing from Columbia University.
At Columbia, she received the Hutchinson Award for Entrepreneurship. She also co-founded and served as the first President of the prestigious CWIB- Columbia Women in Business, an organization whose annual event attracts the most accomplished leaders and entrepreneurs in the country.
Meredith returned to RI to join Pease & Curren, Inc. in 1989. In her role as owner/CEO at this century-old precious metals refinery, she expanded its customer base by improving process quality, enhancing hedging and trading functions, and building a modern information infrastructure. In 2008, she sold her interest in the company and started Edgewood Holdings, which invests in emerging companies.
From 2015 -2021, she served Governor Gina Raimondo on her leadership team as Senior Advisor, Director of Boards & Commissions, and later Director of Special Projects. Her responsibilities included high-level hiring in all departments as well as adding talent and diversity to the governing boards of the State.
Her most recent venture, TROUBLE, launched in August 2020. TROUBLE ( troublemakers.org ) sells retail products, allows purchasers to honor their favorite TroubleMaker for Good, and donates profits from sales to organizations that promote equity for women and girls.
Meredith is currently Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of BankRI. She also serves on the board of Research Engineering & Mfg. Co. She previously served as a Director of Ocean State Tax Exempt Fund, RI Public Television, (Governance Committee), Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI (Audit Chair) and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
Over the years, Meredith has also volunteered on the boards of many not-for-profits, including RI Public Radio, The Roger Williams Park Conservancy, The Greater Providence YMCA, Hope Hospice Care, Social Venture Partners of RI, Providence Jewelers Club and The Women’s Jewelry Association. She chaired the boards of William Hall Library and the Wheeler School.
What is the “Let’s Talk Impact” Podcast?
The Let’s Talk Impact podcast is a collection of insights from educators, entrepreneurs, investors, activists and community leaders seeking to demystify access to capital, resources, knowledge and illuminate pathways toward successful impact ventures in NYC and around the world hosted by Justyna Kedra, founder @ WERULE. The podcast is a collaboration between WERULE and The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative.
Hosted by Justyna Kedra & produced by Janusz Kedra
