Rexy Josh Dorado '14 is a social innovation superstar. Read on to hear his advice and stories from founding Kaya Collaborative, a social enterprise linking the Filipino diaspora to development in the Philippines.

Q: What is your venture and how did you get involved with it? A: I started an organization called the Kaya Collaborative, a long-term initiative that begins with a summer fellowship program (slash adventure of a lifetime) to link the Filipino diaspora to development in the Philippines. Its mission grew from my own personal story as a Filipino migrant who aches too often for home. Before this, I had the tremendous privilege of working with the Social Innovation Initiative and Student Language Exchange!

Q: What is the biggest challenge you've faced during your experiences with social innovation?
A: Moving from being a student to actually *doing* things is harder than it seems. Writing papers that critique development, advocate for systemic change, and emphasize voice/participation/listening is one thing; putting those insights into action is another. But it's an important piece in learning about the world that's too easy to miss when you're not forced to take that extra step of doing.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to any college student thinking of becoming a "changemaker"? A: Be excited and be critical! This is the basic balancing act behind effective do-gooding and it's a trick to master. But it's what makes the sweet spot so sweet - there's no better harmony than when your inner cheerleader and your inner critic find common ground.

Q: What is your personal mission statement? A: There's a card in my wallet with a quote from Fyodor Dostoevsky: "Let us be, first and above all, kind, then honest, and then let us never forget each other." I am madly in love with people and the world and I do my best to show this in a way that's real, honest, and unselfish. Easier said than done!

Q: What's one surprising fact people might not know about you?
A: I applied to Brown intending to concentrate in civil engineering and literary arts. Oops.

If you know a Brown student who is making a difference on campus, in Providence, or around the world, nominate them here to see them featured as Changemaker of the Week.