Join us in store to meet these four local Problem Solvers from the Boston community. We will hear presentations from each speaker and learn about what inspires their work. Come and show your support—Vote for the project that hits closest to your heart. Good times guaranteed!

Greg Austin - Inclusive Fit
A year ago, Greg Austin took a leap of faith. He quit his job as a corporate executive to spend more time with his teenage son with autism and to start a business. Greg and his wife Kristina, who are both avid marathoners and triathletes, found that Lucas, like most of us, functions best when he is physically active. Unfortunately for neurodiverse people like Lucas, access to fitness programs tailored to their physical and sensory needs is extremely limited. This leads to many avoidable long-term problems and a lower quality of life. So, Greg is launching Inclusive Fitness, a business focused on creating healthy lifestyles for neurodiverse people, families and communities through exercise, nutrition, and wellness centers around the country. Key to their mission is to hire as many neurodiverse people as possible. They are launching a pilot program in January and are seeking funds to purchase exercise equipment.

Ari Iaccarino - Ridj-it
Ari is an English teacher turned entrepreneur when he noticed a huge problem: access to the outdoors via reliable transport. After hiking the famous Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, he and Co-founder Rik Ganguly decided to dedicate their time to getting more people outside through carpooling. Three years later, over 3,500+ rides and hundreds of adventures through non-profits, small businesses, and individuals have occurred on Ridj-it, the platform used to carry out this mobile community. Ari’s dream is to expand beyond Boston and connect the rest of North America’s metropolises to the beautiful mountains, lakes, and lands we call home.

Hilary Johnson - Braille-It

Braille-It is a handheld tool that makes braille labels accessible and affordable. More than just a label maker, the patented Braille-It tool enables independence. Hilary’s goal is to empower people with visual impairment to make their homes, workplaces and schools accessible with labels.

Hilary is driven by impact-focused problem solving, and thrives at the confluence of systems thinking and human centered design. As a PhD student at MIT in mechanical engineering, she applies machine design to sustainable energy systems, turbomachinery and assistive technologies.

Adam LaReau - One Summit
One Summit was founded by Adam La Reau in 2013 as a result of his experience serving as a Navy SEAL and losing his mother to breast cancer in 2004 during his first deployment. After volunteering with a variety of organizations, Adam realized that young kids battling cancer face an especially unfair fight and that a mentor could help them build the courage and strength required to tackle the disease. Adam knew the skills embedded in Navy SEALs could even the odds and – at the same time – be an experience that would help his fellow teammates transition to civilian life. The idea to match pediatric cancer patients with Navy SEALs as mentors was born.