Denise Berkhalter, NFTE World Series of Innovation
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/01/11
Denise L. Berkhalter, APR, is the National Director of Communications for the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). A Mississippi native, she brings nearly three decades of experience in mass communication, including roles as a digital news editor, newspaper editor, reporter, freelance writer, graphic designer, and public relations professional. Berkhalter discusses how young innovators contribute to global change through programs like the World Series of Innovation (WSI). Berkhalter highlights the creativity and curiosity of youth, fostering entrepreneurial skills, global responsibility, and problem-solving through challenges linked to UN SDGs. The program promotes inclusivity with multilingual resources and real-world context evaluation. Supported by sponsors like Citi and MetLife Foundations, WSI provides mentorship and free participation, encouraging solutions for issues like education and clean water. Participants learn practical skills, design thinking, and teamwork, often impacting their communities post-competition and continuing as changemakers globally.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How do you see young innovators contributing to long-term global changes, like those of the SDGs from the UN?
Denise Berkhalter: Young people bring fresh ideas and energy to solving big challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change. Programs like the World Series of Innovation help them focus on these global problems by giving them tools and a structure to think creatively. For example, in WSI, students are encouraged to come up with solutions that align with the SDGs. After the competition, many participants said they understood the SDGs better and felt more confident they could make a difference.
Jacobsen: What qualities do WSI Imagination League youth bring to the competition?
Berkhalter: Even at a young age, children aged 5 to 12 have incredible imagination and curiosity, which makes them perfect for innovation challenges like WSI. They approach problems with fresh, creative ideas because they aren’t afraid to think outside the box. At this age, kids are naturally curious and good at asking “why” and “what if,” which helps them explore solutions that adults might not think of. Participating in WSI also allows us to set the stage for entrepreneurial thinking early on. Through the competition, these young participants begin to understand how to solve problems creatively, work collaboratively, and present their ideas confidently—skills that will serve them for life.
Jacobsen: How does competition foster not only entrepreneurial skills and global responsibility?
Berkhalter: The competition teaches young people how to turn ideas into action, just like real entrepreneurs. They learn how to research problems, develop solutions, and pitch their ideas to judges. But it’s not just about business – the competition also connects their ideas to real-world issues, like hunger or clean energy, so they think about how their work can help others. For example, one challenge asked students to create ideas to bring quality education to more kids, encouraging them to think about the bigger picture.
Jacobsen: How does the availability of multiple languages enhance inclusivity?
Berkhalter: As of 2024, the WSI program is available to participants, educators, and others in five languages. This ensures accessibility for diverse participants, fosters inclusivity, and enables a broader demographic of young innovators to contribute.
Jacobsen: What kind of impact have previous winners had on their communities?
Berkhalter: Winners often implement their innovations to create tangible community impacts which has led to meaningful discussions and solutions tailored to local needs, demonstrating the potential of youth-led initiatives.
Jacobsen: How do global sponsors like Citi Foundation and MetLife Foundation help?
Berkhalter: Global Sponsors play a crucial role in the competition by funding challenges, providing strategic guidance, and creating opportunities for students to participate at no cost. Their support not only focuses the challenges on real-world problems but also strengthens the program by ensuring access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities. This enables the competition to expand its reach, enhance sustainability, and benefit more global young innovators.
Jacobsen: How do you balance fostering creativity and innovation with practicality?
Berkhalter: The program uses tools like the Lean Canvas model, which helps students focus on key questions like “Who is my solution for?” and “How will it work?” This keeps their ideas creative but also ensures they can actually make them happen. It’s about teaching students to dream big but stay grounded in what’s possible.
Jacobsen: What challenges have you encountered in fairly addressing innovations from different cultures?
Berkhalter: It can be tricky because what seems like a great idea in one country might not work in another. Judges have to think about each idea within the context of the student’s culture and community. For example, a solution for clean water in a rural village might look very different from a solution in a big city. The program works to make sure every idea is judged fairly by considering these differences. To support this, we have developed a rubric that emphasizes innovation, with creativity as its foundation. Volunteers receive comprehensive guidance to ensure they understand that students are developing their ideas based on diverse lived experiences. This ensures evaluations remain sensitive to the unique contexts and challenges students are addressing.
Jacobsen: Can you share any insights into how competition helps participants evolve beyond the event?
Berkhalter: The competition is more than just one moment. Students learn skills they can use in the future, like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. They also build confidence in their ability to create change. Many students go on to start businesses, join other programs, or get more involved in solving problems in their communities.
Jacobsen: What is the role of design thinking plays in shaping solutions for global challenges?
Berkhalter: Design thinking is central to WSI’s approach, guiding students through ideation, prototyping, and testing solutions. This iterative process ensures that their ideas are user-centered and address real-world needs effectively.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Denise.
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