Season 5 - Episode 2 | Building Impact That Lasts: Neal F. Bermas on Social Enterprise & Resilience (USA, Vietnam)

Host:
 Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra - Founder, Talent Leadership Crucible

Guest:
 Neal F. Bermas – Founder, Streets International

🎧 Episode Description

In this powerful Season 5 conversation of Thriving in the Age of Disruption, Dr. Ramesh Ramachandra speaks with Neal F. Bermas, founder of Streets International, about what it truly means to build a life—and a venture—anchored in impact, resilience, and purpose.

Born and raised in New York City, Neal built a distinguished career in consulting, rising to Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers before founding his own consulting firm. Yet after years of professional success, his path shifted when repeated visits to Vietnam sparked a deeper question: How can entrepreneurship be used to create meaningful, measurable social impact?

That question led to the founding of Streets International—a pioneering social enterprise that equips disadvantaged youth with professional hospitality skills and long-term career pathways. What began as a moment of human connection evolved into a 14-month residential training program that has now supported over 500 young people, with 96% remaining in employment.

Throughout the episode, Neal and Dr. Ramesh explore two essential leadership capabilities for today’s world: the entrepreneurial mindset and the crisis-ready mindset. Neal reflects on how rigorous academic training, data literacy, and global exposure shaped his ability to navigate uncertainty and lead through disruption.

The conversation also unpacks what true social enterprise really means. Neal shares why Streets operates under an innovative hybrid model, combining nonprofit and for-profit structures across the US and Vietnam—maximizing flexibility, governance, and long-term sustainability.

Beyond enterprise, the episode touches on spirituality, simplicity, and the modern challenge of distraction, including the risks of over-reliance on AI. Neal offers a grounded philosophy of resilience, presence, and resisting greed—choosing instead a life oriented toward contribution and lasting value.

This episode invites listeners to rethink success—not as accumulation, but as impact sustained over time.

💡 Key Takeaways

 ✅ Entrepreneurship is about resourcefulness, uncertainty, and value creation
 ✅ Crisis-ready leadership begins with awareness and resilience
 ✅ Social enterprise must be mission-first, not marketing-first
 ✅ Hybrid models enable scalable, long-term impact
 ✅ Spiritual practice and simplicity strengthen leadership clarity
 ✅ Thriving means contribution, gratitude, and restraint

#NealFBermas #StreetsInternational #DrRameshRamachandra

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