Panel: From Problem to Possibility: Turning Observations into Solutions

In this interactive session, two Yale alumni working across different sectors will share how they moved from identifying a meaningful problem or unmet need to developing and refining a solution. Through a moderated conversation, we’ll explore how they learned from the people they hoped to serve, challenged their early assumptions, tested ideas before over-investing in them, and adapted based on what they discovered. The discussion will draw on experiences across entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact to show that there is no single path from problem to solution, and that innovation can take the form of a company, product, program, nonprofit, or entirely new approach. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply these ideas to something you’re curious about. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a simple framework for moving from observation → understanding → assumption → test → learning, along with one concrete next step you can take to investigate an idea or problem of your own. No existing venture or fully formed idea required, just curiosity about making something better.