Two MIT D-Lab alumni, both former D-Lab Scale-Ups Fellows, have won 2025 Cartier Women's Initiative Impact Awards. The award, given to former Cartier Women's Initiative Fellows, comes with a $100k prize. Kristin Kagetsu, MIT '13, is co-founder of Saathi, was one of three fromer CWI fellows to win in the Preserving the Planet category. Jackie Stenson is co-founder and CEO of Essmart, was one of three to win in the Creating Opportunities category.
Saathi
Saathi is a purpose driven manufacturing company that makes eco-friendly hygiene products. Founded by graduates from MIT (US) and Nirma, we are innovators in the use of alternative materials and zero-waste production. Their mission is to create hygiene products that are good for the body, environment, and community. Saathi uses biodegradable and compostable banana and bamboo fiber to make its pads. Using a tiered business model, the company is able to subsidize pads for underserved people in rural India, where a 2016 survey found only 36% of women use sanitary pads.
Essmart
Essmart pioneers rural transformation, linking impactful technologies with underserved communities through a comprehensive solution that ensures access, adoption, and lasting change. Since 2012, Essmart has positively impacted over 1.2 million lives through 5,500 shops. As we expand, they're becoming an ecosystem player, driving innovation to rural areas as a go-to-market partner. They connect rural shops, FPOs, and farmer households, empowering communities and enhancing livelihoods.