Lisa Ling partners with IKEA to put education first

The sky's the limit for this global giver

Interview: Lisa Ling

Lisa Ling is a woman who can do it all. Always on the cutting edge of current events, she's a celebrity who has her finger on the pulse of the world around us. Today Lisa shares her exciting plans for the days and months ahead, including a fantastic partnership with IKEA.

As a woman whose career began at 16 when she was chosen to host a national student newsmagazine, Lisa Ling has been a trailblazer in her field for years.

Balancing her successful show, Our America, on OWN with even more plans in the works, Lisa has joined with IKEA on their Life Improvement Project, and she took some time to chat about it all just for SheKnows readers.

SheKnows: What made you decide to join IKEA in their Life Improvement Project?

Six months ago I was working on a project with IKEA to renovate a LYDIA home for abused and neglected children, and I was so moved by their dedication to the cause and the sense of community within their company that I said "sign me up!"

SheKnows: Where will the money raised by the Life Improvement Project be going?

As people share their tips on the Life Improvement Project, $1 for every tip shared will be donated to the Save the Children's Education fund which helps to improve early childhood education and educate parents in inner cities, providing the materials they need to succeed.

SheKnows: What can the everyday person do to get involved with the project this year?

You can log on to the Life Improvement Project and share tips on making things inside or outside your home, more sustainable. Maybe you have found a way to use smart grass to save on water or have a genius idea for reusing old fabric. You can share all of these tips and find more of the same on the site. Random entrants will also be chosen to receive IKEA gift cards of $100 or more.

SheKnows: Can you tell us about your own recent improvement project at home?

We created the first LEED house in our area. We have no grass, 60 solar panels and basically designed the home to be as environmentally efficient as possible. Our highest energy bill has been 52 cents.

Our second floor is built with recycled wood and every nail was recycled and reused. We donated a great deal of materials to Habitat for Humanity, who will pick up your used building material for use in the homes they build.

I also try to search for secondhand furniture rather than place orders for things to be newly made.

SheKnows: You are always so busy, anything else you have in the works for your career in the coming months?

I'm actually going to be hosting a show called The Job. I never thought I would be involved in a prime-time reality show but this was a great fit for me. Major companies will be offering jobs to people who are competing to win the job of their dreams. The great thing about it is there is a takeaway for the viewers of every episode. There are job tips and advice that can benefit any job-seeker. The show is expected to air early next year.

And there is even more to share...

To find out more about the Life Improvement Project visit TheLifeImprovementProject.com today.

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