Debbie Levin, President, Environmental Media Association
“Business skills can do more than just make money – it can do some real good. It’s important to take risks and be an entrepreneur.” – Jeff Skoll Vision: Consumers can guide the success of corporations by what they choose to purchase. By creating this demand, the consumer controls the marketplace. Action: Working with Toyota, Levin helped […]
Richard Bergfors, President, Max Hamburgers
“As we are a part of the problem, we want to be a part of the solution.” Vision: All people should have the possibility to meet their own needs and given the chance to contribute. Action: Responsibility is a core value incorporated in all business decisions. Diversity is fundamental and staff reflect the mix in […]
Wendy Ruiz Cofino, Founder, MilknCookies
“Women aren’t just waiting to be filled with resources – they’re waiting to put their resources on the table, to lead towards a new world.” – Kavita Ramdya Vision: To encourage entrepreneurship and innovation that contributes to improved lives through design and technology. Action: Created an online game for kids that taught them about recycling. It won […]
Jim Ayala, Founder, Hybrid Social Solutions
“Harnessing and providing energy means that communication, health and the general quality of life improve.” Vision: Scaling-up business solutions to social problems. Action: Pioneered a social distribution company that distributes, services and finances a range of innovative products. Developed a “hybrid value chain” that bridges the gap that separates people and communities from the tools they need […]
Laura Giadorou-Koch, CEO, Dolium Winery
“We need people who, when they see a social problem, stop complaining, roll up their sleeves and do something in a big way.” Vision: Imagine if only one percent of students become social entrepreneurs, this world will be a better place for all. Action: Giadorou-Koch works with public and private schools, supporting educators with activities […]
Bill Strathmann, CEO, Network For Good
“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community.” – George Bernard Shaw Vision: Generosity unleashed: How giving and investing together can unleash capital for global challenges. Action: Leads a digital donation platform, having driven more than US$1.25 billion to more than 100,000 charities. He now aims to distribute US$10 billion and unleash […]
Danae Ringelmann, CoFounder, Indiegogo
“It’s important to empower entrepreneurs, artists and causes to fund what matters to them.” Vision: Raising funds through online crowdfunding to make ideas that matter happen. Action: Made it easy to take an idea, start a campaign and get it funded. A way for people all over the world to join forces to make worthy […]
Paul van Zyl, Founder, Maiyet
“If ordinary people feel their interests have been neglected, then a peace deal drawn up by elites will quickly unravel.” Vision: Using the power of markets and entrepreneurship to build peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of conflict. Action: Building peace involved promoting employment and higher profitability in countries with conflict. By founding luxury fashion brand Maiyet, […]
Wendy Kopp, CEO, Teach For All
“Invest in educational development as a long-term force for change.” Vision: To channel the energy of her generation for educational equality. Action: Recruited 11,000 Teach For America corps members—all outstanding college graduates and professionals of all academic disciplines— for a two-year teaching commitment in the nation’s highest- need urban and rural regions www.TeachForAll.org
Dennis Overton, CEO, Aquascot
“I’m better at what I do in Scotland because of my work in Africa.” Vision: Long-term business sustainability and a deeper understanding of true profits are key. Action: Realizing that farming practices around the world basically require the same skills, regardless of the produce, Overton combined salmon farming practice in Scotland with plant oil farming in […]
