Nick O’Donohoe, CEO, Big Society Capital

Posted on by Grant Schreiber

RL-100-badge36

“If we achieve our goal, in the future the invisible heart of markets will guide the invisible hand to improve the lives of those who would otherwise be left behind.” – Sir Ronald Cohen

Vision: A world where investors ask themselves a different question: not “What is the risk and return?”, but “What is the risk, return and impact?” Action: Created the world’s first social investment financial institution. They established a unique organization with a new way of investing – seeking both a social impact and financial return. www.BigSocietyCapital.com

Richard Bergfors, President, Max Hamburgers

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge14

“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 society: disabled, refugees and immigrants. A carbon offset program covers the complete supply chain and their menu is carbon labeled to help customers make conscious choices. www.Max.se

Nancy Lublin, CEO, Do Something

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge47

“I am not a charity. I run a charity. These are different things. If we want the best minds solving the biggest problems, it’s time we learned the difference.”

Vision: Being more honest about failure in the nonprofit sector. Action: One of the largest organizations for young people and social change, their 3.4 million members create campaigns that tackle poverty, violence and the environment. Any cause, anytime, anywhere. www.DoSomething.org

Linda Rottenberg, CEO, Endeavor

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge25

“If people aren’t calling you crazy, you aren’t thinking big enough.”

Vision: To lead the high-impact entrepreneurship movement around the world. Action: Created the first global organization focusing on the “scale- up” phase of entrepreneurship. Endeavor identifies, mentors and co- invests in high-impact entrepreneurs — business innovators demonstrating the greatest potential for growth. But don’t bet the farm, bet a few chickens instead. www.Endeavor.org

Thomas Ng, Founder, Genashtim

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge4

“Why do we spend money that we do not have to buy things that we do not need to impress people who don’t really care about us?”

Vision: To level the playing field globally for marginalized communities, starting with the disabled. Action: A virtual employment ecosystem with people working from the comfort, safety and convenience of their homes in more than 20 locations across eight countries. The disabled make up 80 percent of staff. www.Genashtim.org

 

Peter Diamandis, CEO, XPrize Foundation

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge34

“The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself.”

Vision: A world of abundance, where the basic needs are met for every child, woman and man. Action: Awards prizes to solve humanity’s grand challenges: energy, water, learning and health. The creation of Singularity University, which attracts, educates and incubates exponential entrepreneurs who build companies to positively impact the lives of one billion people. Author of Abundance. www.Xprize.com

Wendy Ruiz Cofino, Founder, MilknCookies

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge15

“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 recognition from the United Nations, which called it one of the top eight digital developments of the last 10 years. www.MilknCookies.tv

Gabbrielle Giffords, CoFounder, Americans For Responsible Solutions

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge57

“Dangerous people with guns are a danger to women – for moms, for families, for me and you.”

Vision: A society that prevents gun violence. Action: A string of public shootings over the last few years has spurred Giffords to find solutions that prevent more violence, including background checks. Herself a victim, she fights entrenched interests such as the gun lobby and finds supportive lawmakers willing to take a stand for responsible policies. www.AmericansForResponsibleSolutions.com

Peter Ter Kulve, President Commissioner, Unilever

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge26

“To make growth possible you have to incorporate bigger social themes or else you simply become a problem instead of a solution.”

Vision: Sustainability will lead to a whole new funnel of innovation. Action: A key belief is that Unilever will do better business in a healthy society, rather than in an unhealthy one. Healthy business needs healthy society. They have innovated on quality, performance and packaging and brought sustainability deep into their organization. www.Unilever.com

Katherine Gerber, Director, Youth Service America

Posted on by Real Leaders

RL-100-badge5

“Keep standing up for what you believe in. I love people who care about how public policy affects our nation.”

Vision: Youth, service and community coalitions have the power to change the world. Action: When young people have the chance to serve their communities, everyone benefits. YSA has created large-scale mobilization campaigns for young people, made US$1 million available for grants and has an annual award ceremony. www.YSA.org