Social Entrepreneurs – Creating Change, One Need at a Time

Social Entrepreneurs are problem solvers and change makers. When they see a problem, an injustice, an unfilled need—they don’t ask, “Why doesn’t someone do something about this?” They simply step up and do it. Men and women who possess this vision, leadership and creativity have been featured year after year at the Imagine Solutions Conference.

Imagine Solutions has partnered with the top organizations supporting social entrepreneurs—such as, Echoing Green, Ashoka, Skoll and New Profit—to give outstanding individuals who are making a difference a forum at our conference.

Their stories are captivating and their achievements are amazing. Here is just a sampling of the social entrepreneurs who have inspired us over the years:

Paul Beck, Storybooth – Storybooth is a first of its kind storytelling platform that collects real stories from young people in their own voices through its mobile digital studio, brings them to life in animated shorts, and distributes them globally through its YouTube channel, mobile app and website. Every day, kids from all over the world come to Storybooth, open their hearts and minds, and connect to each other through the power of their own stories. Storybooth has become an outlet for young people to express themselves creatively, solve problems and support each other, and to ultimately realize that they are not alone in the experiences they accumulate.

Gregg Treinish, Adventure Scientists – Data collection can be expensive, time consuming, and physically demanding, which limits the role that science currently plays in the conservation process. By recruiting, training and managing individuals with strong outdoor skills—such as mountaineering, diving or whitewater kayaking—Adventure Scientists bring back hard-to-obtain data from the far corners of the globe. The Adventure Scientists’ combination of constituency, visibility and data serves as an invaluable conservation and scientific accelerator around the world.

Jake Woods, Team Rubicon – Team Rubicon pairs the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals and technology solutions. Their primary mission is providing disaster relief to those affected by natural disasters, both domestic and international. Through continued service, Team Rubicon seeks to provide veterans with three things they lose after leaving the military: a purpose, gained through disaster relief; community, built by serving with others; and identity, from recognizing the impact one individual can make. Coupled with leadership development and other opportunities, Team Rubicon helps veterans transition from military to civilian life.

Future blogs will highlight the dozens of other social entrepreneurs who have shared their experiences at Imagine Solutions, as well as those who will be speaking at our 10^th Anniversary 2020 Imagine Solutions Conference.

who are transforming their communities, addressing economic development, racial and gender equity, environmental sustainability, and more.