Social Enterprise 2.0: Dare to Dream, Dare to Do Our 2nd Decade Leading Social Change
April 15-17, 2009 New Orleans
Nearly 400 leaders from across North America and beyond came together in New Orleans at the 10th Social Enterprise Summit.
Highlights included:
SEA Leadership Reception
Leaders from across the field connected at this kickoff to the Summit and enjoyed remarks by Janet Woodka, Federal Coordinator for Dept. of Homeland Security's Disaster Recovery Initiative.
Jim Fruchterman, SEA Board Chair
Jim got everyone's attention with his characterization of the state of the world, and then urged attendees to build on the unique strengths that social enterprise offers to generate multiple values for society.
Opening Plenary: Welcome from Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu
Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu responded to questions from Andrew Wolk of Root Cause about he came to champion social entrepreneurship in state government.
Kris Prendergast, President and CEO of Social Enterprise Alliance
Kris talked about seizing the moment presented by national challenges and opportunities to promote social enterprise as a tool offering new priorities and approaches to social innovation.
New Sectors: Expanding the Field
Jim Schorr moderated a panel that included representatives from fair trade, microfinance, and technology sharing how their business models and approaches are similar and different in the expanding movement around enterprise with a social mission.
2009 Social Enterprise Leadership Awards
The annual Awards ceremony celebrated two individuals who have exhibited exemplary leadership in the field, including Social Enterprise Leadership Award winner David Carleton of Kitchens with Mission and Social Enterprise Innovation Award winner Kevin McDonald of TROSA.
Closing Plenary: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Led by moderator Charles King, panelists Jed Emerson and Deborah Alvarez-Rodriguez offered an insightful, entertaining discussion on the state of the field and reflections on where the field has come from and where it's headed.
Policy Track: Harnessing New Policy Opportunities
This track featured four policy sessions illuminating various opportunities for social enterprise and government to work together to catalyze social innovation. A highlight of the track was the panel that included Carlos Monje, Senior Advisor with the Domestic Policy Council helping to stand up the new White House Office of Social Innovation. Carlos was introduced to the diversity of social enterprise missions and business models, and answered questions on how the new office will be approaching its mandate.
Networking Dialogues
Breakouts included dialogues by current and future chapter organizers, a robust discussion on approaches by undergraduate, graduate and executive education programs, and an open space session where attendees gathered according to their interest in ventures with kitchens, real estate, and other specialties.
SEA’s New Chapter
At the annual member meeting, SEA recognized its newest chapter, SEA-Chicago.
Mission Inc.
Seasoned practitioners and new authors Kevin Lynch and Julius Walls both entertained and inspired attendees with their down-to-earth keynote on doing social enterprise well and coping with tough times.
