Plenary sessions
Friday, 11/13, 9:15 am - Entrepreneurs to the Rescue: Social Entrepreneurship on the Frontlines
Moderator: Jane Pauley, Emmy Award-winning journalist and founding co-host of "Dateline NBC"
Panelists:
- Bart Weetjens, Founder and Development Director, APOPO, HeroRATS
- Victoria Hale, Founder and CEO, Medicines360
- Tom Szaky, CEO, TerraCycle, Inc.
Jane Pauley moderated an inspiring panel of social entrepreneurs who challenged audience members to consider how to “do good while doing business.” All three panelists – Victoria Hale, Tom Szaky, and Bart Weetjens – are tackling large societal problems such as diseases, environmental concerns, and landmines through highly innovative new business models.
For example, Founder & Development Director APOPO Bart Weetjens’ “HeroRats” are used to detect landmines and tuberculosis. “Rats are better at sniffing landmines than dogs,” noted Weetjens. “Landmine problems are mostly in developing markets. We work with NGOs focused on de-mining to provide our rat detection services.”
“What we have in common is disruption,” noted Victoria Hale, Founder & CEO Medicines360. Hale, a pharmaceutical scientist by background, founded an organization that provides drugs to combat women’s diseases around the world. “As a mother, to learn about global health inequities around the world was shocking. I knew that with my background, we could address some of those inequities.”
Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle, says he tries to look at the world differently. “The good thing is that there is no one else doing what we do – there is no competition.” Szaky’s company upcycles and recycles waste to create eco-friendly consumer products that are now sold in stores such as Walmart and Target.
All three panelists agreed that everyone has a role to play in encouraging young people to pursue social entrepreneurship. As Hale noted, “When a young person comes to you with an idea – no matter how crazy or wacky it is – you should really listen and try to help. Even better, you should use your influence and credibility to give them a push in the right direction.”
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