Social Enterprise Brings Together...
Social Enterprise Newsletter, Spring 2000
JOHN DOERR (MBA '76)
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CLUB GOLDMAN SACHS DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES
John Doerr, (MBA '76) addresses students in Burden Auditorium
John Doerr gave a thought-provoking presentation on venture capital and education reform in February. Commenting on his work as a leading venture capitalist, Doerr, a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (backing such successful companies as Compaq, Sun Microsystems, Netscape, Amazon.com, and drugstore.com), also addressed the need for innovation in education and spoke of his role as cofounder of New Schools Venture Fund. New Schools is a venture philanthropy fund created by technology venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, which leverages the expertise, intuition, and resources of a powerful network of business leaders to help promising nonprofit and for-profit education ventures succeed. Doerr told the audience, "We are interested in initiatives that help make an information-literate kid - one who can read, manipulate symbols, write, speak, and think critically in a world where [he or she] will be bombarded with information. That's what it takes to partici-pate in the new economy." The presentation was cosponsored by the Social Enterprise Club, the Entrepreneurship Club, the High Tech and New Media Club, and the Venture Capital & Principal Investment Club.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CLUB AND KENNEDY SCHOOL STUDENTS SPONSOR
"A DIALOGUE ON SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP"
In March, a "Dialogue on Social Entrepreneurship" was sponsored by the HBS Social Enterprise Club and Kennedy School of Government students. The event brought together over 200 participants, including students from HBS, KSG, as well as other schools, and leaders in the field. HBS faculty members Jeff Bradach, Jed Emerson, and Allen Grossman took part in the panel discussions. The Hauser Center's Christine Letts gave opening remarks, with Christopher Gabrieli, General Partner of Bessemer Venture Partners, delivering the keynote address. Sessions were held at both HBS and KSG, and included Building Public/Private Partnerships, Defining Social Venture Philanthropy, and Sharing Strategies between the Nonprofit and For-Profit Sectors. In addition, over 20 social entrepreneurs joined students for a career networking lunch at KSG.
JOHN WHITEHEAD (MBA '47)
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CLUB GOLDMAN SACHS DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES
Dean Kim Clark and John Whitehead (MBA '47) at a reception following the presentation
In February, John Whitehead painted a compelling vision of corporate responsibility and excellence in nonprofit management before an audience of students, faculty, alumni, and several members from his class of 1947. In reflecting on his 50 years since HBS, Whitehead drew upon his positions as cochairman of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and U.S. deputy secretary of state, his significant board involvement with nonprofit organizations, and his newest challenge in leading the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy. He emphasized the scope and impact of the nonprofit sector, expressing a strong desire for students to apply their MBA skills there full-time after graduation. He certainly sets an example for the significant impact graduates can have on nonprofits. Said first-year student Pamela Adams "It's encouraging to see that people as successful and influential as Mr. Whitehead are so committed to social enterprise. Hearing about his contributions makes you realize how much impact one person can have." The presentation was cosponsored by The Social Enterprise Club and The Finance Club.
