03 Feb 2009

Social Enterprise Conference Named to Forbes.com's Top 12 Executive Conferences for 2009

Event is the Only Entirely Student-Led Conference Recognized
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BOSTON — The 10th Annual Social Enterprise Conference, presented jointly by the Social Enterprise Club of Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School, has been named one of Forbes.com's Top Executive Gatherings for 2009 - alongside several other major international conferences including the World Economic Forum and the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting.

"It is exciting to have this annual conference - led entirely by HBS and Kennedy School students - be recognized by Forbes.com as one of 2009's 12 big conferences," said Laura Moon, Director of the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative. "The HBS Social Enterprise Club is one of the largest student clubs on campus. Their work has a direct impact on the School and also reaches beyond to the business, nonprofit, and government sectors that our students become a part of upon graduation. The annual conference is an admirable example of how our MBAs work together to foster dialogue and achieve social impact within their community and beyond."

This year's conference will take place on Sunday March 1, 2009 on the Harvard Business School campus. Approximately 1,100 attendees will gather to explore synergies between for-profit, non-profit, and public sector approaches to addressing critical social issues; and take advantage of various opportunities to learn from experts, network, and explore career opportunities. The conference will host more than 75 panelists and speakers with experience in innovative, cross-sectoral approaches to addressing social issues, and feature keynotes from:

  • Linda Rottenberg, CEO and Co-founder of Endeavor, a non-profit that identifies and supports High-Impact Entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
  • Priya Haji, CEO and co-founder of World of Good, a company dedicated to building ethical shopping experiences with mainstream retail partners.
  • Robert Chatwani, General Manager of WorldofGood.com, eBay's newest community focused on socially responsible shopping.
Additional information about conference speakers, agenda, and registration is available on the Social Enterprise Conference website and will be updated regularly.

In addition, conference attendees with an idea for a new social enterprise venture can participate in the "Pitch for Change" competition - a 30-second "elevator pitch" contest. A panel of judges will recognize three winning ideas with awards that combine cash and consulting hours from a prominent social enterprise consulting organization.

The HBS Social Enterprise Club aims to provide every HBS student with the inspiration, skills, experiences, and networks needed to have a positive impact on the world. More information about the Club is available on the Web: http://www.socialenterpriseclub.com.

About Harvard Business School

Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its faculty of more than 250 offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and PhD degrees, as well as more than 175 Executive Education programs, and Harvard Business School Online, the School’s digital learning platform. For more than a century, faculty have drawn on their research, their experience in working with organizations worldwide, and their passion for teaching, to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The School and its curriculum attract the boldest thinkers and the most collaborative learners who will go on to shape the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe.