Social Innovation Series
Business+Impact has hosted and sponsored innovative guest speakers at the Ross School of Business. Through its Social Innovation Series, top impact leaders are brought to campus who cut across boundaries to advance innovative practical solutions to society’s toughest social challenges. Below are examples of these events and activities.
2023
Summit on Workforce Valuation & Performance
May 11-12, 2023
In May 2023, Business+Impact, in tandem with the Ford Foundation, Schroders Wealth Management and American Century Investments, convened a group of over 70 people from around the globe to discuss government-mandated rules and company-created ideas for addressing the challenges facing the workforce in 2023. This event consisted of talks, activities, and workshops aimed to make progress toward getting more useful and transparent data about how companies manage and support their people.
Conference on Sustainable Food Procurement
April 10-11, 2023
Business+Impact co-sponsored this conference, which featured keynote speakers Dr. Sapna E. Thottathil, MSc and Dave Newport of AASHE. The conference included several panels covering topics such as the role of civil society, institution and provider perspectives, and making an institution’s food procurement program more sustainable.
2022
Equity-Centered Prototyping Workshops
Equity-Centered Prototyping Workshops
Nov. 29 and Sept. 29, 2022
In sessions run by Keesa V Johnson (MDes), students learned how to use prototyping as a tool to generate ideas, validate concepts or explore technologies using Food Futuring to cultivate imagination. They came to see that in our complex world there is a need to develop and test ideas without causing harm to others, by using an equity lens.
Ensuring that Postsecondary Credentials Pay Off for Low-Income Students
Ensuring that Postsecondary Credentials Pay Off for Low-Income Students
Nov. 18, 2022
Busines+Impact co-sponsored an event with Poverty Solutions, featuring Norma Rey-Alicea, Executive Director and co-founder of NextGen Talent (NGT). Norma has dedicated her career to the development of new educational models and career advancement solutions to close the opportunity gap for low-income students of all backgrounds, with a focus on Latinx, Black, Native American, and immigrant students. She has an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government as well as a BA in Government from Harvard University.
Gerry Anderson: Making Positive Change Within Unsustainable Industries
Gerry Anderson: Making Positive Change Within Unsustainable Industries
Oct. 26, 2022
In collaboration with Ross’ Net Impact Undergrad, we hosted Gerry Anderson, former Chairman and CEO of DTE Energy, for a dialogue about jumping into the fray of unsustainable industries to make positive change. Gerry’s speech inspired business students to leverage their passion for environmentalism to solve real problems, and aimed to show students how to face complex, global issues head on. Facilitating change is not easy, but as Gerry explained, it is necessary for business leaders to take initiative in the climate movement to strive for a better future.
UMS/Ross Design Jam
UMS/Ross Design Jam
Oct. 16, 2022
What do a world-famous jazz musician and a design jam have in common? When it comes to +Impact Studio techniques, far more than you might imagine! During the middle of the day, the University Musical Society and the Ross School of Business +Impact Studio invited Wynton Marsalis to join a design jam on innovative uses of new tools and design methods to generate new formats and equitable access to the arts. The event was planned to coincide with a weeklong UMS residency with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and was sponsored by the William Davidson Foundation Director Discretionary Philanthropic Fund of the United Jewish Foundation.
ESG Reporters' Bootcamp 2022
ESG Reporters’ Bootcamp 2022: Covering the Truth about Ethical Investing and ESG
May 5, 12, 19, 2022
In May 2022, the Ross School of Business and the Knight-Wallace Fellowships for Journalists at the University of Michigan presented three engaging and interactive sessions for journalists on understanding and evaluating industry claims around ESG. We heard from newsmakers, corporate leaders, and Michigan faculty experts on how to look beyond the corporate gloss, dig into data, and bring transparency to this complex and often politicized topic.
Book Chat: Andy Hoffman - Management as a Calling
Andy Hoffman: Management as a Calling
May 11, 2022
Business+Impact held a book chat between author Andy Hoffman and Michigan Ross Business+Impact Faculty Director Jerry Davis, where Andy discussed his challenge for future business leaders to think differently about their career, its purpose, and its value as a calling or vocation, one that is in service to society. His newest book, “Management As a Calling,” recognizes that business leadership have tremendous power to influence our society, how it operates, whether it is fair, and the extent to which it impacts the environment. The book challenges future leaders to work in service to society.
Book Chat: Jerry Davis - Taming Corporate Power in the 21st Century
Jerry Davis: Taming Corporate Power in the 21st Century
April 22, 2022
Business+Impact held a book chat between author Jerry Davis and Michigan Ross/SEAS professor Andy Hoffman on Jerry’s examination of corporate power in the 21st century, and how to tame it. His newest book “Taming Corporate Power in the 21st Century” is focused on the new sources of corporate power in an economy built on information technologies, how fundamental categories like industry, nationality, and employment are being undermined, why the new anti-monopoly movement does not go far enough, and what comes next.
Book Chat: Afua Bruce - The Tech that Comes Next
Afua Bruce: The Tech That Comes Next
March 30, 2022
In this March 30, 2022 book chat between author Afua Bruce (Ross MBA ’11) and Michigan Ross Business+Impact Faculty Director Jerry Davis, she shares her vision of a more equitable and just world along with practical steps to creating it, appropriately leveraging technology along the way. This event was co-sponsored by Net Impact @ Ross (grad) and Michigan Ross Tech & Innovation Alumni Association.
Board Fellows Forum: Stronger Together - How Nonprofits Can Collaborate
Stronger Together: How Nonprofits Can Collaborate
February 18, 2022
Each year, the Board Fellowship Program at B+I hosts a public forum in the form of a panel discussion with representatives from local nonprofit organizations. In 2022, the theme of the forum was “Stronger Together: How Nonprofits Can Collaborate.” We believe that collaboration between nonprofits will only become more instrumental in combating injustices across America. The panel discussion featured four local nonprofit experts: Kyla Carlsen, Co.act Detroit; Kelly Maxwell, DDNRC; Courtney Smith, Detroit Phoenix Center; and Kevin Thompson, Good Inc.
2021
Board Fellows Forum: How Nonprofits Are Pivoting During a Pandemic
Pivoting During a Pandemic: How Nonprofit Organizations Are Innovating and Adapting Through a Time of Crisis
February 23, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has created new realities and challenges while deepening and exposing existing inequities. Within the nonprofit sector these impacts have been felt widely and profoundly. The following panelists participated in the discussion:
Pam Smith, President & CEO of the United Way of Washtenaw County
Darryl L. Johnson, Executive Director of Mentor2Youth
Tim Carter, Board Member for Ten Thousand Villages of Huron Valley
Social Sector Tools – Futurist Thinking for Uncertain Times
APOORVA KANNEGANTI, JEN HOLK – DELOITTE
February 19, 2021
In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of Michigan Ross’ +Impact Studio interviews Jenn Holk, Strategy Manager at the Monitor Institute at Deloitte and Apoorva Kanneganti (MBA ’19), Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting.–both working with social impact-focused organizations. In order to help social sector leaders confront the COVID-19 challenge, the Monitor Institute by Deloitte developed a report with tools for planning in these uncertain times.
Thought Leader and Changemaker LaTosha Brown
LaTosha Brown – Black Voters Matter
February 1, 2021
Business+Impact was a co-sponsor with U-M Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA)‘s Black History Month opening keynote event featuring LaTosha Brown. She shared thoughts on the future of democracy, voting, and social movements, and she discussed how storytelling and strategic messaging can build political power. Ms. Brown is an award-winning thought leader, social strategist, philanthropic consultant, jazz singer, and catalyst for change. As co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, Ms. Brown is dedicated to increasing the political power of Black people.
2020
Creating Cultural Contagion: A Conversation with Marcus Collins
Why do some things catch on and others don’t? How do ideas get adopted and become a part of culture? On March 11, B+I hosted an interactive conversation with Marcus Collins, whose research focuses on how brands propagate and become ingrained within cultures. Read more
Igniting Impact: Enhancing Business Practice and Research Through Greater Collaboration
On usiness+Impact at Michigan Ross sponsored a conference on business research for social impact at the Ross School of Business. “Igniting Impact: Enhancing Busine
ss Practice and Research through Greater Collaboration,” which brought together business people and researchers for maximum impact.
Financial Inclusion in the Age of FinTech: A Conversation with Adrienne Harris
On Feb. 11, Impact Studio faculty director Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks was on hand to engage Adrienne Harris in a lively discussion about her work in governmental and corporate strategy around financial inclusion and fintech availability to the underserved. Ms. Harris is a U-M Ford School Professor and Gates Foundation Senior Research Fellow, and also advises fintech companies, incumbent financial institutions, and large venture capital firms. Sanchez-Burks and Harris were joined by student Gabrielle Alves, VP of Diversity and Inclusition for the Ross MBA Finance Club.
Faculty Research for Impact: Addressing UN SDG #13 – Climate Action
During the month of February, we addressed Goal 13: Climate Action. Several award-winning Ross faculty members (Ekaterina Astashkina, Andrew Hoffman, and Dana Muir) shared their research in an informal setting, and students had the opportunity to brainstorm possible next steps for how the research can be applied to real-world applications that make a positive impact.
Board Fellows Forum: Building a Relationship of Trust between the Board Chair and Executive Director
Students, faculty and staff joined the U-M Board Fellowship Program for a public forum discussing the Board Chair and Executive Director relationship. Panelists for the forum included:
- Jamie Buhr, Board Chair, Michigan Theater
- Russ Collins, Executive Director & CEO, Michigan Theater
- Lori Bennett, Board Chair, Neutral Zone
- Samiksha Sneha, Youth Board Chair, Neutral Zone
- Lori Roddy, Executive Director, Neutral Zone
Designing Business Models for Carbon Capture and Utilization Technologies
The +Impact Studio at Michigan Ross in partnership with the U-M Global CO2 Initiative and the Erb Institute offered an innovative workshop in which students will use design thinking methodologies to create business models for carbon capture and utilization technologies. Award-winning U-M faculty shared their research on these technologies in an informal setting, and participating students will have the opportunity to learn and apply the business model canvas to them.
Faculty Research for Impact: Addressing UN SDG #3 – Good Health and Well-Being
During the month of January, we addressed Goal 3: Good Health & Well-Being. Several award-winning Ross faculty members shared their research in an informal setting, and students had the opportunity to brainstorm possible next steps for how the research can be applied to real-world applications that make a positive impact.
The following faculty presented on key research insights:
- Ravi Anupindi
- Sarah Miller
- John Siberholz
2019
The Choice 2
On Fri, Dec. 13, Business+Impact once again gathered U-M scholars from across disciplinary boundaries to The Choice 2, to ponder big questions about how society should best choose the institutions/methodologies to make choices that will influence and contribute to a society’s or organizations’ ability to flourish. Guest speaker Tom Malone from MIT opened the event with a presentation about “Institutions as Superminds.”
Faculty Research for Impact: Addressing UN SDG #10 – Reduced Inequalities
In this installment of the series, three award-winning Ross faculty members (Jun Li, A. Yeşim Orhun, and Chris Rider) shared their research in an informal setting and had students brainstorm possible next steps on the following subject areas:
Faculty Research for Impact: Addressing UN SDG #1 – Poverty Alleviation
How are Ross faculty members advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through business research? In this interactive design micro-charette themed around Goal 1: Poverty Alleviation, three award-winning Ross faculty members (Bill Lovejoy, Ted London and Aneel Karnani) shared their research in an informal setting and students had the opportunity to brainstorm possible next steps for how the research can be applied to real-world applications that make a positive impact. This highly successful event was the first in a series of similar events which will take place in the new +Impact Studio.
Design Jam: Creating Alternatives to Payday Lending
In October, the Center for Social Engaged Design, the Problem Solving Initiative, the School of Information and Business+Impact partnered to present an invitation-only design jam on the subject of payday lending. Key professionals and alums with a knowledge of the challenges involved collaborated with students and brainstormed concepts and ideas in a high-energy setting with prizes and food.
Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project Showcase
The University of Michigan’s Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project hosted its first Small Business Showcase in tandem with Business+Impact and three other sponsors. More than 30 small businesses throughout the Detroit area who worked with University of Michigan students since the DNEP accelerator was launched in 2016 gathered at the UM Detroit Cetner.
Central Bank of the Future Conference
This October event, run by the Ford School of Public Policy and co-sponsored by Business+Impact, featured the subjects of technology and financial inclusion, digital currency (fiat and non-fiat), AML and financial inclusion. Speakers and attendees included major players from standards-setting bodies, central banks and other financial regulators, and policymakers, as well as futurists and technologists, and other financial ecosystem stakeholders.
Juan-Carlos Morales: The Importance of Design for Business
The B+I +Impact Studio and Design+Business Club invited Juan-Carlos Morales to Michigan Ross to speak about design thinking applications to the world of business, in particular business that does good for society. He was interviewed by Michigan Ross’ faculty director of the +Impact Studio, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks as part of Innovation Week. In the past 20 years Mr. Morales has taken his varied experiences and used them to help organizations create better experiences for people. His current goals are the same goals he had when painting graffiti as a teenager. Make things that people will talk about: work that he can be proud of, and work for a place that has purpose greater than just making money.
Michigan Impact Investing Symposium
April 13, 2019
Organized by the Global Investments Committee, Net Impact and Impact Investing Group in collaboration with the Business+Impact, the Michigan Impact Investing Symposium (MIIS) conference was designed for participants to explore positive investments that provide financial as well as social returns under the guidance of some distinguished members of the impact investing community.
Speakers included:
Shigeki Komatsubara, United Nations Development Program
Karishma Ahuja, ESG and Impact Investing, Goldman Sachs
Tami Kesselman, CEO, Aligned Investing Global
Perry Teicher, Orrick, Herrington and Cliffe
Kelly Ramirez, CEO, Social Enterprise Greenhouse
Julie McBride, CEO, StageSix Capital
Shu Dar Yao, Director of Investments, RSF Social Finance
Roland Pearson, Director, Palladium Group
Diana Won, Program Manager, Pershing Square Foundation
Jerry Davis, Associate Dean of Business + Impact, Ross School of Business
WORK / FORCE: Solving for Jobs, Mobility and Equity in an Era of Rapid Change
March 26, 2019
U-M’s Poverty Solutions partnered with Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Youth Policy Lab, School of Education, and Ross School of Business’s Business + Impact to present a conference on workforce development. The event attracted Greg Foran, President and CEO of Walmart US and Julie Gehrki, Vice President of Philanthropy at Walmart as speakers, and panelists like Shamar Herron, Deputy Director of MichiganWorks! Southeast, roderick Johnson, Senior of Counsel, Covington and Burling LLP, and Jeff Donofrio, Executive Director of Workforce Development, City of Detroit.
Workshop on Defining, Measuring, and Encouraging Impact
March 22, 2019
A workshop co-sponsored by Effective Altruism at Michigan and Business+Impact gathered for the purpose of discussing social impact in terms of effective altruism, which is a philosophy that tries to discover how we can use our time and careers to do the most good possible.
Cynthia Koenig: Designing for Impact
March 18, 2019
The +Impact Studio at Ross hosted a discussion on leveraging design for impact with social innovator and MBA/MS ‘11 alum Cynthia Koenig. Cynthia is a Product Management Principal at Amazon, focused on designing impactful new digital products, and is the Founder of Wello, an award-winning social venture that designs disruptive and affordable innovations to provide better, more reliable access to safe water. Studio faculty Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks and Jerry Davis engaged Cynthia in a lively discussion about her work in the design and impact space, the design-based skills needed for disruptive change, and the skills companies and organizations are increasingly seeking in the workforce.
Preparing the Next Generation of Nonprofit Board Leaders
February 12, 2019
There is a significant challenge (and opportunity) for nonprofits to recruit the next generation of nonprofit board leaders. Currently, individuals under the age of 40 make up less than 17% of nonprofit board positions. To reduce this gap, nonprofits will need to employ a number of strategies to recruit and retain younger members. This discussion focused on the value of a younger perspective on nonprofit boards and the efforts in place to adapt to this generational shift. Panelists included Emmanuel Jones, Founder of Mentor2Youth; Diana Kern, Executive Director of Legacy Land Conservancy; and Jeff Henning, Partner at Ernst & Young.
The Choice: Market, Org, Democracy, Algorithm or Community?
February 8, 2019
Business+Impact and U-M’s Center for the Study of Complex Systems gathered U-M scholars from across disciplinary boundaries to ponder big questions about how society should best choose the institutions/methodologies to make choices that will influence and contribute to a society’s or organizations’ ability to flourish. These institutions and mechanisms guide, manage, allocate, and harness society’s intellectual, financial, social, and ecological resources to decide on laws, policies, and leaders.
This conference led to Michigan Ross being selected by AACSB for “Innovations that Inspire”
2018
2018 Shared Prosperity Conference: An Academic-Executive Dialogue
October 24-26, 2018
Over a hundred executives and academics came to Ross for this conference sponsored by Business+Impact and the Aspen Institute. Two public events featured Carl Camden, former CEO of Kelly Services, and James Keane, CEO of Steelcase. Discussions ranged from employment opportunities to creating cultures that share the wealth. See all of the exciting details about this event on the conference webpage.
Impact Hackathon Charette: "Innovation for Impact Beyond Shareholder Value"
July 12-13, 2018
Twenty-five global leaders — including entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, business leaders, and academics — gathered at Ross to catalyze transformational ideas for the impact economy. In particular, this charette was focused on how to meet the needs of the impact economy by looking at which opportunities should be accelerated and which efforts are misdirected.
Bending the Arc - The Rise of Social Enterprise and Mission-Based Businesses
Dr. Akhtar Badshah, Microsoft philanthropy division
March 16, 2018
A new generation of funders are looking at new models of social investments. They also have a different approach to measuring social return on investments; they are utilizing technology extensively; and they view the role of public policy and scale with a new lens. In his talk, Dr. Badshah covered these issues and provided innovative approaches to bend the arc of humanity for good. This event was cosponsored by the School of Social Work, Ford School of Public Policy, and Business+Impact, among others.
Community of Social Innovation (COSI) Scholars
Business+Impact was proud to bring the Community of Social Innovation (COSI) scholars group to the University of Michigan May 11-13, 2018. The group has a mission to foster and advance the sharing of insights around teaching, data, theory and methods in the social innovation space, and to provide focused opportunities to mentor junior scholars in the domain.
2017
Positive Links Speaker Series: Mindful Engagement for Positive Education in Cambodia
Evelina Fredricksson, People Improvement Organization Cambodia
November 15, 2017
The educational system in Cambodia, from kindergarten to university, still suffers from the Pol Pot regime. In the talk, Evelina shared her experience of creating a positive setting for learning and growth. She talked about how the practice of mindful engagement and the strengths of gratitude, teamwork and creativity can pave the way forward.
Media Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship
Laxmi Parthasarathy: Ashoka
October 26, 2017
Laxmi Parthasarathy, Director of Global Media Partnerships at Ashoka, discussed her research on the intersection of social entrepreneurship and media innovation in building more informed and civically engaged communities. During the summer of 2017, she leveraged a Ross intern.
Board Fellows Forum: Innovation for Board Engagement
Chase Cantrell: Matrix Human Services, Building Community Value
Joe Upton: Neutral Zone
Alan Burg: Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor
Karen Peterson: Food Gatherers
February 7, 2017
Our Board Fellows program brought in a panel discussion with southeast Michigan nonprofit leaders focused on innovative strategies for board engagement. Attendees will learn about the unique and impactful strategies used by these organizations to engage and retain board members.
2016
Soul of a Citizen: Making a Different Through Business & Politics
Paul Rogat Loeb, author of Soul of a Citizen and The Impossible Will Take a Little While
November 1, 2016
Acclaimed author of several books about activism and social change, Mr. Loeb offered a critical look at pressing social issues such as poverty, criminal justice, environmentalism, and citizen activism. Just in time for elections, this enlightening discussion raised questions about the ways business and politics can be used as tools to achieve positive social change.
2015-16 Social Impact Challenge Finals With Expert Panel on Creative Redevelopment and Adaptive Reuse
Tim Richey – CEO, Detroit PAL
Tonya Allen – President & CEO, Skillman Foundation
Thom Linn – Chairman, Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy
Rico Razo – District 6 Manager, City of Detroit
February 9, 2016
In 2016, students tackled strategic and operational questions to help launch Detroit PAL’s Kids At the Corner Campaign in partnership with the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy, which involves the redevelopment of the historic field. The 2016 Social Impact Challenge judges presented Leadership Lessons from Detroit just before the winners were announced. Co-sponsoring U-M schools and colleges included the Ross School of Business, School of Public Health, School of Social Work, School of Information, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, School of Natural Resources and Environment, School of Education, Stamps School of Art and Design, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Michigan Law, the Office of the Provost, and Michigan Athletics.
Michigan Changemaker Event
Scott Sherman, U-M alum and Founder & Executive Director at Transformative Action Institute
March 31 – April 1, 2016
Scott Sherman presented over a two-day period to regional nonprofits along with students and faculty. The discussion covered key principles from his book, Transformative Action – The Science of Making the World a Better Place. In addition to learning from thoughts and anecdotes, participants were able to put theory into practice with each other.
Change Our World Lecture: Humans of New York
Brandon Stanton, creator of “Humans of New York”
March 24, 2016
Brandon Stanton, renowned photojournalist and creator of the book and blog “Humans of New York,” delivered the annual Change Our World Lecture to a sold-out Power Center for the Performing Arts. During the lecture, Stanton recounted the life events that led him to create his largest blog and photojournalist compilation, “Humans of New York.” Business Impact co-sponsored the lecture with the Center for Campus Involvement and other programs.
New Face of Entrepreneurship
Mike Muse, U-M alum and founder of My Brother’s Keeper
February 5, 2016
Michigan Ross worked in tandem with Innovate Blue and the U-M Alumni Association to co-sponsor Mike Muse. He has created a career that crosses entrepreneurship, entertainment, and politics and has worked as a millennial entrepreneur champion. Muse’s keynote was followed by a panel discussion showcasing entrepreneurial thinking and a student pitch contest for new start-ups.
2015
Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan
Rishi Moudgil, Founding Director, Center for Social Impact
November 11, 2015
The Center for Social Impact presented how it evaluates social enterprises, determines social impact, and identifies opportunities to engage further on campus. Ninety alumni gathered at U-M’s Detroit Center to listen and also engage with a panel of U-M alumni who are working as new venture creators, nonprofit founders, and impact investors in southeast Michigan and Detroit.
Community of Social Innovation Scholars Faculty Workshop
Jerry Davis, Wilbur K. Pierpont Collegiate Professor of Management Professor of Management and Organizations
May 15 – 17, 2015
The Community of Social Innovation (COSI) scholars group convened in an interactive session aimed at advancing research efforts within social innovation. COSI’s mission is to foster and advance the sharing of insights around teaching, data, theory and methods in the social innovation space, and to provide focused opportunities to mentor junior scholars in the domain.
Center for Social Impact Launch Year Celebration
Dave Egner, Executive Director of the New Economy Initiative (NEI)
April 22, 2015
The launch celebration of the Center for Social Impact at the Ross School of Business began with refreshments and networking, followed by a keynote address from David Egner. Egner’s remarks outlined NEI’s $130 million foray into social innovation and parallel this to the pressing need for cross-sector conveners such as Business Impact, which works extensively in Detroit.
Navigating Board Culture as a Young Professional: Gaining Trust, Leading, and Overcoming Obstacles
Kimberly Richardson, U-M Alum and Senior Counsel for Dupont
March 25, 2015
Kimberly Richardson discussed Nonprofit Board Dynamics during this interactive presentation. She offered tips and strategies for young professionals serving as board members, and shared her own experiences and insights from her board service, leadership, and career journey.
2014-15 Social Impact Challenge Finals with Expert Panel on Creative Redevelopment and Adaptive Reuse
David Williams, Senior Advisor, City of Detroit Mayor’s Office, Jobs & Economy Team
Eleanore Eveleth, Interim Executive Director, Vanguard CDC
Geraldine Gardner, Director Urban and Regional Policy, German Marshall Fund of the U.S.
Dr. Harley Etienne, Assistant Professor, Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning
February 18, 2015
The 2015-16 top teams presented their proposed solutions for creative redevelopment of the Fisher Plant, and dialogued with judges and Detroit experts and leaders from the city government, community organizations and civic groups, and the investment community. Expert panelists included David Williams, Eleanore Eveleth, Geraldine Gardner, and Dr. Harley Etienne. Co-sponsoring U-M schools and colleges included the Ross School of Business, Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, School of Natural Resources & Environment, School of Social Work, Stamps School of Art & Design, and Ford School of Public Policy.
Can you Be An Entrepreneur in Government
Shelley Metzenbaum, President of Volcker Alliance
February 16, 2015
In this event, co-sponsored by the Ford School of Public Policy, Shelley Metzenbaum, former Associate Director for Performance and Personnel Management at the White House Office of Management and Budget, shared her insights on how one person can make a difference in government using the tools of outcomes-focused goals and measurement to illuminate, motivate, and communicate.
2014
Emerging Purpose Economy Keynote at the 2014 Social Innovation Summit
Aaron Hurst, CEO of Imperative
October 10, 2014
During the 2014 Social Innovation Summit, leaders from across sectors revealed how they have found purpose through their careers and applied themselves to deliver impact in the community. Attendees explored their own purpose journey and engaged with social entrepreneurs and thought leaders to explore social challenges and innovations. Keynote speaker Aaron Hurst, a renowned entrepreneur and social innovator, shared insights from his book, The Purpose Economy, during the keynote address.
Michigan Social Entrepreneurship Showcase
Veronika Scott, Founder & CEO, The Empowerment Plan
June 20, 2014
Co-sponsored by Michigan Corps and Business Impact, this showcase featured leading impact investors across the venture capital, philanthropic and crowdfunding spaces, alongside the state’s top social entrepreneurs. Prize winners from this year’s Michigan Corps Social Entrepreneurship Challenge presented their innovative solutions to our state’s toughest challenges, and industry leaders like Veronika Scott provided feedback and insights.
2013-14 Social Impact Challenge Finals: Detroit Future City Vision
Ken Cockrel, Jr., Executive Director of Detroit Future City Implementation Office and former Detroit Mayor and City Council President
February 18, 2014
Ken Cockrel, Jr., spent the evening with our teams from the 2014 Social Impact Challenge. He spoke about the new Detroit Future City framework that represents the shared realities, aspirations, and strategies of hundreds of thousands of Detroiters to define a new future for their city.
Watch a video on the experience
2013
A Conversation with Matt Flannery at the 2013 social Innovation Summit
Matt Flannery, Co-founder of Kiva and Co-Founder of Puddle
October 11, 2013
A Conversation with Matt Flannery, Co-founder of Kiva and Co-Founder of Puddle. Matt addressed the founding of his company, microfinance trends, his social impact career path, and other topics in social funding. Throughout the day-long summit, leaders from across sectors and invested university and community members together defined, explored and delivered thoughts and applications around social funding methods.
Lunch Lecture on Government Performance Auditing
Dr. Mark Funkhouser, Director of Governing Institute
Dayne Walling, Mayor of Flint
April 1, 2013
Dr. Mark Funkhouser and Mayor Dayne Walling joined students for a private lunch and an exclusive preview conversation to discuss his book, Honest, Competent Government: The Promise of Performance Auditing. This book lays out the challenges that government performance auditors face in the real world and puts forward recommendations to move the field forward. Following lunch, Dr. Funkhouser presented a lecture discussing performance management and partnering with citizens to produce results. He addressed some of the aspects of this co-production and how it is working across America, including community economic development, place making and the tools and techniques of deliberative democracy. This event was co-sponsored by The Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP).
Lecture: Faith-Based Social Services
Ram Cnaan, Program Director of the Program for Religion and Social Policy Research
February 25, 2013
Who Cares for the Needy? Dr. Cnaan is a world-renowned expert on faith-based social services from the University of Pennsylvania. He spoke about the role of organized religion in the post-welfare society. He discussed the often “invisible” but tremendously significant social impact of congregations across America. Lunch was served. This event was co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research.
2012-13 Social Impact challenge Education Leaders Forum, Awards, and Finals
Scott Morgan, Founder & CEO of Education Pioneers
Dan Varner, CEO of Excellent Schools Detroit
Kendra Hearn, U-M professor at the School of Education
Lesley Redwine, CEO of New Urban Learning and Superintendent of University YES Academy
February 21, 2013
Community and academic leaders gathered at the Education Leaders Forum to discuss, “How do we attract top education leaders and managers to Detroit?” Scott Morgan and Dan Varner were joined by Kendra Hearn and Lesley Redwine. Guests from across campus and the community joined the conversation and reception.
Following the reception, the final four teams participating in the 2013 Social Impact Challenge presented their final recommendations to a panel of judges. The panel included: Scott Morgan, Dan Varner, Dr. Susan Dynarski, U-M professor at the Schools of Education, Public Policy, & Economics, and Dr. Victoria Johnson, U-M professor of Organization Studies.
Watch a video on the experience
Breakfast Lecture: "Solving the World's Toughest Problems"
Dr. Paul C. Light, Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service and founding director of the Global Center for Public Service and Social Impact
February 8, 2013
Dr. Light held numerous positions prior to joining NYU, including director of the Public Policy Program at the Pew Charitable Trusts and serving as a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He is the author of 25 books, including works on social entrepreneurship, the nonprofit sector, and federal government reform. This event was a conversation with Dr. Light about social impact and his recent book: “Driving Social Change: How to Solve the World’s Toughest Problems.”
