July 15, 2009
5:30–8:30pm
Jefferson Tap & Grill
325 N Jefferson St
Chicago,
IL
60611
Power Networking (optional; 5:45-6:15)
By popular request! Every month, we include a period of time for you to meet a number of other like-minded people in a structured, fast-paced format. Bring your elevator speech and business cards! Not in the mood? Spectators welcome as well.
Moderated Panel Discussion (6:45-7:45)
What responsibility does a business have to addressing social and environmental problems? Can a business be more than just a vehicle for creating economic wealth? Heralded by the Obama administration as the most innovative way to meet social needs, Social Enterprises represent a new generation of businesses that are incorporating job training, economic development and social services into traditional ventures.
Hear stories from 3 entrepreneurs who balance multiple values in their businesses. Meet this generation of leaders as they use capitalism to address some of the most pressing social and environmental issues facing our world today.
Participants include:
Lauri Alpern
Owner, Social Venture Advisors
Lauri brings extensive executive-level experience developing social venture strategies for a variety of companies, nonprofit organizations and institutions, such as ROI Ventures, LLC and The Enterprising Kitchen. Lauri is a highly sought-after advisor who easily navigates between strategic imperatives and operational plans. Her unique expertise lies in working with the new breed of entrepreneurs who are seeking to do good and do well by growing and scaling their social purpose businesses and social enterprise ventures.
John Pfeiffer
Executive Director and CEO, Inspiration Corporation
John W. Pfeiffer is Executive Director & CEO of Inspiration Corporation, a 20-year-old nonprofit providing employment training, supportive services and housing to more than 3,000 homeless and low-income Chicagoans annually. Inspiration Corporation is in the process of expanding its successful Uptown-based food service social enterprise into East Garfield Park with a $4.3 million philanthropic investment. John has more than 20 years of management experience with nonprofit, government and consulting organizations – all focused in the area of basic human needs – and is a graduate of Northwestern University and Columbia University.
Nancy Phillips
Director, Woman Craft
Nancy Phillips is the director of WomanCraft, a social enterprise of Heartland Human Care Services located in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood. WomanCraft employs women facing barriers to employment as transitional and permanent artisans making handmade, recycled paper. WomanCraft is the 2009 winner of the Illinois Recycling Association's award for "Best Use of a Recycled Material" and has won Mayor Daley's GreenWorks award for environmentally sustainable products. Nancy's background includes program management and educational administration with affordable housing organizations and educational institutions in Chicago, including Peoples Housing, the Property Management Resource Center and Columbia College. She has also managed the kitchen at the Underground Wonder Bar and consulted on communications, development and public relations.
Schedule
5:30-8:30pm Socializing/Networking
5:45-6:15pm Power Networking (optional)
6:45-7:45pm Panel Discussion
7:45-8:30pm Socializing/Networking
**No Registration or RSVP Required**
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