Social Entrepreneurship Speaker Series

Shawn Dove '84, John Johnson '82, and Marquis Lobban '85

Shawn Dove ’84, John Johnson ’82, and Marquis Lobban ’85 spoke in CSPL265 in spring 2018

The Patricelli Center Fellowship (CSPL264/CSPL265) is a year-long, project-based, cohort-style learning opportunity for students interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and social change. Some Fellows design or launch their own venture, while others seek pathways to impact as intrapreneurs, activists, researchers, organizers, conveners, artists, and more.

This Spring semester, CSPL265 will feature a roster of guest speakers and workshop facilitators (schedule below). We welcome all students, faculty, staff, and community members to attend these sessions. Each one will take place 10:20-11:40 a.m. in Allbritton 004 unless otherwise noted below. Most sessions will be followed by a conversational lunch at Usdan University Center. 

If you would like to attend any classes sessions and/or lunches, please contact Makaela Kingsley to reserve your spot.

Notes: Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. All dates and guest speakers are subject to change due to last-minute schedule conflicts, inclement weather, or other extenuating circumstances. Some sessions will require brief reading assignments; those will be sent to all guests in advance. 

January 31

An introduction to the social sector

Ben Mahnke ’94, Founder/CEO, Room 40 Group

February 5

The Luck of A Social Entrepreneur

Onyeka Obiocha, Associate Director, Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking

February 7

Amazi: The Making of a Socially-Driven Food Company

Renee Dunn ’14, Founder and CEO, Amazi Foods

February 14

Connecticut’s Opportunity Gap: notes from the field

Bob Patricelli ‘61, CT Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth etc; Erin Boggs ‘93, Open Communities Alliance; Donna Hylton, STEAM Train

(recommended advance reading, Commission Report pages 11-40)

February 19

Bi-Directional Workforce Development: the role of the workplace in fostering social change

Jordyn Lexton ‘08, Founder, Drive Change

(recommended advance reading)

February 21

Introduction to Nonprofit Development and Foundation Fundraising

Sonya Page ’03, Owner & Consultant, Page Consulting LLC

February 28

Equity and Inclusion Strategy: a participatory workshop

Melinda Weekes-Laidlow ’89, Founder, Beautiful Ventures

March 5

Legal Issues: An Entrepreneur’s Journey

David Menard, Partner, Murtha Cullina LLP

March 26

Social Media Marketing

Nikolas Ortega ‘19, Incoming Account Strategist at Google, and Derek Silverman ‘09, Partner Engineer at Facebook/CrowdTangle

March 28

Philanthropy from a funders’ point of view

Nicole Rodriguez Leach ’97, Special Advisor, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation

April 2

A Changemaker’s Journey

Kalia Lydgate ‘07, National Director, #LoveArmy

April 4

Raising Money & Managing a Company

Kai Bond ’01, Comcast Ventures | Catalyst Fund

April 11

Case Study: Tender Greens

Josh Goldin ’00, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Alliance Consumer Growth

April 18

Board of Directors Structure and Development

Josh Borenstein ’97, Managing Director, Long Wharf Theatre

April 25

Breakthrough leaders and systems change initiatives

Sam Hiersteiner ’04, Managing Partner, Communications and Corporate Partnerships at New Profit

May 7

Patricelli Center Fellowship Showcase

(location: Usdan 108)