Solutions - Articles

Expecting Returns - Bridging the Gap Conference

For years, many believed that socially responsible investments could simply not hold up to traditional investments. In this panel discussion from the Stanford 2005 Net Impact Conference, organized by the Stanford Business School, social capital market experts dispel the myths associated with socially responsible investing, and look toward the future of what is to come as more and more funds offer social choices.

Robert Langer - The Promise of Biomedical Engineering

Robert Langer has been referred to as "a medical pioneer in the guise of an engineer" who has revolutionized the delivery of drugs and the engineering of human tissue. In this audio interview with Globeshakers host Tim Zak, Langer reveals his tenacious nature and talks about what it takes to persevere in the face of public criticism.

Nonprofit-Private Alliances - Bridging the Gap Panel

The corporate world is oftentimes approached for favors, but very few evolve into mutually beneficial alliances between nonprofits and private-sector companies. As described in this audio lecture, First Book's Kyle Zimmer and Disney executive Kathy Franklin explain what it takes to build a successful long-term strategic relationship.

Cheryl Dorsey - Investing in Worldwide Social Change

In the early 1990s, Cheryl Dorsey got a fellowship from Echoing Green to launch the Family Van, a community-based mobile health unit that provides basic medical and outreach services to at-risk residents of inner-city Boston neighborhoods. Now president of Echoing Green, Dorsey talks with Globeshakers host Tim Zak in an audio interview about the challenge of building on the impressive track record of one of the world's leading investors and supporters of worldwide social change.

The Next Social Leaders - Bridging the Gap Conference

In this panel discussion, social entrepreneur veteran Laura Scher and more recent entrants, Kirsten Gagnaire and Jenny Shilling Stein, offer advice on what it takes to create a successful for-profit or nonprofit organization with a social purpose. The key components, they agreed, are a strong leader, a clear social mission, consistency, and focus.

Strategic Philanthropy - Bridging the Gap Conference

A new generation of innovative philanthropists is helping to transform charitable giving. This panel discussion highlights the philosophy of three young, but outstanding, organizations in the strategic philanthropic field. Panelists emphasize the targeted use of wealth to address specific social challenges.

Greening the Supply Chain - Bridging the Gap Conference

How did Patagonia make the transition to using 100% organic cotton in its product line?  In this panel discussion from Bridging the Gap, the Stanford 2005 Net Impact Conference organized by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Randy Harward discusses the challenges of garnering internal support, ensuring adequate supply of raw materials, and keeping prices affordable as Patagonia greens its supply chain.

Ticia Gerber - Leadership in Global Health Technology

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Ticia Gerber sits at the center of one of the world's important current debates: How do we keep people healthy without having it cost an arm and a leg? At eHealth Initiative and LIGHT, Gerber is working across three continents to bridge the public, private, and social sectors. She talks with Globeshakers host Tim Zak in an audio interview about the role of technology in the future of healthcare and what it means to create a dialogue between the developed and developing world.

Debra Meyerson - When Personal and Corporate Values Are at Odds

Changing the status quo in major organizations may seem overwhelming. Debra Meyerson offers the 2005 Stanford Net Impact conference audience strategies to effect change from within through tempered radicalism. In this audio lecture, she shares findings from her research about incremental and bottom-up change strategies to impact corporate values and advance social justice and social responsibility within organizations.