Frontier Tech Events: Social Entrepreneurship

Change for good

On March 11, 2019, a lively discussion on the power and impact of social entrepreneurship was held at our San Francisco campus.

Did you know? Being an entrepreneur and helping society along the way is possible! This can include starting your own business while making a positive impact on your community. You want to lead positive change. You feel you are a born change-maker. You are curious about how you can make a positive impact on society while building your career.

Panelists


Photo of Brigette Iarrusso

Brigette Iarrusso


Coach and Leadership Trainer
CEO of Embrace Change

Brigette Iarrusso is a sought-after international speaker who is committed to creating safe and inclusive spaces to empower and accelerate diverse value-driven entrepreneurs and business leaders. She is an experienced coach and facilitator who is committed to connecting and accelerating diverse entrepreneurs and supporting global social entrepreneurship. She enables purpose-driven businesses to design a sustainable revenue model and inclusive organizational culture that has a positive impact on people and the planet.


Photo of Alexandre Mars

Alexandre Mars


Founder & CEO of Epic
Author of Giving: Purpose Is the New Currency

Alexandre Mars is a serial entrepreneur, engaged philanthropist and published author. During the past 20 years, he has launched and sold multiple companies across industries, including venture capital, internet, mobile marketing, social media and digital advertising. In 2014, he harnessed the momentum of his success and experience to found Epic, a global nonprofit startup that backs outstanding nonprofits and social innovation to change the lives of disadvantaged youth. Epic provides innovative and systematic ways to give painlessly and advocates for a society where giving is the norm.


Photo of Alex Budak

Alex Budak


Social entrepreneur
Professional Faculty member at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

At Berkeley, Alex Budak created and teaches a transformative course called “Becoming a Changemaker” and is Director of the Berkeley Haas Global Access Program. He co-founded and now advises the social enterprise StartSomeGood.com, which has helped more than 1,000 changemakers in 50 countries raise more than $10 million (USD). He has an M.P.P. from Georgetown and a B.A. from UCLA, from which he also received its 2017 Young Alumnus of the Year Award. After three years living in Stockholm, Sweden, he now calls the San Francisco Bay Area home, alongside his favorite changemaker: his wife, Rebecca.


Photo of Daisy Ozim

Daisy Ozim


Founder of Resilient Wellness

Daisy Ozim is the founder of Resilient Wellness, a public health system designed to re-establish cultural medicine access for marginalized communities. As a commissioner for Alameda County Public Health Commission, she works toward health equity and decentralization of power for vulnerable communities. Her work is centered around decolonizing philanthropy, technology and public policy.


Photo of Trisha Bright

Trisha Bright (moderator)


Founder and CEO of GoodSocial

Trisha Bright is the founder and CEO of GoodSocial. She is the visionary behind the business and product strategy to create a social network for social impact. Trisha is driven by a passion to bring people and nonprofits together to serve our communities. ​Prior to GoodSocial, Trisha spent 25 years as a tech industry marketing executive and general manager at Sun Microsystems and other Silicon Valley firms. Trisha holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley.


Photo of Eddie West

Eddie West (introduction)


Assistant Dean and Executive Director of International Programs at UC Berkeley Extension

Eddie West is the Assistant Dean and Executive Director of International Programs at UC Berkeley Extension. Previously, he served as Director of International Initiatives at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Dean of Counseling and International Programs at Ohlone College, and Director of International Student Services and Recruitment for the Tseng College of Graduate, International and Midcareer Education at California State University, Northridge.

Check out photos from the event:


Alex Budak (right) answers a question from the audience

 


Alexandre Mars answers a question from the audience

 


Alexandre Mars (left) answers a question from the audience while other panelists look on

 


Audience members listening to the panelists

 


Signed copies of Alexandre Mars' "Giving: Purpose Is the New Currency" book were given to participants and panelists.

 


Panelist Brigette Iarusso (right) answers an audience member's question.

 


Panelist Daisy Ozim (right) answers an audience member's question.

 


Assistant Dean and Executive Director of International Programs at UC Berkeley Extension Eddie West gives the opening remarks.

 


There was plenty of time to network!

 


Networking and getting questions answered were a highlight of this event.

 


The panel, from left: Alexandre Mars, Alex Budak, Brigette Iarrusso, Daisy Ozim and moderator Trisha Bright