2010 Social Entrepreneurship Forum
Arianna Huffington to provide keynote speech and Adlai Wertman to be honored at the Annual Keynote event of the Los Angeles Chapter of the USC Marshall School of Business Alumni Association
What: The 2010 Keynote Event will focus on the active roles entrepreneurs are taking to address many of the pressing social and environmental challenges in their local communities and around the world. At a time when the labor market remains difficult, many individuals are launching non-profit or for-profit business ventures and social enterprises whose social mission is as significant, or more significant, than the financial bottom line.
Three panels will empower entrepreneurs in Finance, Business Branding and Social Responsibility. A key component of this all-day event is giving attendees specific insights to more effectively run their businesses. Each panel will include a distinguished group of social entrepreneurs with demonstrated leadership in promoting social responsibility. Two panels of branding and finance professionals will provide expert advice on financing and marketing the socially responsible enterprise.
When: Feb. 20, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. For a full conference schedule, go to http://marshall.usc.edu/alumni/chapters/losangeles/keynote2010.htm
Where: Junior Achievement Finance Park, 6250 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California 90068
Why: Recent economic events and lagging job markets have provided the motivation and opportunity for thousands of Southern Californians to launch their own businesses. The 2010 Keynote Event will equip attendees with insights about how a company can have a vision for a “double bottom line.”
Who: Keynote speaker, Arianna Huffington; honoree Adlai Wertman and three panels of local social entrepreneurs, financiers and marketers.
Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of 12 books. In October 2009, Huffington launched HuffPost Impact, a new section that uses the tools and power of online journalism to encourage people to get involved and bring about social change.
Adlai Wertman, founding director of the Society and Business Lab at the USC Marshall School of Business, and professor of Clinical Management and Organization. Prior to joining the faculty at Marshall, Wertman spent seven years as President and CEO of Chrysalis – the only non-profit in Los Angeles devoted solely to helping homeless change their lives through employment. Previously, he spent 18 years as an investment banker.
Panelists include:
• David Belasco, USC Marshall adjunct entrepreneurship faculty and founder of BC2 Environmental Corp.
• Theresa Durham, president, Media Maven Consulting, a firm specializing in sales and marketing strategies for startups
• Steve Getzug, SVP, Hill & Knowlton, media and crisis communications specialist
• Mike Hannigan, founder and CEO, Give Something Back, California’s largest independently-owned business to business office supply company
• Ron Johnson, VP business development officer, Wedbush Bank
• Fran Seagull, VP investments, Funk Ventures, a fund that invests in for-profit social enterprises
• Brian Sirgutz, president, Causecast.org, a for-profit that uses media and celebrities to promote social causes
• Brian Wurfel, COO Maverick Angels a next-generation network with an entrepreneurial approach to angel investing
This entrepreneurship forum continues USC’s long tradition of leadership in entrepreneurial education. The Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at USC is among the nation’s leaders in entrepreneurship education and research and has consistently ranked among the top national programs.
***Reporters are requested to RSVP through USC Marshall Media Relations. Contact Evy Jacobson or Anne Bergman at evy.jacobson@marshall.usc.edu or anne.bergman@marshall.usc.edu or 213-740-5552. ***
Contact: Evy Jacobson at evy.jacobson@marshall.usc.edu or Anne Bergman at anne.bergman@marshall.usc.edu or (213) 740-5552
