Introducing two more of our 2006 Acumen Fund Fellows.
Keely Stevenson
“I am applying to spend the next year of my life with Acumen because the universal message from my hospice patients was clear: life is short - only dedicate your talent and energy to something meaningful. It would be an honor to join the team.”
Fabrice Ndjodo
“I have learned through the HBS experience, that it is not only the tangible results of community work which will be on my scorecard as a social leader, it is also the constant pursuit of these results which will over time make a real difference. This is the reason why I want to be involved with Acumen - it is known for its relentlessness to foster entrepreneurship as a way to create wealth and reduce poverty in developing countries.”
Keely’s background…
Currently advising a development program for social entrepreneurs in India, Keely has been a social finance consultant in South Africa and the UK, Executive Director of a Peruvian NGO, a United Nations Fellow, and co-chair of the Oxford Business Network for Social Entrepreneurs. As one of the first employees of the Skoll Foundation, she created the world’s first online community for social entrepreneurs, Social Edge (www.socialedge.org). She studied Political Science at UC Berkeley and received her MBA from Oxford University, where she was a scholar in social entrepreneurship.
Fabrice’s background…
Originally from Cameroon, Fabrice is completing an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has worked for the private sector arm of the IFC for three years, advising on the privatization of state-owned assets, and served as a research analyst at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, promoting increased flows of foreign direct investment into emerging economies. Fabrice holds a Masters in Finance and International Management from HEC Paris and is fluent in Eton, English, French, Spanish and Italian.
Hello Acumen Community:
I am sure this year as an Acumen fellow will be interesting & challenging, but certainly a worthy wild ride. I have watched Acumen develop since its early days with great pride. The more I meet of the Acumen team and understand how well it is proving to straddle many diverse worlds (cultural, emotional, analytical, political, geographical, financial), the more I realize how unique and powerful this model really is.
On a personal note, I am looking forward to sharpening my finance skills this year and deepening my understanding of a range of investment instruments that spark social and environmental progress. The portfolio of investments and the group of fellows are inspiring—what a privilege to work in such a dynamic place.
This summer, I am working with a new organization called Social-Impact (www.social-impact.org) in Hyderabad, India. We are creating a professional development programme for early stage social entrepreneurs which offers training, mentorship and access to finance that accelerates their growth.
Reply to Keely StevensonDear All,
As I write these lines at my desk, I am reflecting on today’s events. I just received my diploma from the Harvard Business School on a moving and rainy Commencement Day. This is the not the end of a journey but rather the beginning of new and exciting ventures. I would like to start making a difference now in the lives of others. There is no better opportunity to start doing that than the one provided by Acumen Fund. I am truly excited and honored to be a member of the cohort of eight Fellows who will be working with Acumen Fund starting next fall.
The Acumen business model is an undeniable proof that, when given proper resources and support, entrepreneurs can grow thriving businesses under the most difficult circumstances in emerging markets. In doing so, they also help make an impact however small in the lives of thousands of people. I have always believed that entrepreneurship was the most effective way to empower people to effect change in their own lives. In encouraging entrepreneurship, we foster economic development and accelerate the pace of social change. I am grateful to Acumen Fund for giving me the opportunity to be personally involved in that effort.
I look forward to getting to know my peers, being challenged in my assignment, meeting and learning from the amazing people at Acumen Fund, and more importantly, enjoying every second of what promises to be an exceptional year.
In the mean time, I will spend the summer in Johannesburg working with Endeavor and helping them select a new group of entrepreneurs in South Africa for the year 2006. It should be fun!
Reply to Fabrice Ndjodo