The Program on Social Enterprise, Innovation, and Impact (PSEII) is a cornerstone of the Yale School of Management’s mission of “educating leaders for business and society.” The PSEII supports and convenes faculty, students, alumni, and practitioners in research, publications, conferences, classes, and experiential learning opportunities. We explore how for-profit, non-profit, and government entities can find and deploy innovative strategies to build a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive world.
Our activities span research, publications, conferences, classes, and experiential learning opportunities. In addition to these formal activities, we serve as focal point for Impact activities at SOM. We serve as a connector, bringing students and faculty together with enterprises, organizations, and individuals that drive impact—both in our local community and around the world.
Social Impact Lab
Social Impact Lab is a weekly forum which brings together students, alumni, and leading practitioners involved in the fields of social entrepreneurship and economic development. This important dialogue explores a wide array of current and compelling questions in the social innovation sphere. The discussions also provide firsthand opportunities for students to learn about career paths in the field.
During the fall semester of 2021, Social Impact Lab was pleased to host: Tess Hart (MBA/MEM ’17), Co-founder and CEO, Triple Bottom Brewery; Srikumar Misra, Co-founder and CEO, Milk Mantra, Yale World Fellow; Chuck Slaughter (MBA ’90), CEO of Living Goods; and Richenda Van Leeuwen, Executive Director, Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs.
Students presented on a variety of topics including challenges in the public sector, human rights, careers in nonprofit management, philanthropy, education, and design for social impact. In addition, the student teams from the Global Social Entrepreneurship courses (India and Kenya in 2019-2020) presented on their projects during the spring semester.
Extracurricular
SOM Net Impact Club
The SOM Net Impact Club provides education, events and career guidance for SOM students pursuing careers in non-profit management, public management and socially responsible business. The Club also functions as an umbrella organization, coordinating activities relating to social enterprise and socially responsible careers with faculty, staff, and other clubs on campus. Other related social enterprise related clubs include: Economic Development, Environment, Healthcare, SOM Outreach, Arts and Culture, Board Service, Community Service, The Internship Fund, Food for Thought and others.
Economic Development Symposium
Organized by the Economic Development Club, this annual conference works to bring together eminent scholars, action agents and key opinion leaders to work on solutions for pressing economic development issues. This year, the Symposium brought to campus influential leaders in the field including Josh Wright, SOM ‘98, the Executive Director of ideas42, and Andrea Levere, SOM ‘83, the President of Corporation for Enterprise Development. Topics included holistic development, economic and societal inclusion, and developing a financial market place that addresses the needs for all Americans.
Philanthropy Conference
Founded in 2005, this annual conference, co-sponsored with the Net Impact Club, brings to SOM leaders from the world of philanthropic grant-making and investing. In its sixth year at Edward P. Evans Hall, the 15th annual Philanthropy Conference in 2020, “A Vision for the Future,” featured speakers including Emilie M. Antonetti of the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Foundation, Ellis Carr of Capital Impact Partners, and Courtney Howard Hodapp of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Lectures & Panels
SOM Alumni
Judy Samuelson, Aspen Institute
Sandy Urie, CEO of Cambridge Associates
Hilary Pennington, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Liz Berry Gips, Education in Africa
Andrea Levere, Corporate for Enterprise Development
Other Distinguished Speakers
Andrea Philips, Goldman Sachs
Georgia Keohane, New America
Robert Fabricant, Dalberg’s Design Impact Group
Vijay Sharma, GlaxoSmithKline
David Klein, Common Bond
David Auerbach, Sanergy
Michael Taormina, CommonBond
Andrew Kassoy, B-Lab
Brian Trelstad, Acumen Fund
Laura Callahan, Mckinsey & Company; David Hunter, Hunter Consulting LLC
Barret Prinz, Onc Acre Fund
South Asian Business Forum Presents Indian Social Entrepreneurs
Yale World Fellows
Harish Hande, Founder & CEO-SELCO
Margot Brandenburg, Associate Director- Rockefeller Foundation