Spring Break

Now in its second year, The Stern/Wagner, SEA/Bridge Social Entrepreneurship Spring Break Trek is nothing short of awesome.  It gives students a real chance to expose themselves to alternative nonprofits, social enterprises, incubators, and activists in New Orleans, which has hosted a veritable  feast of social innovation since Hurricane Katrina.   See photos from the 2010 trek on our flickr photostream here.

Kelli Payne, kelliapayne@gmail.com, is the Chair of the Spring Break Committee. Kelli is a graduate student at New York University Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service specializing in International Policy and Management.  She has more than seven years professional experience in marketing research, online advertising, sales and fundraising training. 

Her work with women in El Salvador, Ethiopia and Los Angeles drove her decision to change careers and aspirations to leverage her for-profit skills and experience toward a career in social impact.  Last summer she interned at Ashoka developing WISE – Women’s Initiative for Social Entrepreneurship and conducting fundraising trainings.  Her interests include social entrepreneurship and enterprise, tracking innovation and mission efficiency, the shifting intersection of the public and private sector and corporate responsibility and empowering women and girls with economic opportunities as a means to break the cycle of oppression and poverty.  Kelli enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and eating, being outdoors and spending time with friends and family.