Welcome to the 2012-13 school year!

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On behalf of the 2012-2013 Bridge Board members, it is my honor to welcome the incoming students of the Class of 2014 to NYU Wagner!

Bridge is a community — a community of students passionate about social entrepreneurship and building innovative solutions to the world’s toughest social problems.  Throughout the year, our board is dedicated to curating amazing conferences, hosting exciting events, and building meaningful networks to expand our knowledge and connections within the growing space of social entrepreneurship.  I am delighted to invite you to our first event of the year — the Annual Bridge Bash.  Enjoy wine, beer, and food on Friday, September 21st from 5:00 -7:30PM at the Puck Building. Come meet other colleagues passionate about social entrepreneurship and start to build your community.

I came to NYU Wagner to build allies, to broaden my understanding of policy + social entrepreneurship, and to explore the endless possibilities of New York City. Having built a social entreprise and worked for leading social entrepreneurship organizations in the past, I knew Wagner would be the right step at the right time in my career and personal growth. Joining the Bridge community has played an important part in this journey.  Thanks to Bridge, I’ve met some of the most incredible people —  including the past and present board members — and who are now my closest mentors and friends. If you’d like to learn more about Bridge or get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. My email is cf1232@nyu.edu.

On behalf of the team, we look forward to meeting you at our events, listening to your stories, and building a committed community of change makers at NYU and beyond.

 

Best wishes this year,

 

 

 

Cosmo Fujiyama

 

President, Bridge Board 2012 – 2013

 

NYU Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship 2011-2013

 

NYU’s Office of Sustainability is hiring!

NYU’s Sustainability Office is accepting applications to fill two part-time student Program Assistant jobs.

These paid student positions support our long-term effort to transform NYU into the most environmentally-effective and just urban university in the world!

Please see the attached description for more information about the skills and experience we’re looking for.
Or, log in to the NYU CareerNet (http://www.nyu.edu/careerdevelopment/careernet_login.php) and find the listing under “Program Assistant, NYU Office of Sustainability.”

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter via email to sustainability@nyu.edu, or through the NYU CareerNet system.  Writing samples and letters of recommendation welcome.  We will begin reviewing applications later this month on a rolling basis.

To learn more about NYU Sustainability and our programs, visit: http://www.nyu.edu/sustainability.

John Templeton Foundation Job

Program Officer, Freedom and Free Enterprise

Position Summary

The John Templeton Foundation supports research and education on freedom,
free enterprise, free competition, entrepreneurship, and enterprise
solutions to poverty.

Reporting to the Vice President for Freedom and Free Enterprise, the Program
Officer is responsible for managing the two annual cycles of proposal
review, serving as the primary contact point for applicants and grantees,
coordinating expert reviews, and working with the Vice President to prepare
grant approval recommendations.

The Program Officer is also responsible for tracking the quarterly progress
of grants in the active portfolio, and helping assess the results of
completed grants.

The optimal candidate for this role is a highly organized person with
superior writing and editing skills, the ability to communicate clearly and
concisely, and experience with quantitative analysis. The post will require
some travel every year, occasionally including international travel.

A master’s or terminal professional degree is required, and a Ph.D. is
welcome. We look for candidates with five or more years of experience in a
foundation, academic, or non-profit setting, though entrepreneurial
experience is also an asset.

Donorschoose.org Job

Position:                Operations Associate, Vendor Relations & Fulfillment Team

Location:               New York, NY

Organization Overview

DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to fulfill needs and foster innovation in U.S. public schools.  Our mission is to improve public education by empowering every teacher to be a change-maker and by enabling any citizen to be a philanthropist.  Founded in 2000 by a teacher in the Bronx, DonorsChoose.org has enabled citizen philanthropists to fund more than 150,000 public school classroom projects, channeling over $70 million of resources to 4 million students in low-income communities.  At DonorsChoose.org, someone giving $10 enjoys the same choice, impact, and vivid feedback that – until now – had been reserved for millionaire benefactors.  National media such as Oprah Winfrey, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times have hailed DonorsChoose.org as “the future of philanthropy.”  Learn more at DonorsChoose.org/about.

Team Overview

The Operations Team delivers on the DonorsChoose.org mission.  We work directly with teachers, donors, and suppliers to enable an effective, streamlined user experience.  To ensure the end-to-end integrity of every project request, the Operations Team manages communications and systems that guide projects from submission through fulfillment.  We also coordinate the donor thank-you process, the rewarding final touch to the work performed by DonorsChoose.org.  Inspired by productivity gains, continuous improvement, and scalable technology to better serve teachers and donors, the Operations Team collaborates daily with other teams to keep our program running smoothly.  And we have a lot of fun.

As part of the Operations Team, the Vendor Relations & Fulfillment Team’s fundamental responsibility is to manage two interdependent roles:

Building scalable procurement systems to ensure funded projects are fulfilled and materials are delivered without delay
Developing relationships with our business partners to drive first-rate supplier performance, pricing, and partnerships

Position Responsibilities

The Associate will focus on the following to support vendor relations, fulfillment, and quantitative analysis functions:

·         Monitoring and measuring vendor performance

o   Driving vendor compliance with our unique business rules

o   Communicating with vendors via email and phone

o   Applying analysis to illuminate trends in vendor performance and opportunities for better pricing

·         Collecting and analyzing data to maintain and strengthen a robust directory of select companies with whom we transact

·         Troubleshooting issues stemming from procurement and related website functionality and tools

·         Answering teachers’ fulfillment and materials inquiries and performing other customer service functions

·         Fulfilling projects by purchasing teachers’ requested resources online and via our electronic procurement system

·         Handling order and invoice exceptions and resolving their root causes

·         Developing procedures and policies to support business rules

·         Creating specifications for related website features to streamline processes

·         Performing other team duties as needed

Position Qualifications

The right candidate is motivated by our mission and entrepreneurial, goals-driven culture.  We seek a team player who is/has:

·         Innovative and process oriented – excited and able to generate creative ideas for new ways to increase productivity

·         Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to coordinate and prioritize multiple activities simultaneously

·         Excellent quantitative and analysis skills

·         Computer literacy

o   Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly in Excel and Outlook

o   SQL knowledge a strong plus

o   Tech savvy, comfort in online environment, and willingness to learn new programs

·         Comfortable with repetitive tasks while alert to workload trends and improvement opportunities

·         Strong speaking, writing, interpersonal, and presentation skills

·         A problem-solving philosophy and customer service orientation

·         Desire to work in a fast-paced, startup environment; flexible to meet team needs; and excitement to take on challenges with a sense of humor

·         College degree (required) and up to 2 years of work experience (preferred)

Compensation

DonorsChoose.org offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits, which include health, dental, and vision coverage; a non-contributing 401K plan; and 5 weeks paid vacation plus national holidays.

To Apply

Please send an email with one attachment containing both a resume and cover letter with salary requirements to Jonathan Evans at jonathan(at)donorschoose(dot)org.  Include only “Operations Associate” in the subject line.  The deadline to apply is Jan 20, but candidates will be considered on a rolling basis.  No calls, please.

TedxManhattan:“Changing the Way We Eat” Feb 12, 2011

On Saturday, February 12, 2011, TEDxManhattan “Changing the Way We Eat” will be held at the Prince George Ballroom in New York City. This one-day TEDx event will explore the food system — from what happened, to where we are, to what we are doing to shift to a more sustainable way of eating and farming.  The goal of “Changing the Way We Eat” is to create new synergies, connections and collaborations across disciplines, to unite different areas of the food movement and to introduce the TEDx audience to the exciting and innovative work being done in this field.   The Glynwood Institute for Sustainable Food and Farming is the lead sponsor for TEDxManhattan.

The TEDxManhattan website – http://www.tedxmanhattan.org/ and Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/tedxmanhattan will offer regular updates on speakers and other TEDxManhattan news, but here is a partial list of confirmed speakers to date:
•    USDA Coordinator of “Know Your Farmer Know Your Food” Lucas Knowles
•    Chef/owner/sustainable food advocate Michel Nischan
•    Professor Frederick Kaufman from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
•    Filmmaker and star of the Peabody Award-winning film King Corn, Curt Ellis
•    Josh Viertel, President of Slow Food USA
•    President of the Angiogenesis Foundation Dr. William Li
•    Farmer and President of the Dairy Education Alliance Karen Hudson
•    Windowfarms creator and artist Britta Riley
•    TED house band ETHEL is TEDxManhattan’s house band/entertainment curator

How to Participate:
1. The TEDxManhattan event will be curated and audience members hand selected so that attendees are a balanced mix of academics, researchers, health professionals, farmers, foodies, chefs, advocates, foundations, public figures and TEDsters, ensuring a diverse audience that can facilitate new ideas and synergies with each other.  To learn how to attend “Changing the Way We Eat,” visithttp://www.tedxmanhattan.org/apply.  Applications are being accepted now.

2. Host a Viewing Party
In an effort to have as many people as possible participate in TEDxManhattan, the day will be webcast live.  TEDxManhattan encourages individuals and groups around the country to set up their own viewing parties and register themselves on MeetUp Everywhere – http://www.meetup.com/everywhere/tedxmanhattan. Details about hosting a viewing party can be found on the website.

3. Apply to Become a TEDxManhattan Fellow
To highlight innovative work and new ideas bubbling within the sustainable food and farming community, TEDxManhattan is offering a very limited number of fellowships -http://www.tedxmanhattan.org/fellows for the 2011 inaugural event.  Fellows will receive several benefits, including:
-Free attendance to the February 2011 TEDx event
-Exposure to the TEDxManhattan community
-Their work highlighted on the TEDxManhattan website
-At least one Fellow will be given the opportunity to speak at the next TEDxManhattan event

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. [Subject to certain rules and regulations.] For more information about TED and TEDx, please visit http://www.ted.com.

What is The Glynwood Institute for Sustainable Food and Farming?
The Glynwood Institute for Sustainable Food and Farming -http://www.glynwoodinstitute.org is a nonprofit program working to help shift the US food system to regional sustainable through innovative communications and marketing strategies.  The Glynwood Institute is a division of Glynwood, a Hudson Valley based non-profit organization whose mission is to save farming.  TEDster Diane Hatz, co-founder of The Glynwood Institute and previously founder of Sustainable Table, Executive Producer of The Meatrix movies and a founder of the Eat Well Guide, is the main organizer and host for TEDxManhattan.

To learn more about TEDx, please read the recent New York Times article “A Conference Makes Learning Free (and Sexy) at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/fashion/26TEDX.html.

For more information, please visit http://www.TEDxManhattan.org

Venture Entrepreneur Job at Ashoka USA (Arlington, VA)

Ashoka’s United States Office is looking for a mid-level entrepreneur to contribute to overall strategy and goals – securing investment, selecting and supporting US-based entrepreneurs – while ensuring our systems run reliably and efficiently. This person will maintain a large and growing pipeline of Fellow candidates, cultivate and engage field experts across issues and geographies, and communicate with our existing US Fellowship of 130 leading social entrepreneurs. We want someone with the energy for a start-up, the skill to create teams, a solution lens in all endeavors, and a steadiness, excellence, reliability, and empathy that will allow us to sustain and grow.

Responsibilities will include:

·                            Managing pipeline of 200-500 Ashoka Fellow candidates

·                            Coordinating review sessions and selection Panels

·                            Communicating with all candidates and new inquiries

·                            Marketing the concept of social entrepreneurship, and Ashoka’s selection criteria to a variety of audiences

·                            Cultivating and managing networks of high-level nominators, Panelists and references

·                            Writing and research for Ashoka Fellow candidates

·                            Fielding and organizing information and communication from a variety of constituents

·                            Developing and implementing Idea-Sourcing Strategy

·                            General support to the US Team Director & Director of Venture

A strong candidate is someone:

·                            Who is entrepreneurial, who has started and led things their whole life (from university societies to start-up business or large companies to consultancies)

·                            Who is broadly and deeply passionate about and interested in the questions Ashoka addresses and the historical change it seeks

·                            Who puts team goals ahead of personal ambition

·                            Who has the highest ethical fiber and empathy; who is trustworthy

·                            Who has big vision and high standards

·                            Who has outstanding communication and organization skills

Kila J. Englebrook

US Program Senior Associate

http://www.usa.ashoka.org

Ashoka |  Innovators for the Public

1700 North Moore Street | Suite 2000

Arlington, VA 22209-1939

703.600.8336

kenglebrook@ashoka.org

Skype:  kilaenglebrook

Mission Markets Spring 2011 Internship Projects

Mission Markets Spring 2011 Internship Projects

  1. Direct Public Offerings – Implementation Plan

The Intern will get familiar with Direct Public Offerings and will prepare a technical briefing document that has the following elements:

a.)   Conduct research on how DPOs are presented online and an initial proposal for how MM would use its existing technology to improve on the current approach (a web page with downloadable documents)

b.)  Assist CFO in summarizing the rules and regulations surrounding the marketing of DPOs – this will be done in collaboration with our legal partner – Cutting Edge Capital – this should include a brief analysis of different marketing options – i.e. how do you reach a dispersed target audience with a low cost?

c.)   Work with the team to compile a list of the services that MM can provide to DPO issuers and investors and an initial assessment of the cost / benefit of providing these services (i.e. handling financial transactions, facilitating stock transfers, ongoing reporting, etc.)

d.)  Help put together an operating manual that will be used by Mission Markets to comply with securities laws

  1. Funds

Private investment funds allow private investors to diversify their risk and invest in areas where they do not have the ability to ID deals and conduct needed due diligence.  In this way investment funds are an ideal vehicle for MM investors to maintain diversification in private investments and invest across the globe.  As well, investment funds are ideal partners for Mission Markets since they generate deal flow, conduct due diligence, and seek either co-investors or follow-on financing for their portfolio companies.

Given the strong value that investment funds could have for Mission Markets, to date, we have not targeted these partners / clients with adequate marketing materials and outreach.   The internship would aim to:

a.)   Conduct a review of Impact Investing Funds and summarize the results.

b.)  Identify top funds (see the GIIRS 25) or more that would make strong partners/clients and prepare a short description that Identifies MM’s value proposition for them

c.)   Prepare a list of services (see the Private Portal offering documents) that could go into a targeted Private Portal product for Investment Funds and draft an initial marketing document

d.)  Review Fee structures for the 20 funds identified and prepare a table summarizing this.  Include any other financial information that is available.

e.)   Provide a summary document that highlights opportunities with all types of funds (see task 1) that have not been discussed in the above documents.

  1. Marketing Plan

a.)   Help to coordinate brand message across three platforms (marketing, pr, branding)

b.)  Assist with development of cross-functional service offerings (bus. management, strategy, interface design)

c.)   Participate in establishing industry “thought-leader” outreach program (marketing management, high-level project management, business strategy)

d.)  Assist in designing and compiling marketing materials for target member audience (branding, marketing)

e.)   Generate presentations for sales and investor meetings (marketing, branding, finance, strategy)

f.)    Work with team to establish comprehensive and current conference database on relevant subject matter and potential benefit, compiling appropriate geographies and costs (marketing, subject matter expertise, accounting)

  1. Eco-research

a.)   Act as point person for compiling relevant environmental and financial data points for the Mission Markets Earth Exchange and Mission Markets partner, CXSE platforms (subject matter expertise, finance, IT)

b.)  Emersion in compliant and voluntary markets (subject matter expertise, finance, economics)

c.)   Compile database of corporate and government sustainability (ESG) reports and mandates (finance, IT, statistics)

To apply, please send your resume to sonali@missionmarkets.com. Cover letter preferred, but not required. Please also note in your email if you attended the Mission Markets presentation. Applications are encouraged to be as early as possible and no later than December 31. Interviews will occur in the first week of January and the internship will begin the following week and continue through the spring semester. Hours and work location flexible.

Sonali Mehta-Rao
Associate, Business Development/Corporate Communications
Mission Markets Inc.
Mission Markets Earth LLC
333 Hudson St.
6th Floor
New York, NY 10013-1006
Office 646-837-6877
Mobile (561) 843-0076
sonali@missionmarkets.com
http://www.missionmarkets.com
http://www.mmearth.com

Mission Markets is a Certified B Corp
Securities Offered Through Private Company Marketplace, Member FINRA/SIPC