2009 Social Change Conference

Every now and then, I get a little social at PR Prescriptions. Well, I had a chance to get REALLY social at the 2009 Social Change Conference sponsored by Walden University.

I was actually on the fence about going, but it is hard to pass up an opportunity to hear from a group of speakers like this:

• Michele Jolin – White House Senior Advisor for Social Innovation for the Domestic Policy Council
• Dr. Cheryl Dorsey – President, Echoing Green
• David Bornstein – Author, How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas

• Anthony Jewett, founder of Bardoli Global, a nonprofit organization that promotes study abroad for minority students
• Dr. Kathia Laszlo, Walden University faculty member; specializes in social entrepreneurship in developing countries; advisor to Green MBA program students at Dominican University of California
• Dr. John Nirenberg, Walden University faculty member; writes and lectures on corporate social responsibility

Of all the speakers, I probably enjoyed the address from Dr. Cheryl Dorsey the most because I could feel her energy, her passion, her committment, and her sharpness – may have made up that last word, but you would have to make up a word to describe how solid Dr. Dorsey was.

Overall, the conference was great. The speakers were extremely knowledgeable, they dropped several gems that I live-tweeted with a group of social media folks in attendance, and it was interesting meeting the social enterpreneurs that Walden produces every year.

The most valuable thing that I got from the conference was time to think. Immersed in discussion with some truly brilliant people, I had the opportunity to let the inner dreamer and entrepreneur come out. I was able to chew on the idea of the entrepreneur vs intrapreneur.

I think I’ve played pretty well in the intrapreneurial sandbox, but I’m not too big a fan of tradition or process for the sake of having it. I’m a Gen Yer, and I certainly have my issues with the system, but I’m willing to work with it…up to a point.

For this reason, one might think that I’d be better suited to be an entrepreneur, but I have yet to really step out on my own in a major way. Deep down, I know this is only a matter of time, but for now, I’ll ride the wave and enjoy work I do along the way.

Looking forward to seeing what I come up with by the time the 2010 Social Change Conference comes around!