Changing the World

Anke Wessels has served as the Executive Director of the Center for Transformative Action (CTA) since 1997. CTA is an independent, education-based 501(c)3 affiliated with Cornell University that provides fiscal sponsorship for social entrepreneurs with innovative nonprofit ventures. CTA’s services support these changemakers with a well-established back office infrastructure, business services, and mentorship so they can focus on building the capacity and programs to realize their social missions. CTA also offers educational programs — courses, conferences, and workshops — to support a diverse group of new or experienced social entrepreneurs in transforming the economy so that it works for everyone.

Dr. Wessels is also a visiting lecturer in Cornell’s Dyson School for Applied Economics and Management, where she teaches a practicum in Social Entrepreneurship focused on Anabel’s Grocery, a student-run nonprofit grocery store.

Marina Kim’s work in social entrepreneurship dates back over 15 years. She co-founded and leads Ashoka U, which works with colleges and universities to embed social innovation as an educational focus and a strategic approach to aligning the university’s culture, programs, and operations. To date, Ashoka U has worked with over 600 institutions and over 6,000 educators globally, which collectively have graduated over a million changemakers. 

Ms. Kim’s writing on institutional change and innovation in higher education has been featured in Forbes.com, SSIR.org, and the Diversity & Democracy Journal. Ashoka U has been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Huffington Post, and The New York Times. Ms. Kim was named in the Forbes 30 under 30 for Social Entrepreneurship, received the postgraduate Tom Ford Fellowship in Philanthropy from Stanford, and is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Northampton. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University.

Scot Tatelman embodies the term “social entrepreneur” and has made it his life’s work to balance profitable business ventures with making the world a better place. In 2005, he collaborated with The Mark Wahlberg Foundation and The Boys and Girls Club to create Camp Northbound, a residential camp for kids growing up in the inner cities of Boston. Following its success, Mr. Tatelman set out to build a similar program for kids in New York City’s most underfunded communities, creating Camp Power. In 12 years, this volunteer-based nonprofit organization has provided life-changing experiences, positive role models, and college scholarships to thousands of kids. After seeing many Camp Power kids carrying their belongings in ripped trash bags, Mr. Tatelman and his wife founded STATE Bags, a Brooklyn-born bag brand that uses the power of business to give back and support American children and families in need. He has worked to evolve their charitable model through STATE’s innovative giving initiatives and #WhatDoWeTellTheKids platform. A graduate of UVM and Boston native, Mr. Tatelman currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife, two kids, and dog Pokey.