Young Women in Business at SFU Encourage Social Entrepreneurship

BURNABY, B.C. (October 29, 2010)- A group of enthusiastic students from the Young Women in Business (YWiB) Network at SFU (YWiB SFU) have embarked on a new project for social change. The new program, Project GIVE (Generating Innovative Visions of Entrepreneurship), will provide participants with the opportunity to develop ideas and business plans for social change while working alongside mentors from leading non-profit organizations.

Founder of the Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation (CSEF), Jason Carvalho, a passionate social-entrepreneur, is very excited about the new initiative and believes it is well aligned with the CSEF goals. CSEF will provide key support for the program through grants to fund the final projects. Says Carvalho, “Education is the fundamental foundation for change in all Societies. YWiB’s Project Give’s 5 month program will be a crash course in social entrepreneurship and social enterprise for these young professional would-be changemakers.  With a solid understanding of the underlining dynamics and history of social enterprise in B.C,  CSEF hopes that this knowledge will empower these budding social entrepreneurs to harness the energy of profitmaking to the objective of fulfilling human needs.”

Tiffanie Lai, co-President of YWiB SFU, expresses her enthusiasm, “Project GIVE is YWiB SFU’s second successful endeavour for a unique cohort-based opportunity unlike any other in the lower mainland. It’s the first time that passionate and budding female entrepreneurs have the chance to fully develop social entrepreneurship ideas with the help of experienced mentors and a fantastic feedback panel.”

Project GIVE launches on Saturday, October 30^th 2010, when the program holds its first seminar at the SFU Burnaby Campus. At the event, students will be introduced to the growing field of social entrepreneurship in BC and learn about the process and structure of a strong business plan. They will receive inspiration from stories and experiences shared by the program’s mentors.

Notable program mentors who will share their insight with Project GIVE participants include Loretta Cella (Passion Foundation), Sean Peters (Global Agents), Val Litwin (Extreme Kindness) and Kathryn Graham (Are You Aware Society Canada).

Upon completion of Project GIVE, students will have developed the skills and passion to undertake their projects. With the generous donation from the Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation and the help of their mentors, participants will have the opportunity to put their ideas into action and make a lasting difference and positive impact on society.

Media Enquiries:

Katie Peardon
Social Entrepreneurship Coordinator, Young Women in Business SFU
604-346-9629 (cell)
katiepeardon@ywib.ca

About YWiB:

The Young Women in Business Network is a non-profit society for emerging female leaders in Western Canada. The network acts as the central forum to connect ambitious young women from a variety of careers, industries, and backgrounds. YWiB hosts a variety of events that provide members with opportunities to develop relevant skills and knowledge, so that they have the insight, support, and capability to reach their fullest personal and professional potential.

About YWiB SFU:

YWiB SFU is a university chapter of the greater YWiB community and provides the resources and support to bring passionate young women together to make a positive impact in their own lives and the lives of others. Focusing primarily on mentorship, networking and facilitated growth, YWiB SFU is committed to bringing members closer to front-line executives who are professionals in their specific areas of expertise. YWiB SFU’s current projects include a professional development workshop series, the SOUL (Supporting Our University Leaders) Mentorship Program, and their new social entrepreneurship program, Project GIVE (Generating Innovative Visions of Entrepreneurship).

Project GIVE Program Sponsor:
Jason Carvalho, Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation (CSEF)

After attending the first Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University, UK, Jay Carvalho founded the Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation, a BC not for profit that strives to educate, fund and celebrate Social Entrepreneurs in Canada. Entrepreneurship and Social Entrepreneurship are his life. Over the last 10 years he has been part of the management and/or Founding teams of 3 of BC’s most successful startups.  Despite his commitment to entrepreneurship, Jay also helped launch other not for profits such as OneGlobaltribe, a USA based non-profit, which was based off the award-winning PBS Series: Globaltribe. He has been an adviser and consultant for the Silicon Valley social enterprise start-up Villagethegame.com and has served as a business plan judge/assessor for the World Bank’s Development Market Place, University of Victoria and Stanford University Business Plan Competitions.

Notable Project GIVE Mentors:
Loretta Cella, (Passion Foundation
Sean Peters, (Global Agents)
Val Litwin, (Extreme Kindness)
Kathryn Graham, (Are You Aware Society Canada).