As the founder and CEO of the Acumen Fund, social entrepreneur Jacqueline Novogratz serves as an inspirational voice for change, working tirelessly to find entrepreneurial solutions for the problem of global poverty. A philanthropic revolutionary, she utilizes a proven strategy: employing large amounts of business acumen and small amounts of philanthropic capital to create thriving enterprises that help the poor achieve and succeed. Novogratz and Acumen are profiled in the cover story of the December 19, 2011, issue of Forbes magazine, as part of its inaugural “Impact 30” list of top social entrepreneurs.

In her memoir, The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World, Novogratz recounts her lifelong interest in philanthropy and journey toward creating the Acumen Fund. A former banker, today Novogratz invests “patient capital”— loans or equity instead of grants — in social enterprises that provide critical goods and services to low-income people. Acumen has thus far put $69 million to work in India, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.

“Instead of shoveling aid dollars to causes or governments that give away life-sustaining goods and services, Acumen espouses investing money wisely in small-time entrepreneurs in the developing world who strive to solve problems, from mosquito netting to bottled water to affordable housing,” according to the Forbes article.

With this innovative approach, Novogratz is redefining charitable giving by creating sustainable, quantifiable solutions for people all over the world and is empowering the poor to build better lives for themselves.

Contact Keppler Speakers to bring innovation speaker and visionary Jacqueline Novogratz to your next event.