12.10.2007 - 03:12pm ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast Company magazine today announced that Adam Werbach, CEO of Act Now and Wal-Mart Sustainability Advisor, will be the keynote speaker at the fifth annual Fast Company/Monitor Group Social Capitalist Awards ceremony to be held at the Westin Washington D.C. City Center on January 8, 2008. The event, presented by The Dow Chemical Company, caps a day of ideas, conversation, and inspiration focused on social enterprise and innovation while honoring the 45 non-profits and 10 for-profits recognized as the Social Capitalist Award winners in the December/January issue of Fast Company.

Werbach, subject of Fast Company's September 2007 cover story, was elected president of the Sierra club at 23 and is currently spearheading Wal-Mart's global sustainability initiatives.

The Social Capitalist Awards honor those organizations that apply the disciplines of the corporate world to tackle daunting social problems. Detailed information on the 55 winning organizations can be accessed online at http://www.fastcompany.com/socap/.

"These awards align with Dow's emphasis on harnessing the power of innovation, science and technology to constantly improve what is essential to human progress," said Bo Miller, global director of corporate citizenship, The Dow Chemical Company.

During the Social Capitalist Awards ceremony, The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship will honor J.B. Schramm, founder of College Summit as the winner of its 2008 "Outstanding Social Entrepreneur" award.

The event will include a daytime symposium focused on leadership and best practices sharing. This program will include a special luncheon and sessions featuring a keynote address from Steve Case, chairman of The Case Foundation; Mark Albion, co-founder, Net Impact; Tom Reis of the Kellogg Foundation; Bo Miller of Dow; Dan Heath, author, "Made to Stick"; and Homaro Cantu, chef/inventor among others.

A limited number of tickets are available to the public. Additional information on the 2008 Social Capitalist Awards can be obtained by contacting Josiah Hendler at jhendler@FastCompany.com. Registrations can be made online at http://www.eiseverywhere.com/2091.

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