New York, NY - On Saturday, April 15th, the latest group of StartingBloc Fellows will graduate from a three-month intensive program dedicated to social innovation and social enterprise.

These Fellows are part of a growing group who vie for a competitive spot in StartingBloc's Institute for Social Innovation training program.
The final event of the Spring Institute program will feature Wayne Silby as keynote speaker and David Bornstein, Author of How to Change The World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of Ideas.

April 15th will be exciting day for those StartingBloc Fellows who have advanced to the final round of the Social Innovation Competition, a case competition that provides Fellows with real-world experience and a deeper understanding of business and social issues faced by Starbucks and Zipcar. Fellows will showcase their research and recommendations to a panel of judges which includes executives from Starbucks and Zipcar as well as experts from leading social enterprises and academia. StartingBloc Fellows are not alone in their quest for social change. StartingBloc's Institutes feature prominent business and non-profit leaders who want to impart wisdom and inspire Fellows.

"StartingBloc is on the cutting edge of attracting and training 21st century leaders who are innovators in the business and nonprofit sectors. I am sure that in a few years we will be seeing StartingBloc Fellows behind some of the most important changes happening in our public life," Michael Brown, President and Co- Founder, City Year, Inc.

StartingBloc offers a collaborative learning environment that educates Fellows on such areas as climate change, micro-finance and social entrepreneurship. Young leaders from over 150 universities and 40 companies applied to StartingBloc this year. They hail from 39 countries and speak 47 languages collectively. They represent many fields including finance, law, environmental science, psychology and social justice.

"Major social change is taking place among college students and young professionals. We recognize that we are the generation to take charge of social and environmental issues that impact how we lead our lives, engage with companies, and conduct business. More importantly, we want to make these shifts now," says Jo Opot, Former Fellow and now Director of StartingBloc's Programs. "Through StartingBloc we are developing a network of highly talented young leaders to effect social change throughout their lives and in all sectors."

Selected spots are available to the press on April 15, 2006 from 1-5:30 pm at NYU Wagner.

StartingBloc NFP

StartingBloc NFP

StartingBloc is a New York City based 501 (c) 3 that educates, empowers and connects emerging leaders to drive positive social change across sectors. Through its programs in New York, Boston and London, StartingBloc brings the latest innovations in corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship to these emerging leaders. StartingBloc's curriculum is taught by executives at socially responsible businesses and innovative non profits, as well as MBA and graduate school professors. Past speakers include Barry Nalebuff, co-founder of Honest Tea; Krista Bauer, Director of General Electric's Global Programs; Judith Wicks founder of White Dog café©; Ami Dar, founder of Idealist; Jeffrey Hollender, founder of Seventh Generation; and David Bornstein, author of How to Change the World among others. The curriculum provides a global understanding on social and environmental issues, while equipping the Fellows to innovatively effect change at the local level.

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