Finalists are tackling major societal challenges in Guatemala, Panama, India and South Africa
Published 07-02-12
Submitted by Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute and Institute Trustee Anne Welsh McNulty today announced the fifth annual John P. McNulty Prize finalists, a group of five extraordinary young leaders who bring the spirit of innovation and excellence that characterized their success in the private sector to bear on some of the most intractable issues of our time.
From unleashing the power of women to create prosperity, to making the public education sector more effective, to bridging the gap between rural talent and new economy jobs, the 2012 Finalists are making a significant impact on their communities and across the globe.
“The remarkable accomplishments of these individuals and their organizations is a call to action to private sector leaders to step up, to bring their leadership abilities, their business acumen and resources to tackle the most difficult problems our world is facing” said Anne Welsh McNulty.
The John P. McNulty Prize of $100,000 is given annually to honor the visionary work of an Aspen Global Leadership Network Fellow of the Aspen Institute; each of the finalists receives $10,000. An international panel of judges including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Indian parliamentarian and diplomat Shashi Tharoor, and international development expert, Brizio Biondi-Morra, will select this year’s winner. The winner will be announced October 31, 2012 in New York City.
The 2012 finalists are:
AMIT BHATIA, ASPIRE, India
Former founder and head of the McKinsey Knowledge Center, AMIT BHATIA created
ASPIRE to train students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds to become English fluent, tech-savvy, problem-solving new hires ready to fuel India’s new economy.
Architect and urban planning activist, HILDEGARD VÁSQUEZ, founded CAPTA to empower marginalized women with self-reliance and the practical skills to gain employment, break the cycle of poverty and retain their homes in rapidly gentrifying communities.
CHARLES LUYCKX & GARY CAMPBELL, FUEL TRUST, South Africa
Former top-level restaurant industry executives CHARLES LUYCKX & GARY CAMPBELL, created FUEL to ensure meals reach needy public school students so that they are able learn at school by providing systems analysis, support and training inside South Africa’s Dept of Education.
MARÍA PACHECO, VITAL VOICES GUATEMALA,
Rural development entrepreneur MARÍA PACHECO is working to end social and economic underutilization of women across Central America by connecting, bringing visibility to and training women leaders in all sectors.
Watch a video on the 2012 Finalists: http://vimeo.com/44947602.
Previous winners of the McNulty Prize include Dele Olojede (NEXT 2011), John Danner (Rocketship Education 2010), Patrick Awuah (Ashesi University 2009), and Jordan Kassalow (VisionSpring 2008).
About The John P. McNulty Prize
Founded by Anne McNulty in honor of her late husband John, the Prize aims to galvanize efforts to address the foremost social, economic and political challenges of our time by recognizing the very best in high impact leadership. Each year, the winner is selected by an international jury that has included Mary Robinson, Bill Gates, Sr., and Sir Richard Branson and recognizes exceptional leadership projects undertaken by the Fellows of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute has campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also maintains offices in New York City and has an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org or follow on Twitter @AspenInstitute.
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