2016 Agenda

November 18

1-1:15 p.m. Welcome and Opening remarks 

• Dan Stein, President/CEO, Second Harvest

1:15-2:15 p.m. Session 1: See Yourself as a Social Innovator 

If you have heard of social innovation and wondered, well I’m not a social innovator….you are wrong. Deanna Singh will introduce you to the social innovation ecosystem, terminology and how you can be a force for positive change in Wisconsin. One of the best ways to see this positive change occurring is to share stories.

Hear from: 

• Dawn & Victor Barnett, Co-Executive Directors, Running Rebels
• Allison Dikanovic, Founder & Executive Editor, Youth Rise MKE
• Ben LeFort, Founder, Dolomite Marketing
• Deanna Singh, Chief Change Agent & Founder, Flying Elephants

All social impact sectors—philanthropy, business, nonprofit and individuals—have the ability to shift the dynamics and public dialogue by bringing the right people, resources and energy together.  

2:15-3:30 p.m. Session 2: Social Enterprise: A nonprofit, for profit, both or something in between? 

Social enterprise involves a revenue generating operation and a social/environmental mission; however, getting there comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and tax statuses! This dynamic group of presenters are all social entrepreneurs, and each goes about it a little bit differently. We will learn from their experiences — the benefits, opportunities and challenges of each structure — to further explore how these pieces fit together to generate revenue while solving problems and creating impact.

• Matt D'Amour, Co-owner, Yumbutter
• Nathan Franklin, External & Member Relations, Dairyland Power Cooperative
• Will Green, Founder, Mentoring Positives
• Kim Lowe, Senior Business Attorney, JUX Law Firm
• Penny Patterson, Sr. Director, Corporate Affairs & Marketing Services, Promega Corporation

3:30-4 p.m. Coffee and cookie break

4 p.m. Fireside chat with Organic Valley Cooperative, Clif Bar and Feeding America

These three market leading nationally-known organizations provide products and services that have become synonymous with caring for the planet and people and represent much of the spectrum of social enterprise as we currently think about it, i.e. a leading, business-model driven non-profit organization, a sustainably-focused for-profit company and a cooperative. Wisconsin Technology Council President Tom Still will moderate the discussion and help illuminate how these different organizations integrate their social mission with their business goals, what challenges and opportunities they envision as they look ahead nd how their examples might provide insights for emerging social ventures.

• Elysa Hammond, Director of Environmental Stewardship, Clif Bar and Company
• Louise Hemstead, Chief Operating Officer, CROPP Cooperative
• Maura Shea, VP of Innovation, Feeding America

5-5:15 p.m. Introduction to the Force for Positive Change Awards

John and Tashia Morgridge

5:15-5:45 p.m. Presentation of Awards
5:45-8 p.m. Strolling Supper

Meet investors, educators, social entrepreneurs, Force for Positive Change finalists and more as you sample, eat and talk your way around more than 40 demonstration booths and a half-dozen dining stations catered by Steenbock’s on Orchard. 

Force for Positive Change Award

The application period for the 2016 Force for Positive Change Awards is now closed. The awards were presented on November 18, 2016.

Award and event partners: