Announcing Finance Solutions Lab: Feature Organizations & Experts!

The Social Enterprise World Forum 2013 is pleased to announce the selected line up of systems-changing organizations that will be the focus of the Finance Solutions Labs.

The Finance Solutions Labs are bringing together an array of leaders in social innovation and fellow SEWF attendees to provide support to six organizations as they bring their system-changing initiative to fruition.

Not only do fellow SEWF attendees get a chance to help in the solutions, they will be able to learn from the process and apply those insights to their own work.

SEWF is also pleased to announce the Finance Solutions Labs experts.

Here are the names of the organizations and experts (You can find detailed organization profiles below):

Finance Solutions Lab A) Poverty Reduction:

October 3, 10:15am - 3:00pm (breaks for lunch 12:30pm - 2:00pm)

Feature Organizations:

Bridges Social Development, Alberta - represented by Lindsay Mitchell
Saint John Community Loan Fund, New Brunswick - represented by Seth Asimakos
Vecova Centre for Disability Services, Alberta – represented by Curtis Slater

Experts

Gerrad Oishi, Vice President Social Enterprise, Calgary Homeless Foundation
Jane Bisbee, Executive Director, Social Enterprise Fund
Elizabeth Lougheed Green, Vancity Manager, Community Investment
Liz Weaver, Vice President,Tamarack
Scott Rehmus, Director of Conservation Projects, Coast Opportunity Funds
Al Etmanski, Co-Founder, Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network
Cindy James, Manager, Marketing & Business Development, Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development
Facilitator: Adam Spence, Manager, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing

Click here to see bios of our experts.

Finance Solutions Lab B) Environmental, Sustainable Food, Youth Education:

October 4, 10:15am - 3:00pm (breaks for lunch 12:30pm - 2:00pm)

Feature Organizations:

Alberta Ecotrust, Alberta – represented by Natalie Odd
Localize Services Ltd., Alberta – represented by Meghan Dear
Galiano Conservancy Association, British Columbia - represented by Lia Chalifour

Experts

Jane Bisbee, Executive Director, Social Enterprise Fund
Elizabeth Lougheed Green, Vancity Manager, Community Investment
Liz Weaver, Vice President,Tamarack
Scott Rehmus, Director of Conservation Projects, Coast Opportunity Funds
Julia Langer, CEO, Toronto Atmospheric Fund
Al Etmanski, Co-Founder, Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network
Cindy James, Manager, Marketing & Business Development, Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development
Facilitator: Adam Spence, Manager, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing

Click here to see bios of our experts.

On October 3^rd, the Finance Solutions Lab focuses on organizations using a multi-sector approach to combat poverty. Detailed profiles of the presenting organizations:

Bridges Social Development, Alberta - represented by Lindsay Mitchell

http://canadabridges.com/

Bridges Social Development is aiming to impact the complex system affecting the problem of underutilized potential of youth in First Nation communities in Canada through targeting many interconnected issues. Bridges is hoping to establish a community fund that can support efforts to build the capacity for youth entrepreneurship and youth leadership in Aboriginal communities.

Saint John Community Loan Fund, New Brunswick - represented by Seth Asimakos

http://www.loanfund.ca/

The Saint John Community Loan Fund is developing the concept of a Learning and Enterprise Exchange which will be enterprise and innovation hub, where enterprising non-profits co-locate to develop social enterprise solutions that change the face of poverty.

Vecova Centre for Disability Services, Alberta – represented by Curtis Slater

http://vecova.ca/

By creating a Knowledge Mobilization Hub, Vecova aims to build the capacity of persons with disabilities and enriching communities through leadership, innovation and collaboration. Vecova aims to disrupt the system of traditional research and data collection and shift the dialogue for better policy outcomes and practical resources in order to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

On October 4^th, the Finance Solutions Lab involves an open cohort of organizations using systems-change to address issues relating to Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Food, and Youth Education. Detailed profiles of the presenting organizations:

Alberta Ecotrust, Alberta – represented by Natalie Odd

http://www.albertaecotrust.com/

Alberta Ecotrust plans to build an "eco hub" to address the lack of connectivity and collaboration among Alberta-based ENGOs. The eco hub would provide work, event and storage space for ENGOs that would provide financial stability and, importantly, the opportunity to meet with and discuss environment issues and strategies with ENGO colleagues from other organizations.

Localize Services Ltd., Alberta – represented by Meghan Dear

http://www.localizeyourfood.com/

Localize is addressing the systemic needs that grocers and local food businesses have to have in order to allow local products succeed in mainstream grocery stores. Localize's core service is a shelf-labeling program which identifies local and regional food products to customers.

Galiano Conservancy Association, British Columbia - represented by Lia Chalifour

http://galianoconservancy.ca/contact-us

Galiano Conversancy Association is striving to increase opportunities for youth to lead by example through the creation of a hands on learning centre. The Galiano Restorative Learning Centre will connect urban youth with nature, and provide them an opportunity to grow and discover their place in the world.

Each of the above initiatives is looking for your input on where they can take their plan next and how they can best be models for change in their respective sectors and communities. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of the audience at the Finance Solutions Lab and interact with each of the above systems-changers!