Video: Georgetown Cupcake Founders At MCON 2016

Posted on August 26, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

This post was written by Calvin Millien, Case Foundation intern.

Each year, MCON, the Millennial Engagement Conference, through its array of dynamic speakers, has highlighted the many ways Millennials are making the world a better place. Whether they’re enlightening the audience on environmental conditions, discussing how to leverage arts for social good or inspiring others through their entrepreneurial endeavors, MCON speakers masterfully propel audiences to move from interest to action.

This year’s MCON was no exception thanks to speakers like “The Cupcake Sisters,” Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne. These shining examples of entrepreneurship, have scaled Georgetown Cupcake into a nationwide success. To provide a bit more insight on this growth, DC’s most famous bakers shared how passion, connection and impact have made this possible. Check it out here:

And if you just can’t get enough of these incredible entrepreneurial sisters, check out our behind the scenes Facebook Live interview with them.

SXSW 2017 PanelPicker – Vote Today

Posted on August 23, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

Every year the Case Foundation and our partners submit innovative and compelling panel ideas for consideration to be included at South by Southwest Interactive (SXSW). Last year, we were excited to host or be a part of 12 amazing sessions at SXSW, ranging from inclusive entrepreneurship to online movement building through hashtags. All included incredible speakers, invaluable lessons and memorable quotes to walk away with.

This year, we’ve submitted 11 fantastic panel ideas for the SXSW PanelPicker process, and we need your help to vote to get them to SXSW 2017. Below are descriptions of each panel, along with the link that takes you directly to the page to vote for that session, and a tweet for you to share with your networks to help spread the word. Find your favorite panels below and be sure to vote by September 2, 2016!

Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/67551

How can we level the playing field for all entrepreneurs—particularly women and people of color—in all places in order to create stronger communities, close the opportunity gap and scale creative solutions to persistent problems? Join tech pioneer and investor Jean Case as she challenges the traditional notions that entrepreneurs are wealthy, white men in this discussion on how women and entrepreneurs of color are fueling economic growth and creating scalable businesses. Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Explore the journeys of fearless entrepreneurs of color and women who are changing what it means to be a startup founder.

Speakers:

Jean Case, Case Foundation (@jeancase)

Tweet this: Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Vote for “Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship” in the #SXSWPanelPicker bit.ly/Ent4AllSXSWvote

Emerging Explorers Changing the World Through Tech

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/66014

National Geographic is one of the world’s largest scientific and education organizations working to turn interest into action—to inspire people to care about the planet and protect it through exploration. Through the Emerging Explorers program, they unite fearless young scientists, conservationists, storytellers, and innovators who are harnessing technology to expand the frontiers of exploration. Join Jean Case and Gary Knell of National Geographic as they highlight the next generation of explorers who are taking risks, being bold and failing forward to change the world through technology for good.

Speakers:

Jean Case, Case Foundation (@jeancase)
Gary Knell, National Geographic Society (@GaryKnell)
Topher White, Rainforest Connection (@topherwhite)
Erika Bergman, GEECs LLC (@erika_bergman)

Tweet this: #SXSWPanelPicker Vote to hear how @NatGeoExplorers harness #tech to expand frontiers of exploration #BeFearless bit.ly/ExplorersTechSXSWvote

Using Data to Unlock Capital

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/66995

Across the country, data scientists and developers are working alongside experts in the impact market to forge connections through data that can scale innovative social businesses. Sounds great! So what’s the problem? Data can be hard to come by and the path to connecting people to good data isn’t always clear. Luckily, a growing number of tools with innovative, data-powered interfaces are being developed right now that empower investors, consumers and entrepreneurs to make informed, socially responsible decisions with strong information. What’s ultimately decided around data transparency and reliability has the potential to change the future of how we invest in and grow transformative ideas.

Speakers:

Cathy Clark, Center for the Advancement of Social Enterprise (@cathyhc)
Rayid Ghani, The University of Chicago: Data Science for Social Good (@rayidghani)
Zuleyma Bebell, ImpactSpace (@impactspace)
Sheila Herrling, Case Foundation (@Sherrling)

Tweet this: How can data unlock capital for social impact? Vote to help this panel get to #SXSW #impinv bit.ly/UnlockCapitalSXSWvote

How to Fundraise Without Silicon Valley

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/67828

We are witnessing a new wave of investment and entrepreneurship in the United States. How can we level the playing field for women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color to fund, grow and scale their thriving businesses? Learn both investor and entrepreneur perspectives on what it takes to build and back inspiring companies and bring the deal process to life for diverse founders.

Speakers:

Sarah Koch, Case Foundation (@sarahtkoch)
Kathryn Finney, digitalundivided (@KathrynFinney)
Earl Robinson, Consequent Capital (@impact_er)

Tweet this: How can we level the field for women & entrepreneurs of color to fund, grow & scale? Vote this panel to #SXSW bit.ly/FundraiseSXSWvote

Best of SXSW

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/68267

Businesses are the engine of economic growth, and B Lab believes that they are also an engine for good social and environmental outcomes. Best of SXSW invites business leaders at SXSW to measure, compare and improve their impact. Take the Quick Impact Assessment to see how your business stacks up, then learn how you can improve your score and your impact. Hear from the B Lab team and meet other local and global business leaders striving to improve the quality of life for their employees, customers and communities. B Lab is seeking to empower all businesses to be a force for good by measuring what matters, and now you can be a part of the movement.

Speakers:

Hardik Savalia, B Lab
Sean Tennerson, the Case Foundation (@tennersonsean)

Tweet this: Vote to hear @BCorporation & @CaseFoundation at #SXSW on how business can be a force for #good bit.ly/BestOfSXSWvote

Going Live With 2 Billion Of Your Closest Friends

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/66640

Take a deep dive into Facebook Live with digital leaders from the Case Foundation, AJ+ and Facebook. Explore how brands are captivating audiences and using powerful, real-time storytelling through the largest social media platform in the world. From going live with refugees in the Mediterranean Sea, to bringing Broadway to the digital world, to activating the Millennial generation for good, learn from our panelists’ wealth of experience covering global events and high-profile influencers. This workshop will leave participants with tangible methods to experiment and expand their own Facebook Live activations. Leave with best practices on how to set up a quality broadcast on any budget.

Speakers:

Jessica Zetzman, Case Foundation (@ActuallyJZ)
Craig Mullaney, Facebook (@Facebook)
Shadi Rahimi, AJ+ (@shadirahimi)
David Robinson, Moonshine Media

Tweet this: Take a deep dive into #FacebookLive w/digital leaders @CaseFoundation @ajplus @Facebook. Vote for this #SXSW panel: bit.ly/FacebookLiveSXSWvote

Follow the Crowd—for Good

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/67780

Crowdfunding is changing the landscape for nonprofit fundraising online. Today there is a growing phenomenon, with dozens of platforms helping organizations using crowd-based tools to reach and exceed their fundraising goals. Join digital pioneers and fundraising champions from the Case Foundation, GoodWorld and more as we explore new and tested approaches to crowdfunding, the power of experimentation, how to tailor creative projects for your campaigns, and what’s new in rewards-based fundraising. Learn how to unlock the power of crowdfunding to drive new innovations, advance game-changing projects and ultimately harness energy and dollars to change the world.

Speakers:

Dale Nirvani Pfeifer, GoodWorld
Jade Floyd, Case Foundation

Tweet this: Follow the Crowd — for Good! Vote on #SXSWPanelPicker to learn how crowdfunding is changing nonprofit fundraising: bit.ly/CrowdfundingSXSWvote

Virtual Reality—A New Lens for Social Change

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/66544

Virtual reality is taking the multimedia world by storm. Whether you’ve been transported to Pluto, melting glaciers, or the frontlines of the refugee crisis, immersive video experiences such as these are transforming how stories are being told and experiences are being shared. The ability to bring an issue to life such as hunger, poverty, climate change and countless other challenges is game changing for the social sector. Join us as we explore the new frontiers of virtual reality with leading technology developers and storytellers who are using VR for Good.

Speakers:

Emily Yu, The Case Foundation (@DCxchange)
Sally Smith, The Nexus Fund (@Smith_Sally)
Chris Milk (@milk)

Tweet this: Vote to help the panel “Virtual Reality – A New Lens for Social Change” make it to #SXSW bit.ly/VR4GoodSXSWvote

How Elections Change Next Gen Cause Engagement

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/65678

Fact: Millennials value cause engagement. But what happens during an election year? Could politics possibly influence how this generation participates in social causes? In November, we learn not only who the next President of the United States will be, but also, for the first time, we are able to track and document the impact of an election on the way in which Millennials engage with social causes. Through the 2016 Millennial Impact Report, Achieve and the Case Foundation identified what—if any—demographic factors are connected to engagement trends. Join us as we release the final wave of survey results exclusively at SXSW and share how organizations can motivate this generation.

Speakers:

Emily Yu, The Case Foundation (@DCxchange)
Derrick Feldmann, Achieve (@derrickfeldmann)
Abby Phillip, The Washington Post (@abbydphillip)
Carolyn DeWitt, Rock the Vote (@elisedew)

Tweet this: Learn How Elections Change NextGen Cause Engagement – vote to see this panel at #SXSW: bit.ly/NextGenSXSWvote

Gaming for Good: Changemaking Becomes A Gamechanger

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/66435

Incentivizing people to do good is nothing new… but making it fun and entertaining, now that’s a more recent shift in how changemaking is conceived, thought of and done. Whether it is through raising money through crowdfunding platforms; offering prizes in exchange for actions taken; or watching your favorite gamer play a game and tipping them—knowing that a portion of the money will go to support a nonprofit. The increasing popularity of gamification for good online is helping to bring forth new models of engagement that are creating real world solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges. Find out how games are fundamentally changing how change is made.

Speakers:

Emily Yu, The Case Foundation (@DCxchange)
Ettore Rossetti, Save the Children (@EttoreRossetti)
Gary Wohlfeill, CrowdRise (@crowdrise)
Cristin Dorgelo (@cristindorgelo)

Tweet this: How is #gaming fundamentally changing how change is made? Vote to see this panel @ #SXSW bit.ly/Gaming4GoodSXSWvote

How Media Brands Thrive 100+ Years Later

Vote at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/65479

More than 200 years of content and rich history exists between the global media powerhouses of National Geographic and Atlantic Magazine. While new technology and changing business models usher in a steady stream of competition, these brands continue to thrive. So what sets them apart? Learn from the media platforms that have adapted over decades and are still publishing today reaching nearly 1 billion consumers across the globe. Explore the evolution of their digital platforms, the shifts in American news consumption, trends that are captivating the media industry, key findings on the habits of the modern news consumer, and the standout traits of the most enduring media brands.

Speakers:

Amy Mitchell , Pew Research Center (@asmitch)
Jade Floyd, Case Foundation (@JadeFloydDC)
Gary Knell , National Geographic (@GaryKnell)
Steve Clemons, The Atlantic (@SCClemons)

Tweet this: 200+ yrs of experience exist btwn @NatGeo & @TheAtlantic —Vote 4 this #SXSW panel on how 100 yo media brands thrive bit.ly/100yrMediaSXSWvote

5 Lessons From a 128 Year Old Millennial

Posted on August 4, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

MCON, the Millennial Engagement Conference, was a resounding success this year. From incredible mainstage speakers and fun and enlightening behind-the-scenes interviews on Facebook Live, to engaging online attendee conversations on social media and in-person networking at official MCON evening events, this year’s MCON festival offered participants three action-packed days. It was incredible to hear from Millennial leaders about how they were changing the world, and to hear from innovative brands on how they are working to engage this cause-driven generation.

You can see all of the MCON mainstage talks on YouTube, but our favorite talk was from our CEO Jean Case, sharing how a brand that is 128 years old, National Geographic, continues to stay relevant today and has cultivated Millennial talent and attention. You can see Jean’s full talk below, complete with her “5 reasons National Geographic is really just a 128 year-old Millennial,” followed by a brief Q&A session with CBS News Anchor Reena Ninan.

Header photo courtesy of MCON.

Millennials Make Their Mark at MCON 2016

Posted on June 28, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

We came. We explored. We discovered. Last week, the Case Foundation team participated in MCON 2016, the Millennial engagement conference—which brought together changemakers from across the country who want to share insights on how to unleash the power and potential of the next generation. Since 2011, the Case Foundation has been proud to sponsor and partner with Achieve, the lead organizers of the convening and shine a spotlight on how the next generation connects, gives and gets engaged for social good. This year, nearly 700 in-person attendees and tens of thousands of online viewers participated in this landmark event, from June 21 to 23, at the beautiful National Geographic campus in Washington, DC.

In the coming weeks there will be much more content shared from the proceedings, including speaker videos, recaps and more, which you can access at www.mcon.events. In the meantime, here are 10 of my favorite moments from MCON 2016:

#1: Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation and Chairman of National Geographic Society Board of Trustees; and Gary Knell, President and CEO of National Geographic go live on Facebook!

No strangers to disruption, these two leaders and changemakers share their insights on how to work with the next generation for social good using technology, photography, television, civic engagement, VR and more as they seek encourage the democratization of exploration in the social sector. (Watch our Facebook Live interview with Jean and Gary.)

#2: “Are you going to focus on what you can give people, or what you can get?” – Kevin Cleary, CEO of Clif Bar & Company.

(Watch our Facebook Live interview with Kevin.)

Kevin Cleary, CEO of Clif Bar at MCON 2016 — Kevin Cleary of Clif Bar & Company at MCON 2016

#3: “I don’t believe that communities are built through follows, likes and shares. I think it’s the current state of what we know, but I think what is coming down the pipe is completely different, and I would argue, much more interesting story of what we consider are communities today. The way we are using social media today is a fraction of what we can do with the technology in our pockets. Likes and follows are not enough to make the world how we want it to be.” – Gina Bianchini, CEO and Founder of Mightybell

(Watch our Facebook Live interview with Gina.)

Gina Bianchini, founder of Mightybell at MCON 2016 — Gina Bianchini of Mightybell at MCON 2016

#4: “People aren’t born woke, something wakes them up.” – DeRay Mckesson, Activist

(Watch our Facebook Live interview with DeRay.)

DeRay Mckesson MCON2016 — DeRay Mckesson at MCON2016

#5: “There is a truth to the visual content on Instagram… People are creating, engaging and contributing incredibly important visuals to a lot of social movements and causes.” – John Tass Parker, Politics & Government Outreach team, Instagram

John Tass Parker, Instagram at MCON 2016 — John Tass Parker of Instagram at MCON 2016

#6: Renwick Gallery. The Case Foundation was honored to host MCON 2016’s opening night celebration at the Renwick Gallery. The world-renowned Renwick is home to the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s contemporary craft and decorative art collections. It is currently home to the “Wonder” exhibit, which has caught the attention and imagination of many who have come to see this stunning collection. We took advantage of the great selfie spots to encourage guests to “strike a pose” throughout the gallery and share their pictures with us using the hashtag #MCON on various social media platforms.

Enjoying the Renwick at the MCON 2016 Opening Night Celebration

#7: You can learn so much about everyday people. Everyday people are sometimes the biggest heroes. – Chef Jose Andres, Owner of ThinkFoodGroup

Jose Andres at MCON 2016 — Jose Andres of ThinkFoodGroup at MCON 2016

#8: The most powerful thing we can do is convene. – Jesse Moore, Associate Director of Public Engagement, The White House

Jesse Moore, The White House — Jesse Moore of The White House at MCON 2016

#9: Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne of Georgetown Cupcakes chatting with us on Facebook Live.

These dynamic entrepreneurs disrupted the business world with their multi-million dollar cupcake business. As champions for inclusive entrepreneurship they encourage anyone with a business dream to follow it and not be afraid to pursue it even if that means having to start over again. As Katherine and Sophie reflect, “There’s no substitute for hard work.” Hear them share their story.

GeorgetownCupcake_MCON2016 — Katherine and Sophie, co-founders of Georgetown Cupcake chat with fans after taping at our Facebook Live set.

#10: “People are craving authenticity.” – Miki Agrawal, founder of THINX

Miki Agrawal of THINX at MCON 2016 — Miki Agrawal, founder of THINX at MCON 2016

#11 (BONUS): There were more than 35 awe inspiring speakers who took the stage of the course of the three days, including Michael Smith of My Brother’s Keeper; Jay Newton-Small of TIME; Matt Bellasai the Comedian; and Sylvia Earle the explorer. Stay tuned for more profiles and recaps from the Case Foundation over the coming weeks!

What was your favorite or most memorable part of MCON 2016? Please share with us on Twitter @CaseFoundation or on our Facebook page. Until next year!

The 2016 Millennial Impact Report – Phase 1

Posted on June 21, 2016October 25, 2018 by Case Foundation

Over the last six years, the Case Foundation, in partnership with Achieve, has been actively tracking how the Millennial generation turns interest into action and influences social good movements. Known as the Millennial Impact Report, it has become one of the largest annual surveys focused on the next generation to date. It is driven by a simple, yet bold underlying principle: that Millennials will change how change is made. Together, we seek to amplify the voices of Millennials and pull back the curtain on how this influential group of 80 million strong chooses to connect, give and get engaged with the causes they care about the most.

This year, Achieve focused the research on how politics, over the course of a Presidential election year, may or may not influence Millennial engagement with social causes. Through a three-phase survey process, this research seeks to reveal insights into how demographics—such as political ideology, geographical location, gender, age, race/ethnicity or Presidential candidate preference—may impact Millennial activation around social causes.

Today, Achieve is releasing Phase 1 cohort data in the hopes that it will spark conversation, debate and inquiry that may inform the remaining two phases. (The final report will be released in January 2017.) While it’s too early and too limited a cohort to suggest anything definitive about the Millennial generation as a whole at this point in the research project, we look forward to seeing the final report, with the full cohort data, and discussing the findings and its potential impact on social engagement.

Looking back, the Millennial Impact Project has helped to uncover important new insights about cause engagement by the next generation. This body of work continues to deepen and reinforce our understanding of Millennials as one of the most engaged and socially conscious generations of our time. Below is a brief summary of takeaways from each year:

2011 – Provided new insights and a deeper understanding of Millennial donor interests, engagement and motivations. One of the more surprising responses discovered was that Millennials are “very likely or somewhat likely to stop donating if they didn’t know how the donation was making an impact (78 percent), the organization asked for support too frequently (73 percent) or they didn’t feel a personal connection with the organization (72 percent).”

2012 – Focused on young professionals—how movements drive them and what inspires them to donate or volunteer. “While more than 50 percent of respondents said they would consider giving by using their smartphones, only 15 percent have done so. Of those who said they have not used their smartphones to make donations, most cited one of two reasons: they’ve never been asked (47 percent), or they have concerns about security (43 percent).”

2013 – Explored how Millennials support causes. Millennials first support issues they are passionate about, so it’s up to organizations to inspire them and demonstrate how their donation or action will make a tangible difference on a broader issue. “Coming in at 51 percent, the most frequent, specific action Millennials took on websites in the past year was to connect via social media (Twitter, Facebook, blogs, RSS feeds). The second-most frequent actions: donate (46 percent) and read a blog post (46 percent).”

2014 – Revealed how Millennials’ prefer to engage in the workplace and what they look for in corporate cause work. “While only 39 percent of Millennials said the company discussed cause work during the interview process, those that did influenced the Millennial by doing so. Actually, of the Millennials who heard about cause work in the interview, 55 percent of them said the company’s involvement with causes helped persuade them to take the job.”

2015 – Studied the relationships and experiences between Millennial employees and their managers. “Twenty-seven percent of Millennial employees said they are more likely to donate to a cause if their supervisor does, while 46 percent of employees are likely to donate if a co-worker asks them to. Interestingly, only 21 percent of Millennial employees said they are more likely to make a donation if the CEO or a top-ranking executive asks them to.”

I hope you will join us as we continue to grow this important body of research that is helping to inform and empower the social sector. As always, we welcome your comments and questions on Twitter using @CaseFoundation, as they provide much-desired input into ever-improving our work.

35 Millennial Influencers to Follow on Twitter

Posted on June 17, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

Next week hundreds of bright, passionate changemakers from all across the country will come to DC for MCON, the Millennial Engagement Conference, to learn from each other and over 35 distinguished speakers how to better engage the next generation. (Learn more about the Case Foundation’s work on the Millennial Impact Project.)

The amazing lineup of speakers assembled for MCON represents some of the country’s premiere Millennial influencers. Whether you are one of the hundreds headed to MCON in person, or one of the tens of thousands planning to watch it online, the Twitter list of speakers we’ve curated below will help you better engage in the online conversations happening around MCON next week.

Follow along with us at @CaseFoundation and @JeanCase. Be sure you’re a part of the conversation by using #MCON. And remember, you can access every Twitter handle on this list with one easy click through our Twitter list.

Jean Case	@JeanCase	CEO of the Case Foundation, Chairman of the National Geographic Society Board of Trustees
Gary Knell	@garyknell	President and CEO, National Geographic Society
Brad Jenkins	@bradjenkins	Executive Producer / Managing Director of Funny or Die DC, Former White House Assoc Director of Public Engagement. Father of Sadie and Oscar.
David Litt	@davidlitt	Former speechwriter for @POTUS. Current head writer/producer for DC office of @funnyordie. Also writing a book and hoping to win my Top Chef fantasy league.
Mayor Bowser	@MayorBowser	Official Twitter Account of the Mayor of Washington, DC
Gina Bianchini	@ginab	Passionate about community building. Mightybell, Ning. Occasional Athlete, Pop Culture Connoisseur and California Native.
Ettore Rossetti	@EttoreRossetti	Philanthropist. Sr Dir Social & Innovation @SavetheChildren. @GWR tennis title holder. UConn’92. Gamer epic moustache man Twin. Father.
Erin Spencer	@etspencer	@natgeo Young Explorer & @OurOcean Digital Coordinator. Ocean lover, travel addict, #WomeninStem advocate, invasive species nerd.
Sylvia Earle	@SylviaEarle	Oceanographer, National Geographic Explorer-In-Residence, Founder of @MissionBlue and 2009 TED Prize Winner. Saving and restoring the blue heart of the planet!
Minka Kelly	@Minkakelly	Actress and Philanthropist.
Miki Agrawal	@twinmiki	Author of bestseller DO COOL SH*T, CEO & Co-Founder of THINX, Icon, Tushy & Wild. Dreamer. Seeker.
Chris Temple	@Christemple8	Director+Co-Founder @LivingonOne \| 2015 Top 100 Visionary Leaders (@Real_Leaders Magazine) \| Speaker
David B Smith	@mobilizer	Social Entrepreneur, MD of @PresidioInst, Former ED of @NCoC, Founder of @mob_org.
Jo-Ann Tan	@somethingfierce	Jo-Ann is leads +Acumen – a learning community for social change-makers.
Laurindo Garcia	@laurindogarcia	Trying to make action speak louder than words. https://www.b-change.org
Christopher Punongbayan	@cpunongbayan	Executive Director, Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus. Civil rights advocate & tennis enthusiast.
Ayesha Barenblat	@abarenblat	Founder, Remake, @remakeourworld
DeRay McKesson	@deray	Activist. Organizer. Educator. Bowdoin. TFA. Baltimore.
Derrick Feldmann	@derrickfeldmann	President of Achieve (@achieve_consult) \| Researcher \| Author of Social Movements for Good
Vivien Labaton	@vivienlab	Co-Founder & Co-Director of Make It Work.
Eric Asche	@easche	Chief Little Bet Maker for Truth Initiative. Fighting for market share – one person at a time.
Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis Lamontagne	@KatherineSophie	Sister-Owners of GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE, Stars of TLC’s DC CUPCAKES, and Best-Selling Authors of THE CUPCAKE DIARIES and SWEET CELEBRATIONS
Karla Monterroso	@karlitaliliana	VP of Programs for @CODE2040, Board Member for @1Deg
Chef José Andrés	@chefjoseandres	Internationally-recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, television personality, humanitarian and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup.
Jay Newton-Small	@JNSmall	TIME magazine correspondent \| Author of Broad Influence: How Women Are Changing the Way America Works
Kevin Cleary	@KevinClearyCEO	CEO @ClifBar, dad of three, eater of all things organic, bike commuter, Ninja Warrior & Little League Coach
Ryan Scott	@ryan_scott	CEO of @Causecast. Social Entrepreneur/Investor pioneering Employee Engagement in CSR, Corporate Philanthropy, Volunteerism and Community Impact.
Melissa Lake	@MelissaLLake	Co-founder of Honeycomb, Executive Director of ONEHOPE
Lansie Sylvia	@FancyLansie	Madeline Kahn meets the J. Peterman Company Catalogue. Dir. of Engagement for @HMCTwit. Founder of @PhillyGiveGet and @nsdemocracy.
Heidi Nel	@HeidiNel	Entrepreneur. Artist. @Picture_Motion President + @TrumanProject Partner. Passionate about social impact, film, ice cream + soul cycle.
Ryan Leslie	@ryanleslie	Disruptive Multimedia. Grammy-nominated recording artist, multi-platinum producer and avid technologist.
Matt Bellassai	@MattBellassai	Internet drunk. Writer. Actual People’s Choice Award Winner. I write about boys & butts & Beyoncé. Formerly @BuzzFeed. Now ~solo~
Reena Ninan	@reenaninan	@CBSNews Weekend News Anchor. Watch Saturday 630pm on @CBS & weekday afternoons on @cbsnlive at 1pm.
Case Foundation	@CaseFoundation	We invest in people and ideas that change the world. Founded by Steve and Jean Case in 1997. Take risks. Be Bold. Fail forward. Be Fearless.
MCON	@MCONideas	#MCON is a 3-day event for leaders, activists, social entrepreneurs, and students who want to change the world – for good. Let’s turn your interest into action.

This list is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Inclusion on this list does not include endorsement by the Foundation.

Social Citizens: A New Era of Citizen Participation?

Posted on June 7, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

June is upon us. For those of us at the Case Foundation, when we think June we think MCON, the Millennial Engagement Conference, and how it has helped reinforce the narrative of the Millennial generation as changemakers and Social Citizens.

MCON, now an annual gathering of thought leaders and next gen changemakers from across sectors, started six years ago when we worked with a then little-known team from Achieve. Back then, the one-day virtual convening brought together more than 2,500 online participants who were interested in understanding how the next generation connects, gives and gets engaged. From there things took off, with participation in MCON more than doubling every year since. This year, we anticipate more than 600 in-person attendees to join us at National Geographic’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 50,000 livestream viewers online.

Since the founding of MCON in 2011, we have also sponsored the Millennial Impact Report—one of the largest annual surveys focused on the Millennial generation that lifts up the voices of Millennials. Each year, we look at the trends, attitudes and behaviors of this cohort as it relates to “social good.” Or more simply put, how the generation is moving from idealism to action and mobilizing movements. Over the last five years, we have collaborated with Achieve to release new survey results to inform and empower the social sector. To date, there have been more than 50,000 downloads of the research.

The story that MCON and the Millennial Impact Report tell about the next generation is an exciting one. But it’s not the whole story. Before MCON and even before the Millennial Impact Report, we had commissioned research in 2008 that laid the groundwork for our ongoing body of research on the next generation and their role in “change the world” activities. Titled “Social Citizens,” this early report for the Case Foundation, authored by Allison Fine, highlighted important differences between the perception and reality of the Millennial generation. For instance, at the time there was a growing perception that the generation was apathetic, ambivalent and passive. Yet the research revealed a very different picture: a group of young citizens who were active, engaged and connected with the issues they cared about. One of my favorite examples? The research revealed that yes, this generation loves their cell phones, but 80 percent had used them to connect with a cause or nonprofit they cared about. I thought this was a great example of perception versus reality—when we see young people staring at their phones, do we really imagine it is part of their social activism?

This generation, as the opening letter to the report made clear, came of age at the turn of the 21^st century. With early exposure to the internet and “always on” wireless communications, technology aptitude played a significant role in interactions with communities, causes and cohorts. This led to a pressing question: could these new “social citizens” and the virtual communities they are helping to build truly revolutionize civic engagement? This was the question we put on the table in 2008, and one we are still interrogating today. This was the genesis for MCON and the reason behind the annual survey that tracks and reports key characteristics and perspectives of this unique class of citizens known as Millennials.

As we stated in the initial report, “Some scholars believe that behavioral patterns begin to repeat every three generations. In this way, Millennials are tied to the Greatest Generation of World War II, with whom they share a sense of common purpose and idealism. But unlike earlier generations, how Millennials express their feelings is fundamentally different because of the digital times in which they live. They are Social Citizens, representing a nascent model and era of citizen participation that combines idealism, digital fluency and immersion in social causes.”

It’s eight years later and we continue to bring a focus to this generation that is now not only the largest generation represented in the U.S. labor force, but also represents a growing number of cross sector leaders, families and engaged citizens who will determine the future of our society. I personally continue to believe that Millennials are destined to follow in the footsteps of their great grandparents to become the next greatest generation. The first greatest generation was defined by the Great Depression, war and monumental changes in society—markers that are all too familiar to this generation, which has known decades of war, economic upheaval and one of the most significant, rapidly progressing technology revolutions of our time.

This month, as part of the MCON gathering, we will once again unveil new research that looks at the influence of politics on how Millennials engage with causes. Along with Achieve, we’re taking a fresh look at how Millennials connect, give and get engaged through an ongoing survey that will run until the end of the year. And again this year, we are left with perhaps more questions than answers as we try to understand how the political environment is shaping both attitudes and behaviors. Some of the early data we have reviewed is truly surprising and challenges commonly held beliefs and perceptions, just as we found in 2008. We will spend the coming weeks leading up to MCON 2016 with more peer reviews of the research, tapping other experts and “unpacking” what is truly surprising data. Was our methodology flawed? Is this year’s political environment disrupting Millennial engagement in untold ways? Or is there perhaps something deeper going on with this generation? When we do report the findings, our intent is to open a dialogue once again that helps light a path to active civic engagement.

As we identified in 2008, “Social Citizens are energetic and passionate about social causes; brimming with new approaches and ideas for problem solving; disposed of sharing the responsibilities and rewards of affecting change in the world; and equipped with the digital tools and people power to make it happen.” This is why we are committed to this work—because we believe this next generation holds the key to creating a better world. Yes, it is true that we need to remember that not all Social Citizens are Millennials, and not all Millennials are Social Citizens. But there are many overlapping characteristics and we hope that a better understanding of them will enable a brighter future for all.

I hope you will continue this exploration with me and join me at MCON from June 21-23 at the National Geographic campus in Washington, DC. Can’t make it? I invite you to share your thoughts about the next generation of Social Citizens with me on Twitter using @CaseFoundation and #MCON.

June: Turning Interest Into Action

Posted on June 2, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

Awareness raising. Relationship building. Network development. Experimentation. Tipping point. Sustained action. That is the anatomy of a movement. At the Case Foundation, we aim to be movement catalyzers around social innovation. Right now we are focused on driving two major movements—impact investing and inclusive entrepreneurship. And we are intent on bringing a Be Fearless approach tipping the scales from good intention to meaningful action that can change the world. Over the next several months, we are going to highlight the key phases of movement catalyzing and our associated work in those areas. This month we are highlighting the importance of turning interest into action and recognizing the need to be intentional about doing so in our own programs.

Over the next few weeks, Jean and Steve Case and members of the team will be traveling from coast to coast and participating in various events that demonstrate the power and potential of turning interest into action. In some cases, we will be the ones encouraging and educating others in service of catalyzing our core movement areas, while in other cases we will be the ones learning and open to taking action ourselves.

Here are some of the action-oriented events we are participating in this month:

National Geographic Explorers Week, June 13-17
National Geographic was one of America’s earliest social enterprises, established in 1888 with the mission to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge. During this year’s National Geographic Explorers Week, we’ll have the opportunity to hear some of the world’s leading scientists, conservationists and explorers as they come together to connect and share the ways they are disrupting the status quo and using storytelling as a vehicle for turning interest into action that changes, maybe even saves, the world as we know it.

Forward Cities, June 14-17
Entrepreneurs, at their core, are problem solvers. And we believe that the most powerful entrepreneurs work to solve problems they’re personally connected to. That’s just one of the reasons we need a diverse set of voices and entrepreneurs at the table if we want to solve today’s most pressing social challenges. We’ll be on the ground in Cleveland, OH, at the final city convening of Forward Cities, hearing directly from local entrepreneurs who are helping to revitalize their city—one startup at a time. In so doing, they are part of a four-city cohort that aims to identify innovative solutions and share them as part of a larger effort to develop local leadership and foster a network of inclusive entrepreneurship.

MCON/The Millennial Impact Project, June 21-23
Over the past six years, our investment in the Millennial Impact Project has resulted in one of the largest bodies of research on the Millennial generation to date and one of the nation’s leading convenings on next gen engagement called MCON (also known as the Millennial Engagement Conference). Each year, the report and convening have revealed powerful insights into how this generation gives, gets engaged and connects with social causes. Later this month, we’ll be releasing preliminary findings from this year’s research and hosting MCON in our own backyard at the National Geographic campus in Washington, DC. Speakers including Chef José Andrés, DeRay Mckesson, Jay Newton-Small and our very own Jean Case will take the stage with a focus on turning that interest into action and finding creative solutions for social issues. There’s still time to get your ticket and join us!

Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2016, June 22-24
At the Case Foundation, we believe in the power of entrepreneurship to tackle global challenges. For this reason, we are so excited to take part in GES 2016, a convening of the world’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers who are putting their belief that business and innovation will drive economic growth and social well-being into action. Our CEO Jean Case and our Chairman Steve Case will both take the stage, celebrating the role that entrepreneurs around the globe (and the investors who believe in them) play in creating real, transformative impact, in driving innovation and in solving some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Aspen Ideas Festival, June 23-July 2
From innovations in science and technology to new models in early childhood education, many great ideas have been hatched and grown at the Aspen Ideas Festival throughout the years. This year, we’re excited to have our CEO Jean Case take part in a session on courageous philanthropy. She’ll be joined by Carrie Penner of the Walton Foundation and Ann Limberg of Bank of America, sharing opportunities to apply the Be Fearless principles to move interest in risk-taking, experimentation and making big bets to action in the philanthropic sector.

In addition to sharing highlights from these events, throughout the month of June we’ll be showcasing organizations and leaders who exemplify the ideals of turning interest into action for our community. We see this as a great learning opportunity and hope you will share your own experiences or best practices around the conversion of interest into action. Join us in person at one of these events, or share your thoughts with us via social media using @CaseFoundation and #Interest2Action on Twitter.

Why MCON is THE Must Attend Conference on Millennial Engagement

Posted on June 1, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

With just a few weeks left until the sixth annual MCON hits Washington, DC, the Case Foundation and Achieve teams are buzzing with excitement. This year’s gathering is gearing up to be the most impressive yet, uniting nearly 600 cause champions committed to creating change and turning next gen interest into action. With 25 different sessions, more than 45 remarkable speakers, a political town hall, film screenings, parties and a host of networking opportunities over the course of three days, MCON is where social sector leaders unite to mobilize movements. But don’t just take our word for it… here’s a sneak peak at what’s in store and why MCON is the top next gen engagement gathering of the year.

A dynamic slate of speakers will take the stage, including our own Jean Case, Gary Knell of National Geographic, Gina Bianchini of Mightybell, Ettore Rossetti of Save the Children, Jeremy Ford of Dell Giving, Ambassador Mark Brzezinski, National Geographci Explorers Erin Spencer and Sylvia Earle, Chris Temple of Living On One, Laurindo Garcia of B-Change, DeRay Mckesson, Kevin Cleary of Clif Bar, Brian Ferguson of the DC Office of Human Rights, Karla Monterroso of CODE2040, Jay Newton-Small of TIME Magazine, restaurateur Jose Andres, Ryan Scott of Causecast, Janine Gianfredi of the U.S. Digital Service, Jesse Moore from the White House, Grammy nominated recording artist Ryan Leslie and many more still to be announced!

Enjoy VIP access to National Geographic’s campus in the heart of downtown DC. National Geographic, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world, has been inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888 through geography, archaeology and natural science and the promotion of environmental and historical conservation. While there, attendees can check out the latest exhibitions, interactive experiences and stunning photography exhibitions featuring the work of National Geographic explorers, photographers and scientists.

Laugh out loud with Funny or Die creators David Litt and Brad Jenkins during their Politics and Humor panel.

Tune in to the Political Townhall hosted by the Washington Post to hear from Millennials in government. MCON is partnering with The Washington Post to present an interactive panel discussion on issues that affect the Millennial generation, how political engagement is changing, innovation in the public sector and how to increase Millennial voter turnout.

We know you will be hungry over the three days so we’ve partnered with some of the best fast-casual restaurants to keep your bellies full and brain on point. Guests will munch on fare from STK, &Pizza, Shake Shack, Taylor Gourmet and many more throughout the three days.

Watch the film screening of “Most Likely To Succeed” the new documentary film on the impact that innovation is having on our economy and the consequences for our country if our education system fails to keep pace. WATCH THE TRAILER

Check out the late night Bloc Party on Day Three and closing night celebration in the outdoor courtyard of National Geographic featuring local food trucks, drinks and a surprise live act!

Pack your running shoes for a run with Kevin Cleary of Clif Bar & Company, a leading maker of nutritious and organic foods and drinks for people on the go. Meet Kevin for a morning run on Day Three, then catch him on stage later that day as he shares how to build a sustainable brand.

Experience a taste of Spain on Day Two at an after party hosted by NYLON and Rock the Vote, with a special guest performance, at the SPAIN Arts & Culture Center featuring the most cutting-edge works of international renowned Spanish artists of our time.

Watch the private screening of “Salam Neighbor,” an award-winning feature documentary. As the first filmmakers ever allowed by the United Nations to be given a tent and registered inside a refugee camp, they provide viewers with a never seen look into one of the world’s most pressing crisises. WATCH THE TRAILER

Take a break in the MCON Lounge on site at National Geographic and network with other cause enthusiasts who will help you take your initiative to the next level.

Enjoy one of the many libations keeping you hydrated throughout the festival including drinks from Boxed Water, Owl’s Brew, Denizens, One Hope Wines, Peet’s Coffee, Heritage Distilling, Port City Brewing and Flying Dog Brewery.

Step into the opening night party at Renwick Gallery just across the street from the White House, sponsored by the Case Foundation. The Renwick is home to the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection and has one of the finest and most extensive collections of its kind.

Be one of the first to read the 2016 Action Report released on Day One. Learn about how politics may influence next gen engagement with social causes in this exciting new survey.

Attend for free! Yes, free. Are you a student, activist or social entrepreneur that could really benefit from a conference like MCON but you can’t seem to fit it in your budget? Apply for an MCON 2016 scholarship while they’re still available HERE.

Can’t make it to MCON this year? Don’t worry. You can check out the livestream throughout all three days and join the conversation online using #MCON. We can’t wait to have you join us!

Uncle Sam is Looking for a Few Good Millennials

Posted on May 25, 2016October 30, 2018 by Case Foundation

During the coming decade, the Federal government will face one of its most difficult challenges—recruiting and retaining next generation talent. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, more than one-third of the Federal workforce will be eligible to retire this year. In terms of human capital, that equates to nearly 200,000 skilled workers that the Federal government will need to hire or replace across all of its departments in the near future.

As the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) move on from their government posts, the natural successors you would expect to follow include members of the Gen X (born between 1965 to 1979) and Millennial (born between 1980 and 1999) generations. Millennials in particular are known for their high level of educational attainment, tech savvy, diversity and passion for doing good. Based on these characteristics, it would seem as if members of this generation in particular are the perfect stewards to protect the future of civil service.

The only problem is, Millennials don’t seem to be interested in working for the Federal government—at least according to the numbers. In 2014, the percentage of Federal government employees under the age of 30 dropped to just under seven percent, the lowest it has been in nearly a decade. (By comparison, 23.5 percent of the overall U.S. workforce is under 30 years old.) From 2010 to 2014, the under 30 demographic dropped by nine percent, meaning that more than 45,000 people in this age range left their jobs with the Federal government.

The good news is that the government, in particular the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, is actively working to better engage with its Millennial employees and address the generational gap in its workforce. And I am hopeful that these efforts will result in more next gen government employees. The concern I have is focused instead on how we got into this situation in the first place. As someone who champions the next generation’s role in civic engagement and social change I want to understand why the next generation is turning away and how their actions will thus ultimately change the social sector landscape.

At the Case Foundation, we’ve been studying more than 35,000 Millennial responses to surveys over the last five years to better understand how the next generation connects, gives and gets engaged with the causes they care about. It is within this research that I believe we can also begin to understand some of the contributing factors as to why members of the next generation are looking outside of the Federal government for employment in unprecedented numbers.

From what we’ve heard directly from Millennial respondents, we know that this generation is actively leading a shift in how change is made. While this transformation is taking many different shapes, one of the most relevant to this conversation is that in order to achieve change, most Millennials will choose to work through and with a cause, rather than for an organization. And if they cannot find an organization to work with, they will opt to create their own platform, organization or network from which to operate. These talented next geners want to lend their knowledge, expertise and time to help the people or issues the organization touches—just not necessarily through the traditional structures and stakeholders that are currently leading the social sector.

So where does this leave the Federal government—the largest and one of the oldest employers in the country? And what should you and your organization take away from this situation when it comes to recruiting and retaining your own next gen talent pool? Here are three ideas to consider:

Focus on the Issue/Cause, not the Institution. Doing good matters to Millennials in both their personal and professional lives. According to the 2014 Millennial Impact Report, 41 percent of Millennials surveyed confirmed that “the type of job and what the company generally produces, sells or distributes” is a top consideration when deciding whether or not to apply for a job. And once they applied, more than 50 percent of Millennials surveyed reported that they were influenced to accept a job based on that company’s involvement with causes. As cause engagement in the workplace grows increasingly attractive, organizations have fundamentally changed how they recruit, retain and attract employees. To get and keep the best next gen talent, organizations are offering employees a wide variety of opportunities to engage in social good efforts… whether that be volunteer days, donation matches, pro-bono opportunities and more.

It’s All About Trust. Currently, there is a historically low level of trust in all levels of government among the Millennial generation. Recent polls show that 47 percent of young Americans believe that “politics today are no longer able to meet the challenges our country is facing.” To state the obvious here… I do not think there is one person out there who wants to work for an entity that they don’t trust. As confidence in public figures has decreased, interestingly enough, Millennials’ adoption of alternative channels such as crowdfunding websites, crowdsourcing platforms, startups and social media profiles increased at an exponential rate. While the corollary here may be hypothetical at best, it seems as though investing time and funding to integrate the platforms, tools and networks used by the next generation into its own work will inevitably help the Federal government engage in more meaningful ways with the next generation. Going to where the next generation is and engaging them there in a meaningful way may help rebuild the trust that has been lost.

Be Flexible Where and When it Counts. It’s becoming undeniably harder for Federal vacancies to compete with jobs from other sectors that are offering significant professional development opportunities, higher pay scales and more unique benefits that cater to the Millennial generation (e.g., flexible work schedules, chefs on campus, car service). While I am certainly not advocating for unnecessary perks in the government workplace, I do believe that flexibility— working from home, non-traditional hours, paternity leave and other similar benefits—in the workplace will be a game changer and something that will be a core benefit in the coming decade. Moreover, before one even gets to the benefits, they need to get the job… but most prospective employees won’t make it through the long application process, which takes on average 100 days. Core to attracting and keeping the next generation of employees, the Federal government must identify how it can offer more dynamic benefits and streamline its application process.

While the challenge of forging a stronger next gen talent pipeline may currently rest with the Federal government, businesses and organizations across the country will soon have to confront it as well. Millennials are now the largest generation represented in today’s workforce. And at 53.5 million strong, this generation, just like each generation before it, is actively reshaping the workplace—and that’s a good thing. The ongoing shifts represent an exciting challenge that I hope the will help positively shape the future of America’s workforce and more effectively engage the next generation in service.

What are you seeing that’s working or not working when it comes to recruiting and retaining next gen talent in the workforce? Share your thoughts by tweeting at @CaseFoundation #MCON, and be sure to join us at MCON this June to continue the discussion.

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Jean Case

CEO of the Case Foundation, Chairman of the National Geographic Society Board of Trustees

Gary Knell

President and CEO, National Geographic Society

Brad Jenkins

Executive Producer / Managing Director of Funny or Die DC, Former White House Assoc Director of Public Engagement. Father of Sadie and Oscar.

David Litt

Former speechwriter for @POTUS. Current head writer/producer for DC office of @funnyordie. Also writing a book and hoping to win my Top Chef fantasy league.

Mayor Bowser

Official Twitter Account of the Mayor of Washington, DC

Gina Bianchini

Passionate about community building. Mightybell, Ning. Occasional Athlete, Pop Culture Connoisseur and California Native.

Ettore Rossetti

Philanthropist. Sr Dir Social & Innovation @SavetheChildren. @GWR tennis title holder. UConn’92. Gamer epic moustache man Twin. Father.

Erin Spencer

@natgeo Young Explorer & @OurOcean Digital Coordinator. Ocean lover, travel addict, #WomeninStem advocate, invasive species nerd.

Sylvia Earle

Oceanographer, National Geographic Explorer-In-Residence, Founder of @MissionBlue and 2009 TED Prize Winner. Saving and restoring the blue heart of the planet!

Minka Kelly

Actress and Philanthropist.

Miki Agrawal

Author of bestseller DO COOL SH*T, CEO & Co-Founder of THINX, Icon, Tushy & Wild. Dreamer. Seeker.

Chris Temple

Director+Co-Founder @LivingonOne | 2015 Top 100 Visionary Leaders (@Real_Leaders Magazine) | Speaker

David B Smith

Social Entrepreneur, MD of @PresidioInst, Former ED of @NCoC, Founder of @mob_org.

Jo-Ann Tan

Jo-Ann is leads +Acumen – a learning community for social change-makers.

Laurindo Garcia

Trying to make action speak louder than words. https://www.b-change.org

Christopher Punongbayan

Executive Director, Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus. Civil rights advocate & tennis enthusiast.

Ayesha Barenblat

Founder, Remake, @remakeourworld

DeRay McKesson

Activist. Organizer. Educator. Bowdoin. TFA. Baltimore.

Derrick Feldmann

President of Achieve (@achieve_consult) | Researcher | Author of Social Movements for Good

Vivien Labaton

Co-Founder & Co-Director of Make It Work.

Eric Asche

Chief Little Bet Maker for Truth Initiative. Fighting for market share – one person at a time.

Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis Lamontagne

Sister-Owners of GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE, Stars of TLC’s DC CUPCAKES, and Best-Selling Authors of THE CUPCAKE DIARIES and SWEET CELEBRATIONS

Karla Monterroso

VP of Programs for @CODE2040, Board Member for @1Deg

Chef José Andrés

Internationally-recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, television personality, humanitarian and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup.

Jay Newton-Small

TIME magazine correspondent | Author of Broad Influence: How Women Are Changing the Way America Works

Kevin Cleary

CEO @ClifBar, dad of three, eater of all things organic, bike commuter, Ninja Warrior & Little League Coach

Ryan Scott

CEO of @Causecast. Social Entrepreneur/Investor pioneering Employee Engagement in CSR, Corporate Philanthropy, Volunteerism and Community Impact.

Melissa Lake

Co-founder of Honeycomb, Executive Director of ONEHOPE

Lansie Sylvia

Madeline Kahn meets the J. Peterman Company Catalogue. Dir. of Engagement for @HMCTwit. Founder of @PhillyGiveGet and @nsdemocracy.

Heidi Nel

Entrepreneur. Artist. @Picture_Motion President + @TrumanProject Partner. Passionate about social impact, film, ice cream + soul cycle.

Ryan Leslie

Disruptive Multimedia. Grammy-nominated recording artist, multi-platinum producer and avid technologist.

Matt Bellassai

Internet drunk. Writer. Actual People’s Choice Award Winner. I write about boys & butts & Beyoncé. Formerly @BuzzFeed. Now ~solo~

Reena Ninan

@CBSNews Weekend News Anchor. Watch Saturday 630pm on @CBS & weekday afternoons on @cbsnlive at 1pm.

Case Foundation

We invest in people and ideas that change the world. Founded by Steve and Jean Case in 1997. Take risks. Be Bold. Fail forward. Be Fearless.

MCON

#MCON is a 3-day event for leaders, activists, social entrepreneurs, and students who want to change the world – for good. Let’s turn your interest into action.

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