University for a Night 2014

University for a Night 2014 brought together more than 300 leaders from around the world to share ideas and inspiration about how we can work together to overcome poverty and create a more sustainable, prosperous world.

The evening featured recognition of Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, the Honorable Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance of Nigeria, and the Honorable Simão Jatene, Governor of the State of Pará, Brazil with the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Awards (see transcript of award presentation and discussion).

The evening concluded with dinner discussions exploring a wide range of innovative approaches to poverty, environmental degradation, malnutrition, poor health, and other critical global challenges.

Table Discussion Topics & Distinguished Faculty

University for a Night concluded with dinner discussions that bring participants together with our Distinguished Faculty - experts from around the world - for an exchange of ideas on specific topics.

1. Unleashing the leadership capacity of young people
Jennifer Corriero, Executive Director, Taking It Global
Eddy Oketch, African Leadership Academy

2. Changing the world by changing the lives of women and girls
Mallika Dutt, Founder, Breakthrough

3. Innovating for environmental stewardship
Dan Esty, Professor, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and Yale Law School
Jonathan Wolfson, President & CEO, Solazyme

4. Women’s health and social justice
Judith Bruce, Senior Associate & Policy Analyst, Population Council

5. Impact Investing: Investing for social and financial returns
Joyce Haboucha, Managing Director, Director of Socially Responsive Investments, Rockefeller Financial

6. Systemic approaches to major global challenges
Amir Dossal, Founder & Chair, Global Partnerships Forum

7. Impact Investing: Investing for social and financial returns
Max Martin, Founder & Global Managing Director, Impact Economy

8. Impact Investing: Investing for social and financial returns
Elliott Donnelley, Partner, White Sand Investor Group LP

9. Impact Investing: Investing for social and financial returns
Daniel Schwartz, CEO, Dynamica, Inc.

10. New directions in family philanthropy
Shannon St. John, Director, Synergos

12. Partnerships for public health
Ellen Agler, CEO, The END Fund

13. Overcoming social isolation to build stronger communities
Jennifer Brennan, Chief of Staff, Assembly of First Nations
Kim Samuel, Samuel Family Foundation

14. Systemic approaches to major global challenges
Peggy Dulany, Founder & Chair, Synergos

15. Partnerships for education
Cindy Skarbek, Project Manager, Gordon V. & Helen C. Smith Foundation

16. Building sustainable businesses for social impact
John Heller, Senior Director, Consulting Services, Synergos

17. Systemic approaches to major global challenges
Robert H. Dunn, President & CEO, Synergos

18. Partnerships for food security, sustainable agriculture, and improved nutrition
Surita Sandosham, Senior Director, Partnerships, Synergos

19. Ensuring equitable economic growth - Focus on Africa
Isaac Shongwe, Director, Letsema Consulting Company

20. Communications and information technology for social good
Mónica Tapia, Director, Mexico, Synergos

21. Social entrepreneurship, culture and development in the Middle East and North Africa
Afeefa Syeed, Senior Culture and Development Advisor, US Agency for International Development

22. Overcoming violence and sustaining peace
Camilla Schippa, Director, Institute for Economics and Peace

23. Using storytelling and mass media for social change
Amadou Ba, CEO, Africa Media Initiative

24. Using storytelling and mass media for social change
Zainab Salbi, Founder, Women for Women International

25. The intersection of science and faith - Bringing about progress and benefits for society
Barnaby Marsh, Executive Vice President, John Templeton Foundation

26. Using storytelling and mass media for social change
Keri Putnam, Executive Director, Sundance Institute

27. The intersection of science and faith - Bringing about progress and benefits for society
Stephen Post, Trustee, John Templeton Foundation

Synergos thanks our sponsors, Distinguished Faculty, honorees, and all participants for making the evening a success.

University for a Night 2014

University for a Night 2014 brought together more than 300 leaders from around the world to share ideas and inspiration about how we can work together to overcome poverty and create a more sustainable, prosperous world.

Table Discussion Topics & Distinguished Faculty

Sponsors

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