What do data science, transformative philanthropy, benefit corporations (BCorps), and a rehabilitation hospital have in common? They were all topics, trends, and organizations featured at this Fall’s Impact Speaker Series at Scheller College of Business.
With the tagline ‘Cultivate the Leader in You,’ the weekly Impact Speaker Series (Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.) is one of Georgia Tech’s best kept secrets – but the organizers hope to change this. Impact is a one-of-a-kind resource for students, faculty, and staff; an opportunity to hear from, and network with, industry leaders – often CEOs and founders – from both the corporate and social sectors. For students especially, these one-hour weekly talks are the equivalent of taking a crash-course into a variety of fields outside their major coursework. For some, the inspiration of hearing a speaker’s unique career journey and how they are making an impact can be life changing.
Highlights from the most recent series include: Kathy Walters of Georgia-Pacific kicking off the season by sharing candid thoughts on personal success and the importance of improvement and innovation in personal career outcomes; Georgia Tech alumnus Gareth Hedges (PUBPOL '03) discussing how BCorps, such as the Redwoods Group, are delivering social impact through private enterprise; Kathryn Finney (digitalundivided) sharing her story as an advocate for women of color and failure in entrepreneurism; and the powerful series finale by the Sarah Morrison, CEO of the Shepherd Center, telling the story of the Shepherds, who founded the benchmark spine cord and brain injury rehabilitation center in Atlanta.
Watch the recordings on the Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ILE) YouTube channel from our past series to get a taste of the wide array of topics, diverse speakers, and inspiring debates that make up Impact.
The Spring series kicks off Jan. 23, with guest speaker John Hardman, CEO of WildArk.